Michael is a sophomore at Schuylkill Haven High School with an interest in politics and law.

Senator Argall introduced Michael and his father, Kevin, on the Senate Floor.

“Forty years ago as an Eagle Scout, I was able to job shadow someone,” Argall said during session. “Today it is my pleasure to provide an opportunity for another Eagle Scout to shadow me.”

You can listen to Argall’s entire introduction of Michael Potts here: http://j.mp/13Zovi1.

During his visit to the state Capitol, Michael had the opportunity to participate in regularly scheduled meetings with Senator Argall, including a meeting with Department of Community and Economic Development officials, a discussion on the sale of the state-owned liquor stores, a meeting with Philadelphia Mayor Nutter, and several constituent meetings.

The grants come from the CFA’s Alternative and Clean Energy Program, which provides financial assistance to develop and construct alternative and clean energy projects across the state. Lehighton Area’s grant, $750,000 for each project, will be put towards the renovation of the East Penn and Mahoning Elementary Schools into energy efficient buildings.

School District Superintendent Jonathan Cleaver noted the significance of the grant.

“The district and the entire Lehighton community are excited about receiving this grant,” Cleaver said. “This grant is the first of its kind for the Lehighton Area School District. We would like to thank Senator Argall, Senator Yudichak, and Representative Heffley for their continued efforts and support not only for Lehighton School District but the entire Pennsylvania Education System.”

The local delegation applauded the move, stating that it will result in cost-savings over the long run.

“These upgrades will go a long way in helping the district save valuable tax dollars over the coming years,” Senator David G. Argall (R-29) said. “This team effort to secure these funds would not be possible without the hard work of school officials to realize significant cost-savings over the long term by converting older buildings into energy efficient structures.”

“Lehighton Area School District has always set the standard for Pennsylvania districts in innovation, cost saving and energy efficiency – and these two projects are another glowing example,” Senator John Yudichak (D-14) said. “These multi-million dollar renovations will certainly enhance the learning environment for our students; and they will also help the district save money by significantly reducing energy consumption and annual water usage.”

“Through grant programs like this, we are helping to solve the nation’s energy challenges and to ensure its future economic prosperity without asking our hard-working taxpayers to doll out more cash,” said Representative Doyle Heffley (R-122). “Geothermal energy is clean, renewable energy that offsets carbon dioxide emissions of electricity generated from fossil fuels such as diesel fuel and natural gas.”

“Senator Yudichak, Senator Argall and Representative Heffley have stepped up to the plate for us,” Rocky Ahner, President of the Lehighton Area Board of Education said. “With our district entering into renovation projects of our East Penn and Mahoning elementary schools, this will be greatly appreciated by not only the board but also the taxpayers.”

The East Penn Elementary School project will include a new ground-source geothermal HVAC system, installation of energy efficient lighting and building thermal envelope upgrades. The project is anticipated to reduce energy consumption by 1,131,270 kBTU annually. In addition, new low-flow water fixtures will save the district 30 percent of the building’s annual water usage. Once completed, the building will achieve the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, Gold certification.

Similarly, the Mahoning Elementary School’s project will also include a new geothermal HVAC system, new lighting and thermal envelope upgrades. These upgrades will lower the school’s energy consumption by 837,474 kBTU each year. The school also plans to install new water fixtures to save on the school district’s annual water usage by 30 percent each year. This project will also achieve the same LEED Gold certification once completed.

The grants, which are through the CFA’s Alternative and Clean Energy Program, will provide financial assistance to develop and construct alternative and clean energy projects at two elementary schools in the district in order to reduce the school district’s energy costs.

According to Mark Snyder, Tri-Valley School District’s Superintendent, the upgrades are needed at the elementary schools.

“These funds will enable us to achieve high performance buildings while providing our students with a 21st Century educational environment,” Snyder said. “Though the Hegins-Hubley and Mahantongo Valley Elementary Schools have each served us well for over 50 years, their electro-mechanical systems have far surpassed their life expectancy and are failing. These grants will enable us to perform the necessary renovations to these two facilities while significantly defraying the cost to our taxpayers.”

Local officials applauded the grant award saying it will help the district make important renovations.

“These upgrades will result in real savings for local taxpayers,” Argall said. “I applaud the team effort that went into securing these grants and the vision of the school officials in proposing these cost-savings.”

“My office had been in contact with Mark Snyder, Tri-Valley School District superintendent, prior to the committee hearing,” said Rep. Mike Tobash (R-125). “I understand how important the funding is for the improvement and upgrade to the heating systems that haven’t been replaced in more than 30 years. I was happy to play a role in making sure that the school district got this important financial assistance during difficult budget times.”

Specifically, Hegins-Hubley Elementary School and Mahantongo Valley Elementary School are awarded $565,000 and $320,000, respectively, to be put towards building renovations.

At Hegins-Hubley Elementary, the grant, which is matched by local funds, will be put towards a new ground-source geothermal HVAC system, installation of energy-efficient lighting and building thermal envelop upgrades. The district anticipates saving 370,583 kWh annually. The district also expects to save over 218,000 gallons of water, or 40 percent, annually with the installation of new low-flow water fixtures.

Using similar renovations at Mahantongo Valley Elementary, the school will save over 101,500 gallons of water, or 68 percent, each year. The project at the school will eliminate fuel oil as an energy source, reducing energy consumption by 230,776 kWh annually.

When the renovations are completed, both schools will achieve the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification.

