JACKSON TOWNSHIP NEWS

Your Community News Source
Spring, 2008

OUTDOOR LIGHTING REMOVAL TO BECOME HOT ISSUE
Many residents of Jackson Township and other municipalities as well received a bill insert from Penelec in April of 2007 stating that all outdoor lighting service will be completely eliminated by the year 2012. Outdoor lighting as many know as "dusk to dawn" lights are in many homeowners yards and many have lights at the end of their driveway and those lights also help light neighborhood streets and roads. These lights can also be found by churches, schools and businesses. In Jackson Township. Some of the buildings affected in Jackson are the Senior Center, Water Authority, Elementary School, St. John Vianneys, Vinco Brethren Church, Vinco Pharmacy and Aurandts Motors to name a few. Other lights are often along streets and roads in the Township. Although some may view these as street lights, they care considered private outdoor lighting if paid for by individual entities and will be removed under the current Penelec plan. Often someone will have a light at the end of their driveway which also lights up the street or road so it really benefits all motorists and pedestrians using the street or road as well. If the Penelec plan to eliminate private outdoor lighting is carried out, customers will be forced to bear additional expenses. This could include the cost of a pole, wiring into your meter at your residence or business, etc. and hiring an electrician. In addition to have a bulb changed could mean hiring a contractor with a bucket truck to come out which could cost in the range of $100 to $150. This changes will not only create hardships and inconvenience to the customer but the customer will end up paying far more than they do now just to maintain the same service to keep their property well lit, safe and secure. Although the year 2012 seems distant, now is the time to take action. WHAT CAN YOU DO?  1. Call Penelec at 1-800-545-7741 and ask them why they are removing your outdoor light.  2. Complete a Public Utility Complaint Form and mail it to the PUC. IF YOU NEED A FORM, PLEASE CONTACT THE JACKSON TOWNSHIP OFFICE AT 749-0725. Once a formal complaint is received, a Bureau of Consumer Services investigator from the PUC will work as a mediator between the parties in order to resolve the complaint. Now is th e time to stop Penelec from removing your outdoor lights before it’s too late. Many residents, churches, school, businesses and others have outdoor area lighting for security and safety purposes. If you are concerned that your current outdoor lights will be disconnected by Penelec as the bill insert stated, you need to voice your opinion now. If you have any questions or need additional information, please feel free to contact the Township office at 749-0725.

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 INFORMATION NEED UPDATED?
If you received this newsletter and your name or address information is incorrect, or if you know of any resident of Jackson Township who didn’t receive it,  please call the Township Office at 749-0725.
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SENIOR CENTER TO HOLD MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY
 The Jackson Township Senior Center will host a special Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 26th at 11:00 a.m. The ceremony will honor the service men and women who were killed in all wars as well as all other Veterans. The event is open to the public and it is hoped that the turnout will be good as it is very important for everyone to show their support for our veterans as well as troops currently serving.  The Veterans Monument has become a focal point of the Memorial & Veterans Day ceremonies and currently has 1,066 names of Jackson Township veterans listed on it. If you know of any veterans not listed on the monument, please complete a form and submit their name to Jackson Township, 513 Pike Road, Johnstown, PA 15909. Forms can be obtained at www.jacksontwppa.com or at the Municipal Building, Senior Center, Water Authority or Sewer Authority. All names submitted must be verified for Veteran status and residency. This year's ceremony will feature special guest speaker, Staff Sargent Melanie Kline of Jackson Township who also serves as a full-time police officer. Sargent Kline is serving in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard’s 2nd Brigade Combat Team of the 28th Division and completed two deployments, one to Saudi Arabia and the other in Iraq. As in the past, the Johnstown VFW Post 155 will have their Honor Rifle Team in attendance. In addition special music will be provided by Corey Shirk from Central Cambria and a representative from the local clergy will be on hand. Also playing an important role in the ceremony will be Jackson Twp. Troop 204 Boy Scouts. If there are any questions on the Memorial Day Ceremony or the Memorial / Monument, please feel free to call Frank Singel at 322-3327 or Dave Hirko at 749-0725.

COMMUNITY BLOCK GRANT FUNDS SPUR JACKSON PROJECTS
Jackson Township is one of four communities in Cambria County considered an "Entitlement Community" in the Community Development Block Grant Program. The others are Adams Township, Cambria Township and Cresson Township. One of the requirements is that the community must have over 4,000 residents and also have areas in the municipality that are considered low to moderate income. This year the Supervisors approved use of the funds totaling $105,883. to be put towards the construction of a sanitary sewer line along Loraine Road. This is the 2nd year of funds committed towards this project which will allow construction to begin in 2009 on Phase I reaching about 16 homes. Phase II will take an additional 2 years of funds and will complete the extension of the Loraine sewer line all the way to Fords Corner Road. Construction on Phase II should take place in 2011. The Wagner Road Water Project is well underway with all of the lines in place along Wagner Road. Engineering work is underway for the Chickaree Hill Road portion which will extend a water line from Wagner Road towards Vintondale and pick up an additional 15 homes. In addition an extension is also being done along Wagner Road to pick up an additional 4 homes and allow for residents on Pintail Road to hook into that line. Cost of the entire project is 1 million dollars and was made possible by the Supervisors committing 5 years of Community Block Grant Funds along with a $500,000. Competitive Grant obtained through the efforts of Larry Custer, Executive Director of the Cambria County Redevelopment Authority. Past projects made possible by CDBG monies included the development of a Senior Center, construction of storm drainage system in Vinco, Mitchell Park improvements including a tennis court, basketball court, softball field, bleachers and other amenities, sewer lines on Loraine Road and White Street as well as a water line on Solar Street. Other funds have been used for the rehabilitation of 11 homes by those with special needs and the clearing of vacant, dilapidated structures in Jackson Township. The Program which began in 1984 has bought well over two million dollars into Jackson Township since it's inception.

