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In this Update:
MAJOR Demolition Effort Ongoing in Shenandoah
Rep. Dane Watro, Schuylkill County Commissioners Larry Padora and Gary Hess, and I joined Shenandoah Borough Council members to review the demolition of the long-vacant Martin Shirt Co. factory at East Poplar and South White streets. This demolition, which is much larger than many others, would not be possible without strong partnerships between state, county, and local officials. Blight affects us all – it lowers our property values, it strains the real estate market, it hurts our schools, it breeds crime, and it poses a serious threat to our safety and well-being. Now that this vacant eyesore will soon be gone, the borough can return the property to productive use. This building is just one of dozens of blighted and vacant properties torn down through Schuylkill County’s demolition program in recent years. In Shenandoah, county demolition funding was also used to tear down a row of fire-damaged homes on East Centre Street. In Minersville, the program was responsible for tearing down a large, vacant building on the property that ultimately became Veterans Memorial Park, a moving tribute to local members of our armed forces. I’ve worked with Reps. Watro, Jamie Barton, JoAnne Stehr, and Tim Twardzik to secure almost $5 million in state grants to support this key program. My 2025-26 Senate Committee Assignments
In addition to my new Senate leadership role as chair of the Majority Policy Committee, I was appointed by President Pro Tempore Kim Ward to serve on six additional committees for the 2025-26 legislative session. I will serve as the vice chair of the Institutional Sustainability and Innovation Committee, working closely with committee chair Sen. Frank Farry to advance legislation encouraging the growth of hospitals, educational facilities, and nursing homes. As the author of four bills to support our long-term care workforce, I understand the challenges these institutions are facing. I’m looking forward to tackling these issues to strengthen our local economy and create new jobs. I will also serve on the Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Education, Rules and Executive Nominations, State Government, and Urban Affairs and Housing committees. These assignments will give me the chance to pursue many of my key legislative goals, including improving our schools from Pre-K to graduate school, fighting the spread of blight in our neighborhoods and older downtowns, and curbing wasteful spending by our state government. Expanding Classroom Opportunities in Western Schuylkill County
Valley View Gun Club was awarded $30,000 from the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Shooting Range Improvement Program – the first grant of its kind. Rep. Stehr and I joined the club’s monthly meeting to share the good news. With this funding, the club will construct a new facility to host more classroom opportunities, including hunter-trapper education and a learn to shoot style program. The facility will also be used as an indoor National Archery in the School Program practice range—much nicer than the forests and fields where I served as an archery instructor for the Scouts decades ago! If you know of a club that may be interested in applying for a grant through this program, please do not hesitate to contact my office. Anthracite Model Railroad Society Honors Local Heritage in Hazleton Area
Last weekend, Beth and I visited the Anthracite Model Railroad Society in Hazle Township during their open house. Their massive, impressive model train layout includes many landmarks in the Greater Hazleton area, faithfully recreating Eckley Miners Village, Weatherly, Jim Thorpe, Hazleton, and other local locations – pictured here is Jim Thorpe! Their next open houses will take place later this year – stay tuned for more information. Bureaucratic Nightmare at Long-Vacant State Properties in White Haven and Beyond Must End
During last week’s public hearing of the Senate Majority Policy Committee, we heard considerable frustration from state legislators and local leaders about the bureaucratic roadblocks that have prevented three state centers in Hamburg, White Haven, and Polk from being returned to productive use. The constant delays have resulted in the state spending $47.2 million in taxpayer dollars to heat, staff, and maintain water and sewer systems at these three properties – with their fate in question. Over $116 million was spent to maintain similar properties in Allentown, Harrisburg, and Pittsburgh, many of which have now finally been demolished. Officials from the Pennsylvania Department of General Services admit that Pennsylvania taxpayers deserve MUCH better. Sen. Chris Gebhard and Rep. Barton will soon introduce legislation to sell the Hamburg Center. I am reintroducing my bill with Sen. Scott Hutchinson and Sen. Gebhard to require a detailed plan from DGS on how these properties will be sold and put to better use. Don’t Miss Schuylkill Winterfest in Downtown Pottsville!
The Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce is hosting their second Schuylkill Winterfest on Saturday, January 18 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Alvernia University Pottsville CollegeTowne (500 Progress Ave, Pottsville PA 17901). Featuring local employers and winter-themed contests, this great event showcases the best our area has to offer. Of special note to me: the Boilo contest, where contestants can show off their traditional and non-traditional recipes of this coal region staple. Congrats to Shenandoah Valley Cross Country District ChampionsReps. Twardzik, Watro, and I visited Shenandoah Valley Junior/Senior High School to celebrate BOTH the boys’ and girls’ cross-country teams winning the District 11 1A championship. Rep. Twardzik arrived prepared for the occasion – he wore his Shenandoah Valley varsity jacket from his days as a state champion hurdler in the 1970s. Congrats to all runners, Head Coach Anthony Pytko, and Assistant Coach Brandon Stasulli on a phenomenal season!
Boys Team: Ayden Zamudio, Bryan Garcia, Chris Meza, Gabe Saba, Ibraheem Porter, John Boctor, Robert Espinal, Toby Gudinas, and Zachariah Kropp.
Girls Team: Angelique Zamudio Carmen, Ashley Gonzalez, Brianna Gulden, Chloe Arias, Damaris Frias, Gianna Donovan, Jasmin Hurtado Olayo, Leslie Paniagua, Melanie Saba, Paloma Monjaraz, Ruby Ruiz, Valeria Hernandez, and Victoria Hernandez. Lil Rascals Daycare and Preschool Provides Quality Childcare for 30 Years
Jerry Bowman, Schuylkill Haven Borough Council President; Michael Devlin, Schuylkill Haven Mayor; Chris Evitts, Lil Rascals Owner; Tara Jo, Lil Rascals Owner; me; Schuylkill County Commissioner Gary Hess; Rep. Twardzik. Rep. Twardzik, Commissioner Gary Hess, elected leaders from Schuylkill Haven, and I visited Lil Rascals Daycare and Preschool on Wednesday to thank their dedicated staff for providing quality childcare for local families for 30 years. While there, we also read a book to one of their preschool classrooms. Reliable childcare services are a necessity for working families. I’m committed to addressing the challenges childcare providers are faced with every day. Feb. 6: State Funding Seminar for Municipalities, Businesses, and Non-Profits
Reps. Barton, Stehr, Twardzik, Watro, and I are hosting a seminar about best practices for local governments and organizations looking to apply for state funding through the Neighborhood Assistance Program and other popular grant programs on Thursday, Feb. 6 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Penn State Schuylkill. Joining us will be the Pottsville Area Development Corporation and the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. Please call my office at 570-773-0891 to reserve your spot by Jan. 31. RSVPs are required for this event. Jan. 20 is Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Martin Luther King Jr. advocated for peace, even while he worked to instill change. As our country has faced various transitions in the past few years, I hope all Americans can celebrate his commitment to treating each other with decency – even when perspectives may differ. President Ronald Reagan signed legislation into law that made the third Monday in January a federal holiday honoring the life of Martin Luther King Jr. SEDCO Brings Economic Opportunity
Kirk Fanelli, Vice Chair; Christine Verdier, incoming Chair; Ken Huebner, outgoing Chair; Demetrius Kasmari, Secretary. Congratulations to Christine Verdier, the new chair of the Schuylkill Economic Development Corporation (SEDCO) board of directors. In addition to serving as my Chief of Staff, Christine will now lead SEDCO’s work to bring new jobs and economic opportunity to our region. SEDCO has been a key partner in many successful efforts to breathe new life into our regional economy. They’ve aided in the creation of thousands of jobs by encouraging dozens of employers to locate at the High Ridge Industrial Park, TIDE Industrial Park, and beyond. They recently coordinated state and federal partners to secure a $300 million investment in Rush Township by EMD Electronics – which will be used to build the largest integrated specialty gases facility in the world and create 200 additional jobs. Now, they’re looking towards the future, collaborating with the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce, Schuylkill County Municipal Authority, and Northeast PA Manufacturers & Employers Association to bring even more family-sustaining jobs to our area. They’re currently working towards expansions at Mountain Valley, Rausch Creek, and High Ridge Industrial Parks and infrastructure upgrades to prepare for other future development opportunities. |
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