HARRISBURG – State Rep. Camille “Bud” George, D-74 of Clearfield County, said that Irvona Borough will be receiving a grant from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources through the Community Conservation Partnerships Program.
“Irvona will be receiving $25,000 to acquire 11 acres of land adjacent to Elderberry Park for park expansion,” George said. “This is fantastic news for the borough and the citizens who use the park for recreation.”
Irvona Borough has an all-volunteer recreation committee that has already installed lights on the ball fields and playground equipment at the park. It hopes to add a walking track and additional ball fields with the new land acquisition.
The CCPP program includes the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund, the Environmental Stewardship Fund and federal funding sources. It provides technical and financial assistance to local governments, river and trail organizations, land trusts and other nonprofits for the planning, acquisition and development of park, conservation, recreation and greenway projects.
“I’m very happy to see this money coming into Clearfield County,” George said. “Unfortunately, I worry that as our governor further cuts important programs, projects and grants like these will become scarcer.”
Gov. Tom Corbett is proposing eliminating the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund, directing the revenue toward the General Fund instead. Conservationists, former DCNR secretary John Quigley, and George, who serves as Democratic chair of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, have all argued against eliminating the fund.
“This is a proven program that has provided funding for projects that better our quality of life,” George said. “Projects like these make our communities safer, stronger and help create jobs.”
In other Irvona news, George has reached out to leaders in the state Senate to push for a vote on House Bill 1827, which would name a bridge in the borough in honor of Mary Ellen Tiesi, an Irvona native who died in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York City.
“The bill has passed unanimously out of the House Transportation Committee, the full House, and the Senate Transportation Committee,” George said. “The final hurdle before reaching Governor Corbett’s desk is a vote before the full Senate, and I’ve requested that the bill be voted on as soon as possible.”
A bridge dedication ceremony is tentatively scheduled for May 26. George said that final passage of the bill would be a heart-felt tribute to the Clearfield County native.
“Ms. Tiesi sacrificed her own life while trying to assist another on that infamous day,” George said. “We owe her a debt of gratitude and this is but a small token to honor her memory.”