2008 HERITAGE FESTIVAL PROMISES FUN FOR EVERYONE!
The Jackson Township Heritage Festival has grown quite popular by advertising and word of mouth and is now considered a major event in the region. This is quite an accomplishment since it's humble beginnings. It's hard to believe that the Heritage Festival will be celebrating it's 5th anniversary this year! Last year, from start to finish, the festival attracted thousands of people from Jackson Township, surrounding communities and many from throughout Cambria County and beyond. There were even quite a few people that came in from out of state for the weekend of food, fun and entertainment. New this year will be a concert Friday evening on July 18th from 7 to 11 featuring the Johnstown Classic Rockers who will perform music from the 50's to the 80's and is comprised of some of the best musicians to ever play in the area. In addition a Car Cruise-In will also take place beginning at 6 pm. Several car club enthusiasts are organizing this special event. Many of the food booths will also open up Friday night to accommodate the crowd. As in years past, there will be continuous entertainment alternating on two stages both Saturday & Sunday. Several new groups will be performing and past favorite ones returning. The Heritage Festival will be held this year on Saturday, July 19 & Sunday, July 20. Festival hours will be Noon-9 on Saturday and Noon-6 on Sunday. Entertainment on Saturday will begin from noon to 1:30 with Tree, an Irish folk music group. The Jerry Intihar Band will play from 1:30 to 3. Jerry has appeared with many polka greats including Frankie Yankovic, the polka king. From 3 - 5, an 18 piece Jazz Orchestra called "Jazz In Your Face" featuring outstanding musicians from throughout the Johnstown area will grace the stage. From 5 to 6:30 John Robertson will be returning to do a brand new magic & illusion show. The Fabulous Flashbacks, a regular at the Festival will be returning from 7 to 11 pm to pack the house with their famous oldies show. Back by popular demand, a spectacular fireworks display is planned at 9:30 pm. Sunday will begin with a Bluegrass Gospel Concert featuring The Dively Family from New Enterprise, PA. The Masters who are based in Jackson Township will return to play from noon to 1:30 pm to perform their awesome style of Southern Gospel music. Also returning from 1:30 to 4:30 is Beavercreek, a real crowd pleaser who put on an excellent show with their own brand of Bluegrass Music. Clay Bowser will be back to entertain from 5 to 6:30. Clay plays a wide variety of music and even takes requests from the audience. New this year will be NoMAD (North of Mason & Dixon) who are considered Pittsburgh's hottest country band. NoMAD will play from 6 to 9 and are sure to entertain. They have opened up for many of the most popular country entertainers including Brooks & Dunn, Toby Keith and Rascal Flatts. They released their debut CD called "Born and Raised" and their first two singles have charted nationally in the top 100. In addition, they have appeared on several nationally syndicated radio shows and are destined for future fame in the country music business. As in past festivals, there will be plenty of activities and games for the kids. New this year will be a petting zoo from the Living Treasures Animal Park. This will feature several llamas, goats, sheep, ducks, giant turtles and a miniature horse. Children will be able to purchase feed for .25 to feed the animals. It should prove to be a hit and Living Treasures will have attendants on hand who work with the animals everyday. Usual favorites will include clowns, face painting, hay rides, games and Big Bouncy jumping area. The Jackson Heritage Festival will also have a wide variety of food, craft and vendor booths set up. The cost to have a booth is only $25 for crafters and vendors and $35 for food vendors for the two day event. If you are interested in having a booth at the Heritage Festival this year, contact Dave Hirko at 749-0725 or Betty Perry at 322-0938 to receive an application. There are many expenses to hosting the festival and the budget is approximately $19,000 for 2008. In order to put on a successful festival this year we are once again counting on local sponsor support. Sponsors contributing or committing to the support of the Festival so far include Amfire Mining, Naugle Insurance, Atlantic Broadband, Dolan's Welding & Steel, Highmark Blue Cross & Blue Shield, Jackson Twp. Senior Center, L. Robert Kimball & Associates, Mercik's Ideal Market, Sheetz, Ameriserv, Wyse Cemetery Memorials, Askew-Houser Funeral Homes, Cooper Signs, First Commonwealth Bank, MEC Chemicals, Neighbors Who Care, Ophthalmic Associates, P. Joseph Lehman Engineers, Rose Excavating, Vantage Physical Therapy, Wix-Pix, C & G Savings Bank and Damin Printing. Other pending commitments include Waste Management and First National Bank. If you or your business would like to be a sponsor, please call Dave Hirko at 749-0725 to receive an application. By being a sponsor you will be recognized in advertisements in the Johnstown Tribune-Democrat & all five Mainline Newspapers as well as flyers and posters displayed throughout Cambria County. In addition a program distributed to everyone attending will also recognize those helping to sponsor this event. We hope you’ll consider being a part of the Jackson Township Heritage Festival in 2008.

UPCOMING RECREATION EVENTS
In an effort to get Community residents involved in recreational activities and events, several events have been scheduled and there is literally something for everyone.

~Bus Trip - Atlantic City, NJ
 The trip will be on Saturday, May 3rd. Buses leave Jackson elementary at 6 am and depart Atlantic City at 8:00 pm to arrive back home by 2:30 am. The cost is only $40.00 and everyone over the age of 21 will receive a "cash back" bonus upon arrival. The current "cash back" bonus is $18.00. Atlantic City is known around the world for it's famous Boardwalk. In addition there are world class hotels, casinos, dining, shows and shopping. In addition there are a wide variety of amusements and of course the beautiful Atlantic Ocean! The day promises to be a fun get-away at a reasonable price. Seats are going fast. Complete the form in this newsletter to guarantee your reservations.

