Some Interesting Library Statistics

Just a quick post today with some interesting library statistics (thanks to borough secretary Joanne Kiefer).

Since 2006 (this is as far as I've gone back in history) Tatamy Borough has spent a total of $712.50 in library reimbursements for our residents who have library cards at the Palmer (Easton) Library. The breakdown is as follows:

Membership fees for the Easton Library are $30/adult and $5/child. The borough will reimburse half of the fee.

2006: $165.00 (10 adults / 5 children)
2007: $255.00 (16 adults / 6 children)
2008: $155.00 (9 adults / 8 children)

And so far for 2009, $137.50 (15 adults / 5 children)

As far as the feedback that I've been getting from the Tatamy residents concerning this issue (thank you very much - keep it coming please) - the majority of the folks are in favor of keeping things the way they are. Here's one that I found rather interesting:

The Easton Library is a little further away but the library is bigger and the staff have been very friendly. When I just renewed my card, they reminded me of the reimbursement. It’s nice to have books available when every kid in school is assigned the same project – Easton has more resources.

I was also just reminded that several years ago (I can't remember when) there was a referendum on the ballot to support the library that the voters turned down. I'll try to get some more info on that one and post it here.

In any event - I thought these were interesting statistics and decided to share them with you. Unless I'm missing something, I can't see justifying an $11 to $14K spend /year when we've only spent just over $700 in four.

Have a good day everyone!

Library Feedback

Thanks to those of you who have provided feedback on the Library. Unfortunately, the response I received is less than what I had expected, and, believe it or not, of the responses I did receive, the majority of them were "no" votes.

Please - drop me a note or comment this (or the other) post. I would really like to know how you feel about supporting the library.

Thanks!

Tatamy Family Day

By now you should have seen the fliers that the Fire Company was passing out. But, in case you didn't get yours, Tatamy Family Day is going to be held this coming Sunday, August 16, 2009 between 1 and 5PM at Hope Lutheran Church. Some of the events of the day include:

Todd Rothrock Basketball Court Dedication
We will be dedicating the basketball court at the High Street Park in memory of Todd Rothrock. There will be a "Hot Shot Shooting Contest" afterward.

Tatamy Police Department
The Tatamy Police Department will be conducting a K9 demonstration at 2:30PM. They will also have on display some of their old uniforms.

Tatamy Historical Society
Come and learn a little bit of Tatamy's heritage from the Tatamy Historical Society.

Fire, Safety and Emergency Management
- Suburban EMS Vehicle Display
- Go through a smoke trailer and learn fire safety
- The PennStar Helicopter will be landing at 4PM
- The PA Child Identification Program sponsored by the PA Masonic Lodge
- See the Northampton County Mobile Command Center

Blood Drive
Roll up your sleeves and donate a pint of blood. The Miller Keystone Memorial Blood Center will have a blood mobile onsite between 1 and 4:30PM (on the 16th only).

Balloons the Clown will be there between 1 and 3PM.

DJ Terry Cressman will be providing the music and entertainment for the day.

Food, prizes, games, displays and giveaways. Come and enjoy a day of fun and learning, and get an opportunity to spend time with your neighbors.

I hope to see everyone there!

A Few Things . . .

I need to get this in before Ross does his weekly round up :-). In any event - there's a few things going on worth mentioning:

Car Show
I hope you made it to the annual car show a few weeks back. For the most part, the weather held out, though there were a few showers early in the day. Thanks again to all the folks who brought their cars to share them with us.

August Council Meeting
This month's council meeting was rather uneventful, though I did propose that we draft an ordinance restricting through truck traffic in Tatamy Hunt. That's now in the works and I hope to have something on the books before the end of the year. Because Tatamy Hunt shares a main through street with Palmer Township, we need to get their OK to post signage and such. I thought we should get this ordinance on the books now, before the Chrin project ramps up and drivers get used to the idea that they might be able to cut through the development and get to Bushkill Drive. Bottom line - it will be "no trucks allowed except for local deliveries". Stay tuned.

The Nazareth Library Controversy
I guess I've steered clear of this thing long enough. I would like to comment on all this controversy of late regarding the Nazareth Library. Just a friendly reminder - this comment should NOT be interpreted as an official opinion of the Borough of Tatamy.

Moving on . . . As a public official, I would like nothing better than to say to the citizens of Tatamy that we will support the library. Unfortunately, for whatever reason, Tatamy Borough never saw the need to support the library. I don't know why, though my guess would be to say that they didn't want to raise taxes to generate the required revenue. Bottom line, the funds were never set aside, and now, the budget is so tight there aren't funds available.

Growing up in New Jersey, I was used to having access to the Hunterdon County Library System and it's many branches. When I moved to Pennsylvania way back in 1992, I was shocked to find out that there was no county sponsored library system - that each municipality was required to fund it's own library, or join with other municipalities to create a "regional library" - as is the case with the Memorial Library of Nazareth and Vicinity. I have been invited to attend their next Board Meeting (thank you Lynn) - which I plan to do, so I can learn more about the library, and their requirements for sponsorship from each municipality.

Now fellow Tatamy resident - this is where you come in. Are you truly interested in having access to the library? If it meant that taxes were to go up by XX% (a value yet to be determined) would you still support the change? Would you use the services of the library? Please - if you have never commented before - now is the time to do it. Send me an email - let me know your thoughts. Forward this post on to your neighbors - let them read it and ask that they answer the question. Let me know how you feel, so I can take your input to Council and, if the residents are truly interested in supporting the library, we'll see what needs to be done to make that happen. Feedback is important folks - it's the only way that change happens. Send your input to me using the email link below, or post a comment to this entry. I look forward to hearing from you.

Thanks!

Tatamy Car Show, Other . . .

Sorry folks - life has gotten away from me and this morning I just realized it's been a month since I posted anything here. I've been traveling and quite busy at work (believe me, I'm not complaining at all about that one) so I apologize for being quiet. In any event, there are a few things that you should know:

1. The annual Tatamy Car Show is being held today on Broad Street. Please come out and support the Tatamy Historical Society and the drivers who have braved the elements (or at least the threat of rain and storms) who are bringing their cars. I hear them already.

2. At last month's Council meeting, borough council passed an engine braking ordinance forbidding the use of "jake brakes" within the borough limits on 8th Street and on Broad Street. Signs are being made up and will be posted. Thanks to the citizen in Tatamy Hunt for suggesting that. We also discussed the possibility of restricting truck traffic through the Tatamy Hunt development. Our engineer Bob Mack will be back this month with some recommendations and hopefully we can propose an ordinance. Stay tuned.

3. It looks like the street lights in Tatamy Hunt are finally being replaced (Thanks John for the heads up). I realize the lights are not the "fancy schmancy" ones that were installed by the developer, they are nicer than the ones that I thought MetEd was going to install (standard brushed aluminum post with a light at the end of a mast arm hanging over the street). Hopefully once they're all in and powered up this will FINALLY put an end to that whole mess.

That's it for today - I hope to see everyone at the car show (come out before it rains).