Habitat for Humanity Comes to Austin

March 26, 2017

The Potter County Habitat for Humanity organization had a ground breaking ceremony today in Austin, Pennsylvania, for their first home to be built in the Borough of Austin.

The site of  the new home is 37 Thorn Street which is the lot previously occupied by Gus Heneckes.

The home is being built for the Scott and Amanda Crumrine Family

Scott and Amanda in the back. Kyler and Kylie in the front

From left: Dr. Marilyn Kistner, Carol Jackson, Scott and Amanda Crumrine, Brian Ruane, Dick Myers, Wayne "Tink" Walker, and Ivan Lehman
Kyler and Kylie Crumrine in front.

Members of the Potter County Habitat for Humanity who attended the groundbreaking ceremony were:

• Brian F. Ruane, President
• Dick Myers, Director of Construction
• Wayne Walker, Board Member, grew up in Austin
• Dr. Marilyn Kistner, Secretary/Treasurer
• Buck Jackson, Board Member
• Carol Jackson, Fund Raising Committee
• Ivan Lehman, Board Member
• Barry Hayman, Board Member

Dick Myers Habitat for Humanity Director of Construction on left.

Bernard "Mike" Fowler, Austin Borough Council on right.

Councilman Fowler spearheaded the effort to bring Habitat for Humanity to Austin, working with Dick Myers, and, Pastor Steven Small of the Austin United Methodist Church, who is also a member of Habitat for Humanity.

 Bringing Habitat for Humanity to the Borough of Austin was a top priority of Councilman Bernard "Mike" Fowler when he assumed office in 2012. In order to do this, Fowler proposed that the vacant lot where the former home of Gus Heneckes once stood be donated to Habitat for Humanity in order for a new home to be built there.  His first attempt was defeated by Borough Council. However, Fowler did not give up, bringing the motion up again the following year, when it passed.

A empty, borough-owned lot will now consist of a new home, increasing the Borough of Austin's tax base and add an additional water and sewer revenue account.

Bernard "Mike" Fowler

Construction is expected to begin in early April.