~3rd Annual Fishing Derby
 The Jackson Township Community Rod & Gun Club parterning with Jackson Township Recreation will be hosting it’s 3rd Annual Fishing Derby on Saturday, May 10th at Woodland Park just off of Route 22 towards Ebensburg. Ages 12 and under are welcome and admission is FREE. Prizes will be awarded and refreshments will be available. Registration begins at 8 am with the Fishing Derby going from 9 am to 3 pm. The event will be held rain or shine. Come and bring your friends! If you have any questions or need additional information, call John Lythgoe at 749-8223 or Jackson Township at 749-0725.

~Summer Concert Series at Vets Park
The Jackson Township Recreation Commission is sponsoring it's first ever Summer Concert Series at Veterans Park. On Friday, June 20th from 6 to 9, Rosie & The Jammers will be playing polkas and a wide variety of other music. Enjoy listening or dance the night away to one of the Johnstown areas most popular polka bands. The Firemens Festival will also be going on that evening where you can stop to purchase food and drinks. On July 5th at 2 pm the 28th Infantry Division Concert Band will be performing. The 55 member group based out of Hollidaysburg is the US Army's oldest and one of the top performing Army National Guard Bands in the nation today. They have toured throughout the US, Canada and Europe and play a wide variety of music including patriotic, jazz, big band and even top 40. Don't miss them as they will be ending their summer tour at Veterans Park right here in Jackson Township. On Friday, August 29th from 7 to 10, the SharpTones, a popular local band will be playing music from the 50's and 60's. Feel free to just listen or get up and boogie. We hope you support the concerts and admission to all is FREE! Bring your lawn chairs or blanket for seating and ENJOY! By supporting these concerts, it is hoped to become an annual event.  All trips and events are planned at a minimal cost to residents and their invited guests. For additional information or to make reservations for the Atlantic City Bus Trip, call the Jackson Township Municipal Office at 749-0725 or email to recreation@jacksontwppa.com

2nd ANNUAL EASTER EGG HUNT DRAWS HUNDREDS
The Jackson Township Lions Club partnering with Jackson Township Recreation held it’s 2nd Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Mitchell Park on March 15th. There were over 100 children attending and lots of adults to make the event a fun-filled time for all. A special thank you to the Cambria County WIC (Women, Infants, Children) & Head Start Programs of the Community Action Partnership of Cambria County for arranging the special appearance of the Easter Bunny! In all there were over 2300 eggs hidden in three different areas. In the Toddler Play Area were ages 2 and under. Mitchell Field # 1 was for children, ages 3 to 6 and Mitchell Field # 2 was for ages 7 and up. In each area were two special eggs each containing a note to see the Easter Bunny or one of the helpers to claim a $20 gift card from Toys R Us.

The winners of the cards were as follows:
Ages 2 and Under - Morgan Brandis,  Owen Martin
Ages 3 to 6 - Kevin Bryner,  Gitana Miller
Ages 7 and Up - Adam Grove,  Bailey Hildebrand

The weather cooperated with a cool, cloudy day with no rain or snow! Thanks to all the members of the Lions Club, Recreation Commission and the Benshoff Hill 4-H Club who helped the Lions Club as a Community Service Project.

PHOTO TO BE FEATURED ON HISTORY CHANNEL
 Never underestimate the power of the internet! Zelda Dugan, a member of the Jackson Township Historical Committee has shared numerous old photos with the group and many of them have been put on the Township Website. One of these photos was of Bob & Mary Fisher's Ice Cream Stand in Mundys Corner from around 1950. To everyone's surprise, Jared Cook, Associate Producer for the History Channel series Modern Marvels from California contacted Jackson Township via email and said that they were doing an episode on ice cream and that they would love to include that particular photo on the show. A release form was signed and faxed back to the show which is scheduled to air on Monday, June 23rd at 8 pm. To verify local listings and times, you can go to the History Channel Website which is www.history.com.

YOUTH FAIRS SCHEDULED FOR MITCHELL & LEIDY PARKS
 The Cambria County Courts and Judge Gerald Long are holding two Youth Fairs in Jackson Township this year. The first one is at Mitchell Park in Vinco on Friday, June 13th from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. The second one will be held at Leidy Park in Vinco on Wednesday, July 30th from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. The purpose of the Fairs is to make young people aware of the dangers and harmful effects of using drugs & alcohol. Students from Elementary through High School are invited to attend and it promises to be a fun time for all! Admission is FREE and there will be FREE refreshments, T-Shirts, Games and lots of other Prizes including FREE drawings for sweatshirts and bicycle helmets. The program has been a success for the past 12 years with the help of local police, fire and ambulance departments. Last years Youth Fair events were a huge success with over 60 attending at Leidy and over 50 at Mitchell. Be sure to get your children who are students to this event as well as their friends. For additional information, please feel free to contact Carol Lacey, Youth Fair Coordinator at 472-1494 or call the Jackson Twp. Municipal Bldg. at 749-0725.

CENTRAL CAMBRIA COALITION MARKS TWO YEAR ANNIVERSARY
 It's hard to believe the Central Cambria Coalition has celebrated it's two year anniversary in March. In the past two years the three municipalities (Cambria Township, Ebensburg Borough and Jackson Township) who formed the Coalition have a lot to be proud of. The group has been successful in obtaining several grants including the joint purchase of a Street Sweeper between Cambria & Ebensburg, the joint purchase of a Paving Machine between Cambria & Jackson and a current grant application looks favorable with all three municipalities putting in an application to purchase a Road Repair Kettle and Crack Sealing Machine. The two equipment grants were for $25,000 each and the current one if approved will also be for that same amount. Besides equipment sharing grants, a planning grant in the amount of $45,000 was also awarded by the DCED for a Joint Municipal Comprehensive Plan. The plan is currently being developed by the three municipalities working with Richard Sutter & Associates, planning consultants from Hollidaysburg. A steering committee comprised of three members from each municipality has been meeting monthly and working on each individual segment of the plan. Later this year, there will be public meetings and hearings where residents can add their input and comments. The end result should be a working plan that will benefit the entire area along the Route 22 corridor where much growth is anticipated in the future. Aside from grant success, the Coalition has had studies done on sewage along Route 22 and the possibility of a regional police force. Other topics discussed over the past two years have included park maintenance, oil and gas drilling, water lines, windmills, zoning, wireless communications, emergency services, traffic and economic development to name a few. A Central Cambria Recreation Map will be released this spring and a copy will be made available to every household. One new project will be compiling a listing of all the equipment available in all three municipalities. This would enable each municipality to borrow a piece of equipment from another at no rental cost to the other. This would be especially helpful for items that are needed on occasion but not on a regular basis. The cost savings benefits to the municipalities should be great and is just another example of how the Coalition cooperation truly is a success story!

