$67.5M Budget Hikes Taxes 1%, 0% Tax Hike Looms

The Pottsgrove School Board voted unanimously last night to adopt a $67.5 million preliminary final budget that would raises taxes by 1 percent.

For a home assessed at $120,000, the district average, that works out to another $45 in taxes.

But even that amount may not be levied. Superintendent William Shirk and Business Manager David Nester both said the administration has "a plan to get to zero."

"We do have a plan to get to zero, but there are still some big questions out there," such as tuition to charter schools and state budget numbers, Nester told the school board.

"If nothing astronomic happens, we feel pretty confident we can reduce this and get this to a zero," he said.

School Board President Matt Alexander said he appreciates the diligence the administration has demonstrated in following the board's directive to get to a zero budget.

"I feel it's better to adopt a budget at 1 percent and go down to zero once final numbers are in, rather than to budget zero and have to go back on it," Alexander said.

Board member Robert Lindgren agreed and said he sees the vote on the preliminary final budget as a vote of confidence in the administration.

"I fully expect to vote for a zero percent tax increase when we vote on the final budget. The zero options have been presented, but if something goes drastically wrong that is out of our control, we haven't tied the administration to a tree," he said.

Even board member Bill Parker, who had initially indicated he would vote against anything but a budget with no tax increase was convinced, although he said if the final numbers are off, he would prefer further trimming to using fund balance as Lindgren had indicated is an option.

Nester noted that district expenditures have gone up $1.6 million in this budget. "We have cut, and we have cut drastically. It will be difficult to find more without some pain," he warned.

In other business, the board also passed a resolution opposing the closure of the Pottstown YMCA, as well as appointing Athletic Director Gary DeRenzo as the new director of community relations and extra-curricular activities with no change in salary, although a new athletic director will be hired.

(Everyone needs their own John Armato ...)

Here are the Tweets from the meeting:

Say Good-bye to Police Chief Rick Drumheller

Photos by Evan Brandt

Pottstown Police Chief Rick Drumheller was all smiles after announcing that he will retire in July, 18 months earlier than expected.

Drumheller got the best kind of goodbye from
Pottstown Mayor Stephanie Henrick last night.

In case you weren't online last night, or checking my Twitter feed on your phone (and why not?!?), you may not know why this man is smiling.

Police Chief Rick Drumheller announced he is retiring 18 months sooner than everyone expected. His last day will be on July 6.

I will miss him.

From what I could see, he was a gentle soul for a police chief and truly cared about the community where he worked for 30 years.

And he had the nicest way of telling you he wasn't going to tell you anything whenever I asked him about a crime investigation he wasn't ready to talk about.

He doesn't have a new job lined up, or a problem at work. He said "I just know in my heart its time."

Click here to read the Mercury story I wrote last night.

The other significant news event from last night's meeting is the consideration of a resolution from Pottstown Borough Council opposing the planned YMCA closure in June.

Council will join a number of government and community organizations opposing the closure, including Pottstown School Board, the Pottstown Metropolitan Area Regional Planning Committee, the Pottstown chapter of the NAACP and, perhaps as soon as next week, the Pottsgrove School Board.

Also weighing in was Don Smale, a member of the task force Philadelphia Freedom Valley YMCA put together to make recommendations for easing the closure and finding new homes for the programs -- but specifically instructed NOT to recommend keeping it open.

Here is video of what he had to tell council:



Council President Dan Weand said he went through a similar experience when an Ohio-based company bought Stanley Flagg Brass in West Pottsgrove.

"They mismanaged it, ran it into the ground but kept taking the money out of it and sending it back to Ohio. Then, when they had failed to invest in any upgrades at the plant, they said 'well, you don't make money anymore, so we're closing you down,'" said Weand.

"We called it mining for gold by the executives. This is the same scenario I'm seeing out of Y," he said.

Council will vote on the resolution Monday.

Of less immediate, but perhaps no-less--important significance was the naming of four people to to the board of the newly created Pottstown Land Bank.

They are Cheryl Chiarello, who also serves on the Pottstown Blighted Property Review Committee; Twila Fisher, who head's The Hill School's Hobart's Run initiative; Deb Penrod, a member of the Pottstown Planning Commission and the board of the Pottstown Regional Public Library and Andrew Monastra, a local attorney and member of the Pottstown Downtown Improvement District Authority.

And with that, I'm headed to bed.

