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Northampton Street Fair Saturday, Sept. 14
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Konkrete Kids: Historical influence Or KKK reference By Danielle Tepper Special to the Home News
At face value, the moniker Konkrete Kids looks harmless enough. With a rich history in the cement industry, the Northampton Area School District has been churning out generations of proud Kids since the 1930s. But when an online petition started spreading across the internet last week, the term suddenly took on an ugly connotation and speculation began circulating about its possible hidden connection to the infamous Ku Klux Klan (or KKK). Terrance Jackson of Bath is a father of two Konkrete Kids himself, but he found himself unable to contain his objections any longer when he began a petition on Change.org, demanding that Governor Tom Corbett “Change the moniker/mascot of KonKreteKids.” Read it below: “This area is well known for its rich ties with the K.K.K. As time moves on, so does the change and shift in the present and in our future. An educational system should not have a mascot name formed from the K.K.K. nor should it be so obviously placed in the misspelling of concrete. This is a time where many nationalities share in their learning experience and receive graduate honors. I think that it is terrible that the pride of the graduating students as well as students attending are disgraced with such a thing. The name should be changed to something that every student can be proud to claim as their school.” At present, the petition has gained almost 3,000 supporters.
The comment section is an explosion of anti-racism support from Pennsylvanians across the state contrasted with indignant Lehigh Valley residents who say Jackson is just fishing for controversy. By slightly altering the name himself (Konkrete Kids vs. KonKreteKids), he’s simply fueling the fire, they say. Besides, using the ‘K’ is simply the German way of spelling it … right? School Board Debate The debate came to a head at last night’s Northampton Area School Board meeting, where administrators and residents alike came out to express their opinions. “I find the reference to the KKK offensive as a [school] superintendent and resident of our district due to the fact that I know our history,” Superintendent Joseph Kovalchik told The Morning Call. “The Konkrete Kids, the way it’s spelled, the way we spell it, is derived from the German heritage. That’s where it really kind of came from,” Kovalchik told FOX 29. “And it has nothing to do with anything about things we don’t believe in […] I don’t see it being changed.” Fortunately, Jackson “isn’t planning on a long, laborious fight,” according to MY65. “[He] says that even if the district refuses a change, he’ll live with that.”
Bath Council awards Bid for paving repairs
By BILL HALBFOERSTER The Home News
the one mill tax increase imposed last year. Keystone Park Members of the Bath 275th Anniversary Committee were present. Co-chairman Barry Fenstermaker said they will have money left over from paying for a kitchen in the new Keystone Park pavilion and the “Welcome to Bath” banners. He asked for approval of their buying Christmas greeting ornaments, and it was granted. Two plaques will be posted on the pavilion. One reads “Keystone Park pavilion destroyed in 2011 by Tropical Storm Lee. Rebuilt in 2013 by Bath Borough Council using disaster aid from PEMA and FEMA.” The second plaque
At their monthly meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 3, Bath Borough Council approved a bid of $200 a ton, up to a maximum of $53,000, to have asphalt paving repairs done to three streets. The contractor is Bracalente Construction, Inc. of Northampton. The bid had been for that per ton price, but at a larger total figure of $59,243, as four streets were planned. Deciding to stay within a budgeted amount, Council went with three streets – McIlhaney Ave. from Rt. 512 to Fountain St., Allen St. from Rt. 512 to Horner St., and Bridge St. from Rt. 248 to West St. Money for the project comes from
reads “Keystone Park Pavilion Kitchen donated by the Bath 275th Anniversary Committee.” Borough Manager Tom Petrucci said the pavilion is A.D.A. compliant. Last week’s rain revealed a small drainage problem, and that is being corrected. When Bath Community Day is observed on Saturday, Oct. 5 at Keystone Park, there will be parking allowed on both sides of Green St., as well as the parking lot space granted by businessman Dante Fantozzi. The parking hours as approved on Tuesday are from10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Another grant from the Continued on page 7
Moore Twsp. okays ordinance Creating historical commission developer David Jaindl with “lot credits.”. The school will be restored much as it was more than 100 years ago and it will become a focal point of the anniversary, which will be celebrated in August 2015. One of 12 one-room schools in Moore Township, it was built in 1853 and closed in 1958 when the Moore Township Consolidated Elementary School was built. Envision Lehigh Valley A spokesperson for Envision Lehigh Valley disclosed details at the meeting as 13 public-sector organizations
By BILL HALBFOERSTER The Home News
Moore Township’s Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, Sept. 3 took its first official steps in looking ahead to a 250th anniversary celebration three years from now. • An ordinance was passed to create an historical commission of seven members and three associate members. No names have been listed as yet, but will be announced in due time. • And they voted to take possession of the former oneroom Edelman School from
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Classifieds ........... 13 & 14
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BATH AREA BATH BORO – EAST ALLEN TWSP. – MOORE TWSP. – CHAPMAN BORO Allen Township Supervisors BBCP active in farmers Debate how to number homes Market and coming duck race
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Allen Township’s Board of Supervisors have had requests from the local fire company and ambulance unit to have houses in the township numbered so they can find the location during emergencies. The fire chief said he’s not concerned with the color of the signs, but in a high density area home owners need to have some kind of reflective sign, as large as they wish, so long as the numbers are easily seen from the roadway. While the Uniform Construction Code calls for numbers four inches high, they should either be three or four inches. As the debate went on Thursday night, it was noted that on Howertown Rd.
