MIDDLEBURG — A resident is angered at Borough Council members for their lack of effort in attracting businesses to the municipality’s growing list of vacant buildings.
“I’m paying an astronomical amount of taxes right now,” Bernie Schwalm said at Tuesday night’s meeting. “I would think it’s the council’s job to bring businesses into the town.”
Empty spots include the former Cole’s Hardware, Bilger Fuels, D&D; Sports and a laundromat.
If the vacant buildings were occupied, taxes would decrease, but council members don’t seem to be stepping up to try and make that happen, Schwalm said.
Though the borough is paying $220 a year to be a member of the Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce, Schwalm complained that the three council members on the business development committee have attended only two or three chamber meetings since 2003.
Council members voted on Tuesday night to renew their membership.
“We met two times, and then they left us hang, never got back to us,” Councilman Thomas Hackenberg said. “The county can’t even fill the Pawling Station (business park). I don’t know how we’re going to do this.”
Schwalm was angered that the council members never thought to contact the chamber themselves, instead of waiting for a phone call.
“Right now, I don’t think we’ll get any businesses in town,” Councilman Carl Walter said.
After Schwalm suggested that council members become more proactive and contact someone at the chamber or real estate agents for assistance, several council members challenged her to do something and alluded to a get-together she had with friends where issues concerning the borough were discussed.
Schwalm said what she does as a citizen is not council business. Last month, she expressed concern to council members that one of them, Carl Walter, contacted her boss and told him she was being disruptive at council meetings. At Tuesday’s meeting, borough Solicitor Robert Slivinski told Schwalm that she had made a personal attack on Walter when she read her letter at last month’s meeting about Walter’s phone call.
In an effort to calm the flaring tempers, Police Chief Tony Jordan stepped in with a suggestion about how to develop business opportunities. “There’s no reason to be backstabbing each other,” he said, suggesting that council members and residents form a committee to make something happen.
Jordan suggested they identify what businesses would be ideal for the vacant buildings and then use their resources to accommodate and bring those businesses in. “Until we do that, there’s not anything that can be done,” he said. “Make an effort to try and do something. Move forward, or none of us are going to benefit.”
Schwalm offered to serve on the committee if she is permitted to keep her county-held position.
News
Resident wants new businesses
- News
-
-
Trial set for May 14 in Jerry Sandusky abuse case
BELLEFONTE — Jerry Sandusky says a local jury would be no more or less biased against him in his child sex abuse trial than a jury from anywhere else in Pennsylvania.
-
Lewisburg schools face cuts in personnel, programs
LEWISBURG -- Superintendent Mark DiRocco told the Lewisburg school board Thursday night that a proposed block grant system of school budget funding will run the district short of cash that will have to be made up through personnel and program cuts. Lewisburg's proposed 2012-13 budget stands at $28.6 million, with no less but also no more money coming from Harrisburg. "Even a neutral budget is problematic," DiRocco said.
-
Mom: Keller's response left her cold
LEWISBURG -- Like many people, Elise Nicol is concerned about Marcellus Shale and the industry's effects on Pennsylvania's environment. The Lewisburg mother of two cares about it enough that she sent an email to state Rep. Fred Keller, R-85 of Kreamer, asking him to oppose House Bill 1950, which passed the General Assembly on Wednesday.
-
Point Township authority concerned by sewer plant violations
NORTHUMBERLAND -- Point Township Sewer Authority members Thursday night expressed concerns about a Feb. 3 letter sent to the Northumberland Sewer Authority by the state's Department of Environmental Protection saying that the borough authority has violated the Clean Streams Act.
-
Persing truck fee idea stalls
SUNBURY -- While Pennsylvania has passed legislation allowing communities to collect impact fees in 35 counties, Northumberland County is not one of them, and business leaders and lawmakers do not think Sunbury Mayor David Persing's plan to try to do his own version of an impact fee will pass muster.
-
Barber draws a crowd
DANVILLE -- The talk can be spirited at times, ranging from hunting to sports to home repairs. "You hear all kinds of stories," Gene Koehler, of Riverside, said Thursday as he waited for a haircut at The Masters barbershop, 209 Mill St. No appointment is necessary. Customers can just walk in.
-
State board approves table games at Valley Forge casino
VALLEY FORGE — A casino resort scheduled to open this spring in the Philadelphia suburb of Valley Forge has been approved for table games.
-
Doctors telling more adults: Get out and exercise
ATLANTA — A new study shows more and more U.S. adults are being told by their doctor to get off their duffs and exercise. A government survey found nearly 33 percent of adults who saw a doctor in the previous year said they were told to exercise. That was up from about 23 percent in 2000.
-
Former Northumberland County judge and three others die in Florida crash
EVERGLADES CITY, Fla. -- A former Northumberland County judge was one of four people killed Wednesday afternoon when their car collided with a van at an intersection, according to the Naples News. The victims were identified as James J. Rosini, 66, William J. Rosini, 68, Patricia C. Rosini, 65, all of Coal Township, Pa., and Deborah A. Korbich, 59, of Elysburg, Pa.
-
Warden demotes four bosses
SUNBURY -- Northumberland County Prison Warden Roy Johnson was able to trim about $135,000 in expenses by demoting four supervisors. He said Wednesday that he found a way to cut costs without laying off any staff. "I cut out 120 hours of supervisors' pay each week, but I need to fill the correction officer positions," Johnson said.
-
DJ pumps up audience
Every Tuesday evening, Richard Grogg can be found spinning tunes at possibly the most well-attended dance in Snyder County. A resident at the Selinsgrove Center since 1988, the 57-year-old said the thing he likes most about selecting and playing music is "making people happy." "Some people come up and ask for requests," he said.
-
Agency closes adult center
PENNS CREEK -- Union and Snyder County caregivers have had to look farther and wider for another program that can offer respite because the Agency on Aging can no longer afford to provide the service. The adult daily living center at the Penns Creek Adult Resource Center was a helpful program each week to about eight adults from the area dealing with Alzheimer's and dementia. But it closed Dec. 30.
- More News Headlines
-
Trial set for May 14 in Jerry Sandusky abuse case
