Interfaith Forum Explores Ways to Combat Hate

Photos by Evan Brandt

Above: Darrell Brown, center, pastor of New Hope Baptist Church in Paoli, makes a point during last night's interfaith forum on combating racism. At left is Bishop Michael Anthony of Heart of God Church. At right is Tameka Hatcher from the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission.

At left: There were about 50 people in the audience at last night's interfaith forum.

If you think this world is getting crazier by the day, and people struggle to connect in meaningful ways, you're not alone.

A lot of people who feel the same way turned out Tuesday night for an interfaith forum held at the Carousel at Pottstown and spurred by  an incident last summer outside the Royersford office of state Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-146th Dist.

A message promoting the Ku Klux Klan was discovered written

in dust outside state Rep. Joe Ciresi's office in August.

In the dust on windows opposite his office, someone had drawn hate symbols, including a swastika and comments about Anne Frank, whose diary written while hiding from Nazis documented the struggles Jews faced during the Holocaust.

He was joined by fellow state legislators state Rep. Tim Hennessey, R-26th Dist., and state Sen. Bob Mensch, R-24th Dist. and the ability of the three to cooperate on legislation that benefits the greater Pottstown area was used as an example of people overcoming their differences for the greater good.

The panel also responded to questions from the audience.

The panelists for the evening were Bill MacGregor of Pottstown Works; the Rev. Dr. Marcia Bailey,
pastor of First Baptist Church in Pottstown; the Rev. Nichole Jackson, pastor of Trinity Reformed United Church of Christ in Pottstown; Bishop Michael Anthony, pastor of Heart of God Church; the Rev. Darrell Brown, pastor of New Hope Baptist Church in Paoli; Tameka Hatcher, Educational Outreach Coordinator of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission and Julia Katz, from the board of governors of Hesed Shel Emet, Pottstown's only synagogue.

Hatcher told the crowd of about 50 that the Human Relations Commission got its real start in the 1950s when a statewide poll of employers showed that most would not employ an African-American even if the worker had an advanced degree. She said Pennsylvania was the fourth state to adopt an anti-discrimination statute.

She said that although no one was ever charged for the incident outside Ciresi's office, profiles of such actors suggest it is a young person who feels marginalized in society. With 36 active hate groups, Pennsylvania ranks eighth in the nation for the number of hate groups operating here according to the Southern Poverty Law Center's database, Hatcher said.

More recently, the Human Relations Commission has been working with its counterparts in Pottstown, with the Exeter School District and in York County, where pro Ku Klux Klan leaflets were left on cars parked outside a theater where Spike Lee's film "Black Klansman" was showing, said Hatcher.

From left, state Sen. Bob Mensch, and state Reps Tim Hennessey

and Joe Ciresi all attended last night's forum.

Her agency does more than fight racism, said Hatcher. She noted that when a Pennsylvania company was purchased by a larger corporation, and became more automated, it began laying off older workers who were said to be unlikely to be able to adapt to the newer technology.

"They were predominantly older white men, and so many of them said to us that they did not believe discrimination really happened in the workplace, that people just didn't want to work, until it happened to them," Hatcher said.

Mensch said the state Senate is currently mulling legislation that would give the Human Relations Commission "more teeth" to combat discrimination, and that could be expanded to also include protections for those discriminated against due to their sexual orientation.

"I'm getting a lot of messages from people telling me not to do it, but those people read too much on Twitter," he said.

Marcia Bailey, center, pastor at First Baptist Church in Pottstown,

makes a point with Nichole Jackson, pastor at Trinity Reformed

United Church of Christ, right, and Bill MacGregor from Pottstown

Works, left, listen.

In fact social media and the wider Internet in general were discussed as ways that keep people from reaching a deeper understanding of each other and, as Bailey noted, "makes it easier for people to be targeted electronically."

Jackson said that attempts at conversation online can go so toxic so quickly that she prefers to speak with people face to face, or at least on the telephone.

She said her conversations with Johnny Corson, president of the Pottstown chapter of the NAACP, have eased her out of her comfort zone.

"Relationships are at the root of everything we do," Jackson said. "It's a humbling experience to hear the pain of another person without getting defensive, but if we can keep coming back to the table, it gets less so."

Those face-to-face conversations are the way to build understanding and break down walls between faiths, ethnicities and beliefs, said Brown.

Even family relationships tend be the path out of hate, said Bailey. She used an example of a family member who reveals that they are gay. "They already love this person, how can they reject them? And then all the pre-conceptions that had about 'those people' melt away," Bailey said.

Bishop Michael Anthony, center, pastor of Heart of God church,

makes a joke while the Rev. Nichole Jackson, left, and pastor

Darrell Brown, right, show their appreciation.

"I truly believe the power of relationships is how we're going to overcome," said Brown. The fact that Pottstown's leaders are having these conversations now; the fact that Pottstown Police Chief Michael Markovich attends Pottstown Ministerium meetings are all important for understanding.

"What happens to a community when they're not prepared, when they can't reach out to their leaders," he said. "One terrible act of violence can tear a whole community apart, unless people in the community can look to their leaders to have their best interests at heart."

