Brownsville
Council asks why soup kitchen hasn’t paid rent BROWNSVILLE – No one on Brownsville Borough Council is questioning the need for or benefits of the Brownsville Soup Kitchen, but questions are being raised about why the borough has not been paid rent for the past two years.
The soup kitchen, which is located in the basement of the borough building, is operated by the Fayette County Community Action Agency.
“They signed a lease with us with no money in the budget for rental agreements,” said Councilwoman Teresa Hosler. “We’re going on two years now at $4,800 a year.”
Teresa Hosler noted that the borough has made a number of improvements to the facility over the past two years, including changes to the plumbing and heating systems. The council agreed to set up a meeting in the next few weeks with representatives from Community Action to deal with the situation.
Council met in executive session to discuss police personnel matters.
There was no action taken on the unspecified issue following the session.
It was noted that two part-time officers have nearly completed the preliminary steps needed before they can be put on the schedule.
Council president Jack Lawver said that once the part-time officers are added to the rotation, the borough will have more flexibility in scheduling officers at hours that are currently unmanned.
Council also voted to extend the existence of the parking authority for another 10 years.
Two upcoming festivals were discussed by council. A Community Day is scheduled at Patsy Hillman Park this Sunday from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m., featuring a professional wrestling exhibition at 2 p.m. and a hotdog eating contest at 4 p.m., as well as performances by area bands and dance schools.
“We’re trying to bring the community together and draw more people to the park,” said Nena Kaminsky, who is on the park board and is chairing the festival committee.
A second community festival is planned for Saturday, Aug. 7, in downtown Brownsville, with a parade starting at 10:30 a.m. and events throughout the downtown area all day.
“We need to support each other. The first one is to promote the park. We do have a beautiful facility up there,” Lawver said. “The second is a community festival during Kennywood week. We have one of the most successful Kennywood Days around and you have a lot of other activities that are built up around it.”
Lawver said that the Brownsville No. 1 Fire Company, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, will hold an open house at the firehouse during the Kennywood ticket sales, showing off photos and equipment from the past 100 years.
A banquet celebrating the anniversary will be held the following week.
It was also announced that another movie will be filming in Brownsville in September, involving some of the same production team as the movie “Riddle” that was filmed in Brownsville earlier this year.
“A good thing is, it’s promoting the town again,” Lawver said.
“Local organizations benefit, too. They’re using local businesses for catering and they rent the Sons of Italy Hall for their crew.”