Submitted Remarks:

Downtown Shenandoah, Inc.
Mary Luscavage, Main Street Manager

Listen

Submitted Remarks:

Downtown Shenandoah, Inc.
Mary Luscavage, Main Street Manager

“If you look at some local communities – Jim Thorpe, Tamaqua, Hamburg just to name a few – it is clear that our region continues to reap the benefits of this private sector job creation tool,” Argall said.

The hearing will take place at 1 p.m. on Thursday, May 16 at the Carbon County Courthouse Annex (2 Hazard Square) in the Commissioner’s Conference Room (third floor) in Jim Thorpe.

The committee will meet beforehand to conduct a walking tour of downtown Jim Thorpe, starting at 11 a.m. from 2 Hazard Square, Jim Thorpe.

Main Street and Elm Street programs provide state grants that are mixed with local and private funds to improve the business district and surrounding neighborhoods in older communities. The committee will look at the future of this economic development tool utilized by many local communities.

“I am hoping the array of testimony will help the committee identify the pros and cons involved with these two programs, especially as it relates to private sector job growth,” Argall said.

The committee will hear testimony from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs, Schuylkill Community Action, Pennsylvania Downtown Center, Tamaqua Borough Council President, former Jim Thorpe Main Street manager, and Representative Bob Freeman, who authored the original law.

The public is invited to attend.

Written comments will be accepted by the committee at www.SenatorArgall.com/UrbanAffairs.

More information on the hearing can be found at www.SenatorArgall.com/UrbanAffairs.

The program brought 12 local area schools from across the 29th Senate District to Penn State University’s Schuylkill Haven campus. There the students were split into four committees – Education, Finance, Transportation and State Government – to debate bills.

During the committee process, students were chosen to be sponsors and opponents of legislation. Each committee featured legislative staff and organization representatives from Harrisburg to engage discussion and debate, while helping students articulate proposed amendments to bills.

“It’s very interesting to hear many of the students make the same arguments we hear in Harrisburg for and against similar proposals.” Argall said.

The students debated proposals including measures to ban texting while driving, sell the state’s management of the lottery system, privatize the state’s liquor stores, impose fees on school’s extracurricular activities, and an issue Argall is currently working on in Harrisburg – school property tax elimination.

Similar to the state legislature, bills that cleared the committees were then discussed before the full “Senate.” The bill sponsor and committee chairman were interrogated by the student body, amendments were offered and bills were either approved or defeated by a majority.

The longest debate was over the school property tax elimination. After nearly a half hour of debate, a measure was approved by a majority that would eliminate all school property taxes.

“We need that vote in Harrisburg,” quipped Argall, who explained this is the number one issue he hears about from constituents. “None of you own a home yet,” Argall explained to the students, “but a majority of you see how unfair property taxes are assessed.”

Schools participating included Blue Mountain, Hamburg Area, Lehighton Area, Mahanoy Area, Marian, Minersville, North Schuylkill, Pottsville Area, Saint Clair, Schuylkill Haven, Tamaqua Area and Tri-Valley. Nearly 70 students participated in this year’s program.

“I’d like to thank the students, teachers and advisors for participating. I think the students now have a new perspective on the legislative process,” Argall said.

Kicking off at 8 a.m., the Senator’s program separates the students into four committees – Education, Transportation, Finance and State Government – declaring the students “Senators” for the day.

Students are required to read the legislative proposals and articles of interest beforehand, which are featured on www.SenatorArgall.com/StudentGovernment, and debate bills in their respective committees. Students are chosen to sponsor, debate and defend a bill.

Argall believes the hands-on experience has been positive based on previous seminars.

“This program brings the government textbooks to life,” Argall said. “Some of the issues these students debate are actual hot-button items currently being discussed in Harrisburg. It is an engaging program that allows for maximum participation, while providing a unique learning experience for local students.”

Students will have the opportunity to debate real issues before the General Assembly including a school property tax elimination bill similar to a measure sponsored by Argall. Other proposals include privatizing state-owned liquor stores, selling the state’s lottery system, and use of cell phones while driving.

Argall said the relevant topics keep it interesting.

“It is one thing to read about state issues in the newspaper, but it’s another to actually debate the issues. I’m looking forward to a very interesting day,” Argall said.

The program will conclude at 1:30 p.m.

• Senate Bill 859 (Argall): An Act amending Title 68 (Real and Personal Property) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in creation, alteration and termination of condominiums, further providing for contents of declaration and flexible condominiums and for amendment of declaration; and, in creation, alteration and termination of planned communities, further providing for contents of declaration for flexible planned communities and for amendment of declaration.

During the visit, the legislators discussed a typical day in Harrisburg, review their roles in the Senate and House, and invited students to participate in a question-and-answer period. The event took place in the Senate Majority Caucus Room, where many students sat in actual seats of Senators where legislative meetings and discussions are frequently held.

“The students asked engaging questions about current events,” Argall said. “I always enjoy hosting local schools in Harrisburg, especially when we can engage in an open dialogue about their issues and concerns. The students showed an impressive understanding of state issues and affairs.”

The program will air on:

• Blue Ridge Communications (Channel 13) every Monday at 10 a.m. and every Wednesday at 10:30 p.m.
• Comcast On-Demand on Channel 1 – Get Local – Government – State Senate.
• Reading (Channel 21) and Hamburg (Channel 19) every Monday at 3 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. and every Tuesday at 9 a.m.
• Service Electric (Channel 19) the 2nd and 4th Wednesday at 7 p.m.
• The program is also available on Shen-Heights TV, Hazleton’s WLYN TV 35 and MetroCast Communications Channel 10.  Please check local listings for air times.