4th Annual Citizens For Pottstown Revitalization Garden Party

Hi All,

Spring is officially here, I’d I like to invite you to the 4th Annual Garden Party held at the Washington/Chestnut Street Park this Saturday, May 18.

It will be a morning of beautifying the park with annuals and mulch donated by Colonial Gardens and light refreshments courtesy of Genesis Housing Corp.  Details are below and don’t forget you gardening tools! SHOVELS, RAKES and GLOVES!

WHAT:  4TH ANNUAL GARDEN PARTY
WHERE:  WASHINGTON/CHESTNUT STS. PARK
DATE:  SATURDAY, MAY 18, 2013
TIME:  9AM – 11AM

Hope to See you there!

Anna

The National Night Out – Pottstown

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT IN POTTSTOWN, TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 2011

“America’s Night Out Against Crime

Pottstown, PA July 15, 2011

Pottstown residents will participate again this year in National Night Out on Tuesday, August 2, 2011.  Activities will be at Chestnut Street Park at the corner of Washington and Chestnut Streets in Pottstown, starting at 6:30 pm. The celebration is being coordinated by Citizens for Pottstown’s Revitalization, the  MOSAIC Community Land Trust, Pottstown, PA, and Genesis Housing.

Residents old and young are invited to be at the Park at 6:30 pm for the start of the activities. There will be hot dogs and refreshments, public safety demonstrations, and a story time for kids with book reading on internet safety awareness. The official activities for National Night Out, or NNO for short, will last until 8:30 pm.

New this year for Pottstown will be a four-block walk through the streets near the Park.  The traditional display of support for NNO is to keep an outside light on during the evening, and to sit outside on a porch or step. The organizers are excited that the short march will add even more spirit and fun to this year’s celebration. Residents who cannot make it to the park are still asked to leave their lights on, and sit outside as their part of the vigil! Rain or shine, the event will go on.

Questions, suggestions and offers to volunteer or contribute can be directed to VivaPottstown@hotmail.com or flyeredup8831@gmail.com.

NNO is an easy way, on a single day, to invest in community spirit and to show that the neighborhoods are being taken back by the people from the criminals. Residents are asked to come out to show solidarity against drugs and crime, and to help develop a partnership between the community and local police, fire and emergency services.

Any organization wishing to set up a table is encouraged to join the activities; please bring your own table and any information or handouts you would like to give away. The organizers will not be able to provide tables. (To help the organizers with planning, please send a note in advance to VivaPottstown@hotmail.com to let them know you’ll be there with your table!)

Thousands of communities and millions of citizens will be participating across the U.S.A. In Pennsylvania alone, as many as 150 municipalities will be taking part. NNO is sponsored by the National association of Town Watch.

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ABOUT National Night Out and National Association of Town Watch: 

The National Association of Town Watch (NATW) is a non-profit, crime prevention organization which works in cooperation with thousands of crime watch groups and local law enforcement agencies throughout the country.

National Night Out, “America’s Night Out Against Crime”, was introduced by the Association in 1984. The event has grown from 400 towns in 23 states the first year, to over 15,000 communities in all 50 states with 37 million people last year in August 2010. The 2011 event is expected to be even bigger. More information on NATW and NNO can be found at www.NationalTownWatch.org.

ABOUT Genesis Housing Corporation :

Genesis Housing Corporation is dedicated to the development of affordable housing and to the education of consumers on housing and financial issues.

Since 1994, Genesis Housing Corporation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, has served Montgomery County as a community housing development organization (CHDO). Our general activities include the rehabilitation and new construction of homes to improve and stabilize neighborhoods and to provide opportunities for lower income homebuyers to purchase homes at affordable prices. Genesis Housing Corporation also provides housing counseling and money management services for potential homebuyers and homeowners. More information on Genesis is available at www.genesishousing.org.

