Municipal News
- Last Updated on Monday, 01 April 2013 00:48
By Christina Walko
On Monday, March 18, 2013, Charleroi Borough Manager Donn Henderson, Recreation Committee head and councilman Walt Selma, along with Council President Mark Alterici had an open meeting to discuss what should be done in the next year to improve borough recreation. Residents Louey Rawls and Sam Donini were there to share their ideas.
On Monday, March 18, 2013, Charleroi Borough Manager Donn Henderson, Recreation Committee head and councilman Walt Selma, along with Council President Mark Alterici had an open meeting to discuss what should be done in the next year to improve borough recreation. Residents Louey Rawls and Sam Donini were there to share their ideas.
“I talked to a 12 year old kid who lives here, and they are often gang members, who want to grow up to be a drug dealer. What do we have for them to do?” said Rawls.
Council has been busy coming up with answers to that question. Charleroi has seen improvements in recreation in the last several years, especially with the addition of the Markethouse. Last year’s summer Wednesday movie nights have been improved upon and added to this year. The program will run from April 10 to October 19 with movies as popular as Brave and Paranormal featured. The movie night was a mild success last year but Borough Manager Don Henderson sees this coming year as being better.
“More people will know about the movie nights. We could even eventually add on to it and project a film on the hillside,” he speculated.
Everyone agreed on the need for two particular improvements – to refurbish Crest and Woodland Parks. Rawls brought to the meetings attention a nuisance guardrail on the alley side of Crest Park that needs removed and Henderson said he would see what he could do. Henderson would like to paint the pavilions and picnic tables, put basketball hoops in both parks and possibly get remote cameras to monitor the playgrounds.
“The parks need to look clean and inviting for people to come to them,” he added.
12th Street resident Sam Donini said that we have to find a way to get around the money problem. Henderson agreed, “The standard excuse is that we can’t find the money – we’ve got to spend money to improve things. Its there and I will find it.”
But the one thing the Borough says it really needs is for people to get more involved.
“The Borough can do improvements but we need neighborhoods to engage, said Henderson. Mark Alterici echoed Hendersons concern. “We need more community involvement from citizens, as you can see from only two residents at this meeting.”
Charleroi plans to hire an intern to help organize the basketball and other programs. They want to have half court, not full court platforms. Also suggested were arts and crafts programs, dances for teenagers and kickball for the kids who don’t like basketball. The summer concert series was touched upon with a meeting scheduled for that later this month. The third floor of the Borough building which is to have a new elevator shortly will be available for recreational activities for residents, such as dances.
The question of how to keep the kids in line at the events was brought up with the Borough suggesting that responsible parents and volunteer could help with this. Parents and residents who would like to become more involved with the recreation effort are urged to call the Borough at 724-483-6011.
This years events in Charleroi include Clean Up Days, April 26 and 27, Community Day and Fireworks July 3, Easter Egg Hunt on March 30, Farmers Market from July – October, The Little Great Race, the Breast Cancer Walk, Halloween Parade and Light Up Night.
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