I Still Believe in the Goodness of People

Well, a month has passed since the Austin Borough Council approved acceptance of the "gift" of the NWSB branch office building on Turner Street containing the stipulation that it can never be used for another financial institution.

This week's Potter Leader-Enterprise, in an article written by Kathy Brooks, indicates that all the legal documents have been sent to the borough's attorney for acceptance of the property. So, I have given up hope that Northwest Saving's Bank would realize the hardship they have placed on the citizens of southern Potter County and do the right thing by removing the restriction, especially since the land was given to the initial banking institution for $1.00 to build a bank there.

Kathy also writes that council "noted other organizations and financial institutions continue to express interest in moving to the Austin area and Council will continue to work with these institutions".  I'll monitor that statement for history's sake.

Note: The Borough of Austin Administration moved into the building.

But, it's time to move on. I have taken steps to change my local banking account to The First National Bank of Port Allegany, heeding the old adage "consumers vote with their wallet".  This process should be complete by April 1st.

Austin has overcome many adversities in its history. This is just one more to add to the list.

Spring is right around the corner.  It has been above 32 degrees for 3 or 4 days in a row and I have already begun making plans to attend my first professional baseball game of the season. The Pirates' AAA farm club, the Indianapolis Indians, visit Buffalo on May 25th, 26th and 27th.  I can't wait for that first 50 plus degree day.  Isn't it strange that when it reaches 40 degrees here in Austin, it seems like Miami Beach and the coats come off!

Make sure you visit our sister site once in awhile, the Austin Boro News Blog, at www.austinboronews.blogspot.com.

37 Thorn Street, Austin, Pennsylvania

The following post is made so that future generations can look back in our history and determine our State of Affairs during this timeframe.

37 Thorn Street, Austin, Pennsylvania, had been the home and barber shop of Gus Hennigus (not sure of the spelling of last name) during the time I as growing up in the 60s.

 The Borough of Austin took control of this property at no cost on May 19, 2004, for the purpose of tearing down the structure thereon and creating a borough office in it's place.

The Borough of  Austin is unable to provide the total or exact cost of tearing down and disposing of the structure as those records were cleaned out this past winter, but I have heard the figure $10,000.00 used multiple times by knowledgeable individual(s) associated with the borough at the time, including the Borough Secretary/Treasurer/Supervisor.

The Borough Council was unable to follow through on their plan of making 77 Thorn Street the site of a new borough office and the property remained vacant.

Not long after assuming the position of Borough Councilman in 2012, I made a motion that we sell the property.  The motion was defeated.

The property remained vacant.

In October 2014, I made a motion that we donate the property to the Habitat For Humanity organization for the purpose of their building a residential house on the property, with the stipulation that the house be built within five (5) years, or, the property would revert back to the Borough.

The motion passed.

Note 1: Current council member Jesse Valenti has been on the council since 2006 and  council member Setzer has been a member of council since 2004.

Note 2: Knowledgeable comments regarding this piece of property are welcomed using the comment's section. Remember. You must sign your name to the comment, taking ownership of that comment.

The Paper Mill Ruins, Austin, Pennsylvania

Does anyone else believe it's appalling the Paper Mill ruins remain after seventy (70) plus years?

It used to be a rite of passage for male teenagers to climb the old tower. I wonder if that is still the case? This brings to mind one beautiful Sunday afternoon back in the 60s when a few of us decided to climb the tower for something to do.  We were standing at the top of the tower enjoying the great view it provided when one of the guys noticed a man walking up the road toward the tower.  As he got closer, we realized it was Mr. Russ Hofer, our school principal at the time.  We all ducked down to avoid being seen.  Mr. Hofer came within about 75 yards of the tower, stopped and stared for a few minutes, turned around and walked away from the tower.

We all thought we had escaped without being seen.  The next morning, a Monday, each and everyone of us got a notice to report to the principal's office, where we all received a stern warning about the dangers of climbing the tower. Mr. Hofer was able to identify each and everyone of us who was on top of the tower that day.

