COPLAY BOROUGH GOVERNMENT
THE GRAY PERIOD
CONTINUED
The year 2010 resulted in changes that involved the Coplay Fire Co. No. 1 and the Borough of Coplay. It came to pass that Coplay Fire Co. No. 1 transferred ownership of 165 Cherry St. to the Borough, who assumed the indebtedness of the building (appr. $29,000) and gave a lease of the social quarters , which included a monthly rental fee by Coplay Fire Co. No. 1 payable to the Borough and included the loss of the name "Coplay Fire Co. No. 1" in the future. The name of the alleged social club was changed to CFC, Commitment to Family and Community. For some unknown reason, someone became thickheaded and continued to use the Coplay Fire Co. No. 1 name, despite the fact that the agreement with the Borough forbid the usage. It came to pass where the lease was almost terminated with CFC. A public meeting was held in Council Chambers and after an impassioned plea by a level headed (in my opinion) member of CFC, Jeffrey Hantz, a temporary extension was granted so that CFC could get their house in order and comply with the terms of the agreement. This is still a work in progress. The Borough is in the process of upgrading the facility and all utilities at 165 Cherry St. A never ending story, please stay tuned for future happenings. We must all show respect for the undermanned Fire Department, because they stand between us and disaster. They hold weekly training sessions and are open to individuals who wish to volunteer as part of their Department. They hold an authorized Coin Toss yearly to raise funds. On the other side of the coin, I recommend that we frequent the CFC Social Club when they hold their monthly, all you can eat, sit down breakfasts (none in July and August) , their Craft Shows and Meat raffles, which are held seasonally. Their social quarters are also available for other functions, such as, weddings, banquets, wedding showers etc. (contact-610-262-5956). A number of years ago, the facility was utilized by the U.S. Postal Service to administer the Civil Service test for employment. For years the facilities have been made available to the Coplay Senior Citizen Organization, who in return, normally makes a donation each year without being requested. The former Coplay Fire Co. No. 1 also provided a Christmas Dinner to the Senior Citizens Group. Remember please, that our community is what we make it or allow it to become. Please stay involved and vigilant and help Coplay to once again remain, as it has become, a Community "Of the People, By the People and For the People". May we be fortunate enough to witness a closure to what, in my opinion and observations, was "Coplay Borough Government, A Gray Period" Isn't that "NUFF SAID???"
I would be remiss if I didn't recognize some super, community oriented individuals that DID serve admirably during the "Gray Period'. Mrs. Helen Schnecker was all Coplay. She was totally involved in the promotion of the Ironton Rail/Trail, Coplay Branch,since it's availability became known. She diligently pursued the funds involved, despite hitting many roadblocks that kept popping up. Thanks to her and Joe Bundra and the cooperation and association with the folks from Whitehall Township and North Whitehall Township, Coplay has a prized package used by many from the Lehigh Valley. There have been numerous 5 and 10 K fundraisers that have used the Coplay Pavilion and Trailhead. Back in 2004 I attended a seminar in Wilkesbarre presented by officials of DEP (Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection) as it dealt with the Sanitation Department and other issues. During the afternoon session, the instructors reflected on the origin of Recycling in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. They stated that the first community to launch the program back in August of 1986 was the Borough of Coplay. They then presented the name of the person whose diligence and persistence paid off for our Borough, Council Member Mrs. Helen Schnecker. That announcement concerning Helen and the Borough of Coplay had me on Cloud 9. As a Council member I was privileged to attend a symposium on Homeland Security with Helen back in August of 2004. I could go on and on concerning Helen's involvement and why she should be remembered in our prayers. Helen was called by the Good Lord in March of 2005. God Bless.
Joe Bundra. I already mentioned his involvement on the Ironton Rail/Trail, Coplay Branch, but there is no way that his accomplishments can be truly measured. His passion and physical involvement are beyond belief. Yes, there were others involved, but the hours that Joe has and still is contributing have never been documented. He worked with the folks from the other municipalities and I have never, ever witnessed such mutual and unselfish cooperation between individuals to achieve a common goal. Ann and I have both witnessed when a work detail request was brought up at an Ironton Rail/Trail meeting (we used to attend them on a regular basis), responses came from the all the people involved, regardless of where they lived. I attended a meeting, as an interested Council Member, along with fellow Councilman at the time, Joe Bundra and the Borough Solicitor, which was held at the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission Headquarters on Marcon Blvd. Coplay was one gavel away from losing the Federal funding it was due for the Trail, which was administered by Penndot. Coplay was one of four entities under consideration that day. Thanks to Mr. George Doughty, the deposed Airport Authority CEO, who spoke up after what he perceived as a "railroad job" where the Borough of Coplay Rail/Trail was concerned. I covered the issue on the CD that we produced, "Coplay, A Pictorial and Text CD". I worked with Joe when I was on council. Joe was Chairman of the Streets Committee and I Chaired the Sanitation Committee, which Joe supervised prior to my election. Combined, they comprised the Public Works Department. Coplay has some multi-talented people employed there and Joe utilized their skills. We collaborated on and had a street fully redone in 2004, Fifth St. The bid was awarded at appr. $69,000 but with some overruns it came in as a final cost of Appr. $76,000. Try to come even close to that figure today. Joe, by personal admission, was aligned with a certain individual, but over time came to realize that the agenda of that person was not really in the best interests of Coplay. Joe is fully involved in Council again and is the Chairman of the Fire and Water Committee. We wish him the very best as he serves the community. Incidentally, I also worked with Joe when he was Chairman of the Public Works Department contract negotiating Committee. God Bless.
Moving on, I have to mention my association with another Council Member who I strongly believe had a great concern for Coplay. Mrs. KimAnn Meyers. KimAnn was Chairman of the Finance Committee and I served as an associate. I learned much during the budget preparation sessions. We had a welcome assist from Sandy Gyecsek, the borough secretary, who was always at our elbow and beck and call with her computer expertise. KimAnn was there every month after reviewing the borough bills and presenting each of us with the bills, where we were involved, for our perusal and approval. KimAnn, thank you for your dedication despite the efforts of some folks to make your road a difficult one to travel. We hope you and yours are happy in your new surroundings. May God Bless You and Yours.
THIS POSTING IS DEDICATED
IN THE LOVING MEMORY OF
MEL AND WINNIE BILLIG,
WHO FOUND AND FELL IN
LOVE WITH OUR COPLAY.
THEY ARE DEEPLY MISSED BY MANY.
COMMENTS PLEASE, ON OUR COPLAY GOVERNMENT STORY.
THANK YOU.
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