PROPERTY OWNERS ENCOURAGED TO CLEAN UP
 Spring is upon us and we would like to encourage all property owners to take advantage of the nice weather and do a "Spring Clean Up". One of the most common complaints received is that of unsightly piles of junk or rubbish on properties in the Township. This also includes junked and abandoned vehicles. The Township has made an effort to work towards elimination of some of the blight on various properties and has had some success but there is much more to be done.  Al Gillin has agreed to help out with vehicle removal and you can read more about this in the following article. The Laurel Highlands Landfill has a great program for tire recycling and the cost is only $1.00 per tire, far below what others charge. The current garbage contract allows for unlimited curbside pickup of large items unless they are hazardous. 1 Free Landfill Pass per quarter can be picked up at the Township Municipal Building. The free pass can be used for a "pick up" load of any non-hazardous junk or items you wish to remove from your property. Jackson also has recycling at the Municipal Building that includes clear glass, plastic, brown glass, newspapers, metal cans and magazines. Pennsylvania Cleanways also offers appliance and electronics recycling several times during a year. Take some time and take a look around your property and see if there’s any unsightly piles of junk or abandoned vehicles that you can remove to help beautify Jackson Township. If you have any questions on any of the above programs, please contact the Township Office at 749-0725.

JUNK VEHICLE REMOVAL
 If you have a junked vehicle that needs removed from your property and you’re not sure how to go about it, perhaps the following information will help. Al Gillin who operates a licensed junkyard along Adams Avenue has agreed to tow any junked vehicles that you would like to have removed from your property. According to Mr. Gillin, in most cases there will be no charge to any Township resident for this service unless there is great difficulty getting to the vehicle to pick it up. If you wish to have junked vehicles removed from your property, you may contact Mr. Gillin at 322-4366 to see if you qualify for this free service.

Residents Cashing In On Scrap Metal
Many residents are getting top dollar on scrap metal. This includes automobiles that may be sitting on your property. EMF Industries of Franklin Borough accepts old vehicles and pays for the scrap metal value which has been up dramatically this year. The phone number for EMF is 536-5047.

VEHICLE BATTERY DROP-OFF
 Every wonder how to dispose of any old batteries from cars, trucks, lawn mowers, tractors, etc. that you may have laying around your property? They are considered hazardous so you cannot put them out with your garbage. You can however drop them off at Naugles Auto & Truck Sales free of charge where they will see that they are properly processed for disposal or recycling. Naugles Auto & Truck Sales is located at 3309 William Penn Avenue near Mundys Corner. If you have any questions concerning battery disposal, please contact Eric Naugle at 659-7429.

JACKSON ADOPT-A-HIGHWAY LITTER CLEAN-UP PROGRAM
Jackson Township groups over the years have participated in various litter clean-up programs sponsored by PennDOT and Pennsylvania Cleanways. While being a great program, PennDOT’s Adopt-A-Highway program is for State Roads only. Now Jackson Township has a similar program where Township roads can be adopted as well. Your group of neighbors, church, business or organization is welcome to participate by adopting a Township road or street. By adopting a highway you would be required to perform a minimum of 2 litter clean-ups per year. Some groups may want to do more than that depending on the need. If your group wishes to adopt a road, Jackson Township will provide gloves, safety vests and garbage bags for the clean-up effort. Your group will also have a name plate posted on the road that you have adopted. At the time of the clean-up, release forms must be signed by those participating. Jackson Township currently has 14 groups involved in cleaning up various sections of 15 roads within Jackson Township on one of the 3 available programs. According to Don Godish who is in charge of the Adopt-A-Highway program for Cambria County, Pennsylvania has more volunteers in this type of program than any other State in the US. These programs encourage community pride and will help make Jackson Township a cleaner place to live. If your group of friends, neighbors, organization or business would be interested in adopting a Township Road or a portion thereof, please feel free to contact the Township Office at 749-0725.

Groups in Jackson Adopt-A-Highway Program:
 Anderson Drive Neighbors Who Care
Bald Eagle Street Neighbors Who Care
Courter & Fairview Avenues
Neighbors Who Care
Griffith Avenue Neighbors Who Care
Harmony Drive Neighbors Who Care
Kissell Lane Neighbors Who Care
Mile Hill Road Mile Hill Neighbors
Pike Road West Neighbors Who Care
Your Street Your Group or Business?
(Are you interested in this program? Call the Township Office at 749-0725)

Groups in PennDOT Adopt-A-Highway Program:
 Benshoff Hill Road Neighbors Who Care
Chickaree Hill Road Waste Management - Laurel Highlands Landfill
Dishong Mt. Road Committee to Preserve Rager Mountain
Route 271 Nanty-Glo Moose
Route 271 Pike Grace Brethren Church
Swigle Mt. Road Swigle Mountain Neighbors
US Route 22 Appalachian Chiropractic
US Route 22 Cambria Co. Christian School
US Route 22 Chickaree Ridge Runners Snowmobile Club
US Route 22 St. Pauls Lutheran Church

Groups in Pennsylvania Cleanways Program:
 Adams Avenue Jackson Twp. Troop 204 Cub Scouts
Fords Corner Road Residents of Fords Corner Rd.
Pike Road East Jackson Twp. Troop 204 Boy Scouts

INTERESTED IN SERVING YOUR COMMUNITY?
 Have you ever wondered how you can serve the community you live in? Jackson Township welcomes anyone interested in serving on a Authority, Board or Commission to submit a letter, note or email saying you are interested in serving on a Board or Authority in the event that there are openings. If you are interested, your letter would be kept on file at the Township office where you would be contacted if an opening would occur at which time you could accept or decline. Authorities include the Sewer Authority and Water Authority. Commissions include Planning & Recreation. There is also the Zoning Hearing Board. Another group where participation is encouraged is the Historical Preservation Committee. All letters and notes should be mailed to Jackson Township Supervisors, 513 Pike Road, Johnstown, PA 15909. You may also drop it off in person at the Municipal Building or you can send an email to office@jacksontwppa.com By volunteering you can make a difference in your community. Any and all inquiries would be greatly appreciated!

CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES
Jackson Historical Preservation Committee
 If you are interested helping the Historic Preservation Committee, feel free to attend any of their meetings. If you have any knowledge of the history of the Township, you are welcome to share. The Committee meets the 3rd Thursday of each month at the Township Municipal Building at 1:00 pm.

Jackson Heritage Festival
Help will be needed for the 5th Annual Jackson Heritage Festival. Areas that help is needed include parking, assisting vendors, electrical, advertising and children's activities and games. If you are interested in assisting at the Festival, please phone, write or email your name to the Jackson Township Office.

POLICE REPORTS
 (Submitted by Chief Bob Fatula)

December, 2007
 The figures for December were as follows: 911 Calls dispatched to Police: 196 Reportable Part I Crimes: 17 broken down as follows: Larceny-8, Assaults-6, Burglaries-2 and Robberies-1. Reportable Part II Crimes: 26 broken down as follows: Stolen Property-7, Vandalism-4, Disorderly Conduct-3, DUI (Driving While Under the Influence)-3, Embezzlement-1, Public Drunkenness-1 and all others-7. Calls Resulting in Cases: 25, Total Arrestees: 14, Total Suspects: 1, Total Victims: 17, DUI Arrests: 3, Traffic Citations: 7, Non-Traffic Citations: 2, Total Warnings: 6.

January, 2008
 The figures for January were as follows: 911 Calls dispatched to Police: 262 Reportable Part I Crimes: 12 broken down as follows: Larceny-6, Assaults-3, Burglaries-2 and Robberies-1. Reportable Part II Crimes: 44 broken down as follows: Fraud-20, Stolen Property-7, Disorderly Conduct-4, Vandalism-4, Public Drunkenness-2, Embezzlement-1 and all others-6. Calls Resulting in Cases: 29, Total Arrestees: 20, Total Suspects: 2, Total Victims: 37, DUI Arrests: 0, Traffic Citations: 6, Non-Traffic Citations: 11, Total Warnings: 2.

February, 2008
The figures for February were as follows: 911 Calls dispatched to Police: 219 Reportable Part I Crimes: 8 broken down as follows: Burglaries-4 and Larceny-4. Reportable Part II Crimes: 40 broken down as follows:  Stolen Property-8, Fraud-4, Vandalism-4, Disorderly Conduct-3, DUI (Driving While Under the Influence)-2, Drugs-2, Liquor Violations-1 and all others-16. Calls Resulting in Cases: 32, Total Arrestees: 19, Total Suspects: 2, Total Victims: 18, DUI Arrests: 2, Traffic Citations: 6, Non-Traffic Citations: 10, Total Warnings: 1.

FIRE COMPANY NEWS & EVENTS
 Finally, Spring has arrived! The Jackson Township Volunteer Fire Company would like to remind residents about "Brush Fire Season". They know everyone is anxious to get their property in shape for summer, so please burn brush responsibly. Pick a day that is not windy or wait until after a rainfall and ALWAYS burn away from any structures. Upcoming events include a Basket Party to be held on Sunday, June 8th. Doors will open at noon and drawings begin at 1:00 pm. If anyone would like to donate a basket towards the fundraiser party, please contact Eileen Smith at 322-3000.  A Weekend Festival is also scheduled on Friday, June 20th and Saturday, June 21st featuring live bands, great food and games along with the 4th Annual Aaron Rusin Battle of the Barrel. Aaron Rusin was a member of the Fire Company and was killed in Iraq. He loved the Battle of the Barrel and this Festival is held in his memory as a fundraiser for the Fire Company. As always, Bingo is sponsored by the Auxiliary and is held every Sunday evening. For information on any of these events, call the Fire Hall at 322-3155. Just a reminder that a Fund Drive will be held during the first full week of June. Firemen will be around knocking on doors and passing out envelopes for your convenience. All firemen participating in the Fund Drive will have identification. As in the past, the Jackson Township Fire Company and Auxiliary would like to express their sincere thanks and gratitude for the strong support received from the Community for their recent fundraisers including Casino Night, Gun Raffle, Golf Raffle, Jewelry Bash, Horse Races and Lenten Fish Fries . They really appreciate the support of the Community to help keep the Fire Company operating in order to serve the residents of Jackson Township and surrounding communities. After receiving a $75,000 grant from the Department of Homeland Security, Jackson Township firemen have been outfitted with all new bunker gear. Mark Sloan, Treasurer of the Fire Company is currently attending grant writing seminars in order to apply for additional grants to help meet the future needs of the Fire Company which currently has about 44 active members.