Anthony said that this generation of children seems to have by-passed many of the prejudices their parents may hold, knowingly or not. "Kids hang out together without all the hang-ups adults have," he said.

But those children are being discriminated against by a state education funding system that has been shown to short-change school districts with a higher minority population, said activist John Tremble.

Anthony, who works in the school district, said he sees first-hand how Pottstown's school children are

"How do we get people to understand we're just like they are?"

said Julia Katz, right, from the board of governors of Temple 

Hesed Shel Emet.

denied resources wealthier districts enjoy.

"It's about priorities," said Hatcher, who emphasized she was expressing her person opinion and not a policy position of the Human Relations Commission. "The state will end up dealing with these children one way or the other. The question is whether they will pay for it on the educational level, or pay for it at a correctional institution."

"In my tradition, Christianity, we say every child is a child of God. But I think this is a justice issue," said Jackson. "I see children in my congregation who are being denied what they need to grow. And if I don't stand up say its unfair, I can't say every child is a child of God."

Anthony said while it is incumbent upon Pottstown to teach its children "how to be strong in this moment," it is incumbent upon those with the power to right this wrong to act.

"You can't tell me you love me, and then watch me suffering and not do something to help," he said. "Love is an action word."

And with that, click here to read all the Tweets from the forum.

Council Mulls Trash Bids, Pension Hikes, Storm Damage Costs and Allowing Drinking at Carousel

There's a lot to cover from last night's borough council work session so try to keep up.

First up, the thing most of you probably care about the most.

Mascaro Wins Trash Bids, Again

Judging by the results revealed last night by Pottstown Borough Manager Justin Keller, it looks like the borough's current trash hauler will also be the borough's new trash hauler, at least for the next three years.

And we'll all be paying at least $41 more per year for the pleasure.

Despite early interest from several area haulers, only two firms bid on the new trash pick-up contract for the borough, J.P Mascaro and Sons and Waste Management.

Red Mascaro trash bins seem likely to remain
a familiar sight in Pottstown.

Keller said the bid included lots of options, such as a three-year contract for a five-year one, with added bulk pick-up provisions as well as provisions for penalty for missed pick-ups, the most frequent complaint against Mascaro.

Escalating fines will punish the hauler until they can go six months without a missed pick-up complaint, he said.

According to the figures he cited, a three-year contract with Mascaro and weekly pick-up of one bulk item will cost a household $10.32 more per quarter, or $41.28 per year, the lowest price.

A five-year pact would raise the price by 10.60 per quarter or $42.40 per year.

The Waste Management bids for a three-year contract with weekly bulk pick-up would increase the quarterly bill for a household by $11.91 per quarter, or $47.64 a year. The price would jump by $12.12 per quarter, or $48.48 per year, for the five-year contract.

Councilman Joe Kirkland questioned whether council is required to take the lowest bidder. "The difference between bidders is only about $1 per quarter, and considering the complaints we get" about Mascaro.

Borough Solicitor Charles D. Garner Jr. said state law requires governments to award the contract to the lowest bidder to avoid favoritism and to provide the most savings possible to the public.

J.P. Mascaro III was in the audience and told council that 2019 had been one of the most difficult for

JP Mascaro III addresses borough council Wednesday night.

trash haulers, due larger to a labor shortage.

Last year, the firm went so far as to set up an employment center on High Street to try to recruit more workers.

"We serve more than 100 municipalities and we've had problems with three or four and Pottstown is one of those," Mascaro said. "But we're committed to Pottstown. We're committed to getting things back on track."

Responding to Kirkland's observation about the difference in price, he noted "that difference may seem small, but it adds up to more than $1 million over the course of the contract."

Borough Council President Dan Weand suggested council members read up on all the new provisions and penalties contained in the new contract and Keller said the staff will have a recommendation for council at the Monday meeting, although voting need not occur until the October meeting.

Pension Hikes

Perhaps of less direct interest to residents but maybe just as important in terms of recurring costs, are the looming increase in the minimum payments the borough must make the police non-uniform pension funds.

Borough Manager Justin Keller said the increase for police pensions is $263,055, bringing the borough's total annual payment to $1,784,671.

The increase for the non-uniform pension funds is higher, $415,220, although the total payment is $1,320,150 is lower.

Keller said there are two primary causes for the increase. The first and less significant was an increase in the "mortality tables," which is what actuaries use to predict how long a pensioner will live. The new tables are built specifically for municipal employees.

The bigger impact all had to do with timing. Although Keller said the two pension funds, which are invested in a variety of stocks, bonds and funds "have done well on the investor front," the Dec. 31, 2018 date when the state took the "snapshot" of how those funds were doing was a date that the stock market "was at an all-time low."

So although the funds look much better than they did on the "snapshot" date, that's the one that counts and taxpayers will have to pony up the extra money to satisfy what the actuaries say the fund needs to meet its obligations.

July 11 Storm Impacts

Borough Manager Justin Keller had good news and bad news regarding the flooding that swept through the borough on July 11.

The good news is for homeowners and businesses that were damaged by the flood. Because damage in Berks County passed a state threshold, damages in adjacent counties are eligible for low-interest loans to pay for repairs.

