THE
BOXHOLDER Presorted Standard
U.S.POSTAGE PAID WHITE HAVEN PA PERMIT NO. 18
POSTAL CUSTOMER
of PENN-KIDDER ©2021, All Rights Reserved
VOLUME 13, NUMBER 11
FREE 1st 2 copies
APRIL–MAY 2021
50¢ each additional copy
Kidder Supervisors honor heroes by Seth Isenberg Lake Harmony Fire Chief Ralph Lennon and Kidder Township Chief of Police Matt Kuzma made a joint presentation to some “good people” during the April 15 township supervisors’ meeting. Lennon told of a report of a possible drowning on Lake Harmony on March 30 that brought out the fire company, ambulance and police to the lakeside where a canoe had overturned and two children were floating in the frigid water while their father clung to the boat. While the kids had life preservers, the 3 year-old had turned over face-down. Kevin Jones was at his lakeside home and heard cries for help. Seeing the family on the lake in distress, he grabbed his kayak and a couple of extra like jackets and went out onto the lake. He rescued the children, giving the 3 yearold CPR as he paddled her to shore. At the shore was Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia registered nurse Colleen Pyne. As Jones approached the shore, she waded in to take the child and continue CPR, keeping that up as she brought her to the ambulance. She stayed with the child as the ambulance took them both to a waiting medical helicopter. See KIDDER, page 6
Kevin Jones (left photo) and George Hayeck (right) were awarded Civilian Service Commendations for their parts in the rescue on March 30. JPK: Seth Isenberg
Short-term rentals not popular at Penn Forest hearing by Seth Isenberg
investment companies for the purpose of renting them out Penn Forest Township sueach week. pervisors kicked off their April Bill Fontaine called these 5 meeting with a hearing about properties “mini-hotels,” short-term rentals — whether adding that “hotels have no to allow them, and how to business in a residential neighregulate them. Supervisors borhood.” He pointed out that are approaching the issue as a these rentals pit neighbors “right” for a property owner, versus the transients [renters], but there have to be rules. who have “no respect for the When citizens spoke, the community.” majority were negative about Some citizens are looking to having these “businesses in the township to enforce some residential areas.” Speakers rules. It was agreed that enpointed to homes owned by forcement will be the hard part.
Chris Mangold, of Towamensing Trails, told of the neighbor property where renters play loud music, and launch fireworks. Rose Stewart, who rents her property for S-TRs, made her point that these rentals boost the local economy. This statement was disagreed with by other speakers. At the end of the hearing, supervisors voted 3-2 to advertise the ordinance which allows short-term rentals as a right in all zoning districts, with
Christian Bartulovich, Roger Meckes and Scott Lignore voting yes, and Tom Cross and Judith Knappenberger voting no. The ordinance will to be voted on at May’s meeting. Bartulovich wants shortterm rental owners to pay an annual permit fee that would offset the costs to the township to enforce rules. Granicus Host Management has been hired to keep track of the number of homes in the township that are being rented for short-term See PENN FOREST, page 20