Let There Be (Pottstown Stadium) Lights!

HIP HIP HORRAY! The lights are returning to Grigg Memorial Stadium at Pottstown High School!

Friday night football is coming back to Pottstown this fall.

With a unanimous vote, the Pottstown School Board accepted a $250,000 grant delivered by state Sen. Robert Mensch, R-24th Dist., which will allow new field lights to be erected at the high school football stadium.

The grant came about as the result of lobbying contact Mensch had with Schools Superintendent
Stephen Rodriguez and local businessman Aram Ecke;r and the fact that as the leader of the Republican caucus in the state senate, he had access to funds that other legislators do not.

"He told me he would not forget Pottstown," said Ecker. "And here we have a politician who kept his word."

Stephen Anspach, the district's director of co-curricular activities, said Mensch will not only have a ticket to the first night game at the stadium this fall, "but to every game!"

Mensch, who was on hand at Thursday's school board meeting for the announcement -- along with the entire football team and the ever-present Trojan Man mascot -- said he was impressed with the organization of the fundraising effort and the turnout for the announcement.

"Being in leadership, there are certain benefits, besides the long hours, and I got a call from the majority leaders office who said we have some money from the Department of Education in the form of a grant and we were wondering could you make use of that money," Mensch said.

"And I said of course. And having had conversations with Mr. Rodriguez about the need for the lights, Pottstown was the first school district that came to mind," he said. "Seeing the response here, it makes you feel good that once in a while, government can do something positive."

School board member Polly Weand is hugged by her daughter
after the 

announcement that enough money is now available
to put new 

lights in Grigg Memorial Stadium.

Among those responding to the funding was board member Polly Weand, who has spearheaded the fundraising effort for three years and said in a voice trembling with emotion that "this is a another step in the revitalization of Pottstown."

Moments later, she received a hug from her daughter Betsy.

"This is a re-kindling of the spirit of Pottstown," said Weand, who did not run for reelection to the board in Tuesday's primary election.

School board members thanked Weand and student member Courteney Parry noted that "I remember the first meeting I attended as a new board member, we talked about the lights and seeing your passion on this issue really helped me understand what being a board member is about."

"The lights are back!" declared Rodriguez.

Trojan Man rallies the Pottstown High School football team

in preparation for the announcement that night games will
return 

during the 2017-18 season.

"We did it," said student and football player Aaron Diamond, "and thank you. Thank you Sen. Mensch, thank you Mr. and Mrs. Weand for all that you do.And I also want to thank all the community of Pottstown. We came together and we did something really huge and brought back a great tradition."

It's been three years since that tradition has been in abeyance.

The lights were removed in 2014 after it was determined that the wooden poles holding them up were no longer structurally sound.

The school board at the time determined that $300,000 cost should not be born by local taxpayers when the district struggles financially, and instead a community fund-raising campaign -- Save the Lights -- was born and headed by Weand.

Lawn signs and t-shirts were sold, contributions received from the teachers federation, the Pottstown School Music Association, anonymous donors, the Foundation for Pottstown Education and all the students who paid $1 for "casual Fridays" so they could forego the required school uniform rules.

Kevin Owens, president of the Pottstown Schools 

Music Association addresses the school board Thursday.

But no sooner did the district resolve the issue of lights for one field, problems with another set of field lights were raised.

Kevin Owens, the president of the Pottstown Schools Music Association, outlined the necessity of replacing the aging lights that shine on the "auxiliary field" near the school's tennis courts.

Replacement bulbs for those lights are no longer made or available and the scheduling problems that would ripple through the school and student activities without the lights are many, he said.

Because marching band practice begins in August, the lights are necessary for night practices to take place in the cooler part of the hot summer months.

The lights on Pottstown High School's "auxiliary field" are old

and out of date. New ones can be installed as part of a $146,653

lighting project planned for the high school.

Those night practices, which continue through the year, also allow band members to participate in athletics after school and still be in the band, Owens said.

However, a solution may already be at hand.

Kurt Heidel reported that the school board's facilities committee is recommending the auxiliary field lights be replaced as part of a broader outdoor security lighting project at the high school which facilities director Robert Krippelbauer secured at a cost of $146,653.

Heidel said initially he was opposed to the expenditure, but convinced to change his mind by Anspach's explanation of all the benefits those lights provide to as many as 70 students who are in the marching band.