Keller said an official announcement is expected shortly. Here's video of his report.

Damage to baseball backstops in Memorial Park.

The bad news is for damage to borough property. He said a state threshold of $19 million in damage needed to be passed for government aid to be available and because of the extremely localized nature of that flood along Manatawny Creek "we're not close to meeting that threshold, so it looks like we're not going to get any aid for those damages."

He said the damage in Pottstown, largely in Memorial Park and College Drive, adds up to "just over $1 million."

Council Vice President Carol Kulp, who reports from the borough's infrastructure committee, said the College Drive repairs are complete but repairs to the baseball fields in Memorial Park will cost about $60,000.

The damaged pedestrian bridge in Memorial Park.

Even more expensive and the borough's "biggest challenge," said Keller, is the damage to the pedestrian bridge over Manatawny Creek. Cost for replacement or repair is estimated to be in the area of $400,000.

"Our best path forward, so as not to- burden borough taxpayers any further is to seek grants" from two state agencies, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Department of Community and Economic Development, both of which have provided grant money to the park in the past.

"But the earliest grant applications are open is in the spring, with grant notifications not coming until fall of 202 and construction not beginning until 2021," Keller said, "just to manage expectations about that."

(I claim six minutes in the betting pool for how long it takes the well-informed commenters on The Mercury Facebook page to make a remark about how the money spent on bike lanes could have been used to fix the bridge.)

In the meantime, Keller said letters are being issued to PennDOT and Norfolk Southern reminding them of their responsibility to clean up debris that is snagged on the abutments of their bridges over the Manatawny and downstream from the park.

Floodwaters fill the collapsed arch behind a home in the first block
of Walnut Street during the July 11 storm.

"There's no indication that caused this most recent flooding but the most recent flooding did carry a lot of debris downstream, so we want to make sure that's cleaned up by those responsible," he said.

One bright spot is Montgomery County's decision to add Pottstown's crumbling storm arches to its "hazard mitigation plan."

The primary benefit of that, Keller said, is it opens up alternative avenues of funding to "help get those arches repaired and maintained."

One of those collapsed arches behind a home on Walnut Street, filled with water during the flood and was eroded even further.

Drinking at the Carousel

A public hearing on moving a liquor license from Lower Gwynedd to Pottstown was the door opening on a conversation about plans being proposed by the Carousel at Pottstown.

Karen Lovette and Steve Cavallo of Gilbertsville sample local wine
at the 2018 Carousel of Flavor.

There were no public objections at the hearing but at least three council members expressed concerns about allowing liquor to be served regularly at the facility.

The borough owns both the carousel building and the adjacent Manatawny Green mini-golf course, both of which are now operated by the non-profit carousel organization.

Adam Sager, who spoke for the carousel, said the plans include renovating the building to make room for a restaurant that can serve alcohol in addition to food.

Currently, the organization has what is called "an entertainment license," which allows the private parties hosted there to bring alcohol.

Additionally, many of the carousel's own events, like the annual Carousel of Flavor restaurant festival, serve beer and wine.

Beer has been served at the Carousel of Flavor for years. These folks
seem to be enjoying themselves at the 2018 event.

Councilman Joe Kirkland said he has concerns about allowing drinking so close to the mini-golf
course, "where children are playing."

Sager, an attorney on High Street and carousel board member, said the legal agreement with the restaurant would indemnify the borough and the carousel from any lawsuits and the restaurant would be responsible for not serving intoxicated customers.

Council Vice President Carol Kulp said having alcohol and "a carousel that spins in the same place is a recipe for disaster. I don't feel alcohol and the carousel is a good mix."

Sager replied between the group's own events and private events, alcohol has been served at more than 100 events and "we've  never had anyone get sick, public disruption or had to call the police."

"I think this is a terrific idea," said Mayor Stephanie Henrick. "They're no-t asking to do- anything they're no-t already doing."

Sager pointed to the success of The Alley on High Street where food, beer and vodka are all served

Adam Sager addresses council Wednesday night.

along with music and people bring their children and their dogs and it has been remarkably successful.

"Give us a chance, just like you gave everybody else a chance. You allowed an alleyway to change into fun area where people can enjoy a good night," Sager said, pointing out what the carousel wants to do is no different from chains like Dave and Brusters, where alcohol is served and sports activities.
Councilman Ryan Procsal said he has visited The Alley often with his two children "and there has never been a problem."

"The carousel is supposed to be for kids, not for drinking," said Councilwoman Rita Paez.

Borough Solicitor Charles Garner Jr. said council's role in the proposal will be complex.

First, he said, voting to allow the liquor license into the borough does not give the carousel permission to begin to serve it in the building.

To allow the restaurant, the lease with the carousel will have to be altered; because it owns the building council will have to specifically allow alcohol to be served there in a restaurant setting. Further, in addition to voting on whether to allow the changes, as council would on an development, as the building owner it must also approve those changes with a greater level of control than it would normally have.

And with that, there was other stuff, but you've probably stopped reading by now, so let's just go to the Tweets:

Higher Pension Costs, Park Damage and Drinking at the Carousel

Carousel to Welcome New Fantastic Beast July 4th

The rarely glimpsed Hippocampus takes time to swim with some dolphin friends as it makes its way to its new home at the Carousel at Pottstown, with it will reach on July 4, just in time for the Independence Day Parade.

