Happy Mother’s Day Pages 10 & 11
The Home News Your Local News
MAY 11-17, 2017
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Cement worker of the Month - Mike P. Newhall By ED PANY Mr. Mike Newhall graduated from Liberty High School in 1975. He recalled, “I especially enjoyed a new course as computers became part of the curriculum.” The young graduate started at the Keystone Cement Co. in the laboratory as summer help. He said, “I worked with Al Brobst and Ernie Jacoby, old timers who taught me laboratory procedures.” This led to a full time position in 1978 as a mix chemist, later progressing to assistant physical tester. In 1988 Mike was promoted to physical tester. He said, “We conduct numerous tests determining the strength and quality of our cement. We produce seven different types of cement;
Mike Newhall
Type #1 Portland cement being our major product.” The lab follows the bible of cement testing- the ASTM manual that lists all procedures followed in the cement industry. The lab staff is a very knowledgeable and productive team with Jamie Messler, Kim Kurdis, Larry Wilt, Russ Harris, Stephen Godshalk, Gail Schlichting and Michael. Mike said, “It’s a joy to work with these people. In my 38 years, I have seen many people come and go. Our team is composed of many fine people whose goal is to produce a quality product for our customers.” In his 38 years he has conducted thousands of tests and has adapted to various test changes. Results are listed on a database. Each month he forwards reports to the transportation departments in Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware and Ohio where much of Keystone cement is sold. Mike remains optimistic on cement’s future. He is married to the former Analita Manabat and is proud of daughter Kim and son Shane. The friendly couple resides in Bath. Mr. Newhall has seen many changes in the industry and is a friendly gentleman. Mike is a dedicated and humble cement worker. We wish Mr. Newhall and all our friends at Keystone a safe and productive year.
Bath Council and CRPD Chief discuss future of Borough’s Police Force By KERI LINDENMUTH During its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, May 3, the Borough of Bath Council opened the floor to residents wanting to discuss the Citizen’s Police Advisory Panel and the future of the Colonial Regional Police Department in the borough. This year, the Citizen’s Police Advisory Panel, composed of a diverse group of borough residents, began seeking financial alternatives to the CRPD. Since the process began, the Borough of Bath Council has striven to be as transparent as possible and has welcomed all borough residents to regular monthly meetings to ask questions, voice concerns, and express opinions and ideas. However, very few residents came out to Wednesday’s meeting. Only Fire Chief Emilio DeNisi took advantage of the courtesy of the floor time council had set aside for residents to discuss CRPD matters. “I know you guys are in a hard spot,” he told council, adding that the situation is not anything they have created, but something that is due to decisions made and actions taken 15 to 20 years ago, the consequences of which have now been dealt to the current council. However, DeNisi expressed the
hope that, whether the borough opts to continue using CRPD’s services or chooses another police force, local coverage will continue in the borough. For the firefighters, he explained, having local police coverage is a “nice assurance.” He gave the example of the April 26 motor vehicle accident north of Washington Street. He said three or four CRPD officers were instantly on the scene assisting fire crews and helped pull the injured victim from the crash. “I do not want to see that vanish,” DeNisi said of the partnership. The decision will ultimately come down to taxes. The borough is facing a tax increase and Council President Mark Saginario, a member of both the Citizens Police Advisory Panel and the Finance Committee, worries that people will stop buying homes in the borough because taxes will be so high. If such an event occurs, Bath may face losing its status as an independent borough. It is a situation that Mayor Fiorella Mirabito, who worked for the CRPD, finds deeply distressing. “I have been the CRPD cheerleader,” she told council. “The CRPD is top notch…This bothContinued on page 4
Be sure to drive through Cherryville to see the beautiful, bright yellow fieldsin just a few weeks the 175 acres will be harvested for the production of canola oil. The field has been drawing crowds, even visitors from Wilkes Barre stopped by with a drone to witness the incredible view. One vantage point is at Blue Mountain Drive and Cherryville Road in Lehigh Township.
Horner’s Cemetery Historical Marker Dedication
Submitted by PEGGY MOSER Horner’s Cemetery Historical Society would like to invite friends and family to the dedication of the Horner’s Cemetery Historical Marker on Sunday, May 28 after the Civil War group’s short memorial service and gun salute in the cemetery at 12 p.m. Other guests will include Rogers’ Rangers, SAR, DAR, and GWHS. In the case of rain, please note that our rain date is set for Sunday, June 4 at 1 p.m. If you have any questions, please contact Peggy Moser at 610-8371757 or 610-984-4532.
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