Alexa H. of Lehigh Township LITTLE MISS COMMUNITY DAYS Emily D. (Story on Page 9.) was crowned by last year’s winner, – Home News photo
Lehigh Twsp. board discusses road worker Need for full time Zamadics for the entire year.
By BILL HALBFOERSTER The Home News
Opinions were split when the Lehigh Township Board of Supervisors at their meeting on Tuesday, July 9 discussed hiring a full-time employee to assist road foreman Frank
72nd Year, Issue No. 29
The board did not vote then, but they are expected to at the next meeting with Chairman Darryl Snover is present. Should they decide to hire someone, it will be advertised. Presently, there are eight full-time workers, while at one time there were 12 to 14. Supervisor Keith Hantz said they want to get back to where
a green and white reflechomes are on the left and tive sign with numbers four numbers on mailboxes on inches high, saying they cost the right side. If on mail- about $60. boxes, they should be at the will The Bath Business and committee A volunteer residents’ driveways, it was get together their Community Partnership has a and make noted. lot going for it. Suto the Dale Hassler said the num- recommendations Farmers Market is in of Mrs. consists It Bath pervisors. full swingNick withLalik, 12 select, probers should be easily seen as Eckhart, Fire Chief ducer-only the fire truck is moving along Dale Hassler, Behler, July 19 Garymembers. is “Sweet Corn Festival”, Aug pretty fast in an emergency. and Michael 2 isChordas. “Peach Party”, Aug 9 is Supervisor William Holmes Valley Lehigh Envision “Tomato Fest” Every Friday, said there should be unifordirector of Holly Edinger, 3-7pm, Keystone Park, live mity in the signs. There is Sustainable Development music too! The for 4th annual also a concern with so many the Lehigh Valley Duck RaceEconomic will be held July apartments and the mailbox- Development to Creek 26 at Corp., 5pm in came Monocacy es bunched together. about Park. prize is $250 cash spoke andFirst meeting To insure that homeowners the plus 12 called other prizes. “Envi-Get your a new program place the signs, it was point- sion Lehigh $5 Valley.” duck ticket a col-at Daily It istoday ed out that there should be laborationGrind. of several public a fine imposed if no sign is sector organizations to develposted. a sustainable community Township Manager Ilene op for the valley, which has plan up picked she said Eckhart grown by 109,000 people the sample ordinances from other municipalities that have Continued on page 9 house numbers. She showed
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Junior Conservation School
Attention all businesses in Bath – fill out your BBCP contact info sheet today and drop it off at boro office. (Don’t have one? Get one at boro office – stay in touch with what’s going on!) The annual Bath Community Day will be held on October 5th at Keystone Park. It’s official ! “Final Thursday” will be Bath’s special night each month. The BBCP will be putting together a group ad in the Home News each month to advertise what local businesses have to offer and draw people into town.
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By BILL HALBFOERSTER The Home News
Continued on page 11
72nd Year, Issue No. 37
INDEX:
JULY 18-24, 2013 Your Local News
develop a sustainable community plan for the Valley. Five key plans will be developed as the population grows up to the year 2030 by another 145,000 people. Aiming to sustain the quality of life that now prevails, these plans include: 1. Lehigh Valley Regional Affordable Housing. 2. Regional Sustainable Development 3. Jobs/Housing Balance. 4. Climate and Energy Conservation 5. Fresh Food Access
Call for details!
