A Year to Reflect

I know that Johnsontown Community Group had been around a little more than a year now, but since we are having our Second Annual Christmas Party I thought now would be a good time to look at some of the things we have accomplished.  There are now yellow lines on the upper half of Church Street to delineate lanes, most of the lights in Johnsontown are in operating order and when they go dark Jack Law and Public Works are on it.  The pit bull issue that plagued Talucci Drive came to a close with the workings of neighbors, police and the mayor.  When our community was hit with graffiti, many people came along and were helpful in handling the situation and shortly afterward the perpetrators were apprehended.  It might seem minor, but now there is a trash can in St. Joseph's Alley from Viaduct so that children coming back from Turkey Hill can dispose of their trash in a receptacle instead of the street or yards.  We have had three successful Clean Up Days and of course our National Night Out which was a rousing success.  We had expected maybe a turn out of 50 people and at one count there were 120 coming through.  Neighbors met one another and we came together as Johnsontown.  We now have the issue of the Boot Road Extension coming into Johnsontown Park, but thanks to the work of the Executive Board and Committee we now come to the table ready to compromise and work within the development realm instead of being at sixes and sevens with Borough Council and the developer.

However, for me the biggest accomplishment is that I know a good portion of my neighbors now and even if we don't know each other's names we can wave as we pass by on our walks, driving the kids to school or coming home from work.  We look out for one another and we are coming together as a community and what better way to end the year than on a note of fellowship and holiday cheer........so here's to you Johnsontown and Merry Christmas to everyone!