BEAUTIFICATION/ELM STREET
Who chooses where beautification is done & how much is spent?
Why are grants being gotten for hill section? What about lower end?
Why can’t we have containers that hold all of refuse in the downtown area?
Beautification ~ I recently heard that up to 40 to 45% of residences in the city are rental
properties. (some multi-family units)(Do not know how accurate figures may be) – I’ve
seen the 4th Street corridor (between Market and Reagan St erode over the last 20 to 25
years. How does the code enforcement plan to help revive this and other similar area?
Why does all the beautification around town revolve around the Hill community? Don’t
us living outside of the famed Hill community matter? Maybe if there were more work
being done in the other areas. Then and only then will our property values go up like in
the mayor’s neighborhood!!
CODES
Since a high percentage of rentals is a problem in the city, raising fees to landlords would
bring the city more money and deter the problem with shabby housing
Is there a code or policy for uniform curbing in Sunbury? I notice asphalt rolls, old slate,
individual curbing preferences by contractors and no curbing. Uniform curbing and
sidewalks would enhance the image of Sunbury.
Have City or Code to have people keep yards clean and rid of junk and trash. Pass code.
Need more people in code office.
Is there an ordinance whereby families are to live in dwelling? I ask this question
because in our neighborhood recently a half of a double was condemned and the group of
people who lived in that place just moved in with people on the other side.
I feel overcrowding like this is not good for the neighborhoods or Sunbury
Sidewalks some are impassable for wheelchairs ~ Joe Mayo
Is there a sign committee to institute a plan to oversee design of business signs in the
downtown area?
Ban burn barrels. They contain ash plastic and recyclables. The air blows over from
other locales.
Dilapidated run down building
How can you force people to clean up their property? Where’s the code enforcement dept
to penalize the owners
We are allowing certain businesses to expand into our residential areas costing us
housing and tax base. Why?
Sidewalks are not usable for handicap people (wheel chairs and motorized scooter. They
are in disarray or in need of repair.
Revitalization of sidewalks for the ever growing motorized wheelchairs. Repair of for
safety of seniors.
Why is there such a high percentage of rentals in Sunbury?
Neighbor cut down tree causing water on property
Pressure and/or incentives for property maintenance
$1000 fee for rental permits to improve vacant buildings without reimbursement if not
approved is not encouragement for others to continue purchasing and repairing.
Recently walked past 355 Race Street. Couldn’t believe what I saw. Does the code
office only inspect what they want to or what? Does this have something to do with an
ex council member owning it. Why do we have selective code office? 355 has violations
existing since 2002 (never corrected) Why? Who is in charge?
Why must code office be notified about violations? Do we need more code officers?
COUNTY
Frank Sawicki Commission
The historical records that you mentioned, would they not better serve economic
development and visibility in a historical building such as the Hotel Edison?
Poss. A museum within
Must we have the county welfare office here? This is one of the reasons that we have so
many low-income people moving here.
EDUCATION/SCHOOL
Education question
You say you want to give the disadvantaged citizens opportunities to get ahead. Are
there free adult literacy classes? Are there free “learn to speak English classes for adults?
Education is a way to beat the problem. Free tutoring for students of all ages not just
after school but throughout the evening would be helpful. Has any thought to use the old
Edison Elementary School for evening education service ever been considered? (PSSA
prep class, English lessons, tutoring adult reading could be useful.)
Do you support the proposed community college?
Schools….
How many district students are enrolled in Cyber School? If more than 20 why so
many??
Mr. Tim Fister President of School board
With the $300,000 that the school district has attained, is there any consideration of
giving tax relief to the tax payers?
FIRE DEPARTMENT
I have great concerns about the Sunbury Fire Department. There was a committee
formed that disbanded without any concrete results. There seems to be no movement to
be proactive in funding and recruiting, it seems like only reactions to emergencies. What
will council do? What about the school? How about SPARC and SRI? Without a safe
community Sunbury will not move forward!
I would like fire boxes back whistle sounding out each number box. 12:00 & 7:30
whistle back. We listen for these whistles.
GENERAL/ IMAGE
Is the town going to implement a reasonable fee for local landscapes to use the debris pile
when doing work in the city? Also why is it closed on the weekend when most people
have the time to use it. A reasonable fee would cover the cost of the shredder.
Is someone going to tell the Daily Item to stop bashing Sunbury? Aka Little Philly?
Are there any programs to help me turn my almost 100 year old townhouse green
especially solar panels?
Are you taking questions from the floor?
Suggestion to ask people to stand to ask questions. Don’t you have a mic?
Are you aware that State Rep Merle Phillips is here?
How many corporate charters were revoked in 2007? (There was more to this questions
but I wasn’t able to read it.