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by Carousel at Pottstown.

The Hippocampus is a fantastic beast from Greek mythology, harnessed to draw the chariot of Poseidon, God of the Seas. This magnificent imaginary creature, half horse half porpoise, is nowhere to be found on the planet...except for Pottstown, PA.

The Carousel at Pottstown will premier it’s newest ride attraction during the Independence Day Parade, July 4 starting at 10:30 a.m. 

The Hippocampus will be featured on a 30 foot float as it makes it’s way down High Street. Before the parade is over, the Hippocampus will be mounted on The Carousel at 30 West King St., awaiting it’s first riders. The Carousel will offer a variety of Independence Day Specials and will remain open until the evening fireworks display.

The Hippocampus was created by Master Carver Ed Roth of Los Alamitos, California, who carves for the Disney theme parks and restores carousels for clients including the Smithsonian Institute. It was painted by local Carousel at Pottstown volunteer Alan MacBain, who will accompany it in the parade.

The Carousel at Pottstown is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, dedicated to the revitalization of the Pottstown region. Volunteers spent more than 18 years restoring the 1905 Philadelphia Toboggan Co. Carousel Number 9, opening to the public in December of 2016.

Council Rejects Elks Club's Liquor License Request

Montgomery Elks Lodge 1271 is located at 605 Walnut St. in Pottstown.

With a pair of 6-1 votes Monday night, Pottstown Borough Council rejected a request for a liquor license made by an Elks lodge with a troubled police history.

Councilwoman Rita Paez cast the only votes in favor of allowing Montgomery Elks Lodge No. 1271 to purchase the club liquor license held by Gilbertsville Fire Company No. 1 for $30,000.

The club lost its license in 2015 when the high number of police calls to the 605 Walnut St. location led the Pennsylvania Liquor Control board to refuse to renew the club's license.

Since that time, the number of police calls to the club, which still rents out its space for BYOB parties, has dropped dramatically, argued Vincent Artis, who spoke on behalf of the lodge.

But council members were worried also about the level of disturbance more recently.

"If things have changed since 2014, why where there 64 calls in 2015? 16 calls in 2018?" asked Council President Dan Weand.

Photos by Evan Brandt

Salvatore Gambone and Vincent Artis sit in the front row

before the Pottstown Borough council meeting gets underway.

"In 2016 there were only three calls; in 2017, there were eight and 16 in 2018," said Artis noting not all calls may have found a problem. "There was a trend downwards after we put our action plan in place."

But Councilman Joe Kirkland, who represents the Ward where the lodge is located, said neighbors of the club with whom he spoke were concerned about disturbances as recently as two weeks ago.

"I spoke with neighbors who said there was a fight there two weeks ago that ended up with two guys fighting on top of a car," Kirkland said.

He said he supports the lodge's philanthropic efforts and says if they could have an entire summer without incidents, he could support a request and the neighborhood might be more receptive as well.

"I have to represent my constituents who live in the neighborhood and my constituents are concerned," Kirkland said.

He also rejected the suggestion made at Wednesday night's work session that Council was opposed to the liquor license request because the Elks Club membership is primarily African American.

"I disagree with the assessment that this is a black and white issue. The people I talked to in the neighborhood are all black," Kirkland said.

Above, Pottstown Mayor Stephanie Henrick, right, swears in the borough's newest police officer, Andrea Sovari, while two young men we will presume are her sons and Police Chief Michael Markovich and Captain Robert Thomas look on.

At right, Sovari takes the police officer's oath.

New Police Officer

Council swore in a new member of the police department Monday night, with Mayor Stephanie Henrick issuing the oath of office to Andrea Sovari.

Several Pottstown officers were in attendance for the ceremony.

Carousel Mini-Golf Lease

Council heard from Carousel at Pottstown Board President Jim Arms that plans for expansion of the building will be submitted shortly.

A short-time later, council unanimously approved a three-year lease of the Mantawny Green Mini-Golf Course to the Carousel. The carousel group will operate the mini-golf course in the hope that economies of scale can reverse the financial losses the course has incurred under the borough's control.

As part of the lease, the Carousel will make $12,000 worth of improvements and upgrades to the four-year-old course which Borough Manager Justin Keller said last week has been criticized as being "a little sterile."

Street Tree Fund Transfer

Borough Council also unanimously approved a request for a transfer of $30,000 in the Borough Street Tree Fund to the Pottstown Tree Fund, under the director of former Shade Tree Commission Chairman Thomas Hylton.

Now both a member of the planning commission and the Pottstown School Board, Hylton and his wife Frances have spent upwards of $250,000 of their own money caring for Pottstown's street trees ever since council dissolved the Shade Tree Commission in 2010 and stopped budgeting money for their care.

However, the borough does collect funds from developers who would rather pay for a tree to be planted somewhere else than at their new development.

It is this money which the borough has been collecting and not using that the Pottstown Tree Fund will now use to maintain street trees on High, King, Hanover and Beech streets, according to a proposal Hylton made to council at the Feb. 6 meeting.

