Keim Street Bridge Comments By Councilor Jody Rhoads From Wednesday’s Committee of the Whole Meeting

The following comments were made by Councilor Rhoads on August 3rd, at the Committee of the Whole Meeting during the Pottstown Borough Council’s discussion about the Keim Street Bridge situation.  There is debate about whether Council should stop pushing PennDOT to replace the Keim Street Bridge and seek other alternative solutions that are cheaper and have a better chance of being approved.

What I would like to see, with all the studies and tons of money that has been spent over the years on studies, studies, studies, is the county (Montgomery) send a survey out to all the people in the area who have been using the bridge.  I have heard a lot of complaints since the bridge was closed.  A lot of people want to see it open. 

That bridge was there a long time.  I believe before I was born.  The Keim Street Bridge is the in middle of both of these improvements (the Stowe and Armand Hammer Blvd interchanges) and for this revitalization that has been talked about for probably over 25 years, Bethlehem Steel* is there, if that does ever go.  That access in and out of town in important.  As far as I am concerned, it is there and to take that bridge away I think would do us harm.  There is a lot of traffic that goes up and down Keim Street.  That is an important road.  *The former Bethlehem Steel site is now the Pottstown Industrial Complex.

Hanover Street (the interchange) has no entrance to westbound 422.  That is a deficiency.  If there were some changes there, I know there are houses right there in South Pottstown.  At least if there was an entrance to 422 westbound there, that would help somewhat. 

You are talking about improvements at either end of Industrial Highway, but there is nothing in the middle.  I think this is important.  Keim Street does have, it is all there, (the ability) to go west as it is now.  You could go over it (Keim Street Bridge) and go west.

Others do not live here, we do.  Once the bridge is gone, it is not coming back, I will guarantee you that.  If it is in the background hanging in limbo, that chance is in the future, who knows what the future brings.

Once it is gone, you know how that works….

Kohl’s New Downtown Williamsport Store Holding Job Fair Starting Tomorrow

Image via Wikipedia

If you need a job and live in the Williamsport vicinity, Kohl’s new downtown store is hiring 130 people.  The store will hold its grand opening on September 28th.

To read the article from the Williamsport Sun and get information about the job fair, click here:  http://www.sungazette.com/page/content.detail/id/566968/Kohl-s-to-hire-130-employees–prior-to-opening-next-month.html?nav=5011

For Berks County Farmers, It’s Location, Location, Location

Image via Wikipedia

Who would have ever thought proximity to Route 422 would be a litmus test for a good corn crop?  Certainly not I.  However, that is the case in Berks County.  Farms south of 422 are in good shape and farms north of 422 are suffering. 

July’s above normal temperatures, coupled with a lack of rain has caused tremendous damage to corn crops in Berks County located north of 422.  Farms south of 422 received more rain and the clay-like soil holds moisture better.  Most farms in Berks County do not use irrigation to water crops.

Berks County is not the only place where the corn crop is doing poorly.  Nationwide it is estimated that corn yields will be down 40 percent!  This translates into higher prices at the supermarket for you and I!

Another casualty of the heat has been milk production.  Cows do not like heat (sounds familiar) and when they are hot they eat less and produce less milk!

July’s Economic News Better Than June’s!

The economy fared better in July than it did in June.  117,000 jobs were added in July as opposed to only 18,000 in June.  Also, the unemployment rate inched down one tenth of one percent from 9.2 percent in June to 9.1 percent in July.

In order to substantially reduce unemployment 250,000 jobs a month would be need to be added to bring the unemployment rate down quickly.  As you can see, we are nowhere near that level.

In August we will have to wait and see if the reduction of the U.S.credit rating and Thursday’s stock market plunge will have an adverse effect on job creation and unemployment.

New Digitally Based Record Label Formed In Harrisburg

A new digitally based record label has been formed in Harrisburg by three friends with a passion for music and a desire to help local talent succeed.  Rock Paper Records will use the most current technology, including social media, to help their artists achieve notoriety and success.

Rock Paper Records offers management, development and viral/standard marketing strategies for their clients.  The trio brings 15 years of marketing, band management, operations, branding and tour management to the table.  This twenty something group, Jay Tran, Logan Betz and Sean Kunkle, are self-professed “music nerds” who love music and want to help “the little guy/gal” find success in the music industry.

Providing the best results at the lowest cost, having fun, helping the community and being environmentally conscious is the mantra for Rock Paper Records.

If you are a musician who would like to take your career to the next level, Rock Paper Records wants to help you get there.  Their goal is to get you to your musical goals!

Rock Paper Records is located at:

106 Calder Street, Harrisburg, PA 17012

Voice:  717-756-9890

Internet: http://www.rockpaperrecords.com

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/RockPaperRecords?v=info#info_edit_sections

Email and submissions:  info@rockpaperrecords.com / submissions@rockpaperrecords.com