SEPTEMBER 11-17, 2014 Your Local News
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New Beginning for Bath East Allen Youth Club Page 8
The Home News
Under Construction
Bath Council discusses Rental inspections again; Considering draft ordinance By BILL HALBFOERSTER The Home News
A ground’s eye view of the new Northampton Area Middle School that remains under construction –Home News photo
Northampton sister cities Event celebrates culture By BILL HALBFOERSTER The Home News
A sister cities celebration that began in 1974 was again marked on Saturday as a wreath was placed in front of a monument dedicated to the friendship between two communities thousands of miles apart. Mayor Tom Reenock of Northampton credited the late Anthony Pany and the Liederkranz Society for starting the celebration that sparked the friendship between the Borough of Northampton and the city of Stegersbach in Burgenland, Austria. He said, “We must never forget and we must honor that friendship. The culture is important.” Reenock jested that his heritage is of 157 varieties, but is Czechoslovakian/ Ukrainian. He noted thanks for the joys of the people in that area in the past and lamented what is going on now in the Ukraine. Council President John Yurasits thanked the people who
came out to keep the tradition going. This mutual interest between two communities remains alive, but sadly is tapering off in attendance as the older generation itself dwindles. Mayor Reenock, who has 39 years of service as a member of council and as mayor, recalled how wonderful the visit by local people to Stegersbach was several years ago. They were given a royal welcome with music, food, dancing and tours. As they arrived, they were greeted by a party carrying wine. He read a proclamation for Saturday’s celebration, and then a wreath was placed in front of the monument along Laubach Ave. that was first dedicated on July 15, 1990. Another monument was dedicated on July 13, 2002. Taking part, along with the Mayor, were Council President John Yurasits and two ladies, Hilda (Spitzer) Beale and Dorothy Continued on page 8
Bath Borough Council, for the second month, on Monday, Sept. 2 discussed a proposed rental property/inspection program. They got a boost in the very beginning of the meeting when Mr. and Mrs. Frank Molchan said they favor having such a program for the benefit of the borough. But once again, Joe Tavianini, who owns a lot of property in the borough, was the voice of negativity. He repeated his assertions that Bath is too small, it doesn’t need any more new laws, the borough would have to hire new people and make computer updates. “Take care of what we have. Slow down a bit,” Tavianini said, claiming that Council doesn’t enforce other ordinances. Councilwoman Jennifer George said the borough does enforce its ordinances, and that courtesy letters have gone out about the new program. Disputing Tavianini’s claim that the borough isn’t doing anything about a property it owns, she said Council is trying to do something with it. Council President Robert Fields said the state is holding them up with the W. Main St. building. He added that if the ordinance is enacted, enforcement will be done in phases. Councilman Mark Saginario added that Council has been gathering information on such a rental inspection program so that it is done sensibly. Tavianini admitted there may be some bad landlords, but said he isn’t one of them. Councilman Mike Reph asked him if he knows of any buildings in the borough that are not up to code. He said it’s
not the rental properties but houses that are resided in by the homeowners. Councilwoman Carol BearHeckman asked Boro Manager Tom Petrucci if there are any homes that are condemned. He said there was one rental property and it has been renovated. Former mayor Betty Fields asked about a house that was up for sheriff’s sale twice. Petrucci said the owner is deceased. Tongue in cheek, she said Tavianini should buy it and fix it up. Councilwoman Kathryn Roberts said since she moved here in 2007 there are some homeowners in Old Forge that don’t have the money to keep their homes better and can’t sell them. “There are a lot of struggling families who live there. What are landlords doing there in terms of basic safety?” Solicitor Blake Marles said he found that in Allentown landlords had problem keeping up with the inspection fees. A resident added that he sees good things going on in Bath and the borough shouldn’t be compared to other boroughs or cities. Mrs. Heckman noted that everyone is entitled to basic health, welfare and safety. Marles said in Bath, there are 57% owner-occupied homes, 43% rented. Mrs. George reported that there are many she talked to who are in favor of the rental registration/inspections besides the couple who spoke up. Mrs. Roberts observed, too, that those who oppose anything show up, and often people who favor it stay home. Council said they will vote next month on whether or not to draft an ordinance. Continued on page 4
Cement Worker of the Month Page 2
Seiple Farms Corn Maze Features St. Luke’s Logo Page 8
Runner Raising Funds for Firefighters Page 16
73rd Year, Issue No. 37 www.homenewspa.com
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