The Sanatoga Post

Never a smart idea; less so in Lower Pottsgrove.

SANATOGA PA – If you’re driving without wearing a seat belt, or driving under the influence (DUI) of an intoxicating substance, you’re always driving into trouble. In Lower Pottsgrove (PA) Township, you’ll arrive there more frequently.

The township Police Department is continuing what Chief Michael Shade has described as its “active participation” in the state’s “Drive Safe PA” and national “Click-It-Or-Ticket” programs, which target DUI and seat belt offenders, respectively.

Last month (May 2009), department officers spent a dozen or more hours of overtime in the twin efforts, all of which is reimbursed by the state. Operating May DUI checkpoints alone cost the township $496 in overtime labor, Shade noted during his monthly report June 1 (2009) to the township Board of Commissioners.

The payoff: between the two programs, officers issued a total of 121 citations over 31 days, averaging almost four daily.

Of particular concern, Shade noted, was the fact that his patrols “made several DUI arrests during daytime enforcements of these programs.” Statistics show that May 2009 DUI arrests – there were nine – were significantly higher than those in the same month of 2008 (3) or 2007 (5).

Coincidentally, daytime drunk driving was the focus of an article published Sunday (June 14, 2009) by the Pulitzer Prize-winning Pioneer-Press newspaper in St. Paul MN. Its report addressed the heightened risks daylight DUIs pose with increased commuter traffic in Minnesota’s Twin Cities region.

Related (to the Lower Pottsgrove Commissioners’ June 1 meeting):

• New Equipment Highlights Fire Report
• State OKs Police Consolidation Study
• Keeping Their Eyes On The Pump
• Bateman Trail Cut Into Open Space
• Township Reconsiders Charitable Donations
• PennDOT Set For Meeting On Bridge Work

Photo by Clipart.com

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BOYERTOWN PA – High trading volume and a sharp decline in the price Wednesday (June 17, 2009) of publicly traded stock of Boyertown-based National Penn Bank coincided with the end of its offer to sell stock at a 10-percent discount under a dividend reinvestment and stock purchase plan begun last November, the bank said in a press release issued Wednesday after the close of business.

“We are not aware of any other reason for this unusual trading activity,” bank President and Chief Executive Officer Glenn E. Moyer said in the statement.

The bank operates branch offices in Sanatoga, Pottstown and Royersford.

When it launched the offering, the bank had hopes to raise $75 million in capital. It ended the program about six months earlier than expected, after raising $72.8 million. “We are particularly pleased that we achieved this capital-raising goal well ahead of our original schedule,” Moyer said.

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SANATOGA PA – They call their guitars “axes” for a reason.

Axe against axe, sticks against sticks; it will be all-out musical war tonight from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. in Sunnybrook Ballroom, 50 Sunnybrook Rd., as the dance hall hosts a “Battle of the Bands” charity event to benefit Alex’s Lemonade Stand, the foundation for childhood cancer.

The battle is being sponsored by two Pottstown companies, Applebee’s Restaurant on State Street, and the High Street Music Company studios on High Street.

For more information on the battle, visit its website: www.battle4alex.webs.com

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LOWER POTTSGROVE PA – Elected officials, members of several fire companies and visitors all were part of the festivities recently as Lower Pottsgrove (PA) Township‘s Ringing Hill Fire Company housed two new pieces of apparatus: a 2009 International/KME 3,000-gallon Pumper/Tanker, and a 2007 Ford/KME Fire Police Unit.

The event was marked by a parade through the township that involved the new vehicles, as well as those representative of the Sanatoga, Upper Pottsgrove and West End fire companies. Ringing Hill active member Ray Lopez presided as master of ceremonies, and introduced speakers including state Sen. John Rafferty, state Rep. Thomas Quigley, and township Commissioners Bruce Foltz and Jonathan Spadt.

The May 2 (2009; Saturday) equipment housing was mentioned in a brief report township Fire Marshall Lew Babel offered June 1 during a regular monthly meeting of the township Board of Commissioners. He also delivered to board members completed fire company statistical reports for April and March 2009.