Are you aware Mr. Mayor that there is a soup kitchen? We welcome you and city
council to stop by. Are you aware we have homeless here? What is being done about
this?
I am concerned about the growing number of poor and hungry residents in the city.
Website or newsletter of progress in areas mentioned at this session. A quarterly update
would benefit community members.
What is our status as a city? Are we still 3rd class? If not what are we?
Subj: Drug Rehab Centers
Why does the City of Sunbury and county of Northumberland continue to allow these
types of people to be imported from other cities?
In my opinion this type of practice is detrimental to the community. It allows for these
offenders to establish new roots and flourish in a rather virgin market compared to where
they are coming from.
Which one project do you feel is at the top of your “must do” list? Why?
What do you hope to achieve?
What is the biggest problem to overcome? How will that be done?
Graffiti Don’t sell cans of spray paint
What tracked indicators are published that could be reviewed on line that one could check
for progress? And what are the websites? Such as school test scores, crime rates job
numbers etc.
How do you perceive our city at this point? And what viable methods do you see being
put in place to overcome cultural and financial diversity that is seen growing in the city?
Explain the first time home buying for City of Sunbury.
What is the city doing to get people involved in the community through new and existing
neighborhood councils, city boards (SPARC) and any other community involvement.
Diversity
Sunbury has seen a large influx of people of color – particularly Hispanic and African
Americans. Too many long time Sunbury residents view racial diversity as a threat,
when it could actually be the key to making Sunbury a stronger community. What can
we do to make Sunbury a welcoming environment for people of all races and
nationalities, thereby making Sunbury a better community for all of us?
I don’t mean to be negative but Sunbury is sometimes viewed as the laughing stock of
area cities.
What can be done to instill pride in the city?
Drug issues/concerns
Downtown store fronts?
Businesses and jobs back in Sunbury
What about the 5th ward?
Tax incentives for new businesses creating jobs
Property tax structure improvement for existing and new business
Outside of rental what is being done for small industry. I’m sure there are areas that can
give incentives to be part of our city. If the city is to grow more jobs should be created to
more homes
To Shipman
What impact do current and projected fiscal problems of the national affect hopes for the
development of Sunbury.
Considering that Sunbury has limited areas for industries development, what
collaboration is occurring with surrounding townships?
Tent sales taking business out of the city.
What is the city/county doing in terms of helping new and or growing businesses with
grants and or assistance?
What economic & business recruitment and retention practices are being implemented?
Since the announcement that Stitches was closing has there been any new company
showing any interest in moving to Sunbury?
I strongly believe that keeping young professionals is a key component to Sunbury’s
future. What effort is underway to promote this issue?
Entice people to come here.
Mayor Woodring~
Beside the amphitheater, what are your projective goals for economic growth specifically
with the old Human Resource building at 4th and Market St? Business has been lost due
to relocation.
Why isn’t there any New Years celebration in this city? RE: a falling tomahawk or
something Indian related
Will the skate park be put on an as available after everything else?
Why can’t a 4th of July community picnic in Cameron Park be held?
What does the Main Street Grant involve if it comes through?
What do our taxes get used for? We are new to the area.
Personal taxes? School District taxes? The $52 work tax?
Is there a possibility of reinstating rail service especially to Harrisburg? Boon to city’s
economy….
We continue to dwell on the negatives. Sunbury has many many advantages. Ice rink,
YMCA, skate park etc. We need to make all these things known.
It is obvious that Sunbury embraces history while looking forward.
Are there plans or has a project been started to house and display Edison’s generator in
the city and have there been any thought on acquiring or leasing the old Edison school for
a purpose such as this.
PRIDE OF SUNBURY/NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY
Are there any activities currently in the works to help instill a sense of pride in the
community?
I feel that more people can be educated about Sunbury’s rich history; the more pride
people will have and will take more initiative to keep the name of Sunbury a good name
or at minimum, work towards improving its reputation.
A good reputation will help economic revitalization home and property values and bring
business and jobs to the area.
Hot line for anonymous phone tips about problems in Sunbury
Getting all the churches involved to help out in some of the programs would help. Meet
with them to discuss ~ food, homeless and so on.
Invite all churches to help out in city.
Why not use some money to create a community center? It would certainly keep kids
from hanging out on streets. We are spending lot of money on the beautification in parks
etc but places like the OPG can only be used for youth once a year. We need a place for
kids to go all year.
Empty store fronts ~ are there any plans for filling them?
Could the old CVS building on Market Street and the Bittner building (4th and Market)
be converted to business incubators?
No question – just many thanks for your dedication and hard work
Challenge to council: Join the Sunbury Bar Crawl July 5th.
