Community Fair Set for June 10, Smith Family Plaza

Pottstown Council Finally Passes LERTA Tax Break

Not that they give speed awards for these things, but Monday night's borough council meeting took under an hour.

And, if you wanted to get home to watch some more of the Olympics, that was a good thing.

There were few surprises.

The LERTA tax break council and the school board have been batting back and forth for months was approved unanimously, with little fanfare of comment and that followed on the heels of the approval by the school board.

With the expected approval by the Montgomery County Commissioners, the long-discussed proposal -- which will increase over seven years the tax bill on improved properties -- will become law.

The board also approved -- no surprise here -- the offer from the Montgomery County District Attorney's office to begin installing anti-crime surveillance cameras on the streets of Pottstown.

And finally, the board debated and ultimately moved ahead with the often-confusing re-writing of the ordinance governing the Pottstown Human Relations Commission.

What was approved is the advertising of the ordinance, after which, council will hold a public hearing and, ultimately adopt it, unless major changes come about as the result of the public hearing.

And with that, and the Olympics awaiting me, I present to you the Tweets and video.

A Quiet Night on Pottstown Council

As my loyal Twitter followers know, both of them, I was not at Pottstown Borough Council's meeting last night.

And yet here are the Tweets from the meeting, as if by magic.

Not magic, dear reader. Technology.

That and a willing Tweeter, in this case intrepid Mercury Reporter Eric Devlin.

Convinced that the council agenda suggested a earlier night than covering a special Pottsgrove School Board meeting at which a replacement board would be chosen from among four, Devlin gamely stepped into the breach.

As I listened to the Pottsgrove candidates talk about themselves, I noticed with great delight on my Twittering device that, true to tradition, Eric was Tweeting the council meeting.

That means you, insatiable devourers of borough news, will be satisfied -- at least for today.

Without further ado, here is Eric's take on a Pottstown Borough Council meeting.

Enjoy.

Catching Christmas Burglars & Other Borough News

Surprisingly Good Photo by Evan Brandt

Two police chiefs, Pottstown Chief Rick Drumheller, left, and Lower Pottsgrove Chief Mike Foltz, right, with Pottstown Police Cpl. Steve Hatfield and Sgt. Ed Kropp Jr. representing the Pottstown force that helped Lower Pottsgrove catch burglars who had stolen gifts from underneath a Christmas Tree on Ivy Lane.

Although the story I will most likely write first out of Wednesday night's Pottstown Borough Council work session is the ongoing debate of the future of the Pottstown Human Relations Commission, I cannot resist here pumping up the tires on a great police story.

Lower Pottsgrove Police Chief Mike Foltz, a class act if ever I saw one, came to the council meeting to thank his Pottstown peers for their overwhelming response to a distraction burglary on Ivy Lane on Dec. 22 2015, during which Grinch-like thieves stole gifts from under a homeowner's Christmas tree.

The thieves fled into the borough and, with a call, Pottstown's finest swarmed the location and caught both suspects.

It's a holiday story in March!

Now, like I did at the Pottsgrove School Board meeting Tuesday night, I also shot some live video, this time of the Mayor's Report, which I have previously recorded and then laboriously uploaded on You Tube.

If you missed it, you can still see it on Periscope by clicking the link among the Tweets below.

Speaking of which, here they are:

Changes Coming to Human Relations Commission

Submitted Photo

From left, Carla Day, past commissioner; Ileana Ocasio, new commissioner; Pressley Day, past commissioner; Al Dunn, continuing commissioner; Della Hicks, former secretary of the Pottstown Human Relations Commission; Johnny Corson, new commissioner; Luvenia Lister, new commissioner, Rita Paez, incoming Borough Councilor for Pottstown' 6th Ward, Founder and Executive Director of the CCLU, and former Chairperson of the Pottstown Human Relations Commission; Diana Rivera O'Bryant, new head of the Pottstown Human Relations Commission.

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by the Pottstown Human Relations Commission.

Newly elected borough councilwoman Rita Paez, who will take the oath of office next month, hosted a community celebration at the Centro Cultural Latinos Unidos (CCLU), located at 301 King St., in the basement of First Baptist Church on Saturday.

The purpose of the gathering was to renew the Human Relations Commission's commitment to the Pottstown community, introduce the new head of the Pottstown Commission, Diana Rivera O'Bryant, as well as to honor Della Hicks, a long-time staffer of the Pottstown Human Relations Commission, and a long-time committed and passionate champion of civil rights. 

