tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66430591315428788472024-02-19T09:57:40.145-05:00Chronicling ElizabethtownTaking a look at what's going on in Elizabethtown, Pa., from the perspective of one member of Elizabethtown Borough Council.Jeff McCloudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15037934095045982855noreply@blogger.comBlogger235125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643059131542878847.post-83935850226492343552020-04-17T15:16:00.000-04:002020-04-17T15:17:29.246-04:00The impact of a pandemic on local government<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2wfmCRPd-6Kaw29k5vZ5yFeRAqVU1-mD49kk0y4_Nq32yarjEq2dNANA-XpdIcyVbYQpF0EO4ycWbQhG5om_uLqMB7hbsRRWNQJz7Z4ji3BvTrAgTFjtI74WdkfWUJIDFm7J60jG23to/s1600/Borough+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2wfmCRPd-6Kaw29k5vZ5yFeRAqVU1-mD49kk0y4_Nq32yarjEq2dNANA-XpdIcyVbYQpF0EO4ycWbQhG5om_uLqMB7hbsRRWNQJz7Z4ji3BvTrAgTFjtI74WdkfWUJIDFm7J60jG23to/s1600/Borough+sign.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
In the past 5 weeks, the United States has seen a booming economy come to a screeching halt thanks to COVID-19. Just this morning, <a href="https://lancasteronline.com/business/local_business/lancaster-county-unemployment-rate-soars-to-17-9-due-to-covid-19-twice-the-great/article_a1c64124-80b1-11ea-8b09-6b60a060aa92.html" target="_blank">LNP-LancasterOnline reported</a> that Lancaster County's unemployment rate is 17.9%, twice the rate of the Great Depression nearly a century ago.<br />
<br />
More than 51,000 people in the county are out of work.<br />
<br />
This raises a question. What impact does that have on borough government?<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
The simple answer is this: It's significant.<br />
<br />
In 2020, we budgeted more than $1.3 million in revenue from the Earned Income Tax, which is a 1% tax on wages and net profits. The borough and the Elizabethtown Area School District split the revenues evenly, so we each receive 0.5%.<br />
<br />
Because of the unemployment rate, the Lancaster County Tax Collection Bureau (which collects the EIT) has revised its projections for the year and told the borough that it could receive <b><i>approximately $148,000 less</i></b> than we budgeted. Key word there is "could." Depending on when the economy reopens, and when people get back to work, that number could go up or down.<br />
<br />
The borough's primary revenue streams also include taxes for real estate, per capita and real estate transfer. In all, we have budgeted more than $6.1 million in revenues for this year. And a $148,000 hit in projected revenue is not something to take lightly.<br />
<br />
So in the coming months, Borough Council will be discussing what we might be able to do without and where we can find savings.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Jeff McCloudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15037934095045982855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643059131542878847.post-31316761685226807562020-04-08T07:45:00.000-04:002020-04-17T10:01:31.531-04:00A requirement to hold public meetings: COVID-19 version<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTwjanVHQ78oTjpwbY_wX0TlYuwMflHVE9Ovmxrx31KJyiPuef6T3Hxn7_abWeWcIQfzoqcFz0G672ZoCB3SgPCbtYrua1o9xhnN_AOz_-ymDn4ufVtge33TzKke_Iirphwvi0-yAJE-c/s1600/Borough+Council+masks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTwjanVHQ78oTjpwbY_wX0TlYuwMflHVE9Ovmxrx31KJyiPuef6T3Hxn7_abWeWcIQfzoqcFz0G672ZoCB3SgPCbtYrua1o9xhnN_AOz_-ymDn4ufVtge33TzKke_Iirphwvi0-yAJE-c/s1600/Borough+Council+masks.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<i><b>UPDATED 10 a.m. April 17 to change the photo.</b></i><br />
<br />
As I was writing this post, I discovered a PA Post article from today about the <a href="https://papost.org/2020/04/07/legislature-moves-forward-with-bill-permitting-remote-meetings-during-emergencies/" target="_blank">state Senate's having passed legislation</a> to allow for municipalities to hold remote meetings during the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, the legislation removes the requirement that a quorum of members have to be physically present for other members to participate via phone or videoconference.<br />
<br />
This is good news, especially after last week when we on Borough Council held our April 2 work session with a quorum of four members physically present and two members and the mayor Zooming in, as it were. For the record, the Elizabethtown Area School Board and the Elizabethtown Area Water Authority board (of which I am a member) held remote meetings last week, but they are governed by different state laws than municipalities.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
A little background:<br />
<br />
As we were preparing for our meeting the week of March 31, there was interest in holding it remotely. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, state Rep. Dave Hickernell notified us that the House had passed legislation that would give municipalities the flexibility to hold virtual meetings without a quorum.<br />
<br />
That legislation then went to the state Senate, and it ended up in the Local Government Services Committee, where Sen. Scott Martin is the chairman. Despite the extraordinary circumstances, Gov. Wolf's stay-at-home orders and everyone's attempts at social distancing, Martin opposed moving the legislation out of committee. He was quoted in PA Post as saying it would have taken weeks of hearings.<br />
<br />
He also argued that the state's Office of Open Records said that municipalities could forgo "formal" requirements because of Gov. Wolf's disaster declaration and that the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association recommended municipalities "make a good faith effort to comply with the spirit of the law to provide for public accessibility. Local officials should weigh the impact of social distancing directives, stay at home orders in some counties."<br />
<br />
The problem was that our solicitor, and other attorneys representing municipalities, disagreed. Our attorney said that if we held a remote meeting without legislation waiving the in-person quorum requirement, someone could question the legitimacy of any decision we made.<br />
<br />
Not to mention the grave nature of potentially spreading a deadly.<br />
<br />
So, on April 2, to meet the letter of the public meeting law, four of us councilmen – President Marc Hershey, Phil Clark, Tom Shaud and I – attended in person in council chambers. The only other people in the room were borough manager Rebecca Denlinger and police Chief Edward Cunningham. Two members, Vice President Neil Ketchum and Bill Troutman, and Mayor Chuck Mummert joined virtually.<br />
<br />
Others who joined in on Zoom included the borough management team, architects consulting on renovating a downtown building for new borough offices, two reporters and one member of the public.<br />
<br />
It wasn't ideal. There was a bit of a delay when people on Zoom responded to those of us in the room, and I heard from one of the reporters who suggested that those of us in the room get microphones.<br />
<br />
But this all is a moot point now, and for that I am grateful. Going forward, we can hold remote meetings without a physical quorum until the craziness is declared over.<br />
<br />
According to the PA Post article, the Senate attached its legislation to an existing bill that amends the Pennsylvania Code and which the House already approved. So all it needs is the governor's approval.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Jeff McCloudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15037934095045982855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643059131542878847.post-86081594896877605652020-04-06T14:57:00.000-04:002020-04-07T09:42:13.378-04:00I wore a mask to the grocery store<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0uZUkVfW50s3L7Ow9goxdwjE-IGpvjvtdtoHrWP-Az_Wm5zuubJHTSUg3s2KPOqZmvyGBe8V2p0wB_wOAAiTwOYC5lIUCBPTT_qKP71ySDt591Rj1JGfqAZRIBfK18soqxxMCfN4-7Qs/s1600/Face+mask.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="701" data-original-width="526" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0uZUkVfW50s3L7Ow9goxdwjE-IGpvjvtdtoHrWP-Az_Wm5zuubJHTSUg3s2KPOqZmvyGBe8V2p0wB_wOAAiTwOYC5lIUCBPTT_qKP71ySDt591Rj1JGfqAZRIBfK18soqxxMCfN4-7Qs/s400/Face+mask.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Last week, Gov. Tom Wolf strongly recommended that <a href="https://www.pa.gov/guides/responding-to-covid-19/#UniversalMasking" target="_blank">people should wear face masks</a> when they are out and about. This is supposed to be prevent droplets of moisture that might carry the COVID-19 virus from infecting us.<br />
<br />
So I donned this one before heading out to the local Giant Food Store this morning.<br />
<br />
I bought two masks years ago at J.B. Hostetter & Sons hardware store to wear when I mulch leaves in the fall. This is the spare that I had on hand. It works just fine, with one complaint: I can't wear my glasses over top of it, so my breathing fogs up my glasses.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
It was a strange feeling walking through Giant bemasked, although nearly everyone else was, too. So no one looked at me strangely.<br />
<br />
There have been some changes at Giant ever since this pandemic began to impact Lancaster County. So here are some more COVID-19 observations, this time from my latest visit to get groceries.<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>They've installed plexiglas shields at the checkout so there's a barrier between the cashier and customer. I've heard it described as a "sneeze shield," a la a salad bar. I haven't tested out if they're sneeze proof.</li>
<li>Today, I noticed yellow arrows taped onto the floor indicating the direction customers are supposed to go down the aisles. Signs are posted to indicate that traveling one way down an aisle helps promote social distancing. I think it's a good idea, although it wasn't busy when I was there. I did encounter one woman today who kept going the wrong direction, and when I saw her 10 minutes later she only had four items in her cart.</li>
<li> At checkout today, the cashier <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2020/4/2/21204094/plastic-bag-ban-reusable-grocery-coronavirus-covid-19" target="_blank">declined to bag my groceries because I brought reusable bags</a>. It added to the time at the checkout, and I'm glad it wasn't busy (one customer behind me left for another line after she saw I was bagging everything).</li>
<li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Grocery-Store/Gene-Wengers-Meats-and-Fine-Foods-205544622798270/" target="_blank">Gene Wenger's Meats and Fine Foods</a> is only allowing 2 customer inside their store at one time, and they require everyone to use hand sanitizer before they enter. All the employees are wearing masks, and since the last time I visited they installed a plexiglas barrier at the cash register.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
EDITED April 7, 2020, to reflect a visit to Wenger's Meats and Fine Foods.<br />
<br />Jeff McCloudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15037934095045982855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643059131542878847.post-28802235805346254962020-04-04T10:23:00.000-04:002020-04-04T10:23:06.970-04:00Strange times in E-town: 3 weeks of COVID-19 observations<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmVbx4vq4k_nM1Y4hWy394JJJWAecUv4gbCcPJ4SXURQwL6X6_f_GGbOiq46e1S67KjS0kbZjZ3g_C5B-MuIcazt7IGJfkY3cGxJnro_ZO9Hw6C-GRZxmc79s5LtdyqPELQ-RynK9LhyphenhyphenY/s1600/covid-19-4971811_960_720.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmVbx4vq4k_nM1Y4hWy394JJJWAecUv4gbCcPJ4SXURQwL6X6_f_GGbOiq46e1S67KjS0kbZjZ3g_C5B-MuIcazt7IGJfkY3cGxJnro_ZO9Hw6C-GRZxmc79s5LtdyqPELQ-RynK9LhyphenhyphenY/s640/covid-19-4971811_960_720.webp" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I experienced more than a little foreshadowing three weeks ago.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
