TOWER CITY - It will be 100 years this August since the largest mining accident in Schuylkill County took place.
On Aug 2, 1913, between 20 and 28 miners were killed in two explosions at the East Brookside Mine, which was located north of Tower City in Porter Township. A memorial service, honoring those who were killed in what is known as the "East Brookside Mine Disaster" will be held a day after the 100 year anniversary, Aug. 3, in the Ss. Peter and Paul Chapel, 840 E. Grand Ave., Tower City.
A small group, just a handful of people with ties to the mining industry, from Valley View, Pitman, Klingerstown and Tremont, began the effort two months ago. Two of the members, Susan Graver, Tremont, and David Williams, Valley View, attended the Tower City Borough Council meeting June 10, describing their plans and requesting council's assistance and cooperation.
According to Williams, the Rev. Paul Rothermel, pastor of Most Blessed Trinity Church, Tremont, will participate in the memorial service, along with The Breaker Boys, Stu Richards, Orwigsburg, and Tom Symons, Heckcherville, well-known for their mining songs and skits. Williams' request for someone to read the famous poem, "The East Brookside Mine Accident," was immediately answered when Mayor Dan Daub volunteered. Council President Bruce Schneck assured Williams that help from fire police for traffic control would not be a problem and a proclamation by the mayor would be approved.
The group is also looking for relatives of the miners to participate in the memorial service and request they contact Rothermel at 570-695-3648, Graver at 570-695-0370, or Williams at 570-682-8576. Anyone with a miner's hat should bring it to the service and dress in mining clothing, if available.
"If it all comes together as we're hoping, it'll be quite an event," said Williams, adding that the bell that rang 100 years ago, will ring again on Aug. 3, at the exact time of the explosions, although one day later.
"The group thought it was the right thing to do. Most of the men were buried from that same church in Tower City," Williams said.
The council accepted the resignation of Ronald Masarik, appointed in January to the seat vacated by the resignation of Judy Kessler the month before. The council also agreed to advertise the position, which will expire at the end of the year. Masarik ran unopposed during the May primary, winning a spot on the November ballot for a two-year term.
A resolution supporting the preservation of the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was unanimously approved. Although a symbolic action, the council reaffirmed its full support of the constitutionally protected individual right of its citizens to bear arms, including, but not limited to, the right to own and acquire ammunition and other firearm accessories. The resolution also notes the council's opposition to efforts by the federal, state, or other local governments to restrict or infringe upon the right of its citizens to bear arms or own ammunition.
A draft of a "quality of life" ordinance was provided by council members to review until next month's meeting. Solicitor Richard Thornburg noted the ordinance covers more "mundane" offenses than other borough ordinances and it provides for immediate fining. Although, Thornburg said, either ordinance can be used, Daub disagreed. There shouldn't be a choice, he noted, adding that it should be clear what the law is.
The council approved a road project for advertising. PennDOT municipal service representative, John Davis, estimated the cost of the projects the council was considering and agreed that all but one of the streets would be advertised for bids. The project includes the repaving of sections of South Fifth and Joseph streets and Maple Avenue, all located in Maple Heights. Another section of South Fifth Street had been removed from the project list since it was agreed it would be unfair to ask for bids if the council knew it could not afford to do it. Bids will be opened at the July meeting.
The council also agreed to hire a short-term part-time worker to assist the street crew with pot hole repairs. Several possibilities were discussed and the men will be approached by the council members.
Daub reported the three-member police force is working well and according to Paul Ruth, the force had logged in 150.8 hours last month, which he said is in the range the council wanted the police to work.
Harold Reiner reported the borough's riding mower is about "done," and said he had located a used one which is in excellent condition. Schneck agreed the mower had been perfectly maintained and the $200 wanted for it was a good price. Noting he collects lawn tractors, councilman Bob Shuey's offer of $200 to purchase the old one was immediately accepted with the solicitor's nod of approval.
Council authorized Thornburg to place a lien against a property in the 100 block of East Grand Avenue equaling the cost of grass cutting for last year and this year, plus the cost of the lien. Schneck noted the grass on the outside of the fence is cut, but it's a "jungle" inside the fence and there are concerns about pests. The code enforcement officer will be asked to take a look at the property.
Schneck agreed to e-mail or hand-carry a quote from Gessner Logging, which was deposited in the wrong mailbox at the borough building that day. The quote, he said, covers timber at the borough's former dump and he understands it is $5,700, but he is unaware of the remainder of the proposal. Council agreed its members would review the proposal and make a determination of whether to accept or reject it.
In other business, a payment of $1,438 was approved to Michael B. Stoner, Harrisburg, for street sweeping. Fines in the amount of $210 were turned in by the mayor covering the 'no parking' violations during the project.
Council's August meeting will be held Aug. 19 instead of Aug. 12.
Anyone interested in the volunteer position of emergency management coordinator should contact the borough office for information.
Council authorized the expenditure of up to $1,000 for hepatitis shots for highway department workers and any police officer who does not have the shots.
A discussion concerning impounded vehicles and the cost of the required insurance resulted in an agreement that Thornburg checked on whether the county had an impound area. Currently, the borough has held some vehicles for over four years and is paying over $100 a year for insurance, while the vehicles will only bring "junk" prices. According to Daub, the county district attorney makes the decision whether a vehicle is impounded and who should bear the cost of keeping it.
Council also discussed areas with lots of pot holes, the lack of a medical doctor in the borough, curbs that are getting worse, cross-walks to be re-painted, and ordering the street name signs for Grand Avenue.
Daub congratulated the Williams Valley girls' baseball team for winning the District 11 championship, and Boy Scouts Dennis Jansen and Billy Schaeffer for earning their Eagle Scout awards. Daub also thanked the American Legion for sponsoring the Memorial Day Parade.
A representative from the borough and the fire company were requested to attend a fire services summit for municipal elected officials July 30 at the Schuylkill Country Training Academy.