The board will vote on that expenditure at the Monday, May 22 meeting, along with adopting a preliminary $62 million budget for the 2017-18 school year.

You can read about that in the Tweets below.

Will Tropical Treat Again Be Used to Sell Used Cars?

Photo by Evan Brandt

The former Tropical Treat, former used car dealership, former pawn shop, future car dealership on High Street in Stowe.

What was once a car hop, then a car shiop, then a pawn shop, may soon become a car shop again.

The West Pottsgrove Township Commissioners voted Wednesday to send to the zoning board an application by the owner of the property everyone who has lived here at least 20 years calls The Tropical Treat to once again be a used car lot.

For a short time, the immediately recognized site had gone from being a long-time used car dealer to a short-lived pawn shop.

But that all came to an end in January when state police raided the property for selling stolen property and the pawn shop quickly went out of business.

Because the use of the property had changed, Township Manager Craig Lloyd explained, the owner must apply for a special exception from the zoning hearing board, for it to return to a used car dealership.

"If that use had continued, this would not be necessary," said Commissioners Chairman Steve Miller.

In its heyday, the Tropical Treat was one end of the famous and infamous Pottstown "cruising" circuit. The other end was The Hilltop burger joint in Sanatoga, with classic and not-so-classic cars cruising along High Street between the two.

The board also voted to send a new billboard ordinance to the planning commission for comment and made further announcement about plans for the Community Day set for Oct. 14.

But you can read all about it in the Tweets below...

Budget Blues and Quid Pro Quo in Upper Pottsgrove

Photo by Evan Brandt

State Sen. Robert Mensch, R-24th Dist., discusses the Pennsylvania budget at the Upper Pottsgrove Commissioners Meeting Monday night.

Bob Mensch says this year's budget discussions in Harrisburg may involve the hardest choices he has ever seen in more than a decade in state politics.

Speaking by invitation of the Upper Pottsgrove Township Commissioners Monday night, he said "we've swept all the corners for revenues. We're at the point now where the budget is hinging on gaming and state stories," neither of which has much to offer over the long term.

"State stores, if we do what's being proposed, is a one-time boost and that's it," he said.

"Gaming is not a growth industry," Mensch warned. "Only about 4 percent of the population gambles. We can expand and put more terminals out there, but we're not really doing anything to grow the economy."

"We're at the point now where, as a state, we';re going to face some increasingly difficult decisions about what we fund and what we don't fund," Mensch said.

"Our revenues are down, primarily our business revenues, our business taxes are down, which means that while the national economy is picking up steam, we're not picking up the same steam because we haven't done what we need to do here in Pennsylvania to encourage business," Mensch said.

You can see the full content of Mensch's comments in this video here:


And while the commissioners discussed a number of subjects Monday night, most of which involved more than $300, it perhaps the bill of $300 which was the most newsworthy.

It seems that when a car show was organized and staged in the parking lot of Pottsgrove Middle School a few months ago, organizers were under the impression there would be no charge.

But weeks later, they received an invoice from the district for $300 because a custodian was on duty because the outside-access rest rooms had to be made available for the event.

That did not sit well with the organizers, township recreation and open space committee and ultimately, the commissioners themselves.

They noted that Upper Pottsgrove spends thousands of dollars each year to upgrade, improve and maintain the soccer fields at Hollenbach Park at the expense of just township taxpayers -- fields made available not only free of charge to the school district, which has students from all three Pottsgrove townships -- but fields to which the district has priority of use.

To add insult to what Commissioners Chairman Elwood Taylor called "an affront," public works supervisor Frank Quinter confirmed that the district has not fertilized the soccer fields at Hollenbach as it had promised to do.

"The township spends thousands of dollars on field maintenance for free use by district and they want to stiff us for $300 bucks," said Open Space Committee Chairman Dennis Elliott in what was perhaps the most pithy quote on that subject.

As a result, Elliott said the Open Space Committee has recommended the commissioners begin exploring the idea of charging the school district for the use of the Hollenbach Park fields.

"Well we don't charge any of the other organizations that use those fields so this could get interesting," noted Commissioners Chairman Elwood Taylor.

Instead, he suggested, it might be better for the township and school district to sit down and try to reach some accommodation.

Stay tuned.

In the meantime, here are the Tweets.

Sometimes, Some Things Have to Take a Back Seat

The entire staff of The Digital Notebook blog will be out of the office for the next couple of days and blog posts may be spotty.

