Curbside Recycling = Jobs For Reading Residents

Mayor Vaughn Spencer and Recycling/Solid Waste Division Manager Frank Denbowski held a news conference on Monday, April 30th to mark the first day of the city-run residential recycling program.  Previously, the City had only handled the recycling collection for the Reading School District and City buildings.

“We believe this in-source recycling program will save the City about a quarter of a million dollars over a couple of years,” said Mayor Spencer.  “It’s also brought jobs to city residents through our partnership with United Community Services, who vetted the screening process and found us candidates that we then hired who are committed to making efficiency the number one priority of our recycling team,” he added.  Ruth Mathews, Director of United Community Services was on hand to show her support for the recycling program.

Denbowski offered some reminders for residents about the program:  “First off, there’s no change in the collection schedule, your recyclables will be picked up the same day as your trash, and the recycling bins should be placed out after 5:00 p.m. the night before, and before 6:30 a.m. the day of pick up,” said Denbowski.  “We do NOT collect pizza boxes, but paper, newspaper, cardboard and any plastic with the recycling logo is accepted.”

Tax Amnesty Program

The City of Reading is offering an opportunity for citizens to pay their Per Capita tax owed back to 2001, and for businesses to file and pay their Business Privilege Tax returns for income generated in the City back to 2001. In addition, during this Amnesty, the City is offering to forgive penalties and interest on unfiled taxes.  This program applies to those who have  unreported and unpaid tax liabilities.

The Amnesty is being offered from June 18 to August 17, 2012.  After the Amnesty ends, the City will pursue additional collection efforts to recover unfiled tax liabilities.

The 2012 Tax Amnesty Program is being administered by the City’s Citizens Service Center (CSC).  For information, call 1-877-727-3234.  The Citizens Service Center is located in Room 1-27 on the First Floor of City Hall and is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. An associate in the Citizens Service Center can assist you in preparing your return.

If a citizen is unable to pay their taxes in full, in certain circumstances, the City will make arrangements for taxpayers to satisfy their tax liability.  An associate in the Citizens Service Center can provide additional information.   If you need a Business Privilege License, stop in at the Citizens Service Center and pick up an application.  Applications are also available on-line. If you mail the application in, your signature must be notarized; if you present ID and sign the presence of an associate in the Citizens Service Center, notarization is not required.

“Tax Amnesty is an important part of my vision for sound fiscal management for Reading and something that I campaigned on,” said Mayor Spencer.  “I’m happy that we’re ready to implement a fair and equitable manor for residents to pay their unpaid taxes that won’t put them in the poor house.  We’re willing to work with them, but if they don’t cooperate, we’re ready to aggressively collect what they owe.  It’s not fair to those who do the right thing and pay their share for City services, and their neighbors not even attempt to pay at all.  This program gives them an opportunity to correct that.”

Meet Lenin Agudo, Our New Director of Community and Economic Development

Mayor Vaughn Spencer held a news conference at the end of March to introduce the new Director of Community Development for the City of Reading, Lenin Agudo. Agudo  has been involved in Community and Economic Development in the City for several years through his work as Director of the Kutztown University Latino Business Resource Center (LBRC). He fills a vital role in the Mayor’s administration and served on the Mayor’s Community and Economic Development Transition Team. He also volunteers as Chairman of the Berks County Latino Chamber of Commerce, and mentors and trains at-risk youth.

“This is the person I wanted for this position from day one, so I’m glad he’s finally able to join us. There’s nobody better qualified for this position than Lenin. He’s going to help us do great things in the City of Reading,” stated Mayor Spencer.

 As Director of the Kutztown University LBRC, Agudo provided technical assistance to Hispanic entrepreneurs so they could start and grow businesses and has consulted over 170 Hispanic-owned businesses and trained over 200 existing and aspiring entrepreneurs in Reading, Harrisburg and Coatesville. He is a graduate of Pace University in New York City, has a Master’s in Business Administration Degree from Kutztown University, and a Post-Graduate Degree in Economic Development and Growth from the Fels Institute of Government at the University of Pennsylvania.

“I’m grateful to the Mayor for giving me this opportunity to work for the City of Reading. I have a vested interest in the prosperity of our community, and our Community deserves a responsive government to which they can relate to and understand. I believe that my experience, motivation, work ethic, and commitment will be of great benefit to the citizens of Reading. I’m excited to be on the Mayor’s team and I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Community Development Department, because Reading’s success is our mission,” Agudo said.

Kids Recycling: Keeping Reading Clean

Mayor Vaughn Spencer and Recycling Education Director Mike Schorn visited Glenside Elementary School to encourage Reading School District students to recycle at home since the City is now handling residential curbside recycling.

