What is the Cluster Up to on North Franklin Street?

That was the question that seemed to be on the minds of borough council members Wednesday during their regular work session council meeting.

The question began to form when Pottstown School Board member Ron Williams addressed council and urged them to send Borough Solicitor Charles D. Garner Jr. to a meeting of the Montgomery County Board of Assessment Appeals on Oct. 15.

That's when the Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities will present its appeal to the county board for make the property at 61 N. Franklin St. tax exempt.

The former Wainman mansion, the building is adjacent to the Cluster's Outreach Center, where it distributes free food and clothing to the needy. It is located in the former American Legion building at the corner of King and N. Franklin streets.

Vice President Travis Gery ran the meeting due to the absence 

of Council President Stephen Toroney.

As Pottstown School Board member Thomas Hylton has pointed out in two paid advertisements in The Mercury, the borough's zoning code does not allow "client-based service providers" in either location.

The Cluster obtained a zoning waiver for the former Legion building in 2010.

But Garner said Wednesday night that the borough finally received a letter from the Cluster this week which gave a "vague description of use" for the property.

Council Vice President Travis Gery and Garner both said it seemed backward to ask for a tax exemption on a property before its use has been clearly defined and authorized.

Council seems inclined to send Garner, and to ask that School District Solicitor Stephen Kalis accompany him, to the board of assessment review committee and oppose the property tax exemption, although no formal vote was taken.

Council member Dan Weand, who asked that both solicitors attend, said Garner can be directed to go by Borough Manager Mark Flanders.

"Not to say anything against the Cluster, they do wonderful work," said Williams. "but we just cannot afford any more properties off the tax roles."

Jeff Gerber receives his award from Fire Chief Richard Lengel

Indeed, during a recent review of the 2016 budget, council's finance committee was informed that the borough's loss of assessed property value may make it difficult to hold the line on taxes for the third year in a row.

In other matters, council also prepared to make changes to the borough's animal ordinance and zoning ordinance as it relates to what triggers the need for a conditional use.

Jeff Gerber, the manager of the Turkey Hill on North Charlotte Street, was recognized for his quick thinking in preventing a catastrophe in July when a vehicle struck the gas pumps there and caused a small fire.

Flanders also updated council on the fact that all but one resident and business owner the borough has contacted is opposed to re-naming Cross Street after the late NAACP President Newstell Marable, primarily because of the expense of changing addresses on bank accounts, driver's licenses and business cards and stationary.

Here are all the Tweets from the meeting.

With a Little Help from Their Friends

Julie and Alden Lanphear

I've written uncounted obituaries in my time as a reporter, but there is one that sticks out in my mind -- the one for Alden Lanphear.

I remember it not because it was particularly well written, but because of the person I was writing about.

Alden died in 2011, at the age of 74, after a lifetime of helping others.

For 39 years, he was the executive director of Woodrock Inc., the non-profit organization that brought urban youth from Philadelphia to Fellowship Farm in Limerick.

He was also tapped to keep the Cluster Outreach Center going as interim director when they were undergoing a (successful) change in leadership.

Knowing Alden for years, as a result of covering organizations with which he was involved, I also got to know his wife Julie very well.

In fact, there was little Alden did that Julie was not also intimately connected with. They were a real team.

And beyond those they helped in the community, that included their family, two sons and five daughters.

One of those daughters, Jody, has cerebral palsy and lives in a facility that cares for her in Media.

Jody on an outing.

But Julie and Jody's siblings visit often and take her home or on outings -- or at least they did, until the handicapped van they used to transport Jody went "kaput," as Michael Lanphear wrote on www.gofundme.com 

That's where he and his family are trying to raise $10,000 to buy a replacement van, which they have identified.

"Jody is 40 years old with cerebral palsy, which has left her wheel-chair bound, but for us and those who know Jody, we know that this chick likes to get out and do her thing," Michael wrote on the site.

"My Mom -Julie Lanphear is now the sole caretaker of my sister Jody," Debi Rutkowski, Jody's sister, wrote to me in an e-mail. "Her van just died and now she has no way to get Jody home for short visits or even on an outing from the facility she lives in."

I have written a few appeals before. 

I'm a little wary as The Mercury has been scammed at least twice that I know of by people who claimed to have needs, problems and even diseases they didn't have.

But I know the Lanphears and that is not the case here.

I also know all the help the Lanphears offered to others, which made them very happy, did not make them rich.

So it is without reservation that I ask for anyone who is so inclined to make a contribution on the funding site the family has set up through gofundme.com -- http://www.gofundme.com/aqtdt8 -- and make a contribution if you can, so Julie can bring her daughter home.

Cluster Food Bank Benefits from MCCC's 'Hoops for Hunger'

The Pottstown Cluster Outreach Center at King and Franklin streets will benefit from the college's fundraising effort 

Blogger's Note: The following is courtesy of Alana Mauger at the community college.