Related:

• Lower Pottsgrove fire marshal’s report for July 2009
• Lower Pottsgrove fire marshal’s report for April and March 2009
• Lower Pottsgrove fire marshal’s report for February 2009

Related (to the Lower Pottsgrove Commissioners’ June 1 meeting):

• State OKs Police Consolidation Study
• Keeping Their Eyes On The Pump
• Bateman Trail Cut Into Open Space
• Township Reconsiders Charitable Donations
• PennDOT Set For Meeting On Bridge Work

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Lower Pottsgrove Township's police station at Buchert and North Pleasant View roads.

SANATOGA PA – A police department consolidation study that Lower Pottsgrove (PA) Township commissioners say they really aren’t interested in, but to which they agreed anyway, has been approved by the state Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED).

The regional police study to be conducted by the Governor’s Center for Local Government Services would determine the feasibility of combining police departments in Lower, Upper and West Pottsgrove townships into a single force, ostensibly to reduce costs and improve efficiency. Lower Pottsgrove Police Chief Michael Shade was notified late last month (May 26, 2009) that the study had been OK’d for payment by DCED.

The township’s Board of Commissioners agreed in April (2009) to participate in the study, so long as it was done at no cost to the township and did not commit it to the combination. Commissioners at the time made no bones about their lack of enthusiasm for consolidation, essentially saying that “Lower Pottsgrove’s department works just fine on its own, thanks.”

One of the biggest hurdles to consolidation, commissioners have suggested, is a lack of uniformity in local ordinances between the townships. They agreed to join, however, at the request of West and Upper Pottsgrove, in a show of municipal cooperation. They might even learn something helpful, board members speculated.

In his approval letter to Shade, state local government policy specialist Ronald Stern said the study would be done by “selected qualified police chiefs in Pennsylvania” who are part of the state’s Police Peer Management Program. Shade and his counterparts in the other townships already have received directions and paperwork that will get the work under way.

A copy of Stern’s letter to Shade was included in information provided to the board during its June 1 (2009) meeting.

Related:

• Board OKs Police Study, With An Asterisk

Related (to the Lower Pottsgrove Commissioners’ June 1 meeting):

• Keeping Their Eyes On The Pump
• Bateman Trail Cut Into Open Space
• Township Reconsiders Charitable Donations
• PennDOT Set For Meeting On Bridge Work

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SANATOGA PA – Weekend activities for Sanatogans (and anyone else!), June 19-21, 2009:

• These events have been added to The Post calendar.

Friday, June 19

Up for a challenge? The Amity Chess Club meets from 7-10 p.m. at St. Paul’s UCC Church, 1312 Old Swede Rd., Douglassville PA, for chess matches and lessons at all ages and skill levels. For more information, call 610-385-6324.

The winner of the "Battle."

Guitar against guitar, drumstick against drumstick; it will be all-out musical war June 19 (2009; Friday) from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. in Sunnybrook Ballroom, 50 Sunnybrook Rd., Sanatoga PA, as the dance hall hosts a “Battle of the Bands” charity event to benefit Alex’s Lemonade Stand, the foundation for childhood cancer. Preston and Steve from Philadelphia FM radio station 93.3 WMMR, and Dj Kid Karisma, will make appearances along with a celebrity panel of judges, according to the Eventful website.

Saturday, June 20

The 15th Annual Pottstown AMBUCS All-American Soap Box Derby will be held today at the corner of Wilson and State streets, Pottstown PA. Hundreds of youthful drivers between the ages of 8 and 12 will race down the Wilson Street hill, hoping for the chance to  compete in national soap-box derby events in Akron OH. Come on out and cheer for your favorite cars.

Blast From The Past Street Rods Inc., the Sanatoga PA-based custom car builder, will hold its fifth annual classic car Open House and Cruise-In from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at its shop, 2695 E. High St. Proceeds from the event will benefit Helping Hands Inc., the Bechtelsville PA-based non-profit that provides services to handicapped individuals and their families.

The Boyertown PA Farmers Market will operate from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 100 S. Walnut St. The market is located in the parking lot of The Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles, two blocks south of the intersection of Routes 562 and 73. Its farmer-vendors offer a selection of produce, beef, poultry, and baked goods.

To honor soldiers who left Valley Forge and went on to secure our nation’s independence, interpreters from the Oneida Indian Nation, National Park Service rangers, and volunteers will host a living history encampment from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Muhlenberg Brigade grounds of Valley Forge National Historical Park, 1400 N. Outer Line Dr., King of Prussia PA. Cannon firings are scheduleded at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

“Enough Work For All,” a lecture-filled history symposium on the realities of daily life and work in Pennsylvania during Colonial times, will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Pottsgrove Manor, the Montgomery County (PA) historical site, 100 W. King St., Pottstown PA. Several speakers and experts will be featured, and guided tours of the manor, the former home of foundry owner John Potts, will be offered.

