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OCTOBER 7-13, 2021
Looking by Back Ed Pany
Coal to War Part 1 of 6
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Horner’s Cemetery Historical Society celebrates 293rd Anniversary of Craig’s Scotch-Irish Settlement
By KERI LINDENMUTH On Saturday, October 2, the Horner’s Cemetery Historical Society celebrated the 293rd Anniversary of Craig’s Scotch-Irish Settlement with guided tours, reenactments, and the opportunity for visitors to meet with other local historical experts. In 1728, sixteen families of Scotch-Irish heritage, led by the Craig family, settled in Northampton County near what is today Bath Borough. This settlement was one of the earliest in the Lehigh Valley, even older than the Moravians in Nazareth. By 1731, Horner’s Church was built and by 1745, Horner’s Cemetery was established. The settlers faced many of the threats common on the Pennsylvania frontier in the 18th century, including disease and fighting with local Native American tribes.
These “founding families,” as the historical society calls them, are buried in Horner’s Cemetery. Peggy Moser, founder and president of the historical society, told their tales during several guided tours throughout the day. Those resting in the cemetery include 21 veterans of the French
& Indian War, the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, and the Civil War. Others include a delegate to the Constitutional Convention and an ancestor of President Truman. Perhaps the most famous individual is Jane Horner, Continued on page 5
Bath Borough 2022 budget Includes fire tax increase
John Swiderski, 1943, Iceland, photo courtesy of Catherine Csencsits. In my years writing columns, I have found many interesting stories in my own neighborhood. For example, I wrote a series on two World War II veterans, one who was a German prisoner of war and another was a soldier who helped liberate a prison camp and saw the results of the Holocaust. My neighbor Mrs. Catherine Csencsitz shared some interesting memories of her parents during World War II. They resided in the
coal community of Nanticoke, Pa. A number of family members worked in the anthracite mining industry. A few years ago, we drove through Nanticoke and, as usual, spoke to a number of residents at a local restaurant. Today, the city has a population of 10,465. The city peaked in population at 27,000 when coal collieries dotted the area. Many of her famContinued on page 2
By KERI LINDENMUTH During the Borough of Bath Council meeting on Monday, October 4, Borough Manager Brad Flynn introduced council to the proposed 2022 budget. The budget includes a fire tax increase of .25 mils, the first increase since 2016, bringing the total fire tax up to .5 mils. No other tax increases are anticipated The .5 mils would translate into a 1.7% property tax increase, which is about $5 per resident. It would net $27,565.05 for the borough’s volunteer fire department. “Our fire company here has struggled for years,” said Flynn. 2020 and 2021 were particularly difficult because in-person fundraising operations had to be suspended. “We are lucky that our department is volunteer,” said Mayor
Fiorella Mirabito. Under the law, every municipality must provide fire services for its residents. Some municipalities without volunteers must pay for these services. “I am incredibly grateful for our volunteers here.” This tax increase marks only the second tax increase for residents since 2012. Also outlined in the 2022 budget are revenue and expenditure projections. Revenue is expected to increase by $321,349. However, expenditures are also expected to increase by $281,736. This increase is attributed to the hiring of more personnel, including full-time public works personnel. Council unanimously approved the budget for advertisement. In other news, council approved a stay on parking enforcement for several homes on Old
Forge Drive. Residents of 418 to 432 Old Forge Drive will not be ticketed for vehicles blocking the sidewalk until the engineer can look at their current parking situation. Last month, residents came to council because their driveways were too short, leading to parked cars blocking parts of the sidewalk. The engineer will most likely not review this situation until 2022. Council stressed that this
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