Local briefs
Registration set The Brownfield Community Library of Dawson is currently registering children in first through third grade for its 2003 Summer Reading Program entitled “Get in the Game.”
The program will run June 16 through 20 from 11 a.m. to noon.
The deadline for registration is June 1. For additional information or to register call Dottie Davis at 724-628-5508.
Blood drive set
The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive on Wednesday from 1 to 7 p.m. at the Springfield Township Volunteer Fire Department on Route 381 south.
The public is encouraged to attend.
Trout stocking announced
The members of the Yough Fishermen’s Association recently announced they would stock trout in Jacobs Creek on Tuesday beginning at 6 p.m. All members willing to help are to meet at the Laurelville Mennonite Camp.
In addition, the members will stock the Yough River with trout on Wednesday beginning at 6 p.m. All willing participants are to meet at the at the boat ramp at the river park.
According to an officer, the association would like to thank all members for selling memberships. The membership money helped defray the cost of raising the trout.
Memberships are still available for purchase by calling Tom Hatfield at 724-277-8606, Roger Uhazie at 724-628-0204 or attending one of the monthly meetings slated for the first Wednesday of every month at Meidels Restaurant on Buttermore Boulevard in Connellsville beginning at 7 p.m.
Meeting slated
The Fayette County Council Veterans of Foreign Wars and Ladies Auxiliary will meet on Wednesday beginning at 8 p.m. at the VFW Post 4584 in Masontown.
Plans for the annual VFW state convention will be finalized.
Commander Thomas McFadden and President Lazetta Sidwell encourage representation from posts and auxiliaries.
Service planned
A Memorial Day service is planned for Monday afternoon at Lafayette Memorial Park.
The observance will begin at 1 p.m. on Memorial Day. It is being hosted by American Legion Post 275, Grindstone, under the command of Ralph Rosendale, along with Brownsville Post 295, Republic Post 590 and West Brownsville Post 940.
State Sen. Richard Kasunic, D-Dunbar, will be the guest speaker for the event. Kasunic is the chairman of the Veterans Affairs Committee. The Rev. John Sedlak, the pastor of St. Cecilia and St. Hedwig churches, will give the invocation, followed by Michelle Konter singing the Star Spangled Banner. Konter is a student at West Virginia University and a member of St. Cecilia Church in Grindstone. She will also sing God Bless America later in the program.
Mabel Crawford of Brownsville Auxiliary Post 295 will introduce the Gold Star Mothers, area women who have lost a son in a military conflict.
The closing ceremonies will be presented by members of each of the American Legion posts participating in the event, with Taps played by a bugler.
Legislation pending
Legislation creating the fund to fuel the economic development program envisioned by Gov. Ed Rendell will be introduced this week by state Sen. Richard Kasunic (Dunbar).
“The legislation is designed to create the Pennsylvania Opportunity Fund Program, which is the mechanism that would coordinate five new economic development programs,” Kasunic said. “The plan outlined by the governor is bold, new and refreshing – especially since one of its main focuses would create jobs in economically troubled areas.”
Under Kasunic’s legislation, the five new programs would be supported by the Pennsylvania Opportunity Fund: The Pennsylvania First Industries Program, which supports agriculture and tourism development; Tax Increment Financing; Real Estate Development; Business in Our Sites, which provides an economic development fund for municipalities and developers; and a Growth Sector Program aimed at creating new jobs in high-growth businesses.
“These new programs would help jump-start an economy that remains in neutral after years of stagnation,” Kasunic said. “The funding for these programs would play a large part in helping redefine Pennsylvania’s economic future.”
Kasunic said it is crucial that an effort be made to develop new industries and technologies in southwestern Pennsylvania to recharge the economy. The senator said that without new initiatives, it is likely that more young men and women will leave the region and create a reverse economic vacuum.
“The economic development programs outlined in Governor Rendell’s Plan for a New Pennsylvania represent a change from the past and a significant move forward,” Kasunic said.
Kasunic said he is hopeful that the entire package of economic development legislation will move quickly through the process and become law.
Kasunic said his legislation would likely be introduced later this week in the state Senate.
Grants announced
State Rep. Bill DeWeese (D-Waynesburg) and Sen. J. Barry Stout have announced the approval of a $50,000 state grant to help jumpstart a project that will provide clean and safe water to about 241 residences in parts of western Green County and to the Graysville Elementary School.
DeWeese and Stout said they were instrumental in securing the state funding, which will be used to finance the initial engineering work needed to begin design of the project. DeWeese said planning for the project must be initiated prior to state, federal, local and private funding sources being in place.
The project will eventually consist of water system extensions from Rogersville to Graysville, from Graysville to Windridge, and from Windridge to the Pennsylvania-West Virginia border, along Route 21. The first leg of the project will extend water to the Graysville Elementary School in Gray Township, a facility that supports 350 students and 54 faculty. The school now must have water delivered regularly due to its dependence on wells that do not produce enough quality water to supply the building.
DeWeese and Stout said they will continue to work at the state level to secure additional state grants and low-interest loans for the project.