That means there will be no posts about the Monday, May 8 borough council meeting, or the Tuesday, May 9 Pottsgrove School Board meeting.

It's sad, we know, but some things just have to be done and this is one of them.

Hopefully, this advance warning will not result in any shenanigans, but we'll all just have to take that chance.

We will be checking in with email and may have an opportunity to put up an occasional posting, but we wanted to warn you that your daily dose of digital doings will be doubtful, delayed or just downright undone.

In the meantime, get out there and enjoy a spring day, get away from a screen and re-connect with people face to face.

But don't be gone too long.

We'll return soon.

Building a Better Foundation in Pottstown Education

From left, Joe Rusiewicz, Tracey Brown, Barbara Bushey Ernico, Sue Bradley Trout, Virginia Frantz and Charlie Palladino were on hand for the presentation of a $10,000 check to the Foundation for Pottstown Education. 

Whether its paying for students to take Advance Placement Exams, launching students into college careers with a year under their belt, or supporting science education, the Foundation for Pottstown Education has been busy this spring

Most recently the foundation received $15,000 in contributions from two different sources.

Dana Incorporated, Pottstown location made a $5,000 contribution to the Foundation for Pottstown Education supporting their initiatives to the education of the students in the district.

Plant Manager, Danny Aaron and Environmental Health and Safety Manager Jason Pregel were on hand to present the check to Foundation Board President, Tracy Brown.

In presenting the check Aaron stated that it was in recognition of the work that the Foundation is doing to promote education and specifically in the area of science education.

Each year, the Dana Foundation allocates funds to each of their plants tasking them with selection

From left, Jason Pregel, Tracey Brown and Danny Aaron from Dana.

of local not-for-profits as the recipients of the funding and the Foundation for Pottstown Education was one of the organizations selected by the Dana plant in Pottstown to receive the funds this year.

On April 27, the foundation got another financial shot in the arm, thanks to the efforts of the Pottstown High School Class of 1967,

Celebrating its 50th anniversary, the class along with the Montgomery Community Foundation and an anonymous donor presented the Foundation with a check for $10,000 in support of the Early College Program.

Called Pottstown Promise, the program which provides scholarships for Pottstown High School students to take college courses in their junior and senior years at Montgomery County Community College.

The fund’s remaining $10,000 is a permanent fund that will produce income for special education projects of the Pottstown schools.

Preparing for their 50th Class Reunion in 2017, classmates of Pottstown High School Class of 1967 began to raise money for a class gift. They decided to establish The PHS Alumni Fund at The Montgomery County Foundation, Inc. 

A total of $20,000 has been now been raised through the efforts of members of PHS Class of 1967 for the PHS Alumni Fund. The first $10,000 was raised from classmates.

The $10,000 check was presented to the Foundation Board President Tracey Brown and Executive Director, Joe Rusiewicz at the Board’s April meeting.

Class members Barbara Bushey Ernico and Sue Bradley Trout were on hand to present the check along with Montgomery Community Foundation’s Executive Director, Virginia Frantz.

And if you were wondering where that money goes, look no further than this month's AP exams.

When Pottstown High School counselors were asking when they received notice that the funding which was previously awarded to the students to pay the costs of taking AP exams was cut this year and would not be available, Guidance Counselor, Amanda Scholwinski applied to the Foundation for Pottstown Education for a grant to cover this shortfall.

The Foundation’s Board of Directors unanimously approved this grant for $5,400. ensuring more than 100 students the ability to take the tests and possibly earn college credit before they enter the college of their choice.

AP exams are college-level tests administered by The College Board (makers of the SAT).

Students may take tests in one or more subjects. The AP courses and exams can help put students on the fast track to a college degree, giving them the chance to earn college credit while still in high school—not to mention strengthening their college applications.

According to research by The College Board, students who take AP courses do better in college than those who don’t. In fact, students who take AP exams in high school are 62 percent more likely to graduate from college in four years, and avoid having to pay for extra semesters. 

Because they are more challenging and require more work than regular high school classes, AP courses help students prepare for the rigors of college coursework.

The tests are taken by in May with results given to the students in July. The tests have two parts, multiple choices and a free response essay. 

How well the student score on these test help individual schools determine whether the students receive college credit, advanced placements or both. 

The Foundation for Pottstown Education is a not for profit organization that raises funds to help support opportunities for the students in the Pottstown School District.