As the Elizabethtown Area Middle School track coach, I happened to be in the athletic office at the high school on Friday, March 13, at about 2:20 p.m. when Principal Maura Hobson interrupted with an announcement.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Students, she said, should take all of their books, Chromebooks and any other academic materials home with them "in case of a prolonged school closure."</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I went out to the track for practice, and by 3:15, not only had EASD announced that school would be closed the week of March 16. Gov. Tom Wolf announced that schools statewide would be closed for two weeks.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As we all know, the world is pretty much shut down now, thanks to the pandemic caused by the disease COVID-19. It's a strange time, as news outlets all over have documented, with grocery store shelves bare (no toilet paper, frozen vegetables wiped out, shortages of eggs, bread gone) and typically busy places such as Times Square in New York City empty of people. This is because people are staying home, avoiding as much contact with other people to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Although the disease has been making headlines since January in far-away places, it was just three weeks ago today that it all came to a head here in Pennsylvania and Elizabethtown. At least from my observations.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
Ever since Friday the 13th – yes, indeed, it was – things have been weird, here in town, in Harrisburg, and in Washington, D.C. Let's just focus on the local weirdness, though. Here are my experiences and observations:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB4Grg7LeZ6As1fs1RpRver8rP2kuXyAl02qM9XHd1BSDB-xylecoH8vIPKc4GkwQDHgz2tvky14gWhSeNVxT92BlI2F-lxfIH8kiwHNr5L3ikg5vd7iTq0SoJffKqaJIUpOstU_FSP4o/s1600/Screen+Shot+2020-04-03+at+1.21.47+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="531" data-original-width="514" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB4Grg7LeZ6As1fs1RpRver8rP2kuXyAl02qM9XHd1BSDB-xylecoH8vIPKc4GkwQDHgz2tvky14gWhSeNVxT92BlI2F-lxfIH8kiwHNr5L3ikg5vd7iTq0SoJffKqaJIUpOstU_FSP4o/s400/Screen+Shot+2020-04-03+at+1.21.47+PM.png" width="386" /></a>
<li>The school closures meant everything in school was canceled. Thankfully, the cast of Elizabethtown Area High School's "Shrek: The Musical" managed to get in its opening night on Thursday, March 12. Many other high school productions in Lancaster County and beyond were not as lucky. (And, for the record, what a fantastic production "Shrek" was! The talent on stage was impressive: singing, dancing to student-choreographed numbers, set design, costuming – you name it. Well, done!)<br /></li>
<li>I work at Elizabethtown Public Library, which had to shut down to the public when Gov. Wolf ordered businesses to close. For one week, thanks to Library CEO Deb Drury's commitment to the community, we provided curbside service, taking books and other items to people in their cars. No one except employees was allowed inside the Library, and team members took precautions of wearing gloves and maintaining proper social distancing. Then someone reported us to the Elizabethtown Police Department, and we had to stop. As of this writing, the Library is waiting for a waiver from the state to resume curbside service.<br /></li>
<li>The governor has announced that schools will be closed indefinitely. <a href="https://www.etownschools.org/Page/11886" target="_blank">The EASD has been working to get online instruction up and running</a>. And because so many school districts nationwide are in the same situation, the technology has been crashing.<br /></li>
<li>Elizabethtown Borough had to <a href="https://www.etownonline.com/sites/elizabethtownpa/files/uploads/elizabethtown_borough_covid-19_public_announcement_re_park_advisory_03.31.2020_0.pdf" target="_blank">remove the rims from the backboards at the basketball courts in Community Park</a> because people were playing games and not practicing proper social distancing. People! We also closed the restrooms in the park.<br /></li>
<li>Even though Gov. Wolf has issued a stay-at-home order, we can get outside to exercise. I have taken my bike to the Conewago Rail Trail/Lebanon Valley Rail Trail several times, and it has been busier than normal. I'm not surprised, except that it's as busy on a sunny summer day even when the weather is overcast and temperatures the upper 40s.<br /></li>
<li>As of this writing, there have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 at Masonic Village. Still, they have taken the extra precaution of closing the campus to visitors – including the trails where many people run and walk. I appreciate the concern and the step in an effort to prevent infections there. And it's really strange to see barricades and signs directing traffic to the main entrance, where cones and security officers are stopping vehicles.<br /></li>
<li>Elizabethtown College also closed off access to its track and posted signs for no fishing at Lake Placida. As a runner who uses the track frequently, it's a disappointing dose of reality and another observation about how strange things are right now.</li>
</ul>
Jeff McCloudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15037934095045982855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643059131542878847.post-38344829657124335062016-07-06T21:53:00.002-04:002016-08-12T21:22:10.788-04:00Documenting parking in downtown Elizabethtown<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjP_tnkQsoIFTveoeT-EqEloIRCV3VlKc4BF1MHmtFaObArbm1ARiGe62fMHql_FdKHt1X1MHAlAOdC08t73cP7v-5GBydU0an0qunBgp7uotENjhahPBctxgzXAR_jTWEUagdSNHZCo8/s1600/Parking+meter.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjP_tnkQsoIFTveoeT-EqEloIRCV3VlKc4BF1MHmtFaObArbm1ARiGe62fMHql_FdKHt1X1MHAlAOdC08t73cP7v-5GBydU0an0qunBgp7uotENjhahPBctxgzXAR_jTWEUagdSNHZCo8/s640/Parking+meter.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Everyone always talks about how there’s no parking in downtown Elizabethtown, or that parking is problematic.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">Frankly, I’m tired of hearing about it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">So I’m here to dispel the myth. Because it is a myth. And we don’t need to tear down the Moose Building and construct a parking garage.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"></b><br />
<a name='more'></a><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Starting today, Wednesday, July 6, 2016, I will document every single parking experience in downtown Elizabethtown. I predict that availability of parking spots and my ability to park will overwhelm the times when they aren’t.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">With that:</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>8:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 6</b></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> – My son and I went to Folklore Coffee this morning. Although there were at least 5 parking spots in the lot behind Folklore empty and available, we parked in the Free Lot in the alley behind Groff’s Meats because I didn’t have a dime to feed a meter.</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 6</b></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> – Team McCloud headed to the Good Burrito Co. for dinner. Obviously, there’s no parking directly in front of the store on West High Street, but we drove straight into an available spot in the municipal lot next to Highlander Cleaners. We also could have parked in the municipal lot behind the library – lots of spaces available there.</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>3:05 p.m. Monday, July 18 –</b> I parked on Market Street in front of Folklore Coffee on my way to a 3:15 meeting with the varsity E-town High School cross country coach. I didn't want to park right on the end, so I drove through that spot into the second one, got out and slipped in a dime for an hour's worth of parking. In fact, that whole row of parking spots was empty when I parked.</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>5:10 p.m. Friday, July 21 –</b> On a mission to fill a growler with local craft beer, I found a spot right in front of Funk's Brewing on Market Street without having to drive around the block or find a spot behind the library.</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>6:30 p.m. Friday, July 28 –</b> What's this? Multiple parking spots behind Folklore for a meeting with the varsity cross EAHS country coach and a candidate for an assistant coach job.</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>8 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 2 – </b>Once again, I had my choice from multiple spots behind Folklore as I headed to a meeting with the Elizabethtown Area Chamber of Commerce's Communications Committee. In fact, two other people pulled into spots before I got inside.</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>2:20 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 2 –</b> My son rode his bike to some friends' house and stayed until after it got dark last night. We quickly realized he needed a light for his bike, so he and I headed to Bicycle & Fitness Outfitters and parked right in front of the store.</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>2:38 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 9 –</b> A quick trip the library yielded a prime parking spot in the municipal light behind the library, right across the alley. I could have had my choice of any of a number in the lot, but this great spot was open.</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>1:15 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 10 –</b> I had to stop by The Elizabethtown Advocate's office in the first block of South Market Street, where there's no parking in the street. I found one of 7 open spots in the municipal lot next to the former offices of Hornafius Insurance (now Mile6). When I left 10 minutes later, other vehicles had parked next to me, but others had left, leaving 6 parking spots open for a zero loss of spots at that time of the afternoon.</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>12:20 p.m. Friday, Aug. 12 –</b> On Tuesday, the library didn't have the book I wanted, but one was available in another of the libraries in the county. It arrived, and I stopped by to pick it up, parking in one of the free spaces right behind the library. There were lots of spaces in the municipal lot and also along Market Street.</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<br />Jeff McCloudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15037934095045982855noreply@blogger.com4Elizabethtown, PA 17022, USA40.1528719 -76.60274549999996940.1043279 -76.683426499999968 40.2014159 -76.522064499999971tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643059131542878847.post-28218123585349486792016-04-14T13:57:00.001-04:002020-04-03T10:53:46.909-04:00Local church holds third annual Arm of Hope 5K to support mission<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Hope Community Church on Harrisburg Pike in Rheems will hold its third annual Arm of Hope 5K at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 28. The race supports a week at summer camp for children for more than 300 children </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">from the slums of Accra, Ghana.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">There, they get to sleep on a bunk bed inside a concrete building, eat three meals a day and play simple games. These aren't likely to be highlights of a typical American child's week at summer camp, but for the Ghanan kids these are summer-camp luxuries they look forward to for a whole year. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Volunteers from Hope Community Church will be traveling to the West African country this August to help conduct the summer camp for the third time. The 5K raises funds for the meals, crafts, games and camp scholarships so the African children can enjoy a week outside the slums.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">The race starts and ends in the parking lot behind the church and winds through the nearby neighborhood. The course has some small hills with plenty of turns, but it also is relatively flat and nice for first-time 5K runners. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Walkers are welcome, too.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">This was the course that my son first beat me in a 5K the other year, and I've not been able to catch him. </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