Bowling Birthday Parties! Available Year Round: Social Hall
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Details will be forthcoming (this is why we need your contact info!) and we plan to start in August. The role of the BBCP is to promote our existing businesses, foster an improved image to attract new investment and enhance the quality of life in the Borough. The BBCP is comprised of volunteers from borough businesses, residents, local officials and civic organizations. The BBCP meets the second and fourth Monday of every month at 5 pm in Bath Borough Hall, 215 E. Main Street. All are welcome to attend and bring your ideas to share. Next meeting, August 12. More information is available at http://www.bathborough.org/ revitalization.html or by calling the borough office at 610837-6525. Bath Borough and the BBCP are participants in the Borough Business Revitalization Program (BBRP). The BBRP is a nationally accredited Main Street Program which receives funding and support from the PA Dept. of Community & Economic Development, Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Northampton County and the Borough of Bath.
Museum open
The Bath Museum will be open on Saturday, July 20 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The museum is located in the Bath Borough Building at Penn and Washington Streets. It is handicapped accessible and admission is free. Volunteers are welcome.
structurally deficient masonry arch bridge with a new concrete arch bridge. Walnut Drive was closed since Dec. 26, 2012 and detoured between Beech and Dogwood drives. The posted detour routed traffic on PA 248, Blue Mountain Drive and Elm Road. Grace Industries, Inc. of Bath was the general contractor on the $633,207 project. The Walnut Drive Bridge was originally constructed in 1834. The bridge was 32 feet long and 21 feet wide. The new bridge is 36 feet long and
610-923-0382
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THE HOME NEWS July 18-24, 2013
24 feet wide. Walnut Drive has an average daily traffic volume of 632 vehicles.
College Corner
NORTHAMPTON AREA NORTHAMPTON BORO – ALLEN TWSP. – LEHIGH TWSP.
Graduate
Cabrini College - Stephanie Lauren Ciccone of Northampton graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in finance from Cabrini College at its 53rd commencement on Sunday, May 19.
Nineteen girls compete for Little Miss Community Days Come See The Band: The largest amount of contestants ever were entered in the Little Miss Community Days contest in Northampton this past Wednesday evening. Nineteen girls ranging from 5 to 10 years old competed before a huge crowd of parents and siblings at the 33rd annual Northampton Exchange Club Community Days Fair. Alexa Henderson, a student at Lehigh Elementary School, captured the title of queen. Runners-up were Lauren Daniel and Alyssa Russell, both students at Siegfried Elementary th School in
Saturday, July 27
Northampton. All three will get to ride in the Exchange’s 65th annual Jack Frost Parade in October. The other semifinalists were Shelby Wandler of Moore Elementary, Lyla Schneck of Northampton, and Nadia Soto of George Wolf Elementary in Bath. Linda McKenzie asked questions of all 19 contestants, and they were judged also on their poise and personality. The final question that was asked before the five judges made their decision on the winners was “What thing could you do to make
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your community a better place?” The answers ranged from helping at the library, feeding hungry children, having a dog park, and helping people in need.
Allen Twsp. Continued from page 1
past ten years. It is expected to grow to another 145,000 by the year 2030. Input from the public will be used to develop five key plans and to develop policy recommendations. The plans include: 1. Lehigh Valley Regional Affordable Housing Plan 2. Regional Sustainable Economic Development Plan 3. Jobs/Housing Balance Study 4. Climate and Energy Conservation Plan 5. Fresh Food Access Plan The five plans will be summarized by the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission for the comprehensive plan and include the new input from public participation. One comment from persons in the audience was, “Keep the rural community as it has been.” Other Matters • The board okayed a security reduction request on
theran Church received approval for its minor subdivision. • An additional sewage enforcement officer will be named by Engineer Brien Kocher. • Approval was given to Assumption B.V.M. Church to put up a sign for their annual picnic. The June fire report of Allen Township Vol. Fiore Co. #1 showed: 76.2 alarm hours; 132 training hours; 16 alarms (1 airport alert, 1 assist ambulance, 5 auto accidents, 1 brush fire, 4 dwelling fires, 1 elevator rescue, 1 move up assignment, and 1 odor investigation). The dwelling fires were along Frank Drive, Northampton; Almond Drive in Lehigh Twsp., Newport Ave. in Northampton, and Gap View Mobile Home Court in Lehigh Twsp.
