Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
Gift Horse or Trojan Horse
Many people who spoke at the Austin Borough Council Meeting on Tuesday, February 3, 2014, recommended the borough council not to rush to a decision on accepting or rejecting the Agreement presented to the borough containing a restricted use clause prohibiting the property from being used as financial institution at no time in the future, and maybe, waiting a week or two before making a decision.
When the issue came to a vote, the following individuals voted to accept the Agreement as presented:
- Bucky Blainer
- Victoria Setzer
- William Solomon
- Jesse Valenti
Those voting against were:
- Nathan Burgett
- Bernard "Mike" Fowler
- Fred "Joe" Fowler
Let's examine the following:
Austin Borough has a population of about 550 people. There are approximately 240 water and sewer hook-ups.
The Austin Borough wrote off nearly $20,000.00 in past-due water and sewer accounts in 2013. I don't have the figures for 2014. yet.
The Austin Borough lost about $20,000.00 operating the water and sewer plants in 2014.
By accepting this Agreement from Northwest Savings Bank, the Austin Borough lost "only about $1300.00" in water and sewer fees and property taxes annually.
A citizen who spoke at the meeting Tuesday night reminded those present that the Austin Area School District would lose also about $1500.00 yearly.
The Austin Area School District needed additional funding in the neighborhood of $230,000 to operate this school year.
That's what we lost!
Now, let's look at some of the things that we gained.
Additional heating, electrical, insurance, maintenance and landscaping expenses to name a few. How much? This question was never asked or answered at the meeting. If it was, I missed it.
Wouldn't it have been prudent to know this before acting so hastily to accept this Agreement?
Note:
One ole fella at the meeting stated that if it was him, and we did not accept the Agreement that night, he would be there with a bulldozer the next day leveling the building.
Two people spoke emphatically about how dirty the borough office was.
The Founder and Director of the E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society Museum spoke, recommending we accept the Agreement and make a borough office out of it. The Northwest Saving's Bank employee who was present at the meeting stated the same.
Time will tell whether this gift horse turns out to be a trojan horse.
Barta Wold - A Woman Of Accomplishment
Hagbarta (Barta) Johanna Wold |
Barta was born in Norway and came to Austin in 1890 to join her father who had immigrated to the United States in 1889 finding work at the Goodyear Lumber Company. Barta writes the following:
"Hagbarta (Barta) Johanna Wold. 1888- Single. Valedictorian of High School class in Austin, 1907. At 13 years of age, was teaching a class in Citizenship for Swedish men. Also played organ in Swedish Mission Church on Turner Street. Received a scholarship for Lycoming College (Dickinson Seminary) Williamsport with A.B. in Classics. Member Sigma Alpha Sorority. Taught 1909-1912 in Austin. One year at Wilson College, Chambersburg, Pa. to study French, German, Latin & History. Due to 1911 flood in Austin, unable to finish at Wilson; entered the Nurses Training School, University of Penna. at Phila., Pa. Charge of Health Program at Drexel Institute, and was one of the first school nurses in Phila. Resigned from Drexel to serve in France with Base Hospital #20 from U. of P. W.W.I. left Base #20 for service on Hospital Train #56. After mustering out in New York, accepted a position with the War Community Chest for 18 months to head a pilot project, working with miners and their families in Jefferson and Indiana Counties, Pa. Program included: classes in citizenship, cooking and sewing and home nursing; Laid foundation for school nursing in Jefferson County. Supervisor of Instruction at the Post Graduate Hospital N.Y. City. 24 years as Executive Secretary with the Lycoming Co. Tuberculosis Society; for nine years State Health Chairman for the Pa. Congress P.T.A.; President, Williamsport Civic Club; Lycoming County Federation of Women's Club; member St. Pauls Lutheran Church, member of Altar Committee and President of W.S.C.S.; member of Alumni Board, Lycoming College. Also took a horseback trip with friend, Dorothy Wallard, from Schenectady, N.Y. to Austin. Retired 1955. After retirement returned to Austin; supervised M.Y.F. at the Methodist Church and President W.S.C.S.; President Vets Auxiliary; member American Legion. Wrote "Nurse Goes to War":, "Austin Pa.,The Hemlock City", compiled booklet for the Diamond Jubilee of Austin Methodist Church, compiled "First Eighty Years in U.S.A". Owns the old homestead and lives there with her dog, Spinkey. Age 82 years in 1970."
Barta in uniform |
The Honored Guests included a multitude of local, county and state officials including Mr. Bernard Cooney, Mr. Russell Hofer, and Frances Bennett from Austin.
Barta passed away in 1984 and is buried at Forest Hill Cemetery, Austin, Potter County, Pennsylvania.
A search of the internet will reveal many more fascinating information on this wonderful woman, including her being the first to file for naturalization in Potter County on December 24, 1909.
As a result of Barta penning "Austin, Pennsylvania, The Hemlock City 1890-1910" we are aware of early events in the development of Potter County.
The Hemlock City can be purchased at the E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society museum or calling Ronnie Ebbert at (814)647-8358
Monday, February 9, 2015
Alfred Borelli - Celebrity Concert Pianist
Alfred Borelli.
- Born in Conrad
- Graduated from Austin High School
- U.S. Navy Veteran
- Graduate of Bucknell University
- Celebrity Concert Pianist
- Successful Cartoonist
- Author
Read about the life and times of Alfred Borelli in "East Fork Revisited: A Memoir".
Sunday, February 8, 2015
FNB Port Allegany - Coudersport Branch: Closest Brick and Mortar Bank to Austin, Costello and Wharton
Using Yahoo Maps, I have determined that the closest brick and mortar bank to Austin, Costello and Wharton is the First National Bank of Port Allegany - Coudersport Branch.
The address of the First National Bank of Port Allegany - Coudersport Branch is:
118 East Second Street
Coudersport, PA 16915
Telephone Number: 814-274-9488
Yahoo Maps indicates the following distances and drive times:
From Austin: 14.84 miles with approximately 18 minute drive time.
From Costello: 18 miles with approximately 23 minute drive time.
From Wharton: 25.16 miles with approximately 35 minute drive time.
Directions:
Proceed on Route 872 North to the T-intersection of Route 872/Route 6.
Turn Left on Route 6 which also becomes East Second Street, Coudersport.
Go 1.7 miles.
The First National Bank of Port Allegany is on the left.
NOTE: Danielle McLaughlin Bennett, wife of Chris Bennett, works at the FNB Port Allegany - Coudersport Branch. They reside here in Austin.
The information provided above is a public service announcement for the citizens of Austin, Costello and Wharton. I have not received any money to post this article.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)