Top overall and masters finishers in both male and female categories will go home with a unique handcrafted trophy. The top two male and female finishers in every 5-year age bracket will also receive prizes (their choice of a homemade baked good). And there will be great door prizes, too.<br />
<br />
New this year: dri fit race shirts, a paved parking lot at the starting and finishing spots and a free water bottle to everyone who participates.<u></u><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
The cost to participants is $25 and all proceeds go toward the summer camp in Ghana. Deadline to register and be guaranteed a 5K dri fit race shirt is <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_787115310" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">May 8</span></span>. Race day registrations welcome! limited shirts will be available. <a href="http://www.appliedracemgmt.com/3rd-annual-arm-of-hope-5k/" style="font-size: 12.8px;" target="_blank">Register here</a><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">For more information, visit the <a href="http://www.armofhopeinghana.org/" target="_blank">Arm of Hope ministry website</a> and the race's <a href="https://www.facebook.com/armofhope5k/" target="_blank">Facebook page</a>. </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> </span></div>
Jeff McCloudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15037934095045982855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643059131542878847.post-90438395257037920572015-10-21T09:09:00.000-04:002016-04-14T13:59:54.116-04:00How Elizabethtown can be extraordinary<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ng05J9r9sL0" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
If you're familiar with the Lancaster County Community Foundation and its <a href="https://extragive.org/" target="_blank">Extraordinary Give</a>, you know that people rally around nonprofits in the county for 24 hours in November and donate millions of dollars.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
It's a remarkable event, and it's a boon to the hundreds of nonprofits that participate. Downtown Lancaster gets into the spirit all day long, and there are evening parties where people can mingle, network and donate to their favorite causes and charities.<br />
<br />
Last year, I scrolled through the leaderboard after the event to see what charities here in Elizabethtown had participated. There were about 20, including the Elizabethtown Public Library, GEARS, the Winters Hertitage House, Brittany's Hope, the Naaman Center and others.<br />
<br />
Of all those organizations, which unarguably and undoubtedly do great work in the community, Brittany's Hope raised the most during the Extraordinary Give. The total was $42,320. The library had the largest number of individual donors, with 146. Some organizations didn't receive anything,<br />
<br />
As a community member, I was distressed. Why couldn't Elizabethtown rally around its organizations, generate excitement about the work they do and raise some significant dollars for the community?<br />
<br />
That's why this week I was pleased to be invited to a meeting with representatives from several organizations that are participating this year. With help from the Elizabethtown Area Chamber of Commerce, there's a concerted effort to raise awareness about the Extraordinary Give and the local participants. We've started a Facebook page called <a href="https://www.facebook.com/EtownExtraGive" target="_blank">E-town Extraordinary Give</a> (please visit it, like it and share it with your friends, family and colleagues), and there's talk about at least doing one event on Nov. 20. Stay tuned!<br />
<br />
I'm excited about it because I know there's a strong commitment to the Elizabethtown, and with some effort leading up to the Extraordinary Give we can support our local nonprofits and see extraordinary things happen in the community.<br />
<br />
Here's a list of the participating organizations this year. They are organizations that are based in the Elizabethtown and/or provide services to the community:<br />
<br />
<a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=149022358475507" href="https://www.facebook.com/2ndChance4LifeRescue.org" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px; text-decoration: none;">2nd Chance 4 Life Rescue</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;">, </span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;"><br />Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lancaster County<br /><a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=89246008313" href="https://www.facebook.com/Brittanys.Hope.Foundation" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">Brittany's Hope</a><br /><a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=12377260758" href="https://www.facebook.com/CPYU.Community" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">CPYU</a><br /><a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=386250951409783" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Community-First-Fund/386250951409783" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">Community First Fund</a><br />Cornerstone Youth Center<br /><a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=142263612505472" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Elizabethtown-Child-Care-Center/142263612505472" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">Elizabethtown Child Care Center</a><br /><a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=130419061696" href="https://www.facebook.com/etowncollege" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">Elizabethtown College</a><br /><a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=84884357174" href="https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethtownPublicLibrary" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">Elizabethtown Public Library</a><br /><a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=111162195585922" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/GEARS/111162195585922" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">GEARS</a><br /><a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=104325300635" href="https://www.facebook.com/GretnaMusic" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">Gretna Music</a><br /><a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=102335523213349" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Haldeman-Mansion/102335523213349" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">Haldeman Mansion</a><br /><a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=143318317500" href="https://www.facebook.com/HopeWithinMinistries" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">Hope Within Community Health Center</a><br /><a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=31325128392" href="https://www.facebook.com/LancasterHabitat" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">Lancaster Area Habitat for Humanity</a><br />Masonic Children's Home<br /><a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=629469610497489" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mount-Calvary-Christian-School/629469610497489" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">Mount Calvary Christian School</a><br /><a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=122434494481757" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Naaman-Center/122434494481757" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">Naaman Center</a><br /><a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=219033231445199" href="https://www.facebook.com/NWEMS" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">Northwest EMS</a><br /><a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=155545537872014" href="https://www.facebook.com/Samaranonprofit" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">Samara: Nurture and Education for Parents</a><br /><a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=65013689907" href="https://www.facebook.com/SCORE.LancasterPA" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">SCORE Lancaster</a><br /><a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=359429364039" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Winters-Heritage-House-Museum/359429364039" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">Winters Heritage House Museum</a></span>Jeff McCloudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15037934095045982855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643059131542878847.post-57913430594051855922015-10-14T10:05:00.001-04:002015-10-14T10:23:14.417-04:00E-town's second craft brewpub set to open<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYCGENlhgbEKX5I2JrhXM-IaZB7GZ2RoiY_jyXCZbGVj_YlGhdHLwilU_jiHqkKe2CT0XXgZ8wCwqIpiSHuLPBSx_GtDIfhF7A_ZnCXbxMuMWuJaxVsORLrtO82Cm5VphK3RUBKS8n3z8/s1600/etownfunk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYCGENlhgbEKX5I2JrhXM-IaZB7GZ2RoiY_jyXCZbGVj_YlGhdHLwilU_jiHqkKe2CT0XXgZ8wCwqIpiSHuLPBSx_GtDIfhF7A_ZnCXbxMuMWuJaxVsORLrtO82Cm5VphK3RUBKS8n3z8/s320/etownfunk.jpg" width="312" /></a></div>
If all goes well, Elizabethtown's second craft beer taproom could be open -- and smack in the middle of downtown -- by the beginning of November.<br />
<br />
That's the word from Jon "Norm" Norman, an Elizabethtown resident and one of the two partners in the Lehigh Valley-based <a href="http://www.funkbrewing.com/" target="_blank">Funk Brewing Co.</a><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
If you've driven by the former Elizabethtown Hotel, you've seen the signs and the renovations that are happening. To say this is good news for the downtown business district is a huge understatement.<br />
<br />
They are making renovations to the first floor of a building that has been vacant for years, one that we on Borough Council have discussed many times. And in talking to Norman, one can't avoid is infectious enthusiasm for downtown Elizabethtown and the people here that he sees coming out for events such as Second Fridays.<br />
<br />
"There's a really good crowd here in E-town," he said over lunch this week at Pita Pit.<br />
<br />
Norman and his partner, Kyle Funk, are brothers-in-law and brewed their first batch of Funk Beer for commercial production in January 2014 in Emmaus. They both attended an immersion course offered by Colorado Boy Brewing in Ridgway, Colo., to learn "to do what they do."<br />
<br />
Since opening their taproom in the Lehigh Valley, Funk Brewing has grown to brewing 150 to 200 kegs per month that are distributed throughout the region. You can fnd Funk brews on tap in Lancaster and Harrisburg, and Norman said much of their beer is distributed in Philadelphia.<br />
<br />
So why open here in Elizabethtown? Norman said it's for selfish reasons, in part. He has a full-time day job to support his family, in addition to running the business side of Funk. As a resident of the borough, he sees a huge opportunity because places like Lucky Ducks Bar and Grille and T.J. Rockwell's often get crowded. It's not unusal to wait for an hour and a half for a table at Rockwell's.<br />
<br />
"There's definitely room for someone else," Norman said.<br />
<br />
