Conference Generates Ideas For Tackling Poverty In Reading

, U.S. Congressman (R-Pennsylvania, 1997-present) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Fatherless families, a lack of jobs and school dropout rates contribute to poverty and local economic conditions, U.S. Rep. Joseph R. Pitts said Monday.

“Families with fathers and mothers are the best anti-poverty program,” said the Chester County Republican, whose district includes Reading. “Saying these simple things can land you in all kinds of trouble.”

He was speaking at a conference on economic inequality that he organized at Reading Area Community College.

In an interview afterward, Pitts listed some points raised during the four-hour event that he will pursue.

“We will come up with some projects,” Pitts said.

While some of the 75 political, business and nonprofit leaders who participated agreed with Pitts’ points, several made their own arguments for improving the economy in Reading, where the 2012 poverty rate of 40.5 percent made it the second most impoverished city in the country behind Detroit.

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/article/20131210/NEWS/312109974/1052#.UqeN0fRDsxI

Penn Street Bridge On The Route To Restoration

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Berks County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

For the century that the Penn Street Bridge has carried traffic into Reading, not much work other than small-scale repairs have been done to it.

It shows.

Chunks of concrete are missing from its extravagant arches and railings. But more concerning to PennDOT is the deterioration to the beams, deck and supports inside the bridge.

PennDOT plans to start a massive repair in the next couple of years intended to restore Reading’s iconic gateway to its former glory.

Read more:  http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=492075

TV Program On Reading’s Future Takes First Place

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Berks County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A program produced by WFMZ-TV and Reading Eagle Company took first place in the public affairs category over the weekend at the Pennsylvania Associated Press Broadcasters Association awards banquet for 2012 in Harrisburg.

It was previously announced that “From Poverty to Prosperity: Reading Looks to the Future” finished in the top three in the category for medium-market TV stations, but its exact finish was not announced until the banquet.

The program was a joint effort between print and television media, sponsored by M&T Bank in collaboration with United Way of Berks County and hosted by Reading Area Community College.

Read more:  http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=479294

Reading Area Community College Likely To Raise Tuition Nearly 6%

Students at Reading Area Community College could see a 5.84 percent tuition increase this fall.

The $28.77 million budget proposed for 2012-13 calls for raising the cost per credit $8, to $145 from $137, for part-time students.

For full-time Berks County students, tuition would rise to $2,175 per semester from $2,055.

RACC’s president, Dr. Anna D. Weitz, said the proposed increase is a response to several factors, including a 5 percent decrease in state funding, increased expenses and a decline in full-time enrollment at community colleges across the state.

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=391115

Reading GoggleWorks – Transforming The City Of Reading

Image via Wikipedia

This sounds like the recipe for Velveeta cheese except we aren’t using Colby, Swiss and Cheddar.  Take a bunch of abandoned industrial buildings, fix ’em up, blend in a heapin’ helpin’ of the arts and see what you get!  Revitalization in Reading, PA!

Read the story below:

http://www.newpa.com/strengthen-your-community/success-stories/the-revivalists/index.aspx