ABOUT Citizens for Pottstown’s Revitalization:

Citizens for Pottstown’s Revitalization (“CPR”) is working to unify all of Pottstown’s pockets of activism. In keeping with CPR’s mission to breathe new life into our community through positive actions, community involvement, courage and respect, we invite you to submit news and comments promoting the betterment of Pottstown.  Viva Pottstown! More information is available at www.VivaPottstown.com

ABOUT MOSAIC Community Land Trust, Pottstown PA:

MOSAIC Community Land Trust, Pottstown, PA is a local non-profit corporation dedicated to increasing affordable homeownership opportunities in Pottstown, developing a community garden at 423 Chestnut Street, and empowering residents to participate in the improvement of their own neighborhoods. Collaboration is the key to their efforts to create long-lasting change, and they are already partnering with local businesses, volunteers, Pottstown School District, Pottstown Borough and other community organizations, such as The Gallery and Genesis Housing Corporation. MOSAIC has been working with a nationally-recognized expert in community land trusts, thanks to a grant from National Penn Bank. More information available at  www.PottstownCLT.wordpress.com

Let’s Talk – Pottstown Community Meeting On April 28th

Genesis Housing Corporation, a 501(c)3  non-profit corporation, will hold a Community Meeting on Thursday, April 28, 2011 at 7:00 P.M. at the Ricketts Center, 640 Beech Street, Pottstown, PA 19464.  Community members will be asked for their ideas for a new mural at the Chestnut Street Park and to help to set priorities and develop future projects.  An update on Washington Street neighborhood projects including the new community garden will be discussed.  Information on the Science in the Park event and other upcoming events will be provided.  Community concerns about this area and other sections of the Pottstown will be explored with the hope of setting priorities for future projects.

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then the proposed mural in the Washington St. neighborhood will speak volumes on the tenacity and determination driving the revitalization of Pottstown.  Genesis Housing Corporation, The Gallery on High and Citizens for Pottstown’s Revitalization are in collaboration to develop a mural at the park located at Washington and Chestnut Streets.  The artistic coordinators, Cathy Paretti and Erika Hornburg-Cooper of the Gallery on High have selected Robert Louis Williams, an accomplished local artist to design and create the proposed park mural.  Let’s talk about the different types of murals and what this mural should look like – this is the chance for your input.

Judith Memberg, Executive Director of Genesis Housing Corporation, will provide an update on their Washington Street neighborhood housing developments including the rehabilitation of vacant properties for new home buyers and the homeowner rehab programs.  Information about the Pottstown Homeowner Rehab Program will be provided.

Genesis Housing Corporation serves Montgomery County as a non-profit community development organization and is dedicated to the development of affordable housing and to the education of consumers on housing and financial issues.  Genesis Housing Corporation has worked with government agencies, other non-profit agencies and private housing developers to create affordable housing.  Genesis Housing Corporation is certified for counseling for FannieMae, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), PA Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) and many banks and local government programs.

For more information, visit our website at http://www.genesishousing.org or call 610-275-4357.

CPR Events Calendar and Pottstown Police Witness Training‏

Greetings All!

 
The year is starting off with gusto!  Within the next few months there several events coordinated to keep us (the community) engaged in crime prevention and positive community development.  Please select the link to CPR’s Calendar of Events to view the entire calendar.  For March the Pottstown Police have developed a free Witness Training Program, giving the community the tools to recognize suspicious behavior and capture the important details that help them police more effectively.  Let’s start this spring out right and set a precedent in our community that Drugs, Crime and Violence will not be tolerated.
 
Starting in April, the Pottstown Police are sponsoring a Civilian Police Academy for borough residents.  They are currently accepting applications and this just looks awesome!   Check out the link to PPD for more details. http://www.truenet.net/pottstownpd/Civ%20Pol%20Acad.htm
 
Remember, MOST IMPORTANT component of a Neighborhood Watch organization is COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION, so please stay involved and don’t lose hope.

Here’s a Preview of our calendar:

Friday, March 18, 2011
7:00pm – 8:00pm
Wi tness Training by Pottstown Police | Borough Hall (3rd Floor Council Chambers)

Friday, April 15, 2011
7:00pm – 7:45pm
Neighborhood Watch Meeting | PAL Bldg (146 King St.)

Sunday, April 17, 2011
1:00pm – 2:00pm
Womens Self Defense | 21 N. Hanover St. (Pottstown Karate Club)

Saturday, May 21, 2011
10:00p am – 2:00pm
Park Garden Planting | Washington/Chestnut St. Park

Saturday, June 4, 2011
12:00pm – 4:00pm
Science in the Park | Washington/Chestnut St. Park

Viva Pottstown!
Anna

Pottstown Neighborhood Watch Needs You!‏

There’s no time like the present to take back our neighborhood!  The message must be loud and clear that VIOLENCE, CRIME and DRUGS will not be tolerated in our community.  Please join us at the PAL Bldg. (146 King St.) @ 7PM on Friday-2/18/2011 to discuss the following topics on the agenda:

1. Pottstown Crime Statistics
2. Organizing a Pottstown Court Watch
3. Collaborating with the Pottstown Guardian Angel Chapter

All are welcome and participation is not required, you get credit for just showing up! So, tell your friends and we hope to see you there..