He also said that locals enjoy craft beer. The Black Gryphon and Lucky Ducks have great selections of craft beers, not to mention that <a href="http://www.chroniclingelizabethtown.com/2014/03/craft-brewery-set-to-open-near-train.html" target="_blank">Moo Duck Brewery opened</a> in March last year, and <a href="http://www.coxbrewingcompany.com/" target="_blank">Cox Brewing Co.</a> is supplying beer to area taverns.<br />
<br />
In my estimation, the economic impact on downtown Elizabethtown can be significant. Craft beer lovers frequently make a trip to visit different breweries and brewpubs. When they come, they spend money. The Craft Beer Association says the <a href="https://www.brewersassociation.org/statistics/by-state/?state=PA" target="_blank">economic impact of craft beer brewing in Pennsylvania</a> is nearly $4.5 million, which is second in the nation. The state ranks first in craft beer production with more than 4 million barrels annually.<br />
<br />
When Funk opens here, expect 8 beers on tap with growlers available in an English-style taproom. Norman said there will also be a full menu with all locally sourced ingredients. Patrons will order food at the bar, and waitstaff will deliver it to their tables. Beer, of course, will be front and center, with special tastings and experimental batches,<br />
<br />
"We want to have great beers and make it a great experience for people coming in," Norman said.<br />
<br />
If you want a preview, Norman said Funk Brewing will be featured at a Meet the Brewer event at the Black Gryphon on Oct. 22.Jeff McCloudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15037934095045982855noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643059131542878847.post-12033342608747887262015-06-11T15:46:00.000-04:002015-06-11T15:48:13.047-04:00Why you might be late for work FridayAn oversize load from Greiner Industries will make its way through Elizabethtown Friday morning, potentially tying up traffic on East High and Market streets for two hours.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The 17-foot-by-70-foot steel tank will be delivered to the Glatfelter paper mill in Spring Grove, York County. But first, it will come into the borough on East High Street at approximately 8:50 a.m. and by 9:45, if all goes well, will reach the square.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div>
To accomodate the load -- in particular to fit under the overhead wires -- there will temporarily be no parking on the south side of East High Street from Walnut to the square. Borough Police Chief Jack Mentzer said the wires are higher on that side East High Street where they attach to the utility pole.</div>
<div>
<br />
Plans call for the truck to turn left onto Market Street and continue to Mount Joy, where it will turn right on Angle Street, making its way to Route 772, Route 441 and U.S. Route 30 to York County.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Officials estimate that it will take 2 hours to get through Elizabethtown because all overhead wires will have to pushed out of the way. Below is a tentative schedule for the course through town. Mentzer said the schedule is subject to change based on how things progress with the transport. <br />
<ul>
<li>8:50 to 9 -- Arrive in the Borough on East High Street.</li>
<li>9 to 9:45 -- Travel westbound to the square.</li>
<li>9:45 to 10 -- Arrive at the square and turn left onto Market Street.</li>
<li>10 to 10:45 -- Travel southbound on Market Street out of the borough.</li>
</ul>
Drivers are advised to see alternate routes as the transport makes it way through town.<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
Jeff McCloudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15037934095045982855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643059131542878847.post-59220521021091345212015-05-23T13:33:00.000-04:002015-05-23T13:33:23.559-04:00Bicycle and pedestrian pathway opens: 3 reasons why this is good for Elizabethtown<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgirYtng_wT7eIhCRo6NFTnVJ0ehh60EUyUGEHek-Y3vj58o0c8-Ww77m0lV1h1s_GubqTDaapwGZc1N4R5Uh-Eyzw2Qt7HUeDr5SDq3PA_6JjjAUoj8K90q8Vv0T0v-eqH49sNHfl2xRo/s1600/SSOE+looking+East.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgirYtng_wT7eIhCRo6NFTnVJ0ehh60EUyUGEHek-Y3vj58o0c8-Ww77m0lV1h1s_GubqTDaapwGZc1N4R5Uh-Eyzw2Qt7HUeDr5SDq3PA_6JjjAUoj8K90q8Vv0T0v-eqH49sNHfl2xRo/s400/SSOE+looking+East.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view of the new path looking east toward the community center.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A bicycle and pedestrian pathway that connects the Elizabethtown Amtrak station with downtown opened on Friday. The stairs to the bridge are still closed pending the installation of a handrail and a gate at the top, but the ramp is open for pedestrians bicyclists.<br />
<br />
This path is the second phase of a larger project to create a pathway network from the Amtrak station to the Elizabethtown Area School District. The first phase was <a href="http://www.chroniclingelizabethtown.com/2013/02/e-towns-walking-and-bike-pathway.html" target="_blank">previously built </a>a couple of years ago.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
On Saturday morning, I tried out the path myself. I made my way across town to Poplar Street and headed back toward the community center, where you can see the path extend west toward the baseball field and a brand new bridge. It's nice and smooth, and the grade isn't so tough for runners who might shy away from hills.<br />
<br />
Here are three reasons why I am excited about this:<br />
<br />
<h3>
Economic development</h3>
First, from everything I've heard and read, pathways such as this are a boon to <a href="http://www.americantrails.org/resources/economics/Economic-Benefits-Trails-Open-Space-Walkable-Community.html" target="_blank">economic development</a> in communities. People use them, and when people come they will spend money in the businesses that are nearby. I remember a borough staff member saying once that tons of people use the Conewago Rail Trail -- and there's nothing there, unless you make it all the way to Colebrook or Mount Gretna (to be fair, there is a bike shop along the trail at Route 743). We are always having conversations about how to attract people into downtown Elizabethtown, and here's a great reason for people to come.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Fitness and exercise</h3>
To say that obesity rates in the United States are going up is almost cliche anymore, but that is a fact. I am thrilled that we as a community are using our resources to build something that our residents can use to get some exercise. As a runner, I am also thrilled that this pathway will get me from the downtown to Masonic Village without encountering very much traffic, as vehicles are a nemesis for runners. When I ran today, I hit 2 miles when I got to the top of the path at the train station. I went through tunnel and did about a 2.5-mile loop through Masonic Village and entirely on its paths. The only time I had to worry about vehicles was crossing roads there.<br />
<br />
In due time, the pathway will be connected on the east side of Market Street using alleys and Community Park, eventually hooking up with the Elizabethtown Area School District campus. Imagine being able to run from the parking lot at Bear Creek School all the way to the formal gardens at Masonic Village and through the cottage areas there, and never run on the roads. For me, it's ideal.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Alternate transportation</h3>
A few months ago, I talked to someone who rides the train to work in Harrisburg. Instead of driving to the station, he rides his bike from Sunrise Boulevard and then uses the sidewalk on West High Street since it is narrow and busy with traffic. He told me he has had three flat tires thanks to the condition of the sidewalk, and he couldn't wait to try the path. I'm sure he won't be the only one.<br />
<br />
<br />Jeff McCloudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15037934095045982855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643059131542878847.post-74620043492593503732015-05-13T16:06:00.001-04:002015-05-13T16:06:34.107-04:00Summertime racing along the Susquehanna<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lcswma.org/blog/assets/content/IMG_5890.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.lcswma.org/blog/assets/content/IMG_5890.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo courtesy of Lancaster County Solid Waste Authority</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This summer, you'll have a chance to test your 5K and 10K fitness in the inaugural Run with the Donegal Indians. The race will held July 18 and start at Riverfront Park in Marietta.<br />
<br />
Both distances will run out and back on the Northwest Lancaster River Trail. If you haven't spent any time on the trail, it's one of the gems of this region. While I haven't run on it, my family and I spent part of Christmas Day in December walking a portion of it.<br />
<br />
If that was any indication, the course for the races will be flat and fast. And of course, you'll have some nice views of the Susquehanna River.<br />
<br />
The race benefits the Donegal Boys Soccer Booster Club. <a href="http://assets.ngin.com/attachments/document/0075/0355/RWTDI_Race.pdf" target="_blank">More information is here</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Jeff McCloudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15037934095045982855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643059131542878847.post-47725190507642445382015-05-01T12:41:00.000-04:002015-05-01T19:56:57.029-04:00Thank an EMT at Northwest EMS's open house<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://nwems86.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Northwest-EMS1-1024x587.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://nwems86.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Northwest-EMS1-1024x587.jpg" height="228" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Every month at Borough Council's business meeting, we have a report from Northwest EMS about the number of calls its ambulances have responded to in the area. Just by 7 p.m. today, May 1, they responded to 21 calls throughout the area, from Elizabethtown and the surrounding townships to Columbia and Manheim.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
Living just two blocks from Market Street, I hear an ambulance siren more often than I'd like.<br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
Elizabethtown is fortunate to have a dedicated EMS organization staffed with professionals who are on the front line of health problems and medical emergencies. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
You can thank those professionals later this month when Northwest EMS opens<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> its doors to area residents. From </span><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_922450262" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; font-size: 12pt; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">3 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 20, Northwest will hold an open house at its station</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> at 380 W. Bainbridge St. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">EMTs will provide blood pressure screenings, emergency health-related information, CPR practice and a chance to see the equipment inside an ambulance.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The open house coincides with National EMS Week, when emergency providers demonstrate the </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">life-saving capabilities they bring to the community.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Northwest EMS continues to emphasize the importance of citizens learning Hands-Only CPR, a potentially lifesaving technique involving no mouth-to-mouth contact. There will be instructions available at this open house, along with CPR manikins for hands-only practice.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Additional opportunities to learn Hands-Only CPR will be held at the Bainbridge Street station.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">This open house is co-sponsored by Cornerstone Adminisystems Inc., of New Cumberland, which provides billing, compliance and revenue cycle management to the EMS industry.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><i>Edited at 7:56 p.m. May 1 to reflect specific call numbers I received for today.</i></b></span></div>