SENIOR CENTER NEWS
 The Jackson Township Senior Center will be celebrating it's 10 year anniversary since opening on Mothers Day, May 10, 1998. An Open House will be held on Saturday, May 17th from 1 to 4 and the public is invited. Stop and say hello and tour the Center which has served Jackson Township so well. This is also a great time to meet the volunteers who staff the center and thank them for their hard work and dedication to keep the Center up and running. Light refreshments will also be available. Rex Davis, Apprise Coordinator will be at the Center on Tuesday, April 29th, Wednesday, May 29th and Wednesday, June 25th, 2008 to discuss the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Program. Eric Cole with Alert One, a medical provider will be at the center on Wednesday, May 21 at 11:00 am to explain the First Alert System. This is a button people can wear in their homes and press if they need help. By pressing the button they can dispatch the Fire Department, Ambulance, Police or even a friend to come over to their home. 55 Alive Drivers Training Classes will be held on May 22nd and 23rd (2 day class). A refresher course will be held on June 26th lasting 4 hours. A class is required every 3 years to receive a discount on your Automobile Insurance. Melvin Simmons of AARP will be the instructor. The cost is $10.00 for the class. Accutone Hearing Center will be at the Center on Thursday, July 24th from 10 am to noon. No appointment is necessary. For more information or to schedule an appointment for any of the above events, contact the Senior Center at 322-3327. Every Thursday at 1:00 pm, the Center is showing an afternoon movie donated by All the Right Movies. Members are welcome to take time to relax and enjoy a current movie in the Community Room on the Center's large screen TV. If you are in need of work, age 55 or over and qualify within the set income levels, you may be eligible for the Senior Community Employment Program Service. For more information on the program, contact the local National Council on Aging Senior Employment Program in Johnstown at 536-0691. The Silver Sneakers Program is still going strong with over 50 individuals taking advantage of the program. Anyone who is a Medicare-eligible member of Highmark or Blue Cross-Blue Shield can participate. A new class will be held once a week called Yoga Stretch. For more information, contact the Senior Center at 322-3327. The Center has many special weekly events for the membership including lunch 3 times a week, parties, Bible study, bingo, knitting, line dancing, weekly Pinochle party, speakers and events on health issues concerning the aged population, monthly blood pressure screenings, weekly movies, ceramics, computer use with high-speed internet access, beginners computer classes and an exercise room with 11 machines available. In addition there are monthly CamTram bus trips to different shopping areas in Westmoreland, Indiana, Blair, Somerset and Cambria Counties. Anyone interested in visiting or taking a quick tour of the Center is invited to stop in. Membership offered to those age 50 and older is constantly growing and is only $10.00 a year. The Center opened on May 10, 1998 and have just recently issued their 730th membership card. The Center relies on volunteers to operate and stay open. It's a great place to meet and socialize. If you are interested in being a member or volunteering, please contact the Center at 322-3327.

SEWER AUTHORITY UPDATE
 The Jackson-East Taylor Sewage Authority Board members would like everyone to welcome Bob Templeton of Zurenda Lane who was appointed by the Township Supervisors to fill the unexpired term of Joe Baxter who resigned at the February 14th meeting. Mr. Templeton was also nominated and unanimously voted to serve as Vice-Chairman. The Board would also like to take the opportunity to thank Joe Baxter for serving on the Sewer Authority Board for the past four years and wish him the best in his future endeavors. The Authority Solicitor and Engineer continue to work on the Brazil Lane / Cherrywood Sewer Project and obtaining right-of-way easements and all the necessary permits needed. The Solicitor has prepared a Resolution to be adopted by the Authority in the very near future regarding eminent domain real estate takings on the remaining residents who have not signed their right-of-way easements. Larry Gasperado of Pennvest has completed an on-site visit of the project and he felt that it was a very good project to fund. The next Pennvest round to disburse funding will be on April 15, 2008 and even though Pennvest will not commit at this time, the funding does look favorable for this round. If the Pennvest Loan would fall through, the Board has also looked into a Bond Issue. The new project will generate approximately 200 new customers for the Authority. JETSA will be surveying their customers on April and May sewer bills to see how many residents would be interested in paying by Direct Debit. Please watch for your sewer bill and participate in this survey so that the Authority can determine whether the process of Direct Debit would be feasible for the Authority and if it would be a benefit to their customers.

WATER AUTHORITY NEWS
 The Jackson Township Water Authority has had a busy winter. The Wagner Road water line was tested, disinfected and charged within the last couple of months. On March 26th, the line was officially turned over to the Water Authority. Letters and all forms needed have been sent to the residents stating the need to tap-in by May 31st. Payment of tap-in fees are now being accepted at the Water Authority office. All tap-in fees, forms and applications must be complete and paid for before the water can be physically turned on. Regardless of actual tap-in or not, billing will start on June 1, 2008 at the minimum rate of $27.42 per month. If any resident along Wagner Road falls in the category of low to moderate income, they may be eligible for assistance through the Cambria County Redevelopment Authority. Forms can be obtained at the Municipal Building, Water Authority or the Cambria County Redevelopment Authority. Customers along this line will need to complete a tap form and water agreement application. Also, the fire hydrants along this line are already charged and ready for use. Residents should contact their insurance carrier for a discount on their homeowner’s insurance. In March, the Authority held an informational meeting for the residents along the Hildebrand Water Line which serves residents on Raymond Drive and Eagle Drive. At this meeting, the Board decided to move forward with the water service transfer of the line to the Jackson Township Water Authority. One of the first steps in transferring the water service is to have the residents complete a water service application which was mailed out the last week of March. The Jackson Township Water Authority will continue working diligently until this transfer is completed giving all residents along the Hildebrand line fire protection, new meters and the service of line flushing on a yearly basis. Fire protection will also reduce the homeowner’s insurance of those customers once the hydrants are installed. In the next column you will find a Water Loss Gauge. This is a real eye opener for the average water customer. The numbers on the Gauge were supplied by the National Water Association. As you can see a dripping faucet adds up over time and a hole as small as 1 / 16" can use as much as 24,666 gallons of water in one month. The Authority encourages all customers to help and conserve our natural resources by fixing any size leak no matter how trivial.