Lehigh Twsp. Continued from page 1
Supervisor Cindy Miller questioned with the amount of hours, does it justify the extra position. She believes a part-time worker is more advisable unless there is a road improvement project or other great need. Hantz said some of the work that should be done isn’t because there aren’t enough workers. Supervisor Dell Grove said Zamadics oversees work that
9 THE HOME NEWS July 18-24, 2013
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that. Supervisor Sandy Hopkins tended to agree with Ms.THE HOME NEWS Miller and that a crew leader is only a temporary position July 18-24, 2013 when Zamadics is not on the job. What Zamadics wants is not in the contract. She said the board needs to look at the contract for a crew leader (this was discussed on June 25). Grove and Hantz said that the positions are not connected. Hantz said the board should work separately on the full-time worker and the The Moravian Historical Socrew leader positions. ciety is pleased to announce Ms. Miller said she’s lookthe first annual “Free Summer ing at the numbers, includSundays” program to be held ing costs for a maintenance every Sunday from June 30 building. She wondered why thru August 25. the board always looks at fulltime rather than part-time. Families and individuals will enjoy free admission Grove doesn’t see a probto the 1740-1743 Whitefield lem with working on both House museum in beautiful, positions, and he doesn’t see downtown Nazareth from 1 a red budgetary flag for 2014. pm - 4 pm each select Sunday. The public works position Experience the story of the will be on the agenda for the Moravians (the town foundJuly 23 meeting. ers of Nazareth and BethleOther Matters Guests will come face• The board approved hem). an to-face with one of the oldest ordinance which will make and most exquisite collections Continued on page 11 of local objects including the oldest known American made violin in the country, eight important John Valentine Haidt
NAZARETH AREA
NAZARETH BORO – LOWER NAZARETH TP. – UPPER NAZARETH TP. – BUSHKILL TP.
Moravian Historical Society Announces “Free Summer Sundays” program oil paintings, several examples of early furniture and other household objects all the while enjoying the oldest Moravian buildings in North America. Children (and those young at heart) will enjoy playing typical colonial games such as Jacob’s Ladder, Graces, Ball and Cups outside on the property. Crafts will include coloring frakturs, a regional folk art form. Megan van Ravenswaay, Whitefield House Site Director said “We are so thankful to our sponsors for allowing us to offer free museum admission to the entire community this summer. We know families will enjoy the tour of the
museum and especially enjoy playing games on our beautiful property.” The program is sponsored by the Perusse, Gaspar, Gerricke, and Crook families. One of the oldest historical societies in PA, the Moravian Historical Society is a not-forprofit organization that shares over 500 years of fascinating Moravian contributions to worldwide culture through educational programs for students, guided tours, museum exhibits, and public activities. For more information: www. moravianhistoricalsociety.org, 610-759-5070, info@moravianhistoricalsociety.org. They are located at 214 East Center Street, Nazareth.
Nazareth Sidewalk Sale Days and Sunflower Stroll Three great shopping days
form at participating mer-
Twp.), Me 2 You Treasures, All
cake walk will commence at 6 PM in which anyone may participate. This is followed by an evening of games for the whole family. Sunday will see the horse show starting at 8:00 AM. The Chicken B-B-Q will start at noon until the chicken is gone. The silent auction will close at 2 PM and items may be picked up from 2:30-4:30 PM.. During all of these events the display building will be open with exhibits of completed 4-H projects, club booth displays depicting our theme for the year, and the silent auction. At all times, good food is offered by our kitchen staff. The whole event is open to the general public and is free of charge. Come, visit as 4-H is Paving The Way to the Future! For more information concerning the 4-H Fair, please visit the website at: extension.psu.edu/Northampton/ programs/4-h or call 610746-1970, weekdays, 8 AM to 4 PM. General information about the 4-H program, which serves youth ages 8-18, may be obtained by calling the 4-H offices at 610-746-1970. Adult volunteers are always needed to mentor the 4-H members, any adult interested in help-
the majority of House colleagues in moving House Bill 1437, the general appropriations portion of the 2013-14 state budget. The legislation contains no new taxes and spends $28.376 billion, a modest 2.3 percent increase over last year, which is within the rate of inflation. For the third consecutive year, Pennsylvania’s spending plan for the fiscal year ahead has been delivered on time using no new taxes. This budget forces state government to live within its means, just as you do with your own personal budget, while spending only what it has and not taking on new debt. The pending loss of $220 million due to federal government cuts to education, health and welfare programs makes avoiding the need to raise taxes especially important. With existing revenues, we supported essential services in the Commonwealth without placing an additional burden on the backs of the Pennsylvania taxpayer. A record $10 billion total state dollars is being invested in K-12 education as we continue to support our students. This is especially noteworthy, as we recover from the cuts to state funding imposed by the