Page 2-A CHESTER COUNTY INDEPENDENT • Thursday, February 18, 2010
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Hamlett “The planning commission does the study and makes the decision as to whether this is for the good of the public of the city of Henderson to abandon the street,” said Luna. In which the street would revert back to its former owners, or property owners that align the street, in this case FreedHardeman University. Due to the complexity of the request, the board voted to table the matter pending a formal review of the street closures by the planning commission. The planning commission will meet at 6 p.m. March 3 at City Hall. Mayor Bobby King said the big issue surrounding the closures of Hamlett and University involves the copious amounts of traffic that would detour onto Mill Street along with the funds to improve Mill Street in order to compensate the additional traffic flow. “We’re going to double
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Auction great, but it is my charge to raise the bar each and every year. There will be something for everyone, and no one will be disappointed.” Moore said that tables are selling out quickly. “We can get about 60 tables in the Sports Complex, and I’ve already sold 50. The community is so wonderful to the Center and especially
all that FHU traffic (about 4,200 cars a day) and put it all on Mill, a small street,” said King. “That’s more than what we have on North Church, which is a wider street and has a turning lane in the middle (about 3,500 cars a day). “Unless we do something to handle that traffic on Mill, we can’t do it,” said King. “We’re a city. We’ve got to take care of the infrastructure around the college.” King said he estimates it would cost $500,000 or more for the needed improvements to Mill Street, noting initial engineering fees, moving light poles and utilities. “The question is Freed-Hardeman ready to pony up and pay for Mill Street (improvements),” he added. “I’m not for this project, nor am I against it,” stated Alderman Bobby Barnes. “But I am against taxpayers paying for it.” Wiley noted the construction of a science building was not the sole reason they wanted control of Hamlett and University streets, but
pinpointed the university has long term plans of creating a controlled environment for their students in regulating access among visitors to the campus. “We have been given the charge of over 2,000 students. Their parents and grandparents look to us to make sure we do everything we can to provide, as best we can, a safe environment. “Because we have basically all public streets that run through our campus, we have no ability to control who comes on our campus and who doesn’t,” he added addressing the university’s safety concerns. “We have an obligation to limit access to individuals who have a reason to be on that campus, as opposed to anyone being on the campus at anytime. According to Wiley, the street closures would be the beginning of the university’s five- to-10-year plan to do two fundamental things with the campus: control access from the university entrances from midnight to 5 a.m. and create a more aesthet-
supportive of this event,” she said. World-renowned comedian / magician Stephen Bargatze will perform during the dinner. Bargatze is Director of Student Service Programs for the TSSAA. His comic approach is simple and direct, and his personal story of overcoming an alcoholic home life as well as a childhood that left him with a speech impediment touches everyone on an emotional level. Corporate seating is
$500 per table; Friends and Family tables are $250 and are a perfect way for couples, Sunday school classes and others to get together for a memorable night out. All tables seat eight and include a wonderful meal of pork chops, hot pineapple casserole, desserts and more. “Call soon to get a table,” Moore said. “I expect to be sold out by early March.” To purchase tables or for more information, contact Moore at 989-7222.
Healthcare, economy are main issues at Blackburn listening session, Sat. “Where are the jobs?” asked Congressman Marsha Blackburn in reference to the Federal Stimulus act which passed one-year ago. “Show us how the stimulus has created jobs.” Blackburn was in Henderson Saturday, holding a listening session with constituents. The economy, jobs, and healthcare issues were the main topics of questions put to Blackburn by the modest crowd attending the event at Henderson’s City Hall. Blackburn began the session by holding up a copy of the Federal budget, just the outlays. The $3.8 trillion dollar budget is the largest ever, and Blackburn predicted it would double the national debt in five years, tripling in 10 years. She noted
that President Barack Obama had promised not to sign bills that included earmarks, or special interest projects. However, she said he had approved more than 9,000 such outlays. “Backroom deal making just infuriates people,” she commented. “People are paying attention, … and they are weighing in with their government officials.” Many in attendance had healthcare issues on their minds, and Blackburn noted her opposition to many of the healthcare proposals now before Congress. Also in attendance was State Senator Delores Gresham who answered questions concerning state government issues and the state budget. Photo by James A. Webb, Independent
C o n g r e s s m a n Blackburn, center, discusses the issues with constituents Saturday morning at Henderson City Hall as she toured the district holding “listening sessions” in several communities.
ically, pastoral campus. “We’re wanting to create more of a walking or bicycling environment rather than a driving environment,” said Wiley. “I’m certainly not suggesting this is something that’s going to happen over night. “But if you’re looking at a five-to-10-year plan that affects all these things, to create an environment where the main interior of the campus has a campus atmosphere, both from a safety and aesthetic point of view, you have to start somewhere. And without the ability to close a portion of Hamlett and University we can never begin the process of achieving that.” In other matters the board approved a $0.35 pay raise for the four additional sergeant positions on the Police Department.
Rebecca Wright, a Henderson business owner, expressed her discontent with the Hamlett Ave closure. at the city board meeting Thursday night. “As the college keeps growing, its costing the residents of Henderson,” Wright added.