It will also remove dead trees and treat ash trees in the public right of way to resist the emerald ash borer, an invasive insect species.

Downtown Changes

Parking boxes, like this one in the Trinity Lot off King Street,

would be eliminated under the changes being proposed.

With another unanimous vote, council authorized Borough Solicitor Charles D. Garner Jr. to prepare and advertise amendments to the downtown zoning district ordinance to allow outdoor dining.

A second vote, similarly unanimous, authorized Garner to advertise the borough's master traffic ordinance to establish digitally metered off-street and on-street parking.

According to the draft ordinance, the rate in borough parking lots would be raised from 35 cents per hour to 50 cents per hour, a 43 percent increase.

On High and King Streets, which current have three hours of free parking, the change would allow only one hour of free parking, and 50 cents per hour thereafter.

The last time some of these changes were discussed was June. You can read about those discussion here.

New Tennis Dome

An artist's rendering of the new tennis dome at Maple Street Park.

Council unanimously authorized a change to a lease agreement with Greater Pottstown Tennis and Learning to allow a structured, instead of inflated, tennis enclosure at Maple Street Park.

The non-profit group also plans to add a third court.

This will allow for year-round tennis, which will also be open to the public at specific times.

Greenway Beer and Trail Mural

Elaine Schaeffer, executive director of Schuylkill River Greenways

Nationmal Heritage Area, outlines her requests Feb. 6.

Borough council unanimously approved a request by the Schuylkill River Greenway group to paint, with the public's input and help, a mural on the surface of the Schuylkill River Trail where in Riverfront Park.

The borough's zoning ordinance considers the ground mural to be a sign and council waived those ordinance requirements to allow the mural to be designed and painted by April 27.

Two public meetings on what the design should look like will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on March 7 at first Presvbyterian Church, 750 N. Evans St.; and March 20 at ArtFusion 19464, 341 Beech St..

On the beer side of the equation, council also approved a request by Greenways to host a Parks on Tap event at Riverfront Park from June 26 to June 30.

Land Bank Rules

And last but not least, council voted 5-2 to adopt, over the consistent objections of attorney Michael Mauger and Council members Joe Kirkland and Rita Paez, the policies and procedures governing Pottstown's new Land Bank.

This blighted twin home on Walnut Street is an example of

the type of property the Land Bank would acquire and

put into the hands of a qualified developer.

Mauger has spoken publicly that the rules allow the board of the land bank too much discretion in who it sells the land it obtains to, saying there should be more control to prevent conflict of interest.

Kirkland and Paez have both objected to the presence on the land bank board of officers of other non-profit agencies that obtain land, saying it could give them an unfair advantage.

The law was adopted in November, 2017 the land bank is designed to make it easier to get control of blighted properties, of which Pottstown has a bumper crop, and get them quickly into the hands of developers interested in fixing them up or tearing them down and replacing them, thus getting them back on the tax rolls.

It has taken until now to name a board, set the rules and policies and set up an intergovernmental agreement with the county, school board and borough council.

Council adopted that agreement last night.

And with that oh doughty reader, who has stuck with me all the way to the end of this lengthy treatise, I present to you, the Tweets from last night's meeting.

Elks' Liquor License Request Rejected

Carousel Will Improve Mini-Golf Under Lease Deal

Manatawny Green.

Blogger's Note: As I wrote last night, lots of stories coming out of the Wednesday night council meeting. here is another one.

As the vote on leasing the borough's mini-golf operation to the Carousel at Pottstown moves closer, the pending deal reveals it will require improvements to be made to the course.

Wednesday night, borough officials briefed council members on the negotiations, which will likely be the subject of a vote at Monday night's meeting.

Borough Manager Justin Keller said while it costs the borough about $6,000 a year to operate the Manatawny Green mini-golf course, the Carousel, which is located on the adjacent property, was only offering rent of $3,500 a year.

He said while the Carousel representatives are not interested in paying more rent to run the mini-golf course, they are interested in improving it.

"We have received comments that the course is kind of sterile," Keller said.

So the draft agreement now being recommended by the staff includes a clause that the Carousel will make $12,000 worth of improvements to the course during the three-year term of the lease.

Councilman Joe Kirkland wanted to know if there is any possibility of profit- sharing from the deal and Keller noted that first the Carousel will need to make a profit before that question becomes relevant.

Given that the borough has experienced an average $30,000 annual operating loss at the site, that is a challenge the Carousel faces.

However, noted Borough Solicitor Charles D. Garner Jr., the lease also includes three one-year extensions after the first three years, and perhaps Kirkland's concerns could be addressed during those periods.

Parks and Recreation Director Michael Lenhart said the course experienced growth since it opened in 2014, but still lost money.

In 2016, it experienced 25 percent growth in revenues, even though it lost $35,000. In 2017, the course enjoyed a 37 percent growth in revenues and losses dropped to $16,000.

But in 2018, which "was a fairly terrible year weather-wise," revenues dropped back down by 50 percent and the borough incurred a $25,000 operating loss, Lenhart said.