Jeff McCloudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15037934095045982855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643059131542878847.post-77317152540204567292015-04-29T11:24:00.001-04:002015-04-29T11:24:41.176-04:00Man allegedly tries to lure girl into vehicleA man tried to lure a 17-year-old girl into his SUV on Cherry Alley this week, Elizabethtown police reported.<br />
<br />
The girl was walking on South Cherry Alley between Vine Alley and Park Street when the man, driving a red SUV, stopped and asked if he could take a picture of the girl and showed her pictures of females on his camera. He then asked if she wanted to go for a ride to a park and grabbed the girl's hand. She was able to get away and run from the scene.<br />
<a name='more'></a> <br />
<br />
Police describe the man as in his mid to late 60s, about 5 feet 1 inch tall, with a thin build, thinning gray hair and stubble on his face. His first name might be Richard. He was wearing a striped white, red and blue shirt and khaki pants. He had silver wire glasses and was also missing some upper teeth. <br />
<br />
Police were able to identify the suspect based on the description the girl gave police and from a similar incident in July 2014. Police said they have contacted the suspect, and he has confirmed his involvement in the latest incident, which remains under investigation.<br />
<br />
Police said that until the investigation is concluded they can't release further details about the incident. Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to call police at 717-367-1835.Jeff McCloudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15037934095045982855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643059131542878847.post-6384879862745568192015-04-27T21:02:00.001-04:002015-04-27T21:08:17.702-04:00Lace up your running shoes and test your endurance!Runners in greater Elizabethtown area and beyond have several chances to test their distance skills in the coming month.<br />
<ul><a href="http://appliedracemgmt.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Rotary.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://appliedracemgmt.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Rotary.png" height="200" width="193" /></a>
<li><b>10th annual Run for Childen</b>, 8 a.m., May 9 -- This event features a 10K, a 5K and a 1-mile fun run that starts and finishes at the Paramount Sports Complex in Annville. PennLive reports that "the race benefits the Maggie Leach Scholarship Fund, which provides financial grounds for economically disadvantaged children to attend summer camp. Last year's race provided enough funding for each of the 16 children who requested to attend the ability to go." <a href="http://appliedracemgmt.com/race/10th-annual-run-for-the-children/" target="_blank">You can register for the race here</a>.<br /></li>
<li><b>Second annual ROTARY Mother's Day 5K</b>, 3 p.m., May 10 -- Held at Masonic Village in Elizabethtown, the event benefits the Elizabethtown Rotary Club and its local community projects. <a href="http://appliedracemgmt.com/race/2nd-annual-rotary-mothers-day-5k/" target="_blank">Registration is available here</a>.</li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/11174787_429741147186574_5773513342730746406_n.jpg?oh=760123a854c763385f5bcba0edee4229&oe=55CF8595&__gda__=1440646701_e8df0eae6a8651dbfa341e6d51b38638" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/11174787_429741147186574_5773513342730746406_n.jpg?oh=760123a854c763385f5bcba0edee4229&oe=55CF8595&__gda__=1440646701_e8df0eae6a8651dbfa341e6d51b38638" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Second annual Arm of Hope 5K</b>, 9 a.m., May 23 -- This event is held at Hope Community Church, in Rheems. I can attest that it is a great race, having run the inaugual event last year. The course has some flat sections and some small hills to make it interesting, and the race organizers do a good job making it a fun event. This was the first race that my son, who was then 13, beat me, and there's been no catching him since. I have come to terms with that! <a href="http://appliedracemgmt.com/race/arm-of-hope-5k/" target="_blank">Register here</a>.<br /></li>
<li><b>Third annual Rock-N-Glow 5K</b>, 9 p.m., May 30 -- Supporting the downtown in Manheim, this race attracted more than 2,000 runners last year. While I didn't run it, I've heard good things about it from those who did. Festivities get started at 6 p.m., and there's an after party with live music, food and dancing. It sounds like a good time! <a href="http://manheimdowntown.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Race-Registration-5.30.15.pdf" target="_blank">Registration is here</a>. </li>
</ul>
Jeff McCloudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15037934095045982855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643059131542878847.post-59183610623490881132015-03-31T15:49:00.000-04:002015-03-31T15:51:31.586-04:00E-town police seize marijuana, arrest borough man<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNWHuVRDUWtQx2m3NUFZSl3JhN3mRg-U-UuPlxoR00KmyqledNhHUOG1xhapFHRK88jVwy1zR-s2KdqV-b-hKLDAuCCZBG0F-qPq4ipEhZElb8r0Ronv288kf9PAJjRbL3sDAewo-ImSY/s1600/IMG_1316_picmonkeyed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNWHuVRDUWtQx2m3NUFZSl3JhN3mRg-U-UuPlxoR00KmyqledNhHUOG1xhapFHRK88jVwy1zR-s2KdqV-b-hKLDAuCCZBG0F-qPq4ipEhZElb8r0Ronv288kf9PAJjRbL3sDAewo-ImSY/s1600/IMG_1316_picmonkeyed.jpg" height="263" width="400" /></a></div>
Elizabethtown police arrested a borough man today for allegedly dealing marijuana and other drugs from his home in the 300 block of North Market Street.<br />
<br />
Police charged Samual J. Schlenbaker with three counts of felony possession to deliver, one count of criminal use of a communication facility and 59 counts of possession of drug paraphernalia.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
In a news release, police said they received information on March 14 about a person dealing a large amounts of illegal narcotics at an address in the 300 block of North Market Street. They obtained a search warrant, and officers seized more than 3 1/2 pounds of packaged marijuana, hashish and a highly refined form of marijuana known by the street name "shatter."<br />
<br />
Police also seized packaging materials and paraphernalia and a handgun registerd to Schlenbaker was found in the room with the drugs.<br />
<br />
A warrant for Schlenbaker's arrest was obtained today, and borough police, assisted by Northwest Regional Police, arrested him at his residence.<br />
<br />
Schlenbaker was arraigned before District Judge Brian Chudzick and committed to Lancaster County Prison in lieu of $250,000 cash bail.Jeff McCloudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15037934095045982855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643059131542878847.post-3956374759954674902015-03-27T10:17:00.000-04:002015-03-27T10:17:23.536-04:00Mars Inc. named a leading employer for third year in a row<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8538/8706271196_44f750ece8_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8538/8706271196_44f750ece8_z.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Photo courtesy of The Adventures </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">of a Supermom (check out her great <a href="http://www.theadventuresofsupermom.com/2013/05/candid-pictures-taken-in-dove-chocolate.html" target="_blank">Dove </a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><a href="http://www.theadventuresofsupermom.com/2013/05/candid-pictures-taken-in-dove-chocolate.html" target="_blank">Chocolate </a></span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><a href="http://www.theadventuresofsupermom.com/2013/05/candid-pictures-taken-in-dove-chocolate.html" target="_blank">Center of Excellence photos</a>).</span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
FORTUNE recently released its annual list of 100 Best Companies to Work For, and for the third year in a row Mars Inc. was recognized as <a href="http://fortune.com/best-companies/mars-85/" target="_blank">a leading employer</a> in the United States. <div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In an email, the corporate communications office said, "Mars is pleased to be recognized for its extensive learning and development training, community engagement and health & wellness programs. Other benefits of working at Mars cited by the list include open offices that are highly collaborative and perks of free candy, coffee/tea and being able to bring one’s pet to work." <br /><a name='more'></a><br />The FORTUNE list also noted the high percentage of women in management positions with 40 percent of management positions being held by women across Mars. Mars was also recognized by Ethical Corporation’s Responsible Business Awards as “Best Private Company” in 2014 for its ongoing commitment to becoming a sustainable business and making a positive impact to the planet.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="http://us.greatrated.com/mars-incorporated" target="_blank">There's some excellent information from the survey results here.</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The question at the local level is, what does it mean at the local level with the Dove Chocolate plant a prominent part of the Elizabethtown community? Thanks to the help from the corporate communications office, I was able to conduct an email interview with Site Director Carl Freeman.<br /><br /><b><i>Chronicling Elizabethtown: What is the workplace diversity like in Elizabethtown and how does it break down?</i></b><br /><br /><b>Carl Freeman:</b> Elizabethtown, like all of Mars’ facilities, is proud to be a very diverse workplace which mirrors the community in which we live, work and operate. We have been credited with a high percentage of women in management positions with 40% of management positions being held by women across Mars. <br /><br /><i><br /><b>Chronicling Elizabethtown: What kinds of volunteering do employees do that is eligible for time off?</b></i><br /><br /><b>Carl Freeman:</b> Mars associates in Elizabethtown and all around the world seek to create mutual benefits for our business and the people and communities whose lives we touch. Associates have the opportunity to make a difference in the communities where we operate. We encourage and support involvement in efforts to improve lives and build lasting and meaningful relationships that make our company stronger. Our associates volunteer for local animal rescues, Wounded Warriors, Make-a-Wish, Molly’s Place, Relay for Live, community clean-up and the Elizabethtown Fair. <br /><br />We also reward associates who make a difference in their communities, as well as those who demonstrate responsibility, excellence in line management, innovation and results. It is important to recognize the role associates play in improving our performance, because our business success is what enables us to create mutual benefits for others. We do this through our Make the Difference Awards. In addition, there is also The Mars Ambassador Program (MAP). This allows associates to spend anywhere from one to six weeks supporting projects run by one of our partner organizations, such as the Rainforest Alliance or World Wildlife Foundation, or a program initiated by Mars in partnership with local sites and communities. Associates can go alone or take part in group assignments, where teams of seven to 10 people travel and work together to increase their knowledge on a particular subject.