Please respond if you plan on attending @ Vivapottstown@hotmail.com

Tentative Neighborhood Watch and Events Schedule 2011
http://www.vivapottstown.com/ (CPR Website)
Friday, February 18, 2011
7:00pm – 7:45pm
Neighborhood Watch Meeting (45m) | PAL Bldg (146 King St.)

Sunday, February 20, 2011
1:00pm – 2:00pm
Patrol Training by Guardian Angels (1h) | 21 N. Hanover (Pottstown Karate Club)

Friday, March 18, 2011
7:00pm – 8:00pm
Witness Training by Pottstown Police (1h) | Borough Hall (3rd Floor Council Chambers)

Friday, April 15, 2011
7:00pm – 7:45pm
Neighborhood Watch Meeting (45m) | PAL Bldg (146 King St.)

Saturday, June 4, 2011
12:00pm – 4:00pm
Science in the Park (4h) | Washington/Chestnut St. Park

Friday, June 17, 2011
7:00pm – 7:45pm
Neighborhoo d Watch Meeting (45m) | PAL Bldg (146 King St.)

Friday, August 19, 2011
7:00pm – 7:45pm
Neighborhood Watch Meeting (45m) | PAL Bldg (146 King St.)

Friday, October 21, 2011
7:00pm – 7:45pm
Neighborhood Watch Meeting (45m) | PAL Bldg (146 King St.)

Friday, December 16, 2011
7:00pm – 7:45pm
Neighborhood Watch Meeting (45m) | PAL Bldg (146 King St.)

The Continued Arrogance Of Tom Hylton

We were “treated” to yet another paid Mercury infomercial by Mr. Hylton today.  In the immortal words of Dr. Smith from Lost In Space “The pain. The pain.”

It must be so rewarding to sit atop Mt. Olympus (aka Chestnut Street) and look down your nose at us mere mortals (see smug smirk). 

If someone has a difference of opinion with Mr. Hylton, he writes an infomercial to publicly trivialize their perspective because HE (see god-like being) was a Mercury reporter and has lived in Pottstown longer.  Sorry Tom, everyone’s reality does not always match yours, thankfully.

Calling someone a “noisemaker” who is trying to improve the quality of life in Pottstown is rude.  This person does more than make noise!  She puts her money where her mouth is.

So get out of your treehouse, come down here with the rest of us and stop acting like some superior being.  You put your pants on one leg at a time like everyone else in this town. 

Get over yourself!

CPR Leader’s Home Vandalized – Our Community Should Be Outraged!

A disgraceful and despicable act of cowardly vandalism took place in our community this weekend.  Community Activist and Citizens For Pottstown’s Revitalization leader Katy Jackson’s home was vandalized as a neighbor allegedly watched and did absolutely nothing.  A giant S was spray-painted on her door for starters but the damage did not stop there.

This type of retaliatory violence cannot be tolerated!  Our police department and borough council should be outraged.  No expense should be spared until those responsible are brought to justice. No citizen in this community should be allowed to be intimidated for speaking up at Borough Council meetings about the serious problems facing Pottstown i.e. slumlords and drug dealers for starters.

If Pottstown is to be revitalized, ALL 22,859 people who call this town home are accountable and responsible to do their part to make this a reality.  Otherwise, we might as well bomb it, plow it under, plant corn and call it a day.  If ALL the citizens of this community can not feel safe or be protected properly then we have a serious problem.  Regardless of what neighborhood someone lives in, they are paying taxes for police protection.  If that means authorizing additional patrols and resources being deployed in certain areas of Pottstown, then so be it.  I am not bashing our police department as I feel they normally do an excellent job but if they need more manpower etc… find a way to get it!

HOW IN THE HELL DO YOU EXPECT TO ATTRACT MIDDLE CLASS TAXPAYERS AND EMPLOYERS TO POTTSTOWN IF THIS CRAP IS ALLOWED TO HAPPEN?????  We already have a bad reputation and this just reinforces all the junk that is floating around out there like this being “little Philadelphia”.

All the forward momentum that is being made is for nothing if people are afraid to live and work here!  It is all about people’s perceptions and do not think for one moment that is not the case.