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In this Update:
New Dental School Will Support Local Families, Students, Revitalization Efforts
Temple University’s future dental school and clinic in Tamaqua is the focus of a new article published by WVIA which reviews how the serious dental care shortages in northeast Pennsylvania affect local families and dentists and how we can solve this problem. The Craig family from Carbon County discussed how they must drive an hour and a half to find a dentist who can perform the six root canals their son needs and takes their insurance. Dr. Marie Tacelosky of Bright Smiles Dental Art shared how local dentists are overwhelmed by the number of patients who need care and feel helpless. To address these shortages, we’re working to bring Pennsylvania’s first rural dental school and clinic to downtown Tamaqua. The school will graduate 10 new dentists per year. They will gain their clinical experience by serving local patients from Schuylkill, Carbon, and Luzerne counties and beyond. Once they graduate, they will likely locate in rural Pennsylvania – students who train in rural towns are more likely to practice in rural towns. Because of this effort, more people will have access to quality dental care close to home. The next generation of dentists in northeast Pennsylvania will be educated in the area where they will likely open a practice. And a second institution of higher education in Tamaqua will benefit local revitalization efforts by bringing dental students, faculty members and staff and their patients downtown to visit our local restaurants, pubs, and shops. In the article, Dr. Amid Ismail, the dean of the Kornberg School of Dentistry at Temple University, notes his plans to join with the Lehigh Carbon Community College Morgan Center in Tamaqua to train some much-needed additional dental assistants and dental hygienists, as well. Many of us are working together to bring this idea to life –and the sooner, the better! Planning for the Future at Penn State Schuylkill and Hazleton
By working together, thousands of us successfully saved Penn State Schuylkill and Penn State Hazleton earlier this year, BUT what’s next? On Wednesday, Dr. Renata Engel, Penn State’s interim vice president of Commonwealth Campuses, visited to meet with local leaders about the future of Penn State Schuylkill. We reviewed potential opportunities to expand upon the campus’ most successful programs, like the innovative Co-Op program which matches students with local employers, as well as proposals to tap into the fastest-growing portions of our economy here in northeast Pennsylvania. Earlier this year, thousands of us stood up and made our voices heard when both the Schuylkill and Hazleton campuses were under consideration for closure. Now, we all must work together to ensure this never happens again. Our local state representatives and I will host two more public meetings in the coming months to strengthen these campuses so they can continue to grow. Stay tuned! Joining us Wednesday night: Rep. Jamie Barton, Amy Marnell from Rep. Tim Twardzik’s office, Commissioners Boots Hetherington and Gary Hess, and many other members of the Penn State Schuylkill advisory board. Sign Up for My Veterans E-Newsletter!
In an effort to keep veterans in Schuylkill, Carbon, and Luzerne counties informed about local events, legislative updates from Harrisburg, and state resources, I will begin distributing a veterans e-newsletter every month. If you or someone you know is a veteran, sign up here. July 26 & 27: Anthracite Model Railroad Society Hosts Open House in Hazle Township
The Anthracite Model Railroad Society is hosting their annual summer open house on Saturday, July 26 and Sunday, July 27 from noon to 5 p.m. at their headquarters at 1056 Hanover Court, Hazle Township. Their massive, impressive model train layout includes many landmarks in the Greater Hazleton area, faithfully recreating Eckley Miners Village, Weatherly, Jim Thorpe, Hazleton, and other local locations – pictured here is Jim Thorpe! When Beth and I visited, we were very impressed! Meeting with Dr. Fred Grogan in Jim Thorpe
Wow. I met with Dr. Fred Grogan, one of my most valued college professors Wednesday on a bench in downtown Jim Thorpe as he and his wife prepared to enjoy a train ride. The lessons he taught – in public opinion and polling, public administration, the legislative process, and many others, as well as guiding me through my first internship with Rep. Bill Klingaman – have served me well. Dr. Grogan, I know that your home near Kansas City is a long way from here and it’s been many decades since we first met in your Lycoming College classroom, but I remember many of the basic principles which you taught as if it was last week. Thank you for advising a confused 18-year-old kid and providing lessons which have guided me for these many years! New Leadership at Tuscarora, Locust Lake State Parks
This week, I met with Ron Gilliland, the new park manager for the Tuscarora/Locust Lake State Park Complex, to review how we can work together to ensure a quality visitor experience at this popular site. He provided an update on the campsite closures at Locust Lake, sharing that he is hopeful the work will be completed by the end of the summer. Twelve new full hookup campsites will be available once this work is complete. Also joining us was Rex Bradish, the local division manager for the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Bureau of State Parks. Visit Downtown White Haven for Jam Below the Dam
Don’t miss Jam Below the Dam in downtown White Haven this weekend! This festival, hosted by the Greater White Haven Chamber of Commerce, will take place on Friday, July 25 from 4-8 p.m. and Saturday, July 26 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. It will feature live music, food and craft vendors, a pet zone, family friendly activities, and more. Thanks in part to the new entrance to the D+L Trail from Lehigh Gorge State Park and passenger train excursions from Jim Thorpe and other communities, White Haven residents have made significant progress towards breathing new life into their small town. Now, they’re planning for the future through the Blueprint Communities program, which provides assistance and resources for community revitalization efforts. This weekend’s event will further support their work. Congrats, Memo Lara!
Guillermo “Memo” Lara was sworn in for another two-year term as a member of the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs in Hazleton. Rep. Dane Watro and I look forward to continuing our collaboration with him and the commission on the need for more market-rate housing and other issues faced by the Latino community. McAdoo Lions Club Hosts Picnic
Rep. Dane Watro and I joined the McAdoo Lions Club for their annual picnic at St. Michael’s Park. The club’s officers and members were sworn into their new positions, including new president Mary Labert, who is pictured here. Thank you for inviting us to join you! July 31: Senior Scam Seminar in Tamaqua
Rep. Jamie Barton and I are hosting a scam seminar on Thursday, July 31 at 11 a.m. at the Lehigh Carbon Community College Morgan Center in Tamaqua. With scammers becoming increasingly brazen and creative, we all need to be aware of how to protect ourselves from falling prey to these criminals. David Shallcross, the director of the Senior Protection Unit of the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, will lead the discussion. RSVPs are required for this event. Please call 570-773-0891 to reserve your spot today. Bill to Expand Body Camera Use for Law Enforcement Passes Senate
To boost safety and accountability, the Senate passed legislation to expand the use of body-worn cameras to additional law enforcement personnel. The measure was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. Senate Bill 520 authorizes the use of body cameras by special agents with the Office of Attorney General, rangers with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and officers and deputies with the Pennsylvania Game Commission and Fish and Boat Commission. The bill also modernizes the legal framework for body camera usage to ensure consistency in how footage is recorded and managed, regardless of the department using it.
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