“We just want to remind you how important it is to recycle at home, as well as here at school,” said Mayor Spencer.  “We used to pay a company to pick up your recyclables at home, but now the City is doing it and we’re making money that pays for the jobs that were created, so please encourage everyone at home to recycle,” he added.

The Mayor also took the opportunity to support the “Mayor’s Kids For A Clean City Club.”  The Club, in its fifth year, encourages students to improve their block, neighborhood, city and environment by:  not littering and volunteering for cleanups whenever possible, therefore serving as a positive example for family and friends; recycling at home and at school, thus showing respect for our environment, and doing small acts of kindness and helping the needy and less fortunate.   Each student who signs up for the club receives a personalized certificate from Schorn.

“I think it’s important to educate the students as young as possible about recycling and doing their share to help their city,” said Schorn.  I’m proud of the program and the participation we get from the Reading School District and I appreciate the Mayor’s support in continuing this program.”

Help Move Reading Forward

Help Move Reading Forward

Thank you for your support. Together, working shoulder to shoulder, our hopes and dreams for a city of prosperity, quality education, economic growth and jobs, safer neighborhoods, and an overall high quality of life will be a reality!

Please contact me with any questions at vaughn@spencerforreading.com

To donate to our cause, mail check to …

Friends for Vaughn Spencer: 147 N. 5th St. Reading, Pa 19601

Reading: Playful City USA!

Northmont Playground

The City of Reading has been designated as a 2012 Playful City USA by KaBOOM! and the Humana Foundation.  Reading is one of 213 cities in 41 states across the country to receive the designation, and one of only six cites in Pennsylvania including Allentown, Bethlehem, Pittsburgh, Scranton, and York.

Reading was nominated for the designation by the Gilmore|Henne Community Fund’s executive director, Christine Anderton.  The application process involved mapping and photographing each park in the city and developing essays on public policy changes that would benefit local parks and their surrounding communities.  Letters of recommendation were submitted by Mayor Vaughn Spencer and other area organizations including the Berks County Community Foundation.

“We started the Gilmore|Henne Community Fund in 2010 to raise money for local parks and recreation programs so Berks County children have safe, clean places to play,” said John Gilmore, a Berks County native who currently plays in the NFL. “Being recognized as a Playful City USA is a testament to the hundreds of people who’ve donated time, materials and money for this important cause.”

“Play is an important part of childhood,” Anderton said. “Being named a Playful City USA is a wonderful honor that fuels our drive to provide great playgrounds where local children can stretch their muscles and their creative minds.”

“We’re proud of our parks here in Reading and proud of this designation,” said Mayor Spencer.  “I want to thank the Gilmore|Henne Fund for all they do for the parks in our City and Berks County and for the work they did in applying for this designation.”

Local Churches Support P.I.L.O.T. Program

Two local churches have publicly supported the City of Reading’s new P.I.L.O.T. program.  Reading City Councilor Stratton Marmarou, who also serves on the Board of Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, said today the congregation’s board voted unanimously to support Mayor Spencer’s request to non-profits for payments in lieu of taxes, or P.I.L.O.T.s. “Father Orsolot said that churches should support the city, and our board agreed whole-heartedly,” Marmarou said.

In addition, The Rev. Fred Opalinski, Senior Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, also supports the program and will submit a payment o behalf of the church.

The mayor sent letters last week to more than 400 non-profits who own real estate in the city and are exempt from property taxes.  The letter suggested they consider voluntarily contributing 30% of what they would otherwise have to pay if their properties were taxable in recognition of the municipal services from which they benefit.

“I appreciate the support of these church leaders,” said Mayor Vaughn Spencer. “Their leadership should be followed by the other non-profits I sent letters to.  I recognize their importance to the city, but I need their cooperation to create sound fiscal management, open and transparent government, economic development and job creation, safer neighborhoods, and a higher quality of life,” he added.

Obama for America Opens Reading Office!

Mayor Spencer made some opening remarks when the OFA office opened recently on 5^th Street in Reading, right next door to the Reading Public Library.  “Welcome to Reading, and look forward to working with you to re-elect President Obama,” Mayor Spencer said to the staff and supporters in attendance.  “We’ve seen real change for the better these last four years, but the President is just getting started, and we need to get him re-elected so he can finish the job.”

Sean Murphy, Field Organizer for OFA Reading, said he welcomes any volunteers who are interested in helping out.  “Just stop by the office or call me at (610) 906-2776.  We can always use help whether it’s making phone calls or knocking on doors,” said Murphy.