Montgomery County Community College (MCCC) Mustangs Men’s Basketball Team, in coordination with the College’s Honors and Rotaract clubs, will hold its annual “Hoops for Hunger” donation drive now through Dec. 13.

All proceeds will benefit the Cluster Outreach in Pottstown.
Non-perishable goods are being collected in boxes throughout the College’s campuses in Blue Bell and Pottstown through Dec. 13, as well as at every home basketball game during the month of November. 

Visit mustangsathletics.com for a full schedule.

For the first time, monetary donations are also being accepted online. 

Visit Yougivegoods.com and search for “Hoops for Hunger.” Then, click “Donate to this Drive” and select the items you want to purchase via Visa, Mastercard or American Express. 

The purchased food will be shipped directly to the Cluster Outreach at the end of the drive.

The community is invited to join the Mustangs on Nov. 21 at 7 p.m. for a poverty awareness home basketball game at MCCC’s Physical Education Center, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. 

Information about local poverty issues will be available, and students from Gwynedd-Mercy University will be bringing food donations they collected in support of “Hoops for Hunger.” 

Admission is free of charge, but attendees are encouraged to bring a food donation.

For additional information, contact MCCC’s Office of Student Leadership & Involvement at 610-718-1852 or getinvolved@mc3.edu.

Asking for a Little Warmth

Sometimes, one warm coat can make all the difference.

The Pottstown High School Interact Club is sponsoring a coat drive for the needy and a book drive for the read-y.

OK, that last one was pretty bad. We're getting a little punchy these days over in the Digital Notebook's editorial complex.

Anyway, as Marilyn Bainbridge, who teaches childcare at the high school and is the club's advisor notes, "on a cold day there is nothing better than bundling up in a warm coat.

So if you've got an old coat in the your closet that doesn't fit anymore, or has fallen out of your fashion sense, you can drop if off in the lobby of Franklin Elementary School until Nov. 1.

The coats will be provided to the Pottstown Cluster Outreach Center and the Salvation Army.

And while you're at it, cleaning out your closets that is, why not take some of those children's books you don't need any more, specifically the ones for ages birth through the fourth grade, and drop them off as well.

Because apparently, the club is also conducting a children's book drive.

From Rejection to Acceptance

BLOGGER'S NOTE: The following was submitted by Ralph A. Bainbridge, Chaplain of the Gospel Riders, regarding the April 28 motorcycle show in downtown Pottstown.

In June of 2011 I received an e-mail from Brian James from WBZH and a seed was planted.

We were to ask the borough of Pottstown to join us in having a Motorcycle Show in town. There were meetings with PDIDA (Pottstown Downtown Improvement District Authority to help coordinate the show and in October PDIDA voted to sponsor the show with the Gospel Riders. Borough Council voted in December in favor of our proposle.

My experience with motorcyclists told me to designate a charity. I was asked for my recommendation, and I named the Pottstown Cluster.

Bikers are generally good givers to worthy causes. Knowing every dollar donated to the Cluster stays here in Pottstown making the decision simple for us to make.

Brian James, Shelia Dugan, and Cindy Brower worked tirelessly on a flyer. The flyer had ad spaces for businesses to advertise for a fee that was used to defray the costs of the show. Without the support we received from the merchants the show would not have happened.

April 28, 2012, the day of the show the weather was very questionable. However, being the “first” show in Pottstown for us we went ahead. God did provide a great work day for the Holy Spirit!! He is ALWAYS faithful!!

We had 17 bikes in the show. Not bad for a first time show and the weather. We also lined the west side of Hanover St. with 10 vendors.

The show itself brought folks into Pottstown from many places.

One vendor came from Lykens, Pa. another form New Jersey. Gap was the longest distance for any show bike.

The Cluster Outreach Center benefitted from the event.

Everyone enjoyed the day. All said they would return next year. So plans are in the works for next year.
A couple God things happened to me that day. First one of our members told me of a woman who was about to be evicted. I talked with her and prayed with her. I also told her to go the Cluster that there she would get help.

The second was even more moving for me. I was about to start announcing the trophy winners, when three children and their father approached me with a red coffee can. They said they wanted to be a part of the event. They actually had a bake sale at the event and raised $65.40 for the Cluster.

Needless to say I had to take several deep breaths before making the announcements. That was the icing on the cake for me!!!!!

I cannot say THANK YOU enough to all who made this event a success!!!

I remember Allan Altschull asking me how much I thought we could raise. My response was $500-$1000. Well THANKS to a lot of work and people we raised a grand total of $1,065.40!!!! It was a T E A M (together everyone accomplishes more) effort, and it was a T E A M (telling everyone about Messiah) day!!!!!
Serving HIM,
Ralph A. Bainbridge
Chaplain
Gospel Riders

We're glad your event was a success and welcome you back to Potstown for another.