"I do not want us to be vanilla"

These are the words of a concerned citizen as she expressed her frustrations with the Forks Township Comprehensive plan. Additionally, she discussed how Forks Township is a unique place and this idea is not coming through in the comprehensive plan.

On April 22, 2008, the Forks Township Planing Commission discussed the options for the review and/or approval of the current draft of the comprehensive plan. Additionally, Planing Commission heard feedback from the Ramblewood Concerned Citizen groups.

On a 4-3 vote, the Planning Commission approved a motion to extend the review of the Comprehensive plan for at least 30 days. The public and Planning Commission has 14 days to provide comments on the current draft plan. Then the Planning Commission will appoint a 3 person ad-hoc committee that will be charged with finalizing the recommendations. The ad-hoc committee will make a report to the full Planing Commission.

Over 35 people from the Ramblewood Concern Citizen group talked about the extension and how the extension impacts their quality of life. One interesting aspect of the discussion was the definition of sense of community. The Planning Commission normally defines a sense of community as Forks Township, but the Ramblewood Concerned Citizen group defines a sense of community as the immediate neighborhood. This concept presented by the Ramblewood group is consistent with the development of local parks, tot lots, and the idea of a community within a community.

If you have any ideas or comments about critical issues facing Forks Township, please share your ideas via our blog.

Get Involved – Every Voice Counts!

Sincerely,
David Billings
d.billings@att.net

Forks Township Comprehensive Plan Review Round 2

The Forks Township Planning Commission is holding another Workshop on April 22, 2008 at 7:00 PM. This workshop may focus on two critical items.

First, the Planning Commission will discuss the next steps for the Forks Township Comprehensive plan. As you may recall, the Planning discussed a proposal for the creation of a three person Planning Commission Ad Hoc committee that would be charged with the following responsibilities:

1. Review other township’s Comprehensive Plan’s to determine how other townships create Comprehensive plans. The information can be gathered by the township staff.


2. Develop ideas on how to better organize the data. Create a five to seven year vision statement for the township. Check facts and determine that we have included all relevant ideas and conclusions. Make sure the material is presented in proper sequence and is readable by our citizens.


3. Prepare a report with specific recommendations for discussion by the full Planning Commission.

4. Implement the recommendations, as approved by the Planning Commission.

Second, a citizen group may express their opposition to a proposed extension of Ramblewood to Sullivan Trial. If you were out and about this weekend, you may have seen the Ramblewood protest signs at the corner of Ramblewood and Richmond Dr.


At the last meeting, about a third of the audience expressed their concern the proposed extension would decrease their Quality of Life. One resident stated the “Truths of yesterday are not the truths of today”. My bet this issue will be raised by our citizen group!






If you have any ideas or comments about critical issues facing Forks Township, please share your ideas via our blog.

Get Involved – Every Voice Counts!

Sincerely,

David Billings
d.billings@att.net

Brookings Metropolitan Policy Statement

Several weeks ago, the Morning Call ran an editorial about a Brookings Report about improving economic conditions in the Lehigh Valley. The report is called “An Economic Plan for the Commonwealth”.

I thought the report had several interesting facts about the Lehigh Valley role in driving economic prosperity.

1. The top six metropolitan areas in Pennsylvania constitute 68.4% of the population, but drive 80.5% of the state economic output.

2. The Lehigh Valley experienced job growth at 5.6% compared to the US average of 5.9% and the PA average of 3.3%.

3. The Lehigh Valley has a large concentration of industrial Gases, health care, and higher education. However, it has been widely reported the Lehigh Valley is suffering from “brain drain”, as graduates of our local universities and colleges leave the area for higher paying jobs.

4. The three principal cities in the Lehigh Valley, Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, saw their combined tax base grow by .5%, while the surrounding township tax base grew about 52%.

Yes, the Lehigh Valley is important to the future of PA economic growth. This also means we need to understand the role that Forks Township plays in the state economic development.

I would submit we have a play a vital role in Northampton County growth. Forks Township has a median income over $65,000. Over 40% of our township has college degrees with 9.4% holding an associate degree, 22.6% holding a Bachelors degree, and 10% have a graduate degree.


If you have any ideas or comments about critical issues facing Forks Township, please share your ideas via our blog.

Get Involved – Every Voice Counts!

Sincerely,David Billings
d.billings@att.net


Source of data:
1. www.zipskinny.com
2. Brookings Report: “An Economic Plan for the Commonwealth”.

Forks Township Comprehensive plan Update

The following proposal was discussed at the April 10, 2008 Planning Commission meeting.


I would like to present a proposal on how to improve the draft of the Forks Township Comprehensive plan now under review. I have considered the public input and comments from our last meeting. They have led me to the conclusion we need to enhance the current draft of the plan.

Some of the public comments are as follows:
1.“yesterday's truths are not necessarily today's”
2. “If the comprehensive plan was lifted from other towns and can it stand on its own and can it withstand a challenge?”. Is our plan based upon on our needs, our vision of the future?
3. A citizen spoke about township beautification projects
4. "Philosophy of the township must be seen in the Comprehensive Plan and also be seen in the zoning code.
5. “…the Comp Plan may take a laissez faire attitude toward farmland preservation”

Additionally, I had the opportunity to review other townships’ comprehensive plans, which provide me with new ideas and insights on the development of other Comprehensive Plans.
1. Radnor PA
2. Lansdale PA
3. Lycoming County Pa

First, I would like to thank all the citizens of Forks Township who provided their time and talent to create the latest draft of our plan. The various teams provided great ideas on how to improve our township with recommendations on how to implement these solutions. It was truly a remarkable effort. Now, I believe it’s time to enhance the plan, so that it embodies the vision of our township. This plan needs to be our guiding document for the next 5 to 7 years.