Here are the Tweets and videos from the meeting:

Regional Planners Join Call to Keep YMCA Open

The Pottstown YMCA on North Adams Street is supposed to close in June, but an increasing cry in the community is calling for it to remain open. Wednesday night, the Pottstown Metropolitan Area Regional Planning Committee joined that chorus.

One of the responsibilities of the Pottstown Metropolitan Area Regional Planning Committee is to comment on "developments of regional significance."

Usually, that charge is interpreted literally and "developments" on which they comment are the kind that come with new houses or shops, roads, storm water systems and zoning variances.

But the members of the committee, which represents Pottstown and the seven communities around it in two counties, had something to say about a developing situation in the borough for which they had no approval -- the decision by the Freedom Valley YMCA to close the local facility on North Adams Street in June.

"The closing of YMCA is absolutely an issue of regional significance," said Upper Pottsgrove Commissioner Elwood Taylor after the issue was raised by Pottstown Councilman Ryan Procsal. "It should be in Pottstown." Freedom Valley YMCA is "taking their money and not putting it where the people need it," Taylor said.

Membership in the Pottstown Metropolitan Area Regional 

Planning Committee includes officials from  eight towns.

"It's like having a centralized public library in Pottstown, it's necessary and so is the YMCA," Taylor said.

Peggy Lee-Clark, the executive director of the Pottstown Area Industrial Development Inc., or PAID, said she is on the committee formed by the YMCA to come up with recommendations for ways to continue services after the building is shuttered.

"There is some discomfort" on that committee "that the (Freedom Valley) YMCA is not really fulfilling their mission" by closing the building," Lee-Clark said.

At the suggestion of John Cover, a chief community planner with the Montgomery County Planning Commission, the local officials voted unanimously Wednesday night to issue a statement and send a letter opposing the closure and calling for the improvement or upgrading of the current facility.

Both will be written and sent by the planning commission so as not to delay the delivery of the message.

The letter will join the resolution passed by the Pottstown School Board strongly opposing the closure, a similar call by State Representatives Thomas Quigley and Tim Hennessey, as well as a similar effort, possibly pending from the Pottsgrove School Board, according to reporting in The Sanatoga Post on the meeting there Tuesday night.

Lee-Clark said the committee has been told it will cost $11 million over the next few years to bring the building up to snuff, and that $3 million is needed almost immediately to deal with issues of "deferred maintenance."

"That's about half the cost of a new building," Cover observed.

The voting concluded, Lee-Clark then said she wants to "change the narrative" that has been "appearing in the press" about the issue.

"Poverty does not define Pottstown," she said. "Albeit this is a loss, and I understand anger about how it has been handled, but it is not a crushing to the borough and I think I have to change that narrative. I don't look at it as one more blow to Pottstown," she said.

Noting that it is her responsibility to try to expand Pottstown's property tax base, Lee-Clark said "from my perspective, I have to go forward as if the building is vacant. I'm not interested in filling it with another non-profit."

While I understand that perspective, I'm afraid I am going to have to call "hogwash."

How can the person who touts Pottstown's "diversity" in PAID's marketing materials, try to minimize what the loss of the YMCA will mean to its low-income community? Maybe because it's the same person who oversaw the production of the first "I Pick Pottstown" video, which touts our "diversity," but neglects to show a single person of color.

As someone who was once a member of the YMCA; whose son learned to swim there; to play basketball there (and learned he would never be a basketball player there); who learned karate there; who met his very best friend there, I can tell you it wouldn't have happened in a "Y Without Walls," which is the snappy sounding but meaningless alternative the Freedom Valley Y is peddling here in Pottstown, all while if builds glass and steel castles in affluent Main Line suburbs.

Perhaps if Lee-Clark lived in the borough she is charged with improving, instead of going home every night a Chester County farm house, she would have a more organic understand of why closing the Y is a "crushing blow," why it is so important for families struggling to keep their kids off the streets to have a place to go, where they can be safe and have mentors.

It's not just the "low-income" community that is affected by this closure. 

The advantage of "diversity" is that it brings people of different financial, ethnic and cultural backgrounds together in shared experiences and foments understanding across financial and social divides. So if it is hurtful to the "low-income" folks in a diverse community, that means it is hurtful to the ENTIRE COMMUNITY.

It doesn't make it less important if the low-income community is disproportionately affected, it makes it MORE important because those folks are the ones already struggling under the heaviest burdens.