WATER LOSS GAUGE

OTHER JACKSON TWP. NEWS
 ~Who’s New Around the Township
We would like to welcome those who have been recently appointed or hired by Jackson Township. Darin Brown was appointed to the Zoning Hearing Board to fill the remaining term left vacant Barry Gehosky who submitted his resignation. Darin previously served on the Jackson Township Recreation Commission and had to resign in order to take on his new position with the Zoning Hearing Board. Denny Grove, current President of ETJ Little League was appointed to the Recreation Commission to fulfill the remaining term left vacant by Darin's resignation. Bob Templeton was appointed to the Jackson East-Taylor Sewer Authority to fill the remaining term left vacant by the resignation of Joe Baxter. A. J. Pagano and Ben Grove were hired to do grounds maintenance work at all three Township parks for the spring and summer months for 2008. We welcome and congratulate all those individuals on their new appointments. Special thanks goes out to all members of Boards & Authorities who had to resign for various reasons.

~Amfire Contributes to Township
Amfire Mining General Manager, Lou Pianetti Jr. stopped by the Municipal Building in January with an unexpected surprise. . a check for $1,000.00. The check was simply a goodwill gesture and can be used however needed with no strings attached. The Supervisors designated the generous donation to be put towards Recreation in the Township. According to Pianetti, Amfire often makes such donations or contributions in an effort to be a good corporate citizen in the communities they have facilities.

~Board Approves Bid For Belt Loader
 The Board approved at their March meeting the advertisement of bids for a used Athey Belt Loader. The Belt Loader is a self-propelled machine that is a conveyor system that is used to load materials easily to a truck and can be used in a multitude of ways.

~Board Supports ETJ Little League
 The Board of Supervisors at their January 31st meeting approved a contribution for $1500. to the East Taylor-Jackson Little League after receiving a letter requesting help from the Board. ETJ has a large number of youth who use Mitchell Park on a regular basis. In addition they also plan to use Leidy Park as well to have more fields available for practice and games if necessary.

~Trick or Treat Returning to Jackson
Although it's a long way off, plans are underway to re-establish a "Trick or Treat" night in Jackson Township based on a recommendation from the Jackson Township Recreation Commission. One option is holding Jackson's the same time as East Taylor currently has theirs. Of course the Township will have extra Police Officers on duty for the 2 hour period and will be asking the Fire Company to patrol for extra safety as well. Currently many neighborhoods in the Township have been trying to hold their own. Any homes wishing to participate will simply turn on their porch light that evening until the treats run out. Most communities around Jackson Township hold Trick or Treat nights and it should be a fun time for everyone. The Trick or Treat night will not replace the Annual Halloween Parade. That event will continue as always.

~Township Resident Helps With Clinton Visit
Jackson Township resident and Constable, Barry Rouzer recently received a phone call asking for help in escorting former President Bill Clinton to a rally held at Johnstown High School where he was campaigning for his wife Hillary's bid for President. Above is a once in a lifetime photo shot of Rouzer and Clinton together at the Cambria County Airport.

~Zoning Board Completes Several Hearings
The Jackson Township Zoning Hearing Board completed several hearings covering a wide variety of issues. Hearings included County Line Wind's request to extend beyond one year, the amount of time they could have a windmill test tower on property off of Dishong Mountain Road. That request was denied. Another request involved Warren Oil wanting to erect 11 additional above ground storage tanks for oil blends at their Mundys Corner Plant. To help determine what is considered flammable or non-flammable, Thomas Swope Jr. was hired as an expert witness for Jackson Township. Other hearings involved a request to erect commercial storage units near Mitchell Park and a setback variance request for a property along Anderson Drive.

~Need a Free Recycling Container?
Jackson Township once again has been contacted by the Central Cambria School District about free recycling containers. Last year a student did a community service project in which she contacted the PaDEP and was given 200 recycling containers for free for distribution to those interested within the School District. The containers were so wildly popular that Jackson quickly exhausted the supply given to us. This year Central Cambria contacted the PaDEP and 200 more containers will be on their way some time this summer for Jackson. If you are interested in a free recycling container, please call the Township Office at 749-0725 and we will add your name to the list of those interested. There is a limit of 2 containers per household and will be given out on a first-come, first-serve basis.

~Leisure Village Court Hearing
A Court Hearing was held on March 17th before Judge Thomas Swope to address complaints from Jackson Township concerning Leisure Village Trailer Park. Some of the complaints presented to the Judge in written form and photographs included abandoned trailers, broken post lights, accumulated garbage and rubbish, non-operable and unlicensed vehicles, vandalized windows, lack of 911 address numbers, un-maintained ditches and many others. After the presentation, the Judge had told owner, Robert McKool that he needed to file any third-party complaints before April 1st against the owners of five trailers that are considered to be abandoned. In addition, descriptions of various property violations are to be coordinated with photos to be presented at the next hearing. Jackson Township was also asked to obtain a proposed lighting plan and contractor for him to install street lighting. Mr. McKool is also to have accurate 911 numbers installed on each of the 150 lots before April 30th. A date for a new hearing has not yet been set. This is the second time that the Supervisors have taken Mr. McKool to Court over deteriorating conditions at Leisure Village. In June of 2006 Mr. McKool was ordered by Judge Swope to clean up 5 major areas including lighting, garbage and rubbish, vehicles, drainage and skirting.

~Luther P. Miller Awarded Fuel Bid
Luther P. Miller submitted the lone bid received for fuel, diesel and heating oil for the upcoming year. Six bid packages were sent out but with uncertainty in the industry, only Luther P. Miller put in a bid. The bid received was based on the OPIS (Oil Price Information Service) plus the price differential which is basically the overhead costs of the supplier. That amount was .19 cents a gallon for unleaded and .20 a gallon for diesel and heating oil. Luther P. Miller is the current supplier for Jackson Township and is required to make weekly deliveries.