I would like to propose the creation of a three person Planning Commission Ad Hoc committee that would be charged with the following responsibilities:

1. Review other township’s Comprehensive Plan’s to determine how other townships create Comprehensive plans. The information can be gathered by the township staff.

2. Develop ideas on how to better organize the data. Create a five to seven year vision statement for the township. Check facts and determine that we have included all relevant ideas and conclusions. Make sure the material is presented in proper sequence and is readable by our citizens.

3. Prepare a report with specific recommendations for discussion by the full Planning Commission.

4. Implement the recommendations, as approved by the Planning Commission.

Lastly, I recommend that the final draft be subject to edit review by pre-selected commission members with assistance from informed citizens

If you have any ideas or comments about critical issues facing Forks Township, please share your ideas via our blog.

Involved – Every Voice Counts!

Sincerely,David Billings
d.billings@att.net

Vintner’s Circle – A new wine store in Forks!

Tonight, I had a chance to visit a new wine store in Forks. No, it is not owned by the State of PA. The new wine making store is owed Jim Alercia and Patty Lantz.

The Vintner’s Circle is a place where your dreams of making wine can come true. You will use professional wine making equipment, and be guided through each session by Vintner’ Circle expert staff trained in wine making.

You can make any variety of wine your heart desires and even design your own labels! For $279 you can make and bottle 28 to 30 bottles of wine. Just $140 will get you 15 bottles of wine. The hours of the store as are as follows:

1. Saturday from 11:00 am until 4:00 pm
2. Sunday from 2:00 pm until 5:00 pm
3. Tuesday & Wednesday from 11:00 am until 6:00 pm
4. Thursday & Friday from 11:00 am until 6:00 pm
5. 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm by appointment

I had a chance to sample some red wine. I have to say it was quite good.

When you are in the mood to make some wine, just give Jim and Patty a call at 610-438-8660 or stop by the store. The store is located at 1700 Sullivan Trail, #11. You can visit http://www.vintnerscircle.com/ to get additional information on wine making.

It is good have this unique store in our community. Good Luck!

Buy local and support Forks Businesses.

If you have any ideas or comments about critical issues facing Forks Township, please share your ideas via our blog.

Get Involved – Every Voice Counts!

Sincerely,
David Billings
d.billings@att.net

Welcome to a new Forks business - Bushkill Bait!

If you are a avid fisherman, you already know the 2008 trout season opened in the Lehigh Valley on Saturday March 29,2008. The first lines were dropped into the Bushkill Creek at 8:00 AM.

The first trout was caught within a minute or two. I am thinking this could be the first trout pulled from the Bushkill Creek of the 2008 trout season, but I am not really sure.

Brian and I had good time fishing together, even as my teeth chattered in the cold morning air. We decided to leave the fish in the creek (ha ha), but we had a good time.

Oh yes, this is a blog about a new business in Forks Township. You may have guessed the new business has something to do with fishing. It seems we have bait and tackle shop located at 1907 Bushkill Drive. The Bushkill Bait shop stocks basic fishing supplies and live bait. The shop is opened from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm. I am hoping the shop is successful! Good Luck!

Buy local and support Forks Township businesses.


If you have any ideas or comments about critical issues facing Forks Township, please share your ideas via our blog.

Get Involved – Every Voice Counts!

Sincerely,

David Billings
d.billings@att.net

Forks Post Office Update

I thought we would provide a quick update on the Forks Post Office located in the Ace Hardware.

We have a full service Post Office that does everything from international mailing to overnight mail. The Post Office is open Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 7:00 PM. Saturday from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM and the Post Office Sunday hours are from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

The mail pick-up is at 4:30 PM for Monday to Friday and 12:30 PM on Saturday.

How many Post Offices in the valley have these hours and great service from the staff at Cantelmi’s Ace Hardware? I am thinking none!



Stop by and say hello to Post Office manager Dena Zona! It does feel good to have our own Post Office!

Buy local and support Forks Township businesses.


If you have any ideas or comments about critical issues facing Forks Township, please share your ideas via our blog.



Get Involved – Every Voice Counts!



Sincerely,



David Billings

d.billings@att.net

Forks Post Office Update

I thought we would provide a quick update on the Forks Post Office located in the Ace Hardware.

We have a full service Post Office that does everything from international mailing to overnight mail. The Post Office is open Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 7:00 PM a nd Saturday from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Additionally, the Post Office is open on Sunday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

The mail pick-up is at 4:30 PM for Monday to Friday and 12:30 PM on Saturday.

How many Post Offices in the valley have these hours and great service from the staff at Cantelmi’s Ace Hardware? I am thinking none!

Stop by and say hello to Post Office manager Dena Zona! It does feel good to have our own Post Office!

Buy local and support Forks Township businesses.


If you have any ideas or comments about critical issues facing Forks Township, please share your ideas via our blog.

Get Involved – Every Voice Counts!

Sincerely,

David Billings
d.billings@att.net