Pottstown's low-income community is not something to be ashamed of; not something that needs to be downplayed. They are proud hard-working people who may need some help to get by, or have fallen on hard times, or are struggling to overcome a fractured home life. They are the heart and soul of Pottstown just as much as Weitzenkorn's, Brunish's or Sunnybrook Ballroom. 

That's what "diversity" means, embracing the differences and making the most of what it has to offer, not dismissing the impact on the poor and lamenting it being showcased in the local newspaper like a community's dirty laundry.

Look, we all understand it might make marketing Pottstown to investors harder if the newspaper has a string of headlines blaring about the community being up in arms because the YMCA is abandoning its mission to help low-income communities. But that's the job Lee-Clark signed up for. It's a hard job, that's why it pays $86,000 a year, and we'll be damned if we're going to lay down and lose a vital and historic community resource just to pretty up the marketing brochure.

Maybe we should start marketing Pottstown as a place that stands up and fights for its due.

Anyhoo, enough speechifying.

In point of fact, most of the regional planning meeting was taken up with discussion of the regional trail system being planned, and the most likely portions of it to be developed first.

Also discussed was a housing development project in New Hanover near Swamp Pike and New Hanover Square Road.

You can find all of that in the Tweets below and in subsequent articles in The Mercury.

What's In the Water in West Pottsgrove?

So the West Pottsgrove Pool is closed again.

"What's that?" you ask. "But I thought they just voted to open it."

They did, after they voted to close it. Then they voted to open it.

But now, with the last vote, they closed it.

It's closed because of a 2-2 vote on the contract for the company they approved last time with a 2-1 vote.

Yeah, you read that right.

Oh yeah, and Commissioners President Pete LaRosa resigned.

Really.

But wait! not from the board, he said in a later call; only as president.

Sorry for the misunderstanding.

Here's video of his statement, you can decide for yourself what conclusion you would reach.




West Pottsgrove used to be such a sleepy little town.

Here are the Tweets from last night's meeting

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas at the Y

Holiday events kick off at the Pottstown YMCA today and tomorrow with a free used toy giveaway followed by a visit from Santa on Sunday.

Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Moms Club of Pottstown/Pottsgrove and the Y will distribute used toys they have collected for those who may not have enough to put presents under the tree.

On Sunday, Dec. 7 from 1 to 3 p.m. Santa will stop by for photos (so long as yo-u bring your own camera.)

The Y will also have craft table set up and and a sing along with Makin Music company.

Both events are free and open to public

Make the Season Truly About Giving

You've heard of Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday?

Well now, there's "Giving Tuesday."

The idea is to create a national moment around the holidays dedicated to giving, similar to how Black Friday and Cyber Monday have become days that are, today, synonymous with holiday shopping.

And its happening right here in the Pottstown.

Pottstown-area nonprofits participating in #GivingTuesday (the '#' marks its Twitter handle ) include Pottstown Area Seniors’ Center, Pottstown YMCA, Pottstown Regional Public Library, Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities, KenCrest, Family Services, and Aclamo, among many others.

Brian Parkes, executive director of the Pottstown Area Senior Center, said the movement intends to use the power of social media to encourage making donations to non-profits which make a difference in the lives of our neighbors.

"We want to transform how people think about, talk about, and participate in the giving season," Parkes said in a press release issued to The Mercury.

“People can donate to the organizations any time, not just on Dec. 2, but #GivingTuesday garners more excitement and we expect this excitement to bring in additional donors,” Parkes said.

"#GivingTuesday will inspire people to take collaborative action to improve their local communities, give back in better, smarter ways to the charities and causes they support, and help create a better world," he said.

In fact, there are organizations all over Montgomery County.

A new website www.GivingTuesdayMontco.org has information, including a list of nearly 100 organizations participating, along with links to donate, but does not accept donations of its own. 

According to the site, "#GivingTuesdayMontco is part of a national celebration of generosity. It’s a day to give a gift that makes an impact right here in our own community. It’s a way to let your values be part of your holiday giving."

Web marketing and web hosting company IQnection donated design and hosting services for the GivingTuesdayMontco.org website.

Along with the website, there is also a Giving-Tuesday-Montco Facebook page. 

“Last year, more than 10,000 nonprofit organizations in 46 countries were part of #GivingTuesday,” said Parkes. 

“It’s an opportunity to remind people of the power of charitable giving during this season, as well as the tremendous need that exists in our community.”