HISTORY/HISTORICAL
Sunbury has one character that shopping malls DO NOT ~ HISTOCIAL HERITAGE ~
we should have a historical commission to address this.
MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY
When will the underpasses on Reagan Street and Rt 61 stop flooding during heavy rain?
Reagan Street and pumping station
PARKING/PARKING METER
Do we really need parking meters on Market Street?
Remove parking meters on downtown Market Street. They are not customer friendly or
business friendly. The upkeep and meter maid offset any financial gains. They are a
deterrent to customers
POLICE
Were there any members of the police force interested in applying for the chief’s
position?
Does the police department as it is presently constituted have the resources to identify
and combat gang activity in the city?
5 illegal stop signs in the city. 1 by jail which causes many accidents
Why is a city person allowed to every summer be allowed sit out day and or night being
publicly exposed as people walk by on Market Street.
Chief Mazzeo ~~~Can you make a 12 officer department work for Sunbury or are more
officers necessary?
We have made much progress in the past few years but the widely reported crime
problem in the city seems to be jeopardizing all these efforts. What more can be done to
make visitors to the city more comfortable and to make residents feel safer in their
homes?
Was the county district attorney invited tonight? If not why not?
Are we having more foot patrol by police?
When is foot patrol going to start? Are residents of the Hill section going to be heard this
year or will the youth problems be allowed to continue? i.e. curfew, skateboarding on
private property, noise.
I want to be able to walk in the morning and at dusk in the city and not be afraid.
Isn’t prevention o f crime more important than enforcing it? The youth of Sunbury
If you tell some how bad they are they will start to believe it. Do any of you remember
the pranks and destruction you did in your youth?
Police/Foot Patrol
Why was the police chief promoted from outside the city illegally?
I would like to hear the reason(s) why the mayor and city council circumvented the hiring
process when the new police chief was hired.
There is an ordinance that specifically stated that someone “from within” the current
police department be promoted. The end run this. I would like an answer as it was the
mayor and city council that received to by this.
Police. . . .
What is being done about the Drug Dealers and Gangs in Sunbury?
How can I as a resident of Sunbury help law enforcement to curtail the activities of the
Drug Dealers and gangs in Sunbury?
Speeding on Reagan Street
RIVER FRONT/ FLOOD WALL
RE the new flood gates ~ where have they been used successfully?
Why was the Front Street Project was not placed on ballot. This project will cause
FEMA to revise their zones.
Was the general population allowed to vote on the band shell and cutting a hole in the
wall?
River Front project ~ where will visitors find parking?
What happened to the fish ladder project (shad)
When are we going to stabilize the river side of the bank?
It will cost 20 million & state or federal allotted 2 million. Who is funding the rest and
how will we benefit economically if the amphitheater will be used in the spring and
summer.
Why do we have to open the wall to have an amphitheater? Can we go up and over the
wall?
Trees by the wall
Have you thought of reducing the scope/cost of the riverfront project to something that is
affordable? Couldn’t we build ramps leading up to the floodwall at Front and Market
instead of knocking holes in the wall?
Many thanks to the excellent flood control system we have.
I would like to see this panel ask for a show of hands from the audience as to who favors
holes in the floodwall and the building of the amphitheatre.
River Front Project status
Why is a hole in our flood wall still necessary?
What responsibility will the city take for houses that may be flooded when flood walls on
Market St is put up (between Zimmerman and Dominoes where it is designated to block
Rt 61)? Should we even bother putting sidewalks in and or remodeling our homes?
The River Front amphitheatre. Who will perform there? Who will guarantee their pay if
weather is inclement?
Will it not be unpleasant to sit facing west on a summer evening looking directly into the
sun?
Please explain what is going to happen to flood wall when the new theatre comes in?
This is pertaining to River Park. Instead of removing sections of the wall why can’t it be
built up on both sides and go out over the wall?
This would strengthen instead of weakening the wall. Also stabilization of the wall
should come first.
Since there is a big difference of opinion about cutting holes in the flood wall, wouldn’t it
be the “fair” thing to do to put the issue on the ballot at election time so the voters can
decide about cutting the wall?
Do we need a hole in the wall? Don’t risk a flood. Spend the money on necessary
revitalization, police maintenance. Today’s Daily Item suggests having fund raisers for
the wall project. I’ll go to the marina to look at the river.
Has the city considered erecting a boardwalk instead of the proposed river front project?
This would allow access over the wall rather than having to remove sections of the wall
plus it would be unique
If the amphitheatre come into fruition what are the plans for ample and convenient
parking?
Wall a poor idea
Status of the fish ladder
STREETS
When are the streets going to be redone? Streets were bad last year and worse now.
YOUTH
What about the kids?