Speaking of Mr. Hofer, do you remember those dark, piercing eyes? Mr. Hofer didn't have to say a word to you to let you know he was displeased with something you had done.

Mr. Mike Majot standing in one of the many paths he cleared last summer which allows visitors to gain access to the different structures.

Visit Youtube and you will find a number of different videos exploring the Paper Mill.

Austin's Candidates For Political Office

The following individuals from the Austin/Austin Area will have their names on the May 19, 2015 primary election ballot:

County Sheriff:                Jesse Whitman, Republican

County Auditor:              Jeanette Stuckey, Republican
                                        Michele Gledhill, Democrat

Mayor:                             James Setzer, Republican, unopposed

Borough Council:            Victoria Setzer, Scott Hostetlar, Democrats;
                                         No Republican Candidates
                                         Four (4) seats are open

School Board:                   Donald Lathrop will appear on both Democrat and Republican ticket
                                          Darwin Reese, Republican; Julie Jeffers, Democrat
                                          Four (4) seats are open

Perry Enterprises Moves to Main Street

Lost in all the bad news surrounding the Northwest Savings Bank closing their Turner Street Branch Office here in Austin, Pennsylvania, was the move of Perry's Enterprises to Main Street from its Garretson Street location. Perry's now occupies the former Galeotti's Restaurant building.

Perry Enterprises is

1.  A Convenience Store with a Full Line of Grocery Products:

•  Meats
•  Ice
•  PA Lottery
•  Hershey’s hand-dipped ice cream
•  Money orders
•  Propane exchange
•  Limited hardware items

2.  A Sport's Shop:

• Offering hunting and fishing licenses
•  Full line of hunting & fishing supplies
•  Live bait
•  Guns bought and sold

Paul and Pat Perry

3.  A Beverage Shop:

•  Beer distributor
•   Pepsi Products

A Gift Shop is planned and is currently being stocked.  

A wide variety of additional merchandise is being explored to have available to their customers.

A GRAND OPENING is planned for around FISHING SEASON.

Austin Political Party Affiliations

Tuesday, March 10, 2015, was the last day to circulate and file nomination petitions for the upcoming municipal primary election on May 19th.

Here is a rundown of the most recent registration list  for Austin, Pennsylvania, issued by the Potter County Office of Voter Registration/Elections:

• Democrats - 168
• Republicans - 124
• NF - 16
• I - 2
• ID - 1
• NOP - 1
• GR - 1

There are 18 individuals with the last name Valenti registered. They are all Democrats.

The last name of Glover has the next highest number of registrants with twelve (12). There are four (4) Democrats and eight (8) Republicans with this last name.

It is estimated that the Borough of Austin has approximately 550 - 600 citizens.

A Very Special Patron - Williams Gas Pipeline - Transco

At this point in time in the history of Austin, Pennsylvania, it is important to recognize the support and impact of the Williams Gas Pipeline -Transco Corporation, their employees and retirees, have had on the Austin Area School District, the smallest public school district in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

For a number of years, the Williams Gas Pipeline - Transco Corporation has provided substantial financial support to our school, allowing our school to purchase the latest educational technological equipment and materials on the market in order to prepare our student's for today's workforce environment.

The following statement appears in the Community section of their website:

Williams approach to community involvement – as part of our Core Values & Beliefs – is to serve as an exceptional neighbor in communities where employees live and our businesses operate.  Williams and its employees volunteer at local schools, give to United Way and support local non-profits through our giving programs and volunteer activities.  Involvement in the communities where we operate is at the heart of Williams.

Williams community support is guided by a passionate and engaged Foundation Board. The Foundation Board’s decisions reflect our community giving strategy. It is centered on energizing and engaging employees while growing targeted skills, strengthening communities where we do business, and increasing the odds of successful business execution.

I encourage you to click on this link to the Williams Corporation website and learn about this Corporation who is doing so much for our community.  While there, use the Contact Us section to let them know how much you appreciate their support to our community and school.