These funds are raised through grants, corporate and individual gifts as well as the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program through the State’s Department of Community and Economic Development. The EITC program enables approved businesses the opportunity to make a donation to an approved not for profits in exchange for a 75-90 percent tax credit.

Police/Employee Awards and Historic Renovation

Photos by Evan  Brandt

Police Chief Richard Drumheller, left, and Mayor Sharon  Thomas, right, congratulate canine officer Jeffrey Portock after being announced as the 2016 Police Officer of the Year Wednesday night.

The awards were flying fast and furious Wednesday night, almost as furious as Council Dennis Arms's temper ...

Although you might expect the Police Officer and Borough Employee of the Year awards to be given out in January, or December, in Pottstown the day is May 3.

Dan Weand, left, and Mark Flanders congratulate

Luis Colon, the borough's first-ever Employee of the Year.

Officer Jeffrey Portock, whose exploits in 2016 were outlined in a proclamation read by Mayor
Sharon Thomas, was singled out for his bravery and his competence during the past year.

And while Pottstown has named an officer of the year, well for years, 2017 marks the first time it has also named an Employee of the Year among its non-uniformed personnel.

And that honor went to Luis Colon, a wastewater treatment plant operator who, according to Borough Manager Mark Flanders is always pleasant, helpful and busy.

But they were not done yet.

In addition to an Officer of the Year, and an Employee of the Year, borough leaders also handed out one of its occasional Lifesaving Awards.

This one went to Pottstown Police Sgt. Michael Ponto who, on Oct. 13, stayed with a shooting victim, who had been shot several times in the groin and was found bleeding near the intersection of York and E. High Streets.

Sgt, Michael Ponto's lifesaving actions are applauded during

Wednesday night's Pottstown Borough Council Meeting

The shots were dangerously close to the victim's and he likely would have bled to death before Goodwill Ambulance personnel arrived had Ponto not retrieved his first aid kit and applied pressure to the wounds.

However, the victim survived thanks to his efforts.

When the awards were over and the room thinned out, the yelling began.

Well, perhaps I exaggerate. How about, "the spirited exclamations of the councilman from the fourth ward."

That's Dennis Arms for those of you who don't know.

He first got exercised after Greg Lingo, a developer with Rockwell Development, unveiled plans to convert the old brick shirt factory at Cherry and South Charlotte streets into market-rate condominiums.

It was not the proposal that got Arms worked up. He thinks the idea is a great one.

What got him going was that the first reaction was not relief, or thanks but questions about parking.

The former shirt factory Rockwell Development Group wants  to
spend 

$2 million renovating into market-rate condominiums.

"I can't believe we're worried about parking!" he shouted. "That building has been vacant for 40 years and here's a guy who wants to spend $2 million fixing it up, and you're talking about parking!"

Council eventually found its manners and welcomed the developers, who are already familiar with Pottstown, to the borough.

"Thank you for investing in our town," said Arms.

Later, council again discussed a subject Arms and raised at last month's meeting -- the idea of eliminating wards in Pottstown and having all council members be elected "at large."

Solicitor Charles D. Garner Jr. reported that the law prohibits it being brought to referendum, and puts the decision in council's hands. It can either eliminate the wards, or make five wards instead of seven and make two of the seats at-large seats.

When council expressed what might be charitably called its ambivalence to the idea, Arms exploded again.

"Why did we go through this puppet show if you all knew you didn't want to change anything," Arms fumed. "We're wasting Chuck's time and we pay for that time."

"There's nothing wrong with wanting more information," said Mayor Sharon Thomas.

In that vein, Arms raised another point Wednesday which actually got some traction. He suggested that the public be allowed to see the background information that council members get to go along with their agenda before each meeting.

With the obvious exception of things which are not public documents, such as personnel or attorney/client privileged information, council agreed and Flanders said it could be done.

So look for that on the borough web site soon.

But it may not be enough for Arms, who later in the evening posted on Facebook that he wonders if he wants to serve on council for another two years.

Anyway, enough about all that, here are the Tweets!

Second Arts Walk Saturday Will Be Full of Fun

Following up on the success of the first (snowy) Pottstown ArtsWalk in January, the next installment will be held on Saturday, May 6, 2017 from 12 to 9 p.m.

Organizations, businesses and restaurants in Pottstown come together for a day full of fun and food.

Click here to get your free ticket for the event.

By registering for your free ticket, you will receive great discount coupons for local restaurants and also be entered to win some fabulous door prizes!