The Carousel at Pottstown opened in 2016 and is a non-profit entity which operates in a building owned by the borough and lease for a minor amount of money. The carousel group has paid for improvements to the building.

It now hopes to expand its operations and enjoy some economies of scale by using the same staff to run both Manatawny Green and the carousel operation.

Lenhart said although the carousel group and borough have always cooperated, having one entity oversee the whole site will make coordination easier and let the carousel consolidate ticket operations for both facilities.

Rides on the carousel are only $2, and it makes most of its money from hosting events, which can now include mini-golf as well.

Keller said the lease carves out certain events for the borough to use the course, like when the summer camp children visit.

And again, here are the Tweets from the meeting:

We've Got a Lot to Cover

Council May Allow Carousel to Run Mini-Golf Course

The news not yet reported to come out of last night's council meeting came, as is so often the case, from something not on the night's agenda.

After unanimously approving three re-developments and one major plan for the development of Keystone Boulevard which I'm quite sure you all read in Sunday's Mercury ..... right? .... the surprise was sprung.

Borough Manager Justin Keller brought up a new item and said he had just Friday been made aware of a vote by the board of directors of the Carousel at Pottstown.

They have agreed to the borough's terms for having the carousel take over the operation of the adjacent Manatawny Green Mini Golf.

Located on the High Street side of the parcel adjacent to the Carousel at Pottstown, Manatawny Green was first opened in 2014 and although it has lost money every year, "we were satisfied with the growth," said Parks and Recreation Director Michael Lenhart.

Satisfied, that is, until last year.

With one of the wettest summers on record, Manatawny Green had an operating loss of $26,000 in 2018, said Keller.

Much of that is due to the $42,000 in seasonal staffing costs. All of those hired for the season are eligible for unemployment benefits when the season ends, "and it can get quite expensive," he said.

Manatawny Green on it's first day of operation in 2014.

Lenhart said "when things are really humming," it takes three employees to run the mini-golf facility, one at the concession stand, one at the ticket window and one to police the course, pick-up trash and be available for breaks for the other two.

In 2018, Manatawny Green brought in $29,878," said Keller, $23,000 from golf and another $7,000 or so from concessions.

Under the three-year lease agreement council unanimously authorized Borough Solicitor Charles D. Garner Jr. to draft, the Carousel would pay the borough $3,500 each year to lease the space.

The borough would still remain responsible for cutting the grass, plowing the snow and paying utilities.

Board members take the first ride on the Derek Scott Saylor
Memorial Carousel in 2016.

Both the Carousel and Manatawny Green are on a set of parcels along Manatawny Creek and between King and High streets once occupied by an industrial use, the former Pottstown Metal Weld, which had closed by the time it was purchased.

The property was obtained through the support of Montgomery County's Open Space Program, the Pottstown Area Health and Wellness Foundation, and the PECO Green Region Program.

Two years after Manatawny Green opened in 2014, it was the Carousel at Pottstown's turn.

It opened in 2016 just in time for Christmas after 16 years of effort. Since then it has covered its costs and operated in the black.

The solid wood animals on the carousel were carved by Disney

carousel carver Ed Roth and painted and finished by volunteers.

Lenhart said although the carousel group and borough have always cooperated, having one entity oversee the whole site will make coordination easier and let the carousel consolidate ticket operations for both facilities.

Rides on the carousel are only $2, and it makes most of its money from hosting events.

The most recent was a "Noon Years Eve" for kids on Dec. 29, which raised money for a planned Pottstown Children's Discovery Center.

Last year, members of the carousel board told council they hope to add a catering kitchen to the facility in 2019, making it more attractive for events like weddings and parties.

Control of the concession stand at the mini-golf may eliminate the need to build a separate snack bar at the carousel facility.

Located across King Street from Memorial Park and just over a block from Riverfront Park and the Schuylkill River Trail, the site is also near to Pottsgrove Manor, the ancestral site of Pottstown

Concept design for the Pottstown station 

for the Colebrookdale Railroad in memorial Park.

founder John Potts, as well the Secret Valley Line, the tourist line of the Colebrookdale Railroad between Memorial Park and Boyertown.

Plans call for the construction of a Victorian period rail station in Memorial Park.

Taken together, the carousel, mini-golf, railroad, Pottsgrove Manor, Trilogy Park BMX track, River of Revolutions interpreative center in Riverfront Park and art galleries in the Montgomery County Community College comprise Pottstown's TRec district, which stands for tourism and recreation.

The concept was created with an aim toward attracting financing by demonstrating the cooperation between the government and non-profit entities and applying jointly.

Both Manatawny Green and the Schuylkill Greenway sites also provide free bicycles through the Bike Pottstown program. One is also planned for the colebrookdal Railroad station.

Most of the other matters at last night's meeting were routine.

Here are the Tweets.

Carousel May Take Over Mini-Golf

'Noon Year's Eve' Event Set at Carousel for Dec. 29

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by the Pottstown Children's Discovery Museum. 

The Pottstown Children’s Discovery Center will be hosting a 'Noon Year’s Eve' Party for the whole family on Saturday, Dec. 29th at the Pottstown Carousel, 30 W. King St..