Disc jockey Woody Sellers will spin oldies with Philly style during a Dance Night Fever entertainment event for adults from 8 p.m. to midnight in Sunnybrook Ballroom, 50 Sunnybrook Rd., Sanatoga PA. Tickets cost $10 at the door. Doors open at 7 p.m.

Sunday, June 21

Boccella’s Automotive and Performance, a Schwenksville PA-based custom car builder, will hold its fifth annual classic car Open House and Cruise-In on June 21 (2009; Sunday) from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at its shop, 248 Swamp Pike. Proceeds from the event will benefit Alex’s Lemonade Stand, the national foundation for childhood cancer.

The open-air producers’ market sponsored by the Pottstown Downtown Foundation runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the parking lot located at the corner of Charlotte and High Streets, Pottstown PA. Vendors of home-grown fruits and vegetables, as well as crafters and artisans, are expected to be on hand to sell their wares to the public. Free live entertainment will feature local talent. For more information on the weekly event, call the office of Pottstown Main Street Manager Bill Haley at 610-323-5400.

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LOWER POTTSGROVE PA – At the end of an expiring school year and the start of a new one, the agenda of the Pottsgrove School District Board of School Directors gets crowded with annual appointments, directives, and other minutiae involved in the running of a $55 million public business.

For the most part Tuesday (June 16, 2009), directors – during their regular meeting in the district administration building, 1301 Kauffman Rd. – approved yearly operating recommendations made by district Superintendent Dr. Bradley Landis in a series of unanimous-and-without-comment votes. They included:

Naming banks and other depositories where the district will keep its money. Wachovia Bank, the Pennsylvania Local Government Investment Trust, Citizens Bank, Harleysville National Bank, the Pennsylvania School District Liquid Asset Fund, National Penn Bank, and Commerce Bank.

Appointing official tax collectors. For collection of local services taxes, in Lower Pottsgrove (PA) Township, H.A. Berkheimer Associates; in Upper Pottsgrove (PA) Township, Michelle Reddick; and in West Pottsgrove (PA) Township, Theresa Yost. For earned income, delinquent per capita, and mercantile taxes, Berkheimer. And for real estate transfer taxes, Montgomery County’s Recorder of Deeds.

Naming its solicitor. The law firm of Fox, Rothschild.

Naming a board treasurer. The duty fell again to board member Fred Remelius.

Naming providers of health-related services. The Lincoln Center, for three counselors, at a cost of $134,524. Creative Health Services, for elementary student assistance program liaison services, at a cost of $18,000. Bayada Nurses Inc., for nursing services as needed, at a cost of $47 hourly.

During its May 26 meeting, the board also for the 2009-2010 school year included:

Naming the district dentist. Dr. Lawrence Gribb, at a fee of $1.25 per student examination.

Naming the district physician. Dr. Wade Brosius, at a fee of $10 per student examination.

Renewing its contract for security services. With Executive Protection Services, on an as-needed basis.

Approving its contract for daycare services. For both before and after school, with Freedom Valley YMCA.

Related (to the Pottsgrove School Board meeting of June 16):

• Store Opens At Upland; District Anticipates Revenues
• District Honors Retiring Teachers

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Shred it all, and fight cancer, too.

POTTSTOWN PA – Coventry Mall, at the intersection of Routes 100 and 724, will be the site Saturday (June 20, 2009) of a personal document shredding event sponsored by Diamond Credit Union to benefit the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life fund-raiser.

• This event has been added to The Post calendar.

The credit union, relying on services donated by Iron Mountain, is offering to shred “all the personal documents people can carry” for a fee of $10 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at a parking lot location outside the mall. Shredding of old personal documents and papers helps ensure against identity theft. The credit union will donate the fee to the Relay.

A similar event will be held on the same day and time at Diamond’s branch office at the corner of Broadcasting and Paper Mill roads in Wyomissing PA. Diamond is headquartered on Medical Drive in Lower Pottsgrove (PA) Township.

For more information, call 800-593-1000.

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