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MARCH 21-27, 2019
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Keystone Cement Moving away from coal And towards natural gas Meals on
–Photo from Wikipedia
Looking Back Triangle Fire
Do you remember when our communities were home to numerous garment factories providing jobs for thousands of employees? The dedicated workers manufactured high quality shirts, dresses, blouses and slacks. They worked long hours for meager wages. I had a flashback to the old industry when my wife and I met a friendly couple at one of Lancaster’s tourist havens. They were reared in New York City, the lady in Manhattan, where there was a prosperous garment district. I wonder if it’s still prosperous today? She relayed a story few of my younger readers have ever read about, an event that touched the heart and soul of America, a tragic page in labor history I covered in my class during my teaching days. The late aunt of this lady sur-
by Ed Pany
vived the Triangle Waist Co. fire on March 25, 1911 in New York City. The Triangle Shirt Waist Company was located at the intersection of Green Street and Washington Place. They manufactured women’s blouses, which at the time were called shirtwaists. The factory was on the top three floors of a ten-story building. Most employees were young immigrant women from Germany, Italy and Eastern Europe, some were only 13 years of age. They worked 60 to 72-hour weeks, some worked 14-hour shifts; and you think we have it tough! Safety conditions barely existed, the floors of the factory had scraps of fabric, patterns, flammable textiles and tissue paper. Some of the men who cut the fabric smoked on the job. There were a few buckets of water in the Continued on page 2
By KERI LINDENMUTH During East Allen’s March 13 Board of Supervisors workshop meeting, Robert Toedter, a consultant for Keystone Cement, sought a letter of acknowledgement from supervisors to support the cement company’s move away from coal power. Currently, the company burns 60,000 tons of coal per year to help operate its plant. This coal is supplied by 3,000 trucks, running 6,000 trips. Toedter said making the switch was a “no brainer” considering all of the truck traffic Keystone could get off the roads. Toedter said the Marcellus shale area is making gas more accessible. Keystone Cement is seeking a grant from the Department of Community and Economic Development to help make the switch. The gas line will follow west of the railroad tracks, cross under Jacksonville Road, and eventually break off into three lines. In addition to decreasing truck traffic, natural gas will also help extend the nearby quarry’s resources for another 80 to 90 years. It will also allow for better chemistry and consistency with the cement product.
A PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING THE NATIONAL MEALS ”MAYOR DAY” MARCH 27, 2019 OF THE GREATER LEHIGH VAL TH Supervisors were supportive of CELEBRATION FOR THE 17 ANNUAL “MARC IN THE BOROUGH OF NORTHAMPT this switch.
Wheels Proclamation
In other news: Mayor of Northampton Borough, it is my pleasure During their Whereas, meeting, as superviGreater for Lehigh Valley in the national March for Meals campaig sors denied a hearing a zonPage 4awareness about senior hunger a designed to generate public ing change to 7200 Airport Road, services provided by Senior Nutrition Programs, a which is the siteinvaluable of Lucky Strokes from our communities delivering meals in support of our ho golf course. Developers were Northampton Counties and Northampton Borough, and seeking a zoning change to support commercial and residential Whereas, March is when State and County public officials and development. campaign to showcase the successes of the Older Americans A Solicitor Joseph Piperato said from our communities, to help increase fundraising from local the township is “not obligated” to generate public awareness about the 1,200 seniors we ser hold a hearing,communities but “should across deny the county, and it sparingly.” All four supervisors present Whereas, on Wednesday, March 27, 2019, from 9:45 AM to agreed to deny the hearing. local legislators and government officials to participate in Ma Supervisors meals also to chose not homebound senior citizens to help end senior hunger to appeal the inZoning Hearing my community because “together we can deliver,” and Board’s decision to approve a Page 10 change that would allowMeals a used on Wheels services have evolved to include a Whereas, car lot to movemeals ontofor theambulatory site of seniors, and a pet food program, “AniM the former Timberline Inn on Route 512. Whereas, Northampton Borough Council, residents and the “We do not have lot of foot-of Directors, staff members and over 100 d thanka the Board ing,” said Supervisor Roger seniors receiveUnthe nutrition that they need to maintain and i angst. additional information, contact Keri Young of Volunteer Servic Piperato warned it would be difficult to meet the THEREFORE, legal stanI, Thomas D. Reenock, Mayor of Now, Page 15 dard of an appeal. Meanwhile, Pennsylvania, do hereby proclaim “Mayor Day” on Wednes Supervisor Donparticipate Heiney, who with is our public officials on “Mayor Day” or thro also a memberLehigh of theValley, planning and I urge residents of Northampton and surrou commission, said that the Home News extending ourcomgratitudeThe and congratulations to Meals on Wh th mission placed their several conditions 17 annual March for Meals, and their dedicated and loya on the property that will keep it 610.837.6439 in check. 610.224.9091
St. Patrick’s Day At Mid County Senior Center
A Living Wall
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Home & Garden Supplement inside This issue! 78th Year, Issue No. 12 www.homenewspa.com Local children’s book author Chrysa Smith autographs some books for students following her visit to Holy Family School. (Story on Page 11.)
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