<br /><br /><b><i>Chronicling Elizabethtown: Where do people in Elizabethtown have gym memberships?</i></b><br /><br /><b>Carl Freeman:</b> We offer a free gym onsite for our associates which is leveraged by many of our associates.<br /><br /><b><i>Chronicling Elizabethtown: How many people are employed in Elizabethtown? Full-time? Part-time?</i></b><br /><br /><b>Carl Freeman:</b> Our Mars Chocolate North America site in Elizabethtown is home to over 250 associates.<br /><br /><b><i>Chronicling Elizabethtown: Where are employees at the Elizabethtown plant from?</i></b><br /><br /><b>Carl Freeman:</b> Many of our associates are local or from the surrounding area. Also, some associates have relocated to Elizabethtown from other Mars locations. We have a strong commitment to developing great managers and giving associates the freedom to explore other job opportunities throughout the Mars organization for training and promotion opportunities. <br /><br /><b><i>Chronicling Elizabethtown: How many people in Elizabethtown take advantage of the work-life balance perks?</i></b><br /><br /><b>Carl Freeman:</b> The long-term wellness of associates is important to us. We provide tools and resources to help improve wellness and maintain a positive work-life balance. All associates are encouraged to make the most of these opportunities. We offer wellness initiatives that help us all stay healthy and provide access to good quality, affordable healthcare.<br /><br /><b><i>Chronicling Elizabethtown: What's the best thing about working in Elizabethtown?</i></b><br /><br /><b>Carl Freeman:</b> All companies are different. But we like to think we’re a bit different than most. As one of the leading privately-owned businesses in the world, we enjoy unusual levels of freedom when it comes to how we operate. It allows us to do business in a free-thinking kind of way. We make it easy for good people to make great products. But we also do something more. What you get here is high levels of responsibility, a variety of possibilities and the opportunity to improve things for everyone else along the way.<br /><br /><b><i>Chronicling Elizabethtown: Can you give me some examples of how employees and the company have supported the community?</i></b><br /><br /><b>Carl Freeman:</b> Our Elizabethtown associates are very engaged within the local community. This factory is proud to be able to donate candy to the local Halloween and Christmas parades, Elizabethtown College Homecoming parade, Elizabethtown Fair and local Chamber events throughout the year. In addition the factory gives all the associates the opportunity to various items, through onsite drives, to local food banks and pet shelters. This factory is also proud to support the Rotary Club, Kiwanis, Lions Club, Elizabethtown Fire and EMS and the Elizabethtown library. </div>
Jeff McCloudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15037934095045982855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643059131542878847.post-20606937337702872322015-03-24T09:30:00.000-04:002015-03-24T10:55:45.927-04:00Discounted rain barrels available through E-town Area Water Authority<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2zeXBdmBcJc" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
The Elizabethtown Area Water Authority is offering rain barrels to customers at a discounted price -- at $80 each -- if you order by April 20. And then from 9 to 11 a.m. on May 2, you can attend a seminar to learn how to use the rain barrel and pick it up at EAWA's offices, 211 Hummelstown St.<br />
<br />
To order a rain barrel, <a href="http://www.rainbarrelprogram.org/eawa" target="_blank">visit EAWA's dedicated page.</a> You must pay for the rain barrels in advance.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>Why is EAWA offering rain barrels? Water conservation is an important aspect of the work that EAWA does. In addition, municipalities in Lancaster County face more stringent requirements for stormwater runoff, every little thing we can do to prevent excess runoff will help. A rain barrel is an effective and relatively inexpensive way to prevent runoff. Not to mention, you can save money using the water to water your plants or garden.<br />
<br />
The seminar on May 2 will feature discussion on the rain barrels themselves, rain gardens, native plants and more. For more information about the seminar or the rain barrels, contact Michele Powl at 717-367-7448 ot mpowl@etown-water.com.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Jeff McCloudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15037934095045982855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643059131542878847.post-37500227861560979342015-03-20T10:43:00.000-04:002015-03-20T10:50:02.264-04:00Dinner this Sunday to raise money to help E-town's homeless<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.clker.com/cliparts/A/M/d/O/q/N/maison-house-md.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.clker.com/cliparts/A/M/d/O/q/N/maison-house-md.png" /></a></div>
Over the past few weeks, I've seen some signs around town promoting a dinner this Sunday at 5 p.m. at Trellis Place on East High Street that will raise money to help homeless people in Elizabethtown. Now, you might think, "We don't have people sleeping on the street, so we don't have a problem with homeless people in Elizabethtown."<br />
<br />
<a href="http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/in-a-bold-bid-to-end-homelessness-a-lancaster-coalition/article_799ec0e6-9812-11e4-8254-879cd7107688.html" target="_blank">But did you read this story?</a><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
Further, there's what is called "situational homelessness," where someone doesn't have a place to live because, for instance, of a death or divorce. Some folks in the community have had some meetings about homelessness, and <a href="http://jeweldavidministries.org/" target="_blank">Jewel David Ministries</a> has started a program called <a href="http://jdmhouseofdavid.org/" target="_blank">House of David</a> to help people facing situational homelessness.<br />
<br />
Following is some correspondence that Dolores Reidebach from Jewel David Ministries sent to some community leaders late this week about the lasagna dinner. Unfortunately, my family and I won't be in town, but I urge you to support this effort to help people in the community who face challenging circumstances.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
Many of you have participated in our recent community meetings regarding the types of homelessness being experienced in Elizabethtown. Others, I know have a heart for the needy of our community.<u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
Jewel David Ministries, with the help of a small group of committed volunteers, is working hard to offer a homelessness intervention program called the House of David. The House of David, serves individuals and families that have previously been independent but suffered a <i>situation</i> (death, divorce, lost job, health issues, car accident) that caused them to lose their independence. They have a desire and the ability to return to self-sufficiency but need a short term stabilization program. <u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
The House of David provides a six month program of support for goals planning (mentors), budget training/savings and therapeutic counseling for emotional losses or grief.<u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
The program is financially intensive ($1500/month per family for six months) as House of David provides a fully furnished apartment for about $200month to the family. The House of David/JDM covers the balance of the rental (HOD rents an apartment in the community-we do not own a property), all of the utilities and insurances. The purpose of the program based approach and the housing support is to allow the individual/family to save, reunite in some cases and work on goals with an encouraging team to get back out there and reassert their independence in our community.<u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<wbr></wbr> <u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
To date, House of David has served five families in the past 18 months. This is a labor of love and needs the full support of our entire community. We are helping our own.<u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
All this to say, this <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_605711542" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Sunday, March 22</span></span>, we have planned and advertised a Lasagna fundraising dinner to raise the much needed funds to continue this very important program.<u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
Unfortunately, we have had little community response or support despite the sincere interest of many in our community.<u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
Please accept this as my personal invitation to attend the dinner or financially support this very important community program.<u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
If you are able to join us, please email back or call me <a href="tel:%28717%29%20418-1792" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank" value="+17174181792">(717) 418-1792</a>. I would love to see you!<u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
Thank you so much for engaging and caring about those that live among us with needs that sometimes appear invisible to us. I believe that<u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
a community like Elizabethtown, is rich in generosity and can impact the world by caring for its own community.<u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
Be Blessed<u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
Dolores<u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
Details:<u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_605711543" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Sunday, March 22 @5pm</span></span><u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
Trellis Place @ 153 E. High St, Elizabethtown PA<u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
$15/pp<u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
Homemade Lasagna and desserts, salad, bread and even Lasagna soup!</div>
</blockquote>
Jeff McCloudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15037934095045982855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643059131542878847.post-81698978597292643352015-03-04T12:49:00.002-05:002015-03-04T12:49:37.363-05:00E-town recognized for partnership with Commuter Services<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBc_L9I0OGFSFAI2rCRnn-khIbLb77Tk1JhYm-2iv2NnoI38jHCHi011eMntBA0CmaPHXOkQMV8vcLWVhzXlIqTr46MUM5i3CazY4AKXQ7qA8EgKjwwWO00eBWop0PtZbsgqKNVak8KMU/s1600/Commuter+Services+cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBc_L9I0OGFSFAI2rCRnn-khIbLb77Tk1JhYm-2iv2NnoI38jHCHi011eMntBA0CmaPHXOkQMV8vcLWVhzXlIqTr46MUM5i3CazY4AKXQ7qA8EgKjwwWO00eBWop0PtZbsgqKNVak8KMU/s1600/Commuter+Services+cropped.jpg" height="320" width="315" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><i>Holly Anderson of Commuter Services of Pennsylvania</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><i>presents a certificate to Borough Council President J. Neil</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><i>Ketchum</i></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Last month, <a href="http://pacommuterservices.org/" target="_blank">Commuter Services of Pennsylvania</a> presented Elizabethtown with a certificate recognizing the borough's partnership with the organization.<br />
<br />