~Police Department Earns Awards
 Melanie Kline, Officer with the Jackson Township Police Department and Staff Sargent with the Army National Guard will be honored by the YWCA at a dinner to be held at Sunnehanna Country Club on May 8th. The YWCA honors women in the community each year in various categories. This year, 8 women will be honored. The award she has been selected for is the "Lady Liberty Award". Officer Kline joined the Army National Guard in 1997 prior to her graduation from Central Cambria High School in 1998. Shortly after, she became a Military Police Officer with the 28th Military Police Company based in Johnstown. In 2002, Kline was deployed to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. In January of 2005, Kline was deployed to Ramadi, Iraq with the Pennsylvania Army National Guard's 2nd Brigade Combat Team of the 28th Division. Her unit participated in more than 700 combat missions. Congratulations to Officer Kline on her award! In March, Police Chief, Bob Fatula and Jackson Township received a prestigious Seven Seals Award for supporting the National Guard and Reserve. The Seven Seals award is symbolic of the seven services that make up the Reserve components. The last area company to receive such an award was Concurrent Technologies in Johnstown. In addition to Officer Kline being deployed twice, Officer Charlie Nagle Jr. was also deployed to Iraq. A plaque also hangs in the Jackson Township Meeting Room in appreciation for the Jackson Township Supervisors commitment to those employees serving in the Pennsylvania National Guard.

~Agility Agreement Signed With PennDOT
 The Jackson Township Supervisors have approved a five year agreement with PennDOT. The Agility Agreement is in place and allows Jackson Township and PennDOT to trade services or equipment. Before this could happen, a work plan would have to be approved by both parties. An example of a past work plan is when Jackson Township mowed grass for PennDOT in exchange for them doing line painting on Township roads. For the time being, no work plans are currently anticipated.

~Redevelopment Authority Files For Grant
 The Board of Supervisors authorized Larry Custer, Executive Director of the Cambria County Redevelopment Authority to file for a grant for land acquisition for several parcels surrounding Leidy Park. If approved, the grant will be a 50 / 50 match meaning Jackson Township will have to come up with 50% of the total property purchase. The grant would also cover cost of any appraisals, title searches, certifications, environmental assessments or any other associated costs.

~Sewer & Water Tap Assistance Program
The Cambria County Redevelopment Authority administers a Sewer & Water Tap Assistance Program. Qualification for the program depends on numerous factors and is geared for low to moderate income households. If you are interested in obtaining an application, they are available at the Jackson - East Taylor Sewer Authority, the Jackson Township Water Authority, the Jackson Township Municipal Building or you can print one at www.jacksontwppa.com and click on the "Sewage Link".

~Free 911 House Numbers Available
The Jackson Township Supervisors in a cooperative effort of the Police Department & Fire Company want every home and business in the Township to have their 911 address number prominently displayed. In times of emergency, every minute is critical and it is important that emergency personnel be able to find you. If your house is not numbered, please stop at the Township Building at 513 Pike Road and we have free numbers we can give you. The Township also has mounting plates available if you need one. Numbers are available in black or white. If you are not able to stop by the Township Building between 8 AM & 4 PM, leave a phone message at 749-0725 with your name, address and telephone number where you can be reached in order that we can get the numbers to you.

~Want to Schedule An Event At A Jackson Park?
If you are interested in reserving a pavilion for a family get-together, party or event, please contact the Jackson Township Municipal Building at 749-0725 to make a reservation. A pavilion is available at Mitchell, Leidy & Veterans Park. Other recreation facilities that can be reserved depending upon availability include baseball fields at Mitchell & Leidy and Volleyball Courts at Leidy.

~Tire Recycling Available
The Laurel Highlands Landfill offers recycling. Tires can also be put in a recycling bin for a minimal cost of $1.00 per normal-sized vehicle tire. This does not apply to any commercial establishments

~Need to Sign Up For New Garbage Service? - Jackson Township’s garbage contract provides for unlimited curbside garbage pick-up as well as any large items you have to dispose of with a few exceptions (i.e. - hazardous items, Freon, tires, etc.) If you are interested in signing up for garbage service you need to call 1-800-677-4884. The cost for 2008 is $38.77 per quarter.

www.jacksontwppa.com
 Jackson Township has a valuable source of information to help keep you informed. If you haven’t checked out the Township Website, please feel free to visit www.jacksontwppa.com The website is constantly updated with new information. As always, you can read the monthly approved minutes of the Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission and Recreation Meetings. New this year are minutes of the Jackson-East Taylor Sewer Authority. To see some of the pages that have been updated recently , click on "Whats New" on the home page. If you have any suggestions of what you would like to see on the Jackson Twp. Website, please call Dave Hirko at 749-0725 or email to office@jacksontwppa.com

PLANNING A BUILDING PROJECT
 If you are planning on a building project be sure to visit or call either the Jackson Township Office at 749-0725 or Harry Baker, Zoning Officer at 322-1425. Your project could involve zoning, stormwater or planning. Also with the Pennsylvania State Building Code, inspections may be required as well. Be sure to allow plenty of time to get any necessary permits prior to building. By doing this, your project can be addressed in plenty of time before you actually begin construction. Also if you are planning to pave or alter your driveway, a driveway permit is required. Roadmasters Bruce Baker & Dave Bracken said that driveway permits are not to inconvenience residents but are necessary to make sure there is a swale or pipe to direct stormwater. They also make sure that driveways are not higher than the road so snow plows don’t catch the edge of the driveway. When a driveway enters onto a Township road, a safe sight distance is also very important. PennDOT requires permits for driveways entering onto State roads within the Township.

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 JOIN JACKSON ONLINE NEWS
Township residents who have access to the internet can now join our new email group to receive up-to-date Township news by email. To subscribe just go to the Jackson Township website at www.jacksontwppa.com and subscribe to the Jackson Township Online News by entering your email address in the space provided. You will then be sent a confirmation verifying that you wish to subscribe to the online news. You must return the confirmation via email to be added to the newsletter list. We also encourage you to invite others to join. If you encounter any problem signing up, just email us at office@jacksontwppa.com or call us at the Township office at 749-0725 and you can be added manually.
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