Festivities kick-off at 10 a.m. with crafts and games for kids. Every half hour a new activity will mark the countdown to Noon Years, culminating with a balloon drop.

This event is geared toward young children ages 2-10 and will feature piñatas, cookie decorating, and story time.

The first 25 families to purchase tickets will be entered into a raffle to win an autographed copy of The Snowy Nap by author Jan Brett, which will be the featured story along with hedgehog themed facts and crafts. The price of admission includes water, hotdogs, and one carousel ride.

For the past year, museum Founders, Beth Desch, Jennifer Brown, and Karen Hudson, have been endeavoring to make a hands-on learning experience a reality here in Pottstown.

PCDC will partner with local schools to help bring their curriculum to life through exhibits and activities that emphasize learning through play.

At this time, two potential building sites have been identified and the Co-Founders are fundraising $1.8 million dollars to secure a location with the intent to open in 2021.

The museum aims to fuel an economic Renaissance by establishing Pottstown as family-friendly tourism destination.

In the near future, families could make a day-trip to the museum, ride the Carousel, have dinner at a local restaurant, and then finish their evening with a performance at Steel River Playhouse.

The possibilities are endless with new businesses opening in Pottstown every year and the nearby convenience of Manatawny Green Miniature Golf and Colebrookdale Railroad, and Memorial Park festivals.

Noon Year’s Eve tickets can be purchased at www.tcnetwork.org/pottstown-discovery-center. Tickets for adults are $10, children $7, and families $25.

For more information, follow the museum’s Facebook page at www.fb.com/PottstownKids

Haunts on High, Fall Arts Walk, Mosaic Garden Party, Art Supply Drive, All in a Pottstown Saturday

Kids enjoy tasty sweets at Beverly's Bakery during last year's Haunts on High

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by event organizers.

Calling all ghosts, goblins, creatures and superheros. 

On Saturday, Oct. 14, visit participating businesses for the 4th annual Haunts On High downtown trick-or-treat. This year, Haunts On High will be held in conjunction with the Fall Art Walk 2017, so kids of all ages can experience a fun, free, creative evening as downtown Pottstown is transformed into its very own arts district with many activities to be enjoyed.

The day will kick-off at 11a.m. at either end of the downtown with free sugar cookie decorating at Beverly’s Pastry, 322 E High St (11a.m. – 1 p.m), Manatawny Green, 71 W High St, for scarecrow stuffing and snacks (11 a.m. through business hours while supplies last), and Pottsgrove Manor, 100 W King St, for tours and colonial crafts (11 a.m. – 3 p.m.)

One of two Mosaic Community Gardens, this one at 423 Chestnut St.

Participating candy/craft stops on High Street between Evans Street and York Street will be marked between 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. (or until store close in a few cases) from Rite Aid, 340 E. High St to Potts & Penn Diner, 80 E High St. 

There will face painting, a professional photo booth by Memory Madness, and a selfie station by PDIDA to commemorate your visit. Bring your own treat bags.

Additionally, Mosaic Community Garden, 423 Chestnut St. will be open 12 to 4 p.m. for their end-of season Harvest Party and perennial exchange; Connections On High Café will be screening a fun Halloween movie where kids and parents can take a rest; and the Carousel at Pottstown will be spinning from 2 to 4 p.m., you can make a day of it with the family.

And that’s only part of the festivities! Play on and admire art inspired hopscotch designs throughout

town by ArtFusion 19464. ArtFusion coordinates the 3rd Art Walk, with art for exhibit and sale from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m in their brand new facility at the Beech St Factory.

Steel River Playhouse, 245 E. High St. will be open for tours and exhibit from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and you can buy your tickets for a live showing of “The Nerd” at 1 p.m. The Hill School/Boyer Gallery off Beech St. will also be open.

To register for your free Art Walk ticket and info which includes food discounts at Grumpy’s Handcarved Sandwiches and Lily’s Grill, visit artfusion19464.org

After you grab your dinner, @107 will be hosting a Film Festival preview from local writer and filmmaker Chad Repko from 7 to 9 p.m. Or for the thrillseekers, visit Pottstown’s own 3-floor haunted attraction at an authentic Masonic temple, Temple of Terror, 20 N Franklin St. 7 p.m. until line ends. Part of your $15 ticket will support local people facing cancer treatment through “Stretch the Ride.”

Parking details: Visitors may make use of street parking or the public parking lots (35 cents per hour) 1. Reading Lot (Hanover Street behind the RR tracks) 2. High & Charlotte Lot 3. King and Evans St. Lot (enter from King St.)

Peak Art Drive

Also, Pottstown Community Arts will host a fall craft table and Art Supply Drive on the 200 block of High St. to benefit PEAK (Pottstown Early Action for Kindergarten). 

Please bring donations of glue sticks, 6-color waterpaint sets, Play-Doh, Fiskar scissors, construction paper, manila drawing paper, crayons, markers, tempera paint, brushes, paper plates, paper towels, toilet paper tubes, and plastic table cloths to Haunts On High, or to ArtFusion. The teachers truly appreciate all your help!

Chance to Ride the Carousel Comes 'Round Again

Did you miss your chance to be among the first more than 1,000 people to ride the Carousel at Pottstown on Sunday?

