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Corbett won't attend Irvona bridge dedication
Friday, July 06, 2012
By Terry Whetstone Staff Writer
IRVONA - On July 19, the new bridge in Irvona Borough will be dedicated to the memory of Mary Ellen Tiesi. Last month, council was advised the date of that dedication was chosen to accommodate Governor Tom Corbett so he could attend the event.
Last night, Irvona Mayor John Patterson said he got word from the Harrisburg office of State Rep. Camille "Bud" George, D-74 of Houtzdale, that the governor might not be able to make the event after all.
Patterson said George's office advised him one of the governor's children is adopting a child that day and he wants to be there.
The governor's website, states: "For immediate questions, contact the Governor's Office of Press and Communications." However, calls to that number to confirm Corbett would not be at the ceremony went unanswered this morning.
Patterson said the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is in charge of setting up the event and notifying the media outlets and other dignitaries for the 11 a.m. festivities.
Council voted to have light refreshments available at Elderberry Park following the ceremony.
Council members are disappointed they can't all be there for the memorable event due to work commitments. Had the event been held on a Saturday, as originally planned, the entire council could have participated.
Council heard from Jesse Weld, a resident of Crestview Street, who asked about the burning ordinance in the borough. He gave Patterson a copy of an ordinance he printed from the Internet saying no burning was allowed within the borough.
He said on June 14, he left for work and smoke from a neighbor's fire that had burned and smoldered all night, was going into his son's bedroom. His son is 11 months old.
Vanessa Warner was also at the meeting and she said she was on hand to "defend" herself because the last time residents went to complain her name ended up in the paper.
Warner said perhaps a diaper or some plastic did get in the trash her husband burned. She isn't sure, but she also said she would make sure they watch what they burn.
Secretary Joanne McGarvey noted the ordinance that Weld brought to the meeting wasn't a correct ordinance and council will look into having it removed from the Internet.
The new ordinance, adopted in 2009, notes that non-toxic items may be burned, such as paper.
Plastics, animal wastes and carcasses, etc. cannot be burned. Anything that can be burned must be done between the hours of 6-10 p.m.
The ordinance states, "The burning of garbage, rubbish and refuse in any residential and or commercial area of the borough or in any area within the limits of the borough, where such burning creates a harmful, non-toxic, offensive odor or gas, injurious to the health and well-being of the pubic is hereby prohibited and declared to be a nuisance."
Council president Margaret McCoy said she thinks it's just a nuisance either way.
Patterson said he gets several calls from people complaining of burning at all times of the day and night.
McCoy said residents should extinguish fires at 10 p.m.
Council member Michelle Whetstone brought council's attention to something similar to an old well or springhouse near Wood Street in the borough. She said some residents of that part of the borough have voiced concerns about the site, fearing someone could fall into the old well and drown.
She showed a photo of the site to council members and to Patterson and it was decided to send a letter to the property owner, who lives out of the area, so something could be done. The site should either be filled in or closed off to prevent someone being seriously hurt or killed.
McGarvey said she would contact the tax collector Nila Henry for an address.
In other business, council:
• received a letter from the Irvona Municipal Authority advising board member Dean Toner has resigned and a replacement will be needed. Council will advertise for the position.
• heard the flood inspection went well yesterday. Aside from council having to replace the drainage pipes going through the levee, the inspection was good. Patterson thanked Beccaria Township for the use of its boom mower and personnel to help get the levee ready for inspection. "The township is great to work with," he said.
• voted to sub-divide the park addition into four parts to eliminate some of the buildings that exist. It is the portion of the park the borough has acquired a grant to purchase.
• noted the Community Wide Yard Sale is tomorrow and non-borough residents are encouraged to set up at Elderberry Park to sell items. "The more the merrier," Patterson said.
• heard Craig Westover is tearing down an old trailer behind Shawn's Corner Pub and the cost of the Dumpster being used will be billed to the bar's owner.
• named Patterson the flood plain manager.
• voted to pay its share of the sign grant to the Moshannon Valley Council of Governments. The borough's share is $548.42.
• was advised the inmates from the State Correctional Institution at Houtzdale will be in next week to help with cleaning up around the borough.
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