I’ve been very impressed this week with the positive stories that have been written in The Daily Herald. Let’s start with the cooperative joining of the local service groups who will be in full force to help install the playground equipment at Reservoir Park tomorrow. Kudos to Mayor Stoner and anyone else that helped to make this a reality. They are looking for more volunteers to bring shovels and other tools for this positive work session tomorrow. And from what I’ve seen during my short stay here there will be lots of cooperation tomorrow.
The railroad museum is another welcome edition to a beautiful side of town. Located in the railroad station it will be a great spot for not only local residents but train enthusiasts that visit Tyrone to see some of its rich railroad history. I have to give the Mayor some credit again for this foresight and helping to push the project through and making this building and the park another plus for the community.
I’ve been amazed at how interested onlookers have been at the development going on at the new library location. In the last few weeks there have been quite a few people watching and trying to picture in their minds what the building will look like when finished. I for one think it will be the centerpiece for downtown Tyrone and will add more traffic and shoppers to the businesses. On this topic as we enter the holiday season. Shop local first! If you can find it locally, please support that business before running off to the mall. I never understood the opinion that people would rather spend several dollars on gas and park free when they could spend a quarter to park, shop local and help an area business.
It was also good to see that the Tyrone Police Department will benefit from the amazing technology that is constantly developed in this country. This new system will enable them to fight the drug problem in this area. While still short staffed, the police department will certainly benefit from this new added system.
I look at the Pyramid Health Care facility debate from both sides of the issue. I again understand the feeling of residents of Snyder Township who feel that they were not informed or educated about this new facility in its early planning stages. I understand how they feel that their voice is not being heard. That is very frustrating when you are so upset over an issue that alarms you. On the other side of the coin I continue to be impressed with Pyramid as a company and how they have through the media and other means explained their side of the story and what they can accomplish in helping the young people of this area. Has everything been handled perfect? Not by a long shot! But at this point following the most recent school board meeting, the concerned citizens need to continue to watch and see how things run and then make a final opinion. Give it a year and then come back to the table with concerns or honest approvals, whatever the case may be.
That football field in Sidman last Friday was the worst I’ve ever seen. And I wasn’t even there, but the TV highlights even made it look really bad. After talking with people that were at the game that the Golden Eagles lost, I’ll go along with them that the field didn’t contribute to the end of the season for Tyrone. Last Saturday I did see in person a really poor field. I’m talking about the grass on Heinz Field. Have you ever tried to really run on sand at a beach? Its not easy and that is exactly what is happening to college and pro players that have make cuts and run on its surface. Heinz Field was built for around $260 million dollars, and you would think that they could have spent the right amount of that total on the correct playing service.
I’m seeing more new businesses gearing up in downtown Tyrone. I’ve noticed some planning in the old C&C Furniture location and a few other windows and store fronts. The Salvation Army’s temporary Christmas location in the old Dollar General Store also looks very nice.
Our map artist continues to draw the area’s communities on the nice weather days we have had. I made sure that he went out of his way a bit to catch a few very important business landmarks. One of them was East End Pizza. Here’s what I said to him! “There are several important landmarks in this town. The paper mill, the football field, the new railroad station and East End Pizza. Drawing this is very important to this map”. He asked me why at that point and I said “go and eat there and you will understand”. He did and now its a habit for him when he is in town.
Next week in this column will be a couple of major announcements that involve this newspaper and the start of a new year. I invite you to look for that and to have a great weekend.