(Parking note: The Pottstown Classic Car show is also on May 6. Please pay attention to signs if you park on High St., as they close off several blocks starting at 4 pm.)

Here are the locations and events for the day:

Craig Clemens Jazz Trio

• ArtFusion 19464: 254 E. High St. -- will be showcasing the Keystone Dreams art show from 12 to 6 p.m. Presented by Philadelphia Creatives for Change, the show will feature work symbolizing a version of the artist’s Pennsylvania, whether a dream, reality, or in between. Keystone Dreams: Dreaming of a Better Pennsylvania will be on display in the main gallery through May 19. On the second floor, a special art sale fundraiser will be held. A wide variety of pieces from framed artwork to prints and 3D work will be available for immediate purchase. All proceeds benefit the non-profit community art center. As a special thank you for stopping by, every visitor to ArtFusion 19464 during the walk will take home a free, limited edition print from our Signature Series, featuring important aspects of Pottstown’s past.
• The High Street Music Company: 135 E. High St. -- From 2 to 4 p.m, The Craig Clemens Jazz Trio will be performing various swing, funk, blues, and Latin jazz standards.  This free event is recommended for all ages.
• Pottstown Community Arts: Corner of King and Manatawny streets -- Community art project
  
  will create a  “Welcome to Pottstown” sign. They will be priming a giant concrete barrier on the corner of Manatawny and King Streets during the Arts Walk. Stop by, grab a paint brush, and paint the town white with us. This free community art project is fun for all ages and will run from 2 to 6 p.m.
• MCCC North Hall Gallery: 16 High St. -- students paint, draw, sculpt, and design amazing creations, which will be on display in the gallery at North Hall, part of Montgomery County Community College’s West Campus. Visitors can tour the beautiful gallery at their leisure and check out the latest works by talented student artists. 12-6 p.m. Family-friendly, free event.
• Steel River Playhouse: 245 High St. -- Free ukele lessons will be in the lobby, a display of original artwork, tours of the theater, chaperones views of sitzprobe and rehearsal of upcoming production of The Little Mermaid. 12 to 6 p.m. Free and family friendly!
• Carousel at Pottstown: 30 W. King St. -- Organizers would love to have visitors stop in and take a spin. Admission is free, parking is free, and rides are only $2. And while there, enjoy some refreshment at the beautifully restored 1865 horse drawn Trolley snack bar and try your luck on some of our arcade games. 2 to 4 p.m. All ages. $2 per ride or 3 rides for $5 (Concessions and t-shirts are also available for sale.)
• MCCC West Campus: (In Smith Family Plaza) 100 E. High St. -- from 2 to 6 p.m the college will celebrate 20 years in Pottstown with local eats, and local live music; musical artists including Jordan White, Hexwork, Madam Ink, Another Day Dawns, and Red Hill Rambler. As a special trear, Star Wars Rogue One screening at will be held at 4 p.m. Come dressed as your favorite Star Wars character for prize.
• Pottstown Regional Public Library: 500 E. High St. -- Stop by the Book Nook to peruse the
  
  selection of books for sale and buy a ticket for the handmade quilt being raffled off at the September book sale. 2 to 4 p.m.
• Azie Pop-Up Restaurant: 107 E. High St. -- From 5 to 9 p.m, @107 will be hosting a pop up event for Azie, a new restaurant coming to Pottstown in 2018. Guests can sample the work of Azie’s chef Kazuyuki Mitsui and get a taste of things to come. The pre fixe menu is $35 per person and guests are encourage to BYOB. You must make a reservation by clicking on this link here.
• Weitzenkorn's: 145 E. high St. -- From 12 to 4 p.m, Weitzenkorn’s will be showcasing artwork from two local artists. This family-friendly event is free. Titled "Ancillary Aesthetics," the show features 2-D works that help to bridge the gap between the counter culture and high society. Furthering the effort to prove that beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder. Artist Featured: Adam Weitzenkorn – co/owner of Weitzenkorn’s in Pottstown, and graduate of the School of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston. Kyle Dietz – Graduate of Kutztown universities Art Program, with a Major in Education. Also is currently a professional tattoo artist in Phoenixville.
• Smith Family Plaza: 100 E. High St. -- Take a self-guided tour of the wonderful sculpture in this beautiful space right by Borough Hall. The sculptures in the Smith Family Plaza were done by sculptor Eric Berg, a graduate of The Hill School.