On a Sunday morning in June, more than 250 volunteers swarmed into downtown Johnstown to paint, plant flowers, fix benches and trim trees.
Organizers hope the second “downtown pride day” can build on that success.
“Our goal is the do an even better cleanup of the downtown than we accomplished last year,” said Jim Brett, president of Discover Downtown Business Partnership.
The partnership sponsors the event with cooperation from city officials.
Organizers expect to plant flowers and replace 10 to 14 trees “that are missing in various spots of the downtown landscape,” Brett said.
Also on the agenda is a major cleanup throughout the central business district.
That includes picking up litter, pulling weeds and sweeping up weeds and debris, Brett said.
Johnstown employees will collect and dispose of the refuse, city Public Works Director Darby Sprincz said.
Brett said the effort is well organized, with “block captains” designated to supervise volunteers in certain areas.
Johnstown Mayor Tom Trigona, who plans to coordinate work in Central Park and on Franklin Street, commended the business consortium’s plans.
“They’re very organized, very dedicated,” Trigona said.
“They’re looking out for Johnstown. We need more of that.”
Brett is looking for additional volunteers including business owners, residents and service organizations.
He also is appealing to downtown churches to lend a hand, adding that a few churches already have expressed interest.
How to help
What: Downtown pride day. Volunteers will work May 18 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
A picnic for volunteers is planned afterward in Central Park.
More information: Send an e-mail to Jim Brett at jim@discoverjohnstown.org or jebrett@brettinsurance.com.
Local News
City cleanup planned
- Local News
-
-
Proposed bill would expand use of traffic-light cameras
Some call it the hand of “big brother,” others are convinced cameras at signal lights would be effective in curbing red-light runners and ultimately saving lives.
-
Minister's trial date set
An issue has been resolved over the report from an examination of a girl allegedly taken by her mother to a Bedford motel to have sex with a traveling minister, clearing the way for a trial.
-
AP: Almost half of new veterans seek disability
America’s newest veterans are filing for disability benefits at a historic rate, claiming to be the most medically and mentally troubled generation of former troops the nation has ever seen.
-
Geistown beginning crime watch program
Residents will patrol Geistown streets in the coming weeks as part of a community watch program.
-
Persons of the Week: Nanty Glo vets will remember fallen comrades
Michael Kurtz, Tom Kasecky and Steve Kasecky will be among members of the Loy A. Douglass Post 3489 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Nanty Glo who will be honoring fallen veterans today, Memorial Day.
-
AG candidates face potential conflicts of interest
Both candidates for Pennsylvania attorney general have family ties that could pose a conflict of interest for the one who is elected as the state’s next chief legal officer.
-
Lawmakers: Capitol rallies unpersuasive
Nancy Richey stepped to the podium with a microphone at the Capitol rotunda with the hope that the right people would hear her message.
-
Richland closer to new chief
The search for Richland’s next police chief is winding down.
-
In brief: Thunderstorm downs trees, knocks out power
A late Sunday afternoon thunderstorm brought high winds, hard rain and hail to the Cambria-Somerset region.
- District Deaths May 28, 2012
- More Local News Headlines
-
Beryl Makes Landfall on Florida Coast
UN Blames Syrian Forces for Shelling Houla
Raw Video: Gay Protest Blocked in Moscow
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
