More balance sought in zoning

To the editor:

The newly formed Rock Hill Neighborhood Coalition is a group of Rock Hill residents concerned about the future of the Rock Hill area and the Town of Thompson. The goal of the group is to work together as a community to promote sustainable growth practices. Specifically, we support community involvement in our local government, more efficient zoning for the Town of Thompson and development that preserves the character of the Rock Hill community. Our organization supports growth, but in a manner that sustains our quality of life, both economically and environmentally.

Our organization would like to see more efficient zoning practices in Rock Hill that can adequately support town services such as the school system, fire department, police department, highway department and building department. We also support development that maintains our natural resources and rural character. However, we are concerned that our town is becoming top heavy with residential development and that our town and planning boards are not fully considering the impact current development proposals will have on our community. Our town needs to implement zoning practices that address our specific zoning problems, such as the high density of multiple dwelling units and the lack of zoning provisions that promote the conservation of our natural resources and community character.

We thank the Town of Thompson Town Board for listening to the concerns of the 317 residents and the three lake communities that signed the petition to eliminate Planned Unit Developments in the RR-2 district, our most rural district, but there is still work to be done. We hope that the town will continue to listen to the concerns of our group and fully understand the impact that our current zoning codes and development proposals will have on the Rock Hill community and the Town of Thompson as a whole.

Firefighters receive kudos

To the editor:

The Forest Volunteer Fire Department is proud to announce that it received a rating from the state of Pennsylvania of number one in Pike County and number three for Pike and Wayne counties combined.

Before you go and start thinking that our guys have big heads, please read on. Our department was recently awarded a grant through the office of the state fire commissioner in the amount of $11,475, compared to some departments in the area who are getting approximately $4,000. How and why did we achieve such a task? With all the budget cuts and lack of volunteers throughout the state, we figured we had better step it up and be on the cutting edge in both our firefighting skills and our budget. What better way to accomplish these tasks than to train hard, train often, and then go and challenge our skills at the state and national levels?

Nine guys from our department took the trip down to the Buck’s County Public Safety Training Center in Doylestown, PA last October. All passed, and it paid off this year, resulting in certified firefighters, benefiting the public as well as the department. The state recognizes this achievement, and our department is eligible for more funding.

We still need to do department fundraisers such as letter drives and pig roasts; however, the additional funding really aids us in our fire equipment needs. We are very proud of our achievements. Although we are 100 percent volunteer, that doesn’t mean we are not professional in our skills. We look forward to proving and providing that to the public. We invite any and all interested in joining to contact us for more information. Visit our website at www.forestfirerescue.com.

Pat Russell, President

Community supports the Rivardos

To the editor:

Family, friends, well-wishers, supporters and even strangers gathered on Sunday at the Willow River gallery to celebrate the life of Mike Rivardo and to support his wife, Mary.

With the most generous support of the community, local businesses, artists and musicians, a festive day of raffles, music and good food was had by all and the support and love overwhelming. We would like to thank all those involved in making this day such a success, for bringing us as a community closer and supporting the Rivardos during this difficult time in their lives.

We would like to put a photo album together for the Rivardos. If you were at the event and took photos, please email them to Jill Padua at jpadua1@frontiernet.net.