York’s West Jackson Street Project Near Completion

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

Clement Alleyne moved to West Jackson Street in 1984.

“It was nice, but it needed work,” he said.

Some 30 years later, it was definitely due for a change, Alleyne said.

With the help of several community partners, a $1 million improvement project has repaved the streets, updated lighting and added water-retention flower beds. Utility companies Columbia Gas and York Water have also replaced antiquated pipelines in the community.

Read more: http://www.yorkdispatch.com/breaking/ci_26558416/west-jackson-street-project-near-completion

U.S. Senator Bob Casey Backs Community Development Funding

English: Official photo of Senator Bob Casey (D-PA). (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

WILKES-BARRE, PA — U.S. Sen. Bob Casey wants more money allocated to the Community Development Block Grant program to allow municipalities to decide what projects are most needed and have the funding to complete them.

During a teleconference Wednesday, Casey, D-Scranton, said the Obama administration has proposed cutting CDBG funding by more than $200 million this year. Casey wants the allocation to be increased in 2015.

“CDBG has played an instrumental role in advancing locally driven projects that create jobs and contribute to economic growth,” Casey said. “The cuts proposed in the administration’s budget could limit the ability of municipalities in Pennsylvania to complete economic development projects that are essential.”

He said he’s pushing for Congress to increase the funding.

Read more: http://timesleader.com/news/local-news-news/1298260/Casey-backs-community-development-funding

Pottsville Mayor Describes City’s Challenge To Fix Streets

View of Pottsville, Pennsylvania. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

While giving his first State of the City address Thursday night, Pottsville Mayor James T. Muldowney deviated from his 11-page speech only once.

Before giving the crowd of more than 75 in council chambers an update on streets and public improvements, Muldowney, 56, said: “My wife told me I should ad lib a little bit. So, God bless you, Ron. And you too, Dan.”

He was referring to Councilman Ronald J. Moser, who heads up the city’s streets and public improvements department, and the challenge Moser and city officials, including Superintendent of Streets Daniel E. Kelly, will face as a result of the wicked winter.

“Dan Kelly and the men that work in this department have the skills and determination to help our residents brave the worst of weather,” Muldowney said.

Read more: http://republicanherald.com/news/mayor-describes-city-s-challenge-to-fix-streets-1.1638282

Reading Administration Revives Proposal For Streetlight Assessments

A 1947 topographic map of the Reading, Pennsylvania area. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Mayor Vaughn D. Spencer’s administration is reviving a proposal to impose a streetlight assessment that might cost a row home owner $16 a year, but larger property owners several thousand dollars.

Managing Director Carole B. Snyder asked City Council on Monday to consider introducing the enabling ordinance this month, to get some benefit from it this year.

“We don’t want to put any more burden on anyone, but we’re limited on options,” Snyder said.

The fee is being considered because it’s one of the few ways to get the 32 percent of city properties exempt from property taxes to pay for city services, she said.

Read more:  http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=482631