Brownsville council reminds residents of Sept. 11 memorial service
BROWNSVILLE – Borough officials reminded residents in attendance at Tuesday’s council meeting of today’s Sept. 11 memorial service at the Patsy Hillman Pavilion in Brownsville-Luzerne Park. The service is scheduled to begin at 8:45 a.m., followed by coffee and donuts at the Hiller Fire Hall. Additionally, Mayor Norma Ryan announced that a prayer service will be held in front of the borough building at 11 a.m.
Ryan said she hopes the community will come together, take time to visit local churches and remember those whose lives were taken in the terrorist attacks.
In another matter, council voted to start the Probation for Youth Commission, a program that will oversee first-time youth offenders in the area.
“We already have many volunteers to help us,” said council President Jack Lawver.
Added Ryan, “Volunteers of the program must work with the youth and see that they are doing their probationary community service. If there is anyone else interested in volunteering for the program, please contact the borough.”
The program is scheduled to begin in the coming weeks.
Council also conducted the following business:
– Announced that, through a grant from the state Department of Community and Economic Development and with the help of Brownsville Area School District consultant John Joseph, police officer Tom Wardman will instruct high school students on the positives of the D.A.R.E. anti-drug program.
– Announced a new six-year agreement with Charter Communication for cable services.
As part of the agreement, Charter will provide $5,000 in grant money to the borough’s recreation fund. Lawver said the borough already has received $2,500, which will be used for improvements to area playgrounds.
Councilman Shawn Bush added that as part of the Charter contract, borough residents can expect to have high-speed cable modem Internet service by early spring.
“This issue has been a concern of many residents,” he said.
– Announced that it will accept applications to fill the position of longtime street department employee Tom Gant, who will retire Sept. 30.
“I’d like to personally give thanks and appreciation to Mr. Gant for years of service to the borough,” said Lawver.