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Park board hears possibility of new funding

By Jenny Susa 3 min read

LUZERNE TWP.- The Brownsville-Luzerne Park Board found out Wednesday that the Izaak Walton League, a conservation organization with 50,000 members nationwide, would be able to provide them with some funding for the park, provided the league could recruit more active members for its Brownsville chapter. Local President for the Izaak Walton League David Gratz explained to park board members that the Brownsville chapter has only about 15 members.

“We’re not very active,” said Gratz, adding that the league needs to get younger members who could take on more community projects. “If the endowment committee feels we have a reasonably sized chapter, we can furnish money to help with the lake.”

Gratz was referring to the lake located at the park, which local residents and park board members agreed needs to be cleaned in order to be used again.

Gratz explained that a few years ago, when the league was able to provide money for cleaning Dunlap Creek, they had about 25 members, which should be enough to get the financial assistance to clean up the lake.

“We just have to be more active,” said Gratz.

Doug Pitek is 19 years old and lives next door to the park, and he had previously spoken with park board members about helping to improve the conditions at the park. He said he would like to join the Izaak Walton League and he believed he could recruit other members.

“I could probably get eight to 10 people myself,” said Pitek.

Board members commended him for his willingness to be involved and urged him to contact the league as soon as possible.

Brownsville Council President Jack Lawver said he was formerly a charter member of the Izaak Walton League and he would also rejoin to help increase membership.

“They are a great source of funding if you have active people,” said Lawver, agreeing with Gratz that in the past, the league did not have enough “young membership.”

“If you have the numbers the organization has numerous opportunities for funding,” said Lawver.

At an earlier meeting, the park board had agreed to let members of the Izaak Walton League meet at the park, which Lawver said would also be helpful because the league was always looking for a meeting place, and this would give them a “place to call home.”

Park Board Vice President Gene Enfield encouraged local residents to join the league and commit to improving the community.

The annual membership fee is $35. The local address for the Izaak Walton League is PO Box 390 Brownsville, Pa. 15417.

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