BY KATHY MELLOTT
The Tribune-Democrat
EBENSBURG
April 20, 2008 12:15 am
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Developing cooperation between municipalities can be a slow process, requiring patience and diplomacy, a number of regional officials said.
But efforts in the region are showing signs of success.
One of the most effective shared-services efforts is in central Cambria County where three municipalities in two years have landed three grants toward equipment purchases. These communities are involved in a comprehensive plan, have looked at police services and have undertaken an infrastructure study of Route 22 from Ebensburg to Vinco.
The Central Cambria Coalition, made up of Cambria and Jackson townships and Ebensburg Borough, now is preparing to distribute to homes and businesses a recreation guide outlining what’s available in each of the municipalities and some regional attractions.
“I think it’s important to recognize that it’s not a competitive environmental between municipalities; it’s not one versus the other,” said Dan Penatzer, Ebensburg borough manager. “We all have to promote the area. Things need to be done on a regional basis.”
This regional process has been key in winning three state grants for $25,000 each for the purchase of highway equipment, money for planning and other efforts.
“No agency wants to fund these projects in these little towns, ” Penatzer said.
“Things need to be done on a regional basis.”
The Forest Hills Regional Alliance, now in its fourth year, is focusing on a comprehensive plan for its seven municipalities making up the Forest Hills School District, Executive Director David Knepper said.
The joint effort has brought funding from a number of state agencies – reducing the $180,000 cost of the mandated plan to less than $30,000 to be shared among the boroughs of Summerhill, South Fork, Ehrenfeld and Wilmore and the townships of Summerhill, Adams and Croyle.
Much of the initial energy of the alliance was spent on a regional police study which never was implemented, but still may be smoldering, Knepper said.
He credits the alliance with a deal struck between South Fork and Croyle Township which is enhancing police coverage for both municipalities.
“It opens the doors of communication,” Knepper said.
The Mainline Area Shared Services Committee, composed of eight boroughs and townships in the Cresson area, now is in its second year.
Encouraged by the Cresson Area Chamber of Commerce, the group is looking at sharing equipment and developing a regional approach to recreation. Those involved want to discuss the current state of fire, ambulance and police services, said Rich Wray, chamber vice president.
“We’re seeing progress,” Wray said.
“Much to the surprise of the participants, everyone has the same problems.”
Sharing has been key in the Johnstown area for years with the West Hills Regional Police Department, a group organized in 1978 and now encompassing Westmont, Brownstown and Southmont boroughs and Lower Yoder Township.
“Communication is very important,” West Hills Chief Andy Havas said. “We have a regional police commission meeting every month and we’re at the boroughs and township meetings every month.”
Reaching out also is going on in Westmont and Brownstown, where the two fire departments now comprise the West Hills Regional Fire Department.
The same can be said for the eastern side of the city, where the Solomon Run and Belmont fire companies now are part of the Richland Township Fire Company.
Sharing and cooperation is a natural fit, Knepper said. “We’re all neighbors.”
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