There's Still Time to Give for the Giftaway

The Giftaway Donation box at the Pottstown YMCA

There are still a few days left to drop gently used toys, books, puzzles, and stuffed animals for all ages for the GiftAway event to be held at the Pottstown YMCA on Dec. 6.

Until Nov. 29, the Moms Club of Pottstown/ Pottsgrove will be accepting donations of those items to be provided for free to needy residents of the Pottstown and Pottsgrove school districts.

Local drop-off locations are the Pottstown YMCA on North Adams Street; the Pottstown Regional Public Library at the intersection of High and Washington streets; and Proximity Cafe, at 1450 E. High St.

In particular, the group is looking for some gifts for "tweens" and teens, the availability maybe limited.

If you have a larger item you need picked up, leave a message on the event's Facebook page; or e-mail pottsgrovemomsclub@gmail.com

The event itself  is open to any adult who lives in the Pottstown/Pottsgrove School Districts and may need a little extra help this year with getting presents under the tree. It is open to parents and grandparents. There is no registration required or income verification.

It begins at 10 a.m. on Dec. 6 and it is and it is first come, first serve.

YMCA Announces New Executive Director

The Philadelphia Freedom Valley YMCA has appointed Dan Albert as the Executive Director of the Pottstown YMCA. 

Albert brings nearly 14 years of experience in working at YMCAs throughout the region to his new position, which he commenced on December 2, 2013. 

Dan Albert

According to his profile on LinkedIn, Albert was most recently the CEO of the Greater Scranton YMCA, from February, 2011 to November of this year.

Prior to that, he was CEO of the Southside Virginia Family YMCA in Farmville, west of Richmond, for more than six years, from May 2004 to February, 2011.

While there, he oversaw the effort to raise $6 million to construct a new YMCA facility there.

He resides in Boyertown, with his wife Gwen, and two children, Kylee and Easton. Albert brings a wide – range of talents, experience and expertise to the Pottstown YMCA.

He is a past president of the Yacees and has published magazine articles on mission work, the "intergenerational divide," program innovation and international work as well as baseball pitching philosophy.

The Southside Virginia Family YMCA Albert helped build

Albert is a graduate of Shenandoah University (VA) B.S. Kinesiology and the University of Tennessee Certificate of Non-Profit Management.

The community is invited to meet Dan Albert and The community is invited to meet Dan Albert and his team on Monday, Dec. 16 from 10 – 12 p.m. and 3 – 6 p.m. at the Pottstown YMCA, located at 724 N. Adams Street, Pottstown. 

Those in attendance will have the opportunity to receive tours, see the renovations and to get re-engaged with the Pottstown YMCA.

Refreshments will be served.
The renovation project includes tripling the size of the Wellness Center to a 7,300 square-foot space with state-of-the-art equipment, adding a new 3,800 square-foot Group Exercise Studio, refurbishing space to incorporate a new Cycling Studio and renovating the Y’s lobby and locker rooms for members.

Throughout the Delaware Valley, the Philadelphia Freedom Valley YMCA serves more than 140,000 members and 200,000 individuals a year- regardless of age, income or background- to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. 

It has 15 locations throughout the Delaware Valley. For more information, call 215-963-3700 or visit www.philaymca.org.

Renovations Underway at the YMCA

Renovations have begun at the Freedom Valley YMCA facility in Pottstown according to a release from the organization.

It began Nov. 11 and the first phase is expected to be complete by the end of the year. The renovation includes tripling the size of the Wellness Center to a 7,300 square-foot space, with state-of-the-art equipment, adding a new 3,800 square-foot Group Exercise Studio, refurbishing space to incorporate a new cycling studio and renovating the Y's lobby and locker rooms for members.

The expanded space is being made available, in part, because of the departure of the Pottstown Area Senior Center which will ultimately be moving to a new facility at the former Pottstown Health Club at Moser Road.

However, since that facility is not yet ready, the senior center, which was already nearly six months beyond its agreed-upon lease with the YMCA, will move in December into temporary quarters in the Berean Bible Church, 2675 E. High Street in Sanatoga.

According to a release from the YMCA, the renovation project "will deliver countless more opportunities for youth, adults and families come to swim, play basketball, socialize with friends and learn something new.

"The Pottstown YMCA is transforming into 2014 with a new look, and we hope more community members join us as we commit to providing first-class services in a safe, fun environment," said John Agnew, chief operating officer for the Philadelphia Freedom Valley YMCA.