January 16, 2006
The Downtown Improvement District in Reading
I would like to share with you an email that was sent recently
to various members of this community from Karl Graybill,
the Executive Director of the Reading Downtown Improvement
District, regarding the progress made in the downtown last
year.
I have also included my response at the end of his email
that I sent to his distribution list.
Subject: January 2006 Calendar
Hello Everyone,
I hope everyone has been enjoying the holidays, especially
since the weather
improved.
As another year is coming to a close, I've been reflecting
on the successes
and failures (but no need to get into those).
I feel my first year at the helm of DID has been a successful
one.
We've tried a few new things here at DID and although not
everything worked out as hoped we learned from our mistakes.
I also believe downtown is a little cleaner, a little safer,
and a little more fun.
I had a lot of fun at the MidDay Cafes and Holiday Parade,
and I think all who were there also had fun. The Sovereign
Center and Performing Arts Center had another successful
year. RiverFest, JazzFest, the Band Shell concerts and the
International Festival were also great fun and well attended.
Positive signs for the future of downtown Reading, and
all of Berks County, include the Goggle Works opening, the
completion of the RiverPlace plan, and the Corridor.
And I can't forget DID's renewal!
Although a few old downtown friends closed shop in 2005
- Dan's, Iggy's, Mazzo's, McDonalds, Sahara, we also made
some new friends - Ocean Blue, The Perfume Place, Goggle
Works, Cafe de Gemelli, Joker's Pub, Miguel's Hot Dog cart,
Royal's FanAttic, Some Place in Tyme and the others on N.
5th St, Hard Bean Cafe, Fifth and Penn Fashions,and everyone
on the 900 and 1000 blocks Penn St.
Other signs of progress in 2005 are RACC's new tech center
and theater, Sovereign Plaza, growth at CNA, the renovation
of 422 Penn St and several other downtown properties, and
people rediscovering downtown.
A new year is approaching and I'm optimistic 2006 will
be even better than
2005.
Hey, it's the Year of the Dog and I was born during the
Year of the
Dog.
2006 will see a few hundred new employees at the Sovereign
Plaza,
DeCarlo's Bar & Grill will probably open, and at least a
few pleasant surprises.
There will more efforts at beautification with more flowers
and maybe some new benches or decorative pole lights. There
will also be several new events (check out www.downtownreading.com
regularly for more event info). And I'm optimistic that
there will be some new businesses opening downtown.
I hope everyone has a Happy and Safe New Year's Eve. And
I hope to see
everyone downtown in 2006.
Karl
*********************************************************************
Karl:
I want to add my appreciation to you for your professional
and dedicated leadership and to your staff for helping us
make Reading a better place last year.
There is a noticeable improvement in the cleanliness, and
in the friendliness of the street ambassadors. People are
starting to feel differently about the city, and it begins
in the downtown area.
I want to be sure that everyone understand that there are
a lot of people like yourself who have stepped up to the
plate and who know that a vibrant, safe and clean city will
attract visitors and businesses, and will in the long run
be an economic engine for job creation.
Keep up the great work!
Mayor Tom McMahon
(Karl - I hope you don't mind that I put this email and
yours on the Mayors Blog at www.readingeagle.com so the
visitors in the internet world can appreciate your efforts
as well.)
***************************
Memo to Karl's Distribution List:
Karl is right. There has been a lot of wonderful activity
in the downtown last year, and there will be a lot more
in 2006. Some businesses have come and gone, but more are
coming and more are staying.
We are in the process of turning around this city, and
in turn our efforts will help in the turnaround of the area.
Please encourage everyone you know to come to the downtown
and experience the venues we have: new and traditional restaurants,
the Sovereign Center, the Sovereign Performing Arts Center,
the Goggle Works and soon the new buildings at Reading Area
Community College.
This year you will see tangible progress along the river
as part of the Riverplace Development efforts, and the fruition
of the planning for the Initiative for a Competitive Greater
Reading, including the corridor from Wyomissing, through
West Reading to city park in Reading as we begin to link
communities for a common purpose - to bring visitors and
prosperity to the area.
It is impossible for me to name everyone who has helped
and continues to help to make Greater Reading a reality,
but you know who you are and you can be proud of what you
are doing.
Thanks to all of you and have a great year.
And don't forget that Berks Jazz Fest is coming March 17,
followed shortly thereafter by Mid-day cafes, Bandshell
Concerts, Parades, River Fest, and new this year - Mountain
Fest and Literary Fest.
More about those two later.
January 08, 2006
Citizens Police Academy – Classes Start March 20,
2006
The city of Reading is pleased to announce the second
annual Citizens Police Academy, which is being offered free
to the citizens of the city of Reading.
This 10 week series of classes will meet one evening per
week for two hours and will be held at the Reading Police
Academy at Alvernia College beginning March 20, 2006.
With the help of a federal grant, we are able to offer
the classes at no cost to city residents who want to learn
more about law enforcement in the city.
Applications are now being taken for the spring course.
Read on for more details....
There are 25 slots available. Minimum age is 18; there
is no upper age limit; and background checks will be done
on applicants due to the nature of the classes.
Why a Citizens Police Academy?
The city of Reading believes that for the highest level
of public safety to occur, there needs to be an understanding
of the issues along with involvement of the citizens in
maintaining law and order in the neighborhoods.
The more that citizens understand issues, and the more
they develop a positive relationship with police officers,
the better able the city will be to combat crime and reduce
public disorder.
Our goal is to have a good demographic and geographic mix
of students, with various age groups, ethnic groups represented.
If the class is oversubscribed, we will plan for another
in the spring of 2007.
What will be covered?
Subjects will include:
• History of law enforcement
• Recruitment and training of Police Officers
• Pennsylvania Crime Code
• Rules of Criminal Procedure
• Tour of police department (mapping, radio room, intake
area)
• Crime scene operations
• Criminal Investigations
• Juvenile Investigations and Gang Issues
• Community Policing, Crime Prevention, DARE program, School
Resource Officers
• Simulated Deadly Force decision making
• Police Ride along on actual patrol duties
Is this the same training as a regular police officer gets
for his certification?
No – the entire certification course is quite intensive,
runs about 5 months and is designed to lead to certification
in law enforcement for full time police officers or prospective
officers.
How do I apply for the Citizens Police Academy?
Contact Sgt. Mark Spotts at 610-655-6332 for more information
and an application.
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