Commuter Services is a program of the non-profit Susquehanna Regional Transportation Partnership. Its mission is to reduce congestion on the highways with the goal of reducing air pollution. It serves Adams, Berks, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry and York counties.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
The organization helps commuters find alternatives to get to work other than driving alone. By logging onto its website, commuters can connect with other commuters to find carpooling information. It also promotes the use of public transportation and using the train.<br />
<br />
One of the stumbling blocks to carpooling is getting stranded if you get sick at work or if you have kids that get sick at school during the day. Commuter Services offers a unique services by providing free rides to people in these situations. All you have to do is register with Commuter Services, and it will pay for a taxi ride home.<br />
<br />
As someone who commuted to Harrisburg and Lancaster for many years, this was the first time I'd heard of Commuter Services. It's great to see an organization that is providing such a great service to commuters. And I'm pleased that the borough is partnering with them. After all, our geographic proximity to the cities means we have many commuters living here.Jeff McCloudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15037934095045982855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643059131542878847.post-43508538754277252102015-02-05T08:15:00.000-05:002015-02-05T08:17:45.884-05:00Warrant issued for suspect in assault<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqT5FcWDEY12G2PP_zUimwhwETnOGJwEShkxSinyveIhnKaQ0Bpoc9yD5ViApnvawfk7oxaatrHFMxRKKY3udmOR54PI03sWmggtNrPmiMbidYeSPwUR9kYZCmeTpeuRQQCm0B8gmAMUI/s1600/Zachary+Moore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqT5FcWDEY12G2PP_zUimwhwETnOGJwEShkxSinyveIhnKaQ0Bpoc9yD5ViApnvawfk7oxaatrHFMxRKKY3udmOR54PI03sWmggtNrPmiMbidYeSPwUR9kYZCmeTpeuRQQCm0B8gmAMUI/s1600/Zachary+Moore.jpg" height="320" width="256" /></a></div>
Elizabethtown police have filed charges against a former Elizabethtown man allegedly involved in an assault on a man behind MoviE-town in 2013.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
An arrest warrant has also been issued for Zachary T. Moore, 22, now of Rehrersburg, who remains at large. He faces charges of robbery, criminal conspiracy to commit robbery and aggravated assault, all first-degree felonies. He faces a first-degree misdemeanor charge of theft from a motor vehicle.<br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
On Nov. 5, 2013, <a href="http://www.chroniclingelizabethtown.com/2014/01/police-arrest-suspect-in-craigslist.html" target="_blank">police responded to an assault</a> that had occurred behind MoviE-town. A man had responded to an ad on Craigslist about buying a TV and agreed to meet a woman identified as Amber Consylman at MoviE-town. She allegedly led him around to the back of the building where Moore allegedly attacked the man with a baseball bat.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Police identified Consylman and arrested her. Further investigation recently identified Moore. Police ask that anyone with information about his whereabouts to call 717-367-1835. </div>
Jeff McCloudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15037934095045982855noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643059131542878847.post-19691512448865587462015-01-20T09:39:00.000-05:002015-01-20T09:45:28.758-05:00Police detective retires; school resource officer wins Officer of the Year<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6F1J8mX8HboUes7v6_1oaWN8gKkWnW-vCHRw2Ny6NFDdhf6w-0QkcaRKbBWsStDrnXdK2ran4yzNlfgeUHL_Wib541dgJTeQFw8U7H53eqsTNzD9cjAvqTNpisIJTPrYtpK4UXgS4GwQ/s1600/Clair+Martin-Jack+Mentzer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6F1J8mX8HboUes7v6_1oaWN8gKkWnW-vCHRw2Ny6NFDdhf6w-0QkcaRKbBWsStDrnXdK2ran4yzNlfgeUHL_Wib541dgJTeQFw8U7H53eqsTNzD9cjAvqTNpisIJTPrYtpK4UXgS4GwQ/s1600/Clair+Martin-Jack+Mentzer.jpg" height="314" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Detective Clair Martin, left, receives a framed gift that includes<br />
his badge from Elizabethtown Police Chief Jack Mentzer.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Last Thursday night Borough Council meeting turned into a lovefest for the Elizabethtown Police Department -- and rightly so.<br />
<br />
Two officers were honored for their work with the department. Detective Clair Martin was recognized for 26 years of service to the community upon retiring from the department on Jan. 3. And Officer Rick Farnsler received the Police Officer of the Year Award, an honor bestowed on him by his fellow officers in the department.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
Over the years, Martin received a litany of letters of commendation, distinguished unit citations and other awards and recognition for his service. But it was his role as dressing up as McGruff the Crime Dog that got laughs last week.<br />
<br />
"He looked great in that outfit," Police Chief Jack Mentzer said.<br />
<br />
And while he investigated every degree of crime during his career in Elizabethtown, Martin's legacy will be his specializing in investigating crimes that involved children and juveniles. Mentzer said that Martin is "one of the best investigators" in the area when it comes to working those kinds of cases.<br />
<br />
"God has really blessed me with a heart for serving the kids," Martin said.<br />
<br />
In addition, Martin was a member of the Lancaster County Special Emergency Response Team (SERT), which responds to incidents such as people barricaded in a house with weapons. One such incident occurred two weeks before Martin retired, and Mentzer said many officers that close to retirement would have begged off. Martin "demanded to be part of the entry team."<br />
<br />
"It just goes to show the dedication he has to the community, to the department and to his fellow officers," Mentzer said.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEJbzrb8gquAM905IPt9FiF0M6oVKI-X81uMq5EortwCIJfXumskqoDVExGQK0q6hpmE0gAMp0tbcSv6bPjBkdjn21vmNQ6QptaVn96dp2oXzngeYyPkcee0aTIdDJdXi4_g3A99iFmV0/s1600/Farnsler-Mummert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEJbzrb8gquAM905IPt9FiF0M6oVKI-X81uMq5EortwCIJfXumskqoDVExGQK0q6hpmE0gAMp0tbcSv6bPjBkdjn21vmNQ6QptaVn96dp2oXzngeYyPkcee0aTIdDJdXi4_g3A99iFmV0/s1600/Farnsler-Mummert.jpg" height="320" width="281" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Officer Rick Farnsler, left, receives the Officer <br />
of the Year Award from Mayor Chuck Mummert.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Officer Farnsler was selected as the Officer of the Year for 2014 through a vote of his fellow police officers and the staff at the police department. He joined the department in September 1991 and was assigned as the School Resource Officer at the Elizabethtown Area High School in August 2007. During his years of service, Farnsler also has accumulated a long list of letters of commendation, distinguished unit citations and other recognition for his police work. He was also named Officer of the Year in 2008.<br />
<br />
Mentzer said his work as the SRO at the high school has turned it a model program. Farnsler is assigned to the high school full time during the school year and works with students, teachers and the administration to address issues before they become crimes and to investigate and respond to incidents as needed.<br />
<br />
Mentzer said having Farnsler assigned at the school has helped police develop better relationships with young people and has helped provide useful information at times. He said Farnsler is the right person for the job with the disposition and attitude to work with everyone.<br />
<br />
"He gained the trust of the kids, which is not easy to do," said Councilman Tom Shaud.<br />
<br />
Mentzer highlighted two initiatives that Farnsler has implemented. One is Text-a-Tip that allows students to <a href="http://www.chroniclingelizabethtown.com/2011/10/high-school-students-can-text-anonymous.html" target="_blank">text anonymous tips</a> to police. Mentzer said he was skeptical of the idea at first, but it has "turned into a phenomenal success." Rather than students taking advantage of the program, they text real information, including several times when someone thought a fellow student was going to hurt himself or herself or even commit suicide. It has allowed Farnsler and school officials to intervene and possibly save lives.<br />
<br />
The other initiative is Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D.) training that Farnsler teaches to senior girls as many of them prepare to go to college. The class teaches them to be aware of their surroundings and how to protect themselves.<br />
<br />
"It is a privilege and a pleasure to have Rick in the department," Mentzer said. <br />
<div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Yes, it is a privilege and an honor to have consummate professionals like Farnsler and Martin in the Elizabethtown Police Department. I think I can speak for the rest of my fellow councilmen that we thank for them for their outstanding service.</div>
</div>
Jeff McCloudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15037934095045982855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643059131542878847.post-70726980953238671052014-12-16T13:25:00.001-05:002014-12-16T13:25:57.121-05:00One of E-town Borough Council's most important meetings on Thursday<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ephratareview.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Budget.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.ephratareview.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Budget.jpg" height="282" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><i>Photo courtesy of the Ephrata Review</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This Thursday night, Elizabethtown Borough Council will approve the borough's 2015 budget. Council meets every third Thursday, but I consider this meeting in December to be one of the most important of the year because of the budget. We also vote on the millage rate to establish what property owners will pay in property taxes.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, this week a family responsibility conflicts with the meeting, and I will not be able to attend. It's disappointing because my fellow council members and I have spent hours in many meetings combing through the budget to find savings and figure out how best to fund Elizabethtown for next year and into the future. Part of this will most likely include a tax increase of two-tenths of a mill (raising the rate from 5 to 5.2).<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
Because I won't be at the meeting, I have asked the borough staff and council President J. Neil Ketchum to read the following statement during the meeting. <br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><i>The third Thursday in December is always an important time for Elizabethtown Borough Council because it is when we approve the borough's budget for the upcoming year. In my seven years on Borough Council, I have not missed one of these meetings. Tonight, however, I have a family obligation that unfortunately trumps my duties as an elected official. Although I can not be there for the official vote on the budget and related actions, I am writing to ensure that my support of the 2015 budget is on the record. After many hours of meetings and discussions, it is clear to me that a tax increase of two-tenths of a mill is necessary so that the borough will be better positioned financially in years to come. I firmly believe this is the fiscally responsible thing to do. Meanwhile, it is not lost on me that the average taxpayer in the borough will pay $30 more in property taxes. We have done what we can to minimize that impact while also ensuring that the borough can conduct its business and operations in the way taxpayers expect. Thank you, and I wish my council colleagues, the borough staff and the residents of Elizabethtown a happy holiday season!</i></b></blockquote>