Well another chance has come around.

Same deal as last time, except you have to bring your own camera.

Every child who gets a photo with the Carousel's most excellent Santa Claus for just $5, also gets a free ride on the carousel.

For those who choose to have mercy on Santa's aching knees, the ride alone is $3.

A New Chapter in An Old Friendship

Photo by Evan Brandt

The original electric motor for Philadelphia Toboggan Co. No. 9

has been spruced up and is now on display at the 

Carousel at Pottstown building.

Blogger's Note: In honor of the first public opening of the Carousel at Pottstown today, after 16 years of effort, we present this particular reminiscence, as told to Brien Heisey. 

I would like to tell you my story. 

I came to life over a hundred years ago right here in this region. 

I became a hidden part that very few people got to see. Every day I could hear the laughter and felt the joy all around me. 

I moved around the country to places like Ohio, Kentucky, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania. 

Thirty years ago part of us were split up and auctioned off. I was lost for a while. There was no joy or laughter around me and I felt abandoned. 

One day in 1999 I found my way to Pottstown. 

I was moved around always in the corner, always overlooked. I still missed the joy and the laughter of my younger years. 

I thought no one noticed me over in the corner and I overheard that I was being retired for I was no use to anyone. 

 One day I was pulled up onto the back of a truck. I thought I was  headed to be scrapped. 

To my amazement I was cleaned up, given a new coat of paint, my brass was polished with bright red trim. I was brought back to my old friend. They set me up outside the box. 

I now have a majestic view of the partner I turned for so many years. I see him in his glory that I never saw before. I again hear the laughter outside that box with people laughing and all the awe that carousels bring. 

 Come see me when you can. I stand tall looking over the building that now houses the Philadelphia Toboggan Company Carousel No. 9. 

Thank you so very much to the Pottstown Carousel Committee for thinking of me and giving me the best seat in the house.

Sincerely,
The Original Old Electric Motor of No. 9

Sweet Taste of Success During Carousel of Flavor

Photos by Evan Brandt

Richard Ellis of Maple Street knows how to enjoy an Italian hoagie from Monsanto Bros.; one of dozens and dozens of offerings at yesterday's 13th annual Carousel of Flavor.

For 13 years, the Carousel of Flavor has been big news in Pottstown.

An extremely successful restaurant festival that attracts thousands of people to downtown Pottstown every year, this year the event had an all new news hook.

When I went over to see how the Carousel itself looks, low and behold, not only was it spinning and playing music, it turns out it had just been certified for public use.

Now don't hop in your car and drive over there just yet. If you can believe it, retired long time State Farm Insurance agent George Wausnock, who also happens to be the President of the Carousel at Pottstown, doesn't have it insured for the public to ride it.

George Wausnock, carousel president, left, is joined at the
restored 

trolley that will serve as the snack bar
by volunteer Bob Roebuck Sunday.

At least not yet.

But if you stop by, you'll see the inside is painted; the floors have been polished, the safety fence has been installed and even the antique trolley has been restored to serve as the facility snack bar.

Full disclosure, I have done some work for this non-profit group, but being paid has never been the source of my enthusiasm for this project.

Although the cyber nay-sayers who love to make snide remarks about this project may scoff, I find
this to be one of the more up-lifting things going in Pottstown.

Understand that there is a certain population of people who feel about carousels the way others feel about roller coasters. If you restore it, they will come.

Similarly, there is population of people who love to ride vintage trains.

Brenton McDowell, 2, could not keep his eyes off the spinning

carousel Sunday even long enough to get his picture taken with

his mom, Esther Jean-Louis and his brother Branden Lors, 5.

So when you combine the working antique carousel with the pending construction of a platform for the Colebrookdale Railroad's Secret Valley Line across King Street in Memorial Park, and then add Manatawny Green mini-golf next door, and the Schuylkill River Trail, this starts to look like a fun place to hang out -- and, most importantly, spend some money.

So hat's off to the volunteers who have stuck with it for the 17 years it has taken to raise the money, restore the carousel, fix up the building and overcome the regulatory hurdles.

Through it all, the Carousel of Flavor is a reminder of the success many of us always knew you would achieve.

Now, I'll stop bloviating. Here are the Tweets (and videos) from yesterday's food festival.

PMMC Donates $10K for ADA Chariot on Carousel

From left, Richard Newell, CEO of Pottstown Memorial Medical Center, Bev Reber, Vice-President of The Carousel at Pottstown, Matt Shelak, COO of Pottstown Memorial Medical Center and George Wausnock, President of Carousel

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by the Carousel at Pottstown.

The highlight of the July 16 Cigar and Scotch Run fundraiser for the Carousel at Pottstown was a handsome donation for a handicapped-accessible chariot for The Carousel at Pottstown.

Pottstown Memorial Hospital made a donation of $10,000. enabling special modifications for individuals with special needs to safely ride the 1905 restored carousel.

Pottstown Memorial Hospital CEO Richard Newell and COO Matt Shelak presented a check for $10,000. to carousel representatives George Wausnock, President, and Bev Reber, Vice-President, during a stop and
tour of the Carousel on Saturday.