Gov. Tom Wolf got a taste of West Reading on a walking tour Monday, stopping for cheese and ice cream.
He was there to see revitalization projects funded by the state Department of Community and Economic Development in collaboration with the West Reading Community Revitalization Foundation’s Main Street program and the Elm Street program.
“Before I became governor this was the kind of thing I was actively engaged in – Community revitalization in York. I’m very impressed with this,” Wolf said. “Of all the things the government in Pennsylvania can invest money in, this is really a bargain. We need to know how to connect partners to do more of this all around the state.”
Wolf also spoke later about his desire for lawmakers to come up with a financing plan for the state budget and property tax reform, a hot topic in Berks County.
Joined by DCED Secretary Dennis Davin and local representatives, Wolf was guided along South Sixth Avenue and Penn Avenue by Dean L. Rohrbach, West Reading Elm Street program manager. Rohrbach showed Wolf some of the improvements, including paint on row houses, murals and new sidewalks.
In the past five years, the DCED’s Keystone Communities program has provided nearly $600,000 to West Reading community development projects.
“We wouldn’t be able to accomplish all we do without the support of our many volunteers and donors who have helped make our vision and ideas become reality,” Rohrbach said. “Many of our partners have told me the reason they support us is because of the state’s support that protects and leverages their investment.”
Thriving niche shops, eye catching murals and updated infrastructure add to community charm that draws shoppers, families and businesses.
During the walk, Wolf stopped into two such shops. He bought three types of cheese at the Say Cheese restaurant and store and said he would share it with his wife later. He also stopped for a vanilla ice cream soda at Sweet Ride Ice Cream shop, where owner Angie Farrell said it was an honor to serve the governor.
Wolf stopped to chat with a few people, including Erica Mell and Jonathan Rothwell, who were sitting on the front porch of a row home.
The kids on the block appreciate the new sidewalks, Mell said. A child broke her foot running on the old sidewalk not long ago, Mell said.
The DCED contributed nearly $250,000 to the sidewalk project, with additional funding provided by West Reading Borough, Reading Hospital, and the foundation through several nonprofits.
State Sen. Judy Schwank, a Ruscombmanor Township Democrat, attended the walk and said she was glad to showcase West Reading to the governor.
“This is one of the best examples I can think of in the commonwealth where public and private funds came together and are making a huge impact. This is a crown jewel community,” Schwank said.
Wolf did not give a speech, but he did chat casually while enjoying his soda.
Asked where the overdue state spending plan stands, Wolf said it is the same as a month ago.
“We need the House to come back and finish the job. Let’s get it over the finish line. Everybody else is there,” Wolf said.
The governor allowed the 2017-18 state budget to become law without his signature. But lawmakers and the governor still must finalize a plan to pay for it.
The Senate passed a plan in July that aims to eliminate a $2.2 billion budget deficit. The Senate plan would impose tax increases on Marcellus Shale gas drilling, consumers’ utility bills and online purchases. The plan also calls for borrowing $1.3 billion against Pennsylvania’s annual tobacco settlement.
“I think we need a severance tax,” Wolf said in West Reading Monday.
The House has not yet responded to the plan.
On the issue of property taxes, Wolf said he supports reform but would do a few things differently than the Senate’s proposed Property Tax Independence Act, which would eliminate school property taxes and fund schools through a higher personal income tax and a higher sales tax.
“I think they have too much on sales tax, not enough on personal income tax and a few other things,” Wolf said. “For people on a fixed income, I agree it’s a problem. But also, the way we fund education is a local burden. It’s tough on places like Reading and York with concentrated poverty. I still think we need to look at a more stable base for public education and that would help relieve some of the intense pressure of property taxes.”
Contact Beth Brelje: 610-371-5022 or bbrelje@readingeagle.com