<br />
The tax increase -- the first for the borough government since 2011 -- will help the borough fund its capital reserves. During the summer, Borough Council adopted a financial policy that includes a goal of reaching $1 million in capital reserves by 2020. The ultimate goal is to have some additional funds there so the borough will be in a position to do projects in the future that might need a significant outlay of cash.<br />
<br />
<br />Jeff McCloudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15037934095045982855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643059131542878847.post-32001982827683410922014-12-11T21:43:00.002-05:002014-12-16T13:26:44.801-05:0016 charged after yearlong undercover drug investigation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://elkskidszone.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/NoDrugs.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://elkskidszone.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/NoDrugs.jpeg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
Law enforcement cracked down on alleged drug dealers yesterday in a sweep that netted 16 arrests of Elizabethtown and other area residents after a joint one-year undercover operation by Pennsylvania State Police and the Elizabethtown, Mount Joy Borough and Northwest Regionaal police departments.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Borough police joined the PSP Fugitive Task Force, the PSP K-9 unit, Northwest Lancaster County Regional Police and Mount Joy Borough Police to serve arrest warrants. They were assisted by Columbia Borough Police and the York County Sheriff's Office.<br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Police arrested the following individuals:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Jeffrey Myers, 37, of Elizabethtown, charged with one felony count of delivery of a controlled substance by PSP. He was arraigned before District Judge Jayne Duncan and was released on $50,000 unsecured bail.</li>
<li>Elizabeth M. Myers, 36, of Elizabethtown, charged with one felony count of delivery of a controlled substance by PSP. Myers was arraigned before District Judge Jayne Duncan and committed to Lancaster County Prison in lieu of $50,000 cash bail. </li>
<li>Robert J. Mick Jr., 30, of Conoy Township, charged with one felony count of delivery of a controlled substance and one felony count of criminal conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance by Elizabethtown Police. Mick was arraigned before Duncan and committed to Lancaster County Prison in lieu of $100,000 cash bail. </li>
<li>Joni Lynn Robinson, 53, of Mount Joy Township, charged with one felony count of delivery of a controlled substance by PSP. Robinson was arraigned before Duncan and committed to Lancaster County Prison in lieu of $50,000 cash bail. </li>
<li>Kierston E. Marvel, 25, of Elizabethtown, charged with one Felony count of Delivery of a controlled substance and one felony count of criminal conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance by Elizabethtown Police. She was arraigned before and committed to Lancaster County Prison in lieu of $100,000 cash bail. </li>
<li>Melinda L. LeFever, 59, of Lititz, charged with one felony count of delivery of a controlled substance by Elizabethtown Police. LeFever was arraigned before Duncan and committed Lancaster County Prison in lieu of $50,000 cash bail. </li>
<li>George Manuel Maldonado, 26, of Columbia, Pa., charged with one felony count of delivery of a controlled substance by Northwest Regional Police. He was arraigned before Duncan and committed to Lancaster County Prison in lieu of $100,000 cash bail. Also pending are additional charges by PSP for felony possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and felony possession of a stolen firearm resulting from police discovery of a stolen handgun and 30 bags of heroin in Maldonado's possession at the time of his arrest. </li>
<li>Brandon M. Smith, 27, of Columbia, charged with one felony count of delivery of a controlled substance and one summary driving while operating privilege is suspended or revoked by Mount Joy Police. Smith was arraigned before Duncan and committed to Lancaster County Prison in lieu of $100,000 cash bail. </li>
<li>Phillip James Hayhurst, 23, of Elizabethtown, charged with one felony count of delivery of a controlled substance by Northwest Regional Police. Hayhurst was arraigned before Duncan. and committed to Lancaster County Prison in lieu of $100,000 cash bail. </li>
<li>Jason M. Neiss, 27, of Elizabethtown, charged with one felony count of burglary and one misdemeaner count of terroristic threats by Northwest Regional Police. Neiss was arraigned before Duncan and released on $25,000 unsecured bail. </li>
<li>Diane E. Espenshade, 40, of West Donegal Township, charged with two felony counts of delivery of a controlled substance by PSP. Espenshade was arraigned before Duncan and committed to Lancaster County Prison in lieu of $50,000 cash bail. </li>
<li>Terri Lynn Kaylor, 33, of Bainbridge, charged with one felony count of delivery of a controlled substance by Elizabethtown Police. Kaylor was arraigned before Duncan and was released on $10,000 unsecured bail. </li>
<li>Rachel Ann Simms, 33, of Columbia, charged with two felony counts of delivery of a controlled substance by PSP. Simms was arraigned before Duncan and committed to Lancaster County Prison in lieu of $100,000 cash bail. </li>
<li>Joseph Lee Hess, 45, of Maytown, charged with one felony count of delivery of a controlled substance and one felony count of criminal conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance by Elizabethtown Police. Hess was arraigned before District Judge David Brian and was released on $15,000 unsecured bail. </li>
<li>Amanda L. Spayd, 25, of Mount Joy, charged with one felony count of delivery of a controlled substance by PSP and one count of felony endangering the welfare of children by Northwest Regional Police. Spayd was arraigned before District Judge Jayne Duncan and was released on $50,000 unsecured bail. </li>
<li>Taidje B. Mullen, 27, of York, charged with one felony count of delivery of a controlled substance by Northwest Regional Police. Mullen was arraigned before District Judge Jayne Duncan and was released on $25,000 unsecured bail. </li>
</ul>
Police said there is a remaining outstanding arrest warrant for Felony Delivery of a controlled substance against Jodi L. Pitts, age 45, of Mount Joy.</div>
Jeff McCloudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15037934095045982855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643059131542878847.post-90072820022324731892014-12-10T10:12:00.000-05:002014-12-16T13:26:58.654-05:00The new Elizabethtown Running Club at GEARS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://irunwithit.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/awkward-running.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://irunwithit.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/awkward-running.jpg" /></a>I've made no secret over the last three years about my hobby of running. It has been a great way for me to stay fit and keep off 35 pounds that I lost about four years ago. And it has felt good to find the motivation that I lost at the end of the 1988 high school track season. Without a coach requiring me to be at a practice for track or cross country, I simply fell into the lethargic lifestyle that many of us Americans do.</div>
<br />
After losing weight, I started running again to add some variety to my fitness routine. Now, four half marathons and a bunch of other races later, I love to share my love of running with others. Inevitably, when the topic of running comes up with some people, they often say, "Oh, I wish I could run" or "I've thought about running, but I can't run more than a mile."<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
This fall, after <a href="http://www.mccloudstrategic.com/uncategorized/four-pr-lessons-i-learned-from-my-middle-school-cross-country-team/" target="_blank">coaching</a> the Elizabethtown Middle School cross country team, it dawned on me: What if I could help people of all ages start running or improve their running?<br />
<br />
Thus was the genesis of the new Elizabethtown Running Club, which will be offered through <a href="http://www.getintogears.org/recreation.html#fitness" target="_blank">GEARS</a> on Tusday evenings and Saturday mornings from April 4 to May 30 next year.<br />
<br />
What is the running club going to entail? I envision several things, depending on how many people register (and I hope it's a bunch of you!).<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>I plan to help more experienced runners achieve their goals. If you've run 5Ks or other distances races, I can work with you to improve and hopefully get faster. </li>
<li>If your goal is just to stay fit and keep weight off, I will develop a plan to help you. </li>
<li>If you have little to no experience with running, the club will include a component to teach you the basic skills to get you started. I know it can be intimidating to join a group like this, but let me explain something: I've learned during the past three years that there is no judgment among runners. You are runner, regardless of how fast you are. And when you get started, and stick with it, you will improve.</li>
<li>If you're a middle school or high school athlete that needs to get in shape for a sport like soccer or lacrosse, the club can help with conditioning.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>I'll also cover using various online and smartphone apps to help you track your progress. You can follow me on <a href="http://www.mapmyrun.com/my_home/#user_dashboard" target="_blank">MapMyRun</a> or <a href="http://runkeeper.com/user/teamccloud/profile" target="_blank">RunKeeper</a>.</li>
<li>Finally, club members will learn various routes for running in Elizabethtown.</li>
</ul>
<br />
I am excited about starting the Elizabethtown Running Club. I hope to impart my love of running and do my part to improve fitness in the community.Jeff McCloudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15037934095045982855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643059131542878847.post-75702136948588561962014-11-24T13:40:00.000-05:002014-11-24T13:40:22.726-05:00Borough announces holiday parade winners<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid7if5H3mAHJcs_P8VICV4a383Z9vh2IGVKT338I0hdT8jROkere5cUBjrVqJh6Rw-Peiv2-slN2e-Hx8WxEM8r3PEv7bXUkAxj8d4LeZuEh5nOHJ-TdAyC_b-37uJFh6S6vK7JVBKL5o/s1600/Parade-Poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid7if5H3mAHJcs_P8VICV4a383Z9vh2IGVKT338I0hdT8jROkere5cUBjrVqJh6Rw-Peiv2-slN2e-Hx8WxEM8r3PEv7bXUkAxj8d4LeZuEh5nOHJ-TdAyC_b-37uJFh6S6vK7JVBKL5o/s1600/Parade-Poster.jpg" /></a></div>
The weather cooperated, and Saturday evening was a great night for a parade in downtown Elizabethtown. With 52 entries, judges had their work cut out for them, but they sorted through all of them and awarded the following prizes. Winners will be recognized Dec. 18 at the Borough Council meeting.<br /><br /><b>Judges Choice Award Winner (Presented by Union Community Bank)</b><br />Elizabethtown Community Nursery School<br /><br /><b>Commercial Category 1st/2nd Place Winners (Presented by Union Community Bank)</b><br /><i>First place</i> – ReMax Associates of Lancaster – Elizabethtown Office<br /><i>Second place</i> – Masonic Villages at Elizabethtown<br /><br /><b>Non Profit Category – 1st/2nd Place Winners (Presented by the Moose Lodge #596)</b><br /><i>First place</i> – Cub Scout Pack 68<br /><i>Second place (TIE)</i> – 2nd Chance 4 Life and Boy Scout Troop 71455<br /><br /> Congratulations to the winners, and thanks to everyone who participated in the parade and those of you who came out to watch. It was a great start to the holiday season!<br /><br /> Jeff McCloudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15037934095045982855noreply@blogger.com0