Submitted Photo

Rita Paez, right, honors Della Hicks with an award
for her commitment and service to the community.
Also pictured, Deidre Tierney

Hicks will be retiring from the Pottstown HRC and plans on spending more time with her family. 

Back in September, Mayor Sharon Thomas said, "The services that Della provided to the Borough have been much appreciated and will be sincerely missed." 

The mission of the HRC is to conduct outreach and education that promotes justice and cultural understanding, and improve relationships among all citizens. 

Among other issues, the HRC deals with disabilities rights, employee grievances, harassment, discrimination, as well landlord-tenant issues. 

 O'Bryant, who is also a prolific grantwriter and trained mediator, said she is now working on "revamping borough ordinances" to give more power to the HRC in giving a voice to those whose rights may have been violated. 

"It is one of my passions to build relationships, alliances and find commonalities among diverse groups of people," O'Bryant said.  

She envisions the HRC sponsoring unifying community events and activities in Pottstown, including students, adults, businesses and organizations who have joined in the fight against discrimination and intolerance. Her message of encouragement: "Come out and support our events. We want to get to know all the other agencies in the area."

She joins forces with new Commissioners Ileana Ocasio, a Family Advocate with the Pottstown Maternity Care Colition, Johnny Corson, the Chairman of the Reorganizing Committee of the Pottstown Branch NAACP, and Luvenia Lister.

Rupert Relating to Humans

Blogger's Note: Yes, even as we enter July dear reader, there is so much that happens at the end of the school year that John Armato is still sending information through our mail slot. At this rate, The Digital Notebook will be reporting school news all the way through August....we sure hope so.....

Rupert Elementary students demonstrated they understood the meaning and value of integrity through their participation in the Pottstown Human Relations Commission Essay and Art Contest. 

The mission of the Human Relations Commission is to promote through collaboration with organizations a mutual understanding, respect, and cooperation among all racial, cultural, religious, ethnic, and diverse groups within the Borough of Pottstown. 

Winners,, from left, Nyris Dowling, Madison Qualtino and
Jayden Pray with, rear, from left, Rupert teacher Sarah Noska,
Rita Paez, Pottstown Human Relations Commission, and
Rupert teacher Shannon Wagner

The commission sponsors a yearly essay and art contest that serves as a vehicle to assist young people in understanding that as individuals they need to learn to work with, study, and appreciate people with backgrounds that may be different from theirs.

Through the years the essay contests have been chosen from the core values of integrity, justice, sensitivity, and unity. Chosen this year as the essay and art competition topic was the value of integrity.

First grade students Madison Qualtino received recognition for the best essay; while Nysir Dowling earned the art award; and recognized for best content was Jayden Pray.

“Laying the foundation of core values for our youngest citizens will lead to a better community in the coming years,” said Rupert Elementary Principal Matthew Moyer.

“Through our collaboration with the Pottstown School District, it is our hope that young people will understand the positive values of diversity, integrity, and how these values work together to build strong character and leadership,"  said Human Relations Commission Chairperson Rita Paez.. "The Human Relations Commission strives to accomplish its goals through education of our community’s youngest citizens.”

What Justice Brings

Pottstown Human Relations Commissioner Rita Paez, center, with Connor Cobb and Umar Annable.

Blogger's Note: This from John Armato, the human community Relations machine: 

Rita Paez and Rupert Principal Matt Moyer
with Abigail Eagle and her work.

The Pottstown Human Relations Commission announced the winners of its 2012 elementary school poster contest. Rupert Elementary students Abigail Eagle, Connor Cobb, and Umar Annable were selected by a panel of commissioners as the students who best demonstrated the theme of this year’s contest – “What are the positive things that justice brings to the community?”

Commissioner Rita Paez paid a special visit to Rupert Elementary School to present the winners with certificates and monetary awards.

“The Pottstown Human Relations Commission is happy to be able to provide opportunities to help young people grow into the citizens who will be the leaders of our community,” said Paez.

Matt Moyer, Rupert Elementary Principal, said, “This is another outstanding effort on the part of our students that will help them learn the value of citizenship and community service. We are happy to partner with the Pottstown Human Relations Commission to help teach young people the individual value that each person has.”

Send your submissions to The Digital Notebook at ebrandt@pottsmerc.com