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70th Year, Issue No. 45 USPS 248-700
NOVEMBER 10-16, 2011 A General Circulation Newspaper Serving The Community Since 1942
SERVING BATH, CHAPMAN, NORTHAMPTON, NAZARETH BOROS; ALLEN, E. ALLEN, MOORE, LEHIGH, BUSHKILL, LOWER NAZARETH & UPPER NAZARETH TWPS.
Masons welcome Washington At their 143rd annual banquet By BILL HALBFOERSTER The Home News
Manoquesy Lodge #413, Free & Accepted Masons in Bath, celebrated their 143rd annual banquet on Friday night at the BarnHouse Village in East Allen Township. The evening featured a memorial service for four members who died this past year; a review of the many public accomplishments by the lodge, and a visit and speech by General George Washington, the nation’s first president. Remembered in a ceremony with candles were the late William F. Rothrock, Charles H. Beynon, Grant W. Roth, and Paul D. Kellow. Worshipful Master Peter A. Gigliotti listed numerous things the lodge has done this year in his administration, including: a blood drive in which 28 units were collected saving 84 lives; the C.H.I.P. identification program for day care pupils; hoagie sales; a lodge picnic; basket bingo; golf tournament; a bus trip to the Grand Lodge in Philadelphia; helping Animals in Distress, and having Francis Scott Key at a meeting. Profits made in the fundraisers, Gigliotti said, will be split between the Scottish Rite Learning Center and the
MASONIC LODGE will give part of its fund-raising profits to help the borough repair damages at the Keystone Park pavilion
Bath Council hears of apartment Plans, continuing efforts of BBCP By BILL HALBFOERSTER The Home News
JUSTIN NIXON posed proudly with George Washington at the Manoquesy Lodge banquet. – Home News photos Borough of Bath for repairs to the Keystone Park pavilion which was damaged in recent flooding. “Masons, through these projects,” Gigliotti said, “Have helped a lot of people.” General Washington, portrayed by an actor from Philadelphia who has appeared at the White House, and many other national events, told of his life and the historical events in which he was a part. He noted that for 150 years this nation and its colonists governed themselves, but 11 years after Washington was born Britain’s king tried to strip the colonists of all their money and possessions. They resisted, and eventually there was the Boston massacre and tea party, and the Revolutionary War. Although starting out as a surveyor, Washington eventually went into the army as a young man and was raised through the ranks until he became commander-in-chief. “We are the only country in the world,” he said, “not under control of a king or dictatorial monarch,” adding, “We can accomplish anything so long as we set Continued on page 12
Bath Borough Council had an extraordinary amount of business on their docket at Monday night’s monthly meeting. It included plans for a senior citizen development at Bath View Condominiums; a record of accomplishments by the Bath Business & Community Partnership, and problems to a homeowner that may involve a nearby development’s retention basin. Linda Roth and Mary Kositz of the BBCP noted 960 volunteer hours spent activities on such as the revitalization 5K run, farmers market, the duck race, and a candy sale in 2011. But while they’ve received $639 from fund-raisers, and LV EDC and Chamber grants, the organization
needs additional support from the borough. Among their objectives: a fully funded Bath business directory, phase one of Keystone Park improvements, and to seek and obtain grant funding for projects that will help strengthen the local economy as well as draw attention to exiting businesses and marketing the community for new businesses. They are planning events similar to 2011, one of which is the Nov. 27 Christmas tree lighting ceremony, and hopefully the Bath Community Day that this year was cancelled because of wet grounds from heavy rains. Their total projected commitment for 2012 is $30,450. BBCP’s 5-K run on April 28, 2012 was approved. Senior Housing
Chris Gigliotti, Bi-County Housing Coordinator of the Community Action Committee of Lehigh Valley, brought a proposal for senior housing at Bath View Apartments in a county partnership. The developer explained what their firm has done for 35 years, and would manage the property. Intended are apartments for 55 and older persons in 42 apartments that would have a smaller footprint than the present Bath View Condominiums. The men noted all the facilities that would be available for the seniors, including a physician’s office, beauty parlor and community room. Prices noted would be affordable, but Councilman Joseph
Linsenmann encouraged havContinued on page 7
Moore Twsp. continues Its farms commitment By BILL HALBFOERSTER The Home News
Moore Township’s Board of Supervisors this past Tuesday approved a $700,000 commitment for the 2012 farmland preservation program. Another $891,000 left from this year will go to new farms that are being appraised now, keeping them from being developed. Two farms were picked up by the county. Chairman Glenn Shoemaker of the farmlands preservation committee said he believes the program will be the same in 2012 as it has been in 2011. Agriculture security was approved for the properties of Edward and Margaret Weinhofer and Wilson and Barbara Gum. Secretary-treasurer Richard Gable had wanted the commitment at only $500,000 and was the only dissenting vote, as Supervisors Maynard Campbell and Louis Cacciola went with the $700,000. Shoemaker said there are two uses for earned income tax money, noting, “It’s impossible to lose the money if you commit to the county.” Moore Township is the quickest in replenishing E.I.T. money, he said. $1,355,000 has been spent to save three farms from development, at $5,000 an acre. Other townships such as Plainfield and Upper Mt. Bethel have committed
$1-million. Allen Township, at this Tuesday’s election, asked voters to approve a quarter of one percent earned income tax for open space. Edwin Keller said now is a good time to get money matched. Bridge Replacement Representatives of PennDOT explained to the board and audience about plans to replace the superstructure of the S. Hoch Road bridge. Work will last from June to August of 2012 and a detour will take motorists east on Mountainview Dr.,
north on Delps Rd., and west on Scenic Drive. In answer to a question by Gordon Derhammer, a PennDOT spokesman said that the flood plain is south of the bridge. He was concerned about flooding. Other Matters • Preliminary site plan approval was given to lot five of the 512 Industrial Park for Lee Goldstein. He was concerned about the roadway in the commercial development, but the board said it has been Continued on page 13
Election Day
CANDIDATES and poll workers gather outside the East Allen Twsp. fire station on election day. Although the weather was sunny and warm, the turnout of voters was light. – Home News photo