Free Tickets to Sensory-Friendly Seussical Available

From left, show producer Bob Decker, Casey Fenoglio, Community Wellness Program Manager from the Pottstown Hospital, Aram Eker, Sherri Morret and foundation executive director Joe Rusiewicz. 

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by the Foundation for Pottstown Education.

The Foundation for Pottstown Education recently received funding which will provide free tickets for local students with special needs and their families to attend the first ever Sensory Friendly Performance of the Pottstown School District performance of Suessical the Musical.

The funding is being provided through the generosity of a Community Wellness Grant from the Pottstown Hospital Tower Health, the Pottstown chapter of AMBUCS and Mr. and Mrs. Aram Ecker.

On Thursday, March 5th the Pottstown School District will present a special showing of this year’s musical. This will be a "sensory-friendly" performance that is designed especially for individuals with autism spectrum disorders, sensory sensitivities, or other disabilities. Patrons will enjoy the show together with family and friends in a welcoming, inclusive, and relaxed space. The show will also have an interpreter for individuals with hearing impairments.

Environmental conditions will be modified by maintaining a low-level house lighting in case guests must get up and move around, by eliminating harsh changes in theatrical lighting, through the avoidance of large sound and visual effects, and by the replacement of the 22-piece orchestra with two keyboards. 

House rules will be relaxed so that audience members can freely respond to shows in their own way and without judgment. They will be welcome to move around, get up, sing, or dance.

Tickets may be obtained by contacting Foundation Executive Director Joe Rusiewicz jrusiewicz@pottstownk12.org or by contacting the district’s special education department at 610-970-6625. Tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Casey Fenoglio, community wellness program manager from the Pottstown Hospital Tower Health, stated that “funding this event aligns with the community’s need to improve the health of all of our community members. Partnering with the Foundation and the school district in making this musical accessible to students can help with social inclusion, stress reducing and creating a positive emotional experience.”

Aram Ecker, who is a member of the Pottstown AMBUCS stated that “they are proud to partner with the Foundation as it aligns with our organization’s mission of inspiring people to conquer challenges related to mobility and independence.” Ecker and his wife Donna are longtime supporters of the musical program in the Pottstown School District.

Rusiewicz indicated that when he first heard of this performance for the children of the district, he knew that the Foundation needed to support the program. “I think that this is such a great opportunity to include all of our local students. I applaud Bob Decker, Chris Sperat, the actors and stage crew for making this event happen.”

The district musical is being held on Saturday, Feb. 29 at 7 p.m.; Sunday, March 1 at 2 p.m.;  Friday, March 6 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, March 7 at 2 p.m.

Tickets for these performances can be purchased on the Pottstown School District’s website.

About FPE: The Foundation for Pottstown Education’s (FPE) mission is to support, promote, sponsor and carry out educational, scientific or charitable activities and objectives within or related to the Pottstown School District. Visit www.foundationpottstowned.org for more information about the Foundation for Pottstown Education. You can also follow FPE on Facebook and Twitter.

A Manager Decision Delayed, 18% Tax Hike Looms

It was presentation-central at Pottstown Borough Council last night and I don't mind telling you that after being up until 3 a.m. putting election returns together, it was NOT appreciated.

In addition to staff awards, and a terminally boring presentation about cyber parking (see below), we also endured a presentation about next year's bike race as well as a project by the Greater Pottstown Tennis and Learning organization that will get refurbished tennis courts at Maple Street Park.

Don't get me wrong, all worthy causes, but my level of personal endurance was worn pretty thin by the time they were all done.

But enough about me.

The two important things that happened last night were updates.

Apparently, council is going to agree to appoint an interim borough manager after Mark Flanders retires next month to allow for a full-fledged search.

(I hope you're ready Justin Keller.)

The other is that pesky budget which in September had a deficit big enough to drive a 23 percent tax hike. At the time, nine of the borough's funds were not balanced.

Last night Flanders reported all but the general fund and fire fund are now in balance.

But those combined deficits still add up to to a gap of $1,417,049 said Flanders.

To close it with taxes would require a tax hike of 18.39 percent, or a millage increase of 1.902 mills.

For median property assessment in the borough -- $85,000 which covers about 80 percent of the property in town -- that works out to an annual tax hike of $161.67

The alternative is to cut costs. The budget could be balanced by firing 13 police officers, Flanders said.

That idea wasn't flying with Ryan Procsal, the recently reelected councilman from the First Ward. He said crime is down for the third straight year due to police efforts and it would not be "clean savings" to balance the budget and see an increase in crime.

Vice President Sheryl Miller also opposed it, and said she continues to insist that savings can be achieved by making the borough more efficient, before talking about cuts to services and personnel.

Council President Dan Weand, himself just reelected, said he had given other council members a week to come up with suggestions. Presumably we will hear some Monday.

"It is not my place to decide which services to cut. Give me the direction and I will figure it out," Flanders told council.
Here are the Tweets from the meeting