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Youth and Government forum at Keystone College focuses on budget, education

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Lottery Numbers for Sunday, March 20

<p>SWOYERSVILLE &#8212; When Chris Concert was appointed mayor last May, he lost his vote on the council, but says he gained opportunity to focus on needs of the borough in other ways.</p><p>After stepping down from the council in order to take the helm of the West Side borough after the death of Mayor Vincent Dennis, Concert said many questioned his decision.</p><p>&#8220;Some people saw it as a loss of power,&#8221; he said. &#8220;I saw it as an opportunity help residents, especially the young people.&#8221;</p><p>In that spirit, Concert said he couldn&#8217;t allow the Easter season to pass without a bit of festivities for borough families.</p><p>&#8220;And what better way,&#8221; he said, &#8220;than an Easter parade?&#8221;</p><p>The Easter Bunny will appear at 1 p.m. at Close2U storage on Slocum Street, accompanied by borough police, ambulance, and fire company vehicles and process to Roosevelt Park on Church Street.</p><p>Once at the park, residents will have the opportunity to take photos, collect candy and participate in an Easter bonnet competition, Concert said.</p><p>&#8220;I wanted to put some old-fashioned fun back into things,&#8221; he said. &#8220;I would like people to spend a little family time being creative. I remember as a kid we had to glue grass and eggs on a hat for school.&#8221;</p><p>Resident Donna Sutton said the parade reflects Concert&#8217;s commitment to family and to community.</p><p>&#8220;I think that its time that we have someone doing something to put the borough back on the right track,&#8221; she said.</p><p>Sutton said she especially appreciates Concert&#8217;s efforts to clean up borough parks during his tenure as mayor.</p><p>&#8220;Some neighborhood kids went to Slocum Park last year and found cigarettes and condoms,&#8221; she said. &#8220;Chris heard about it and did his first park cleanup.&#8221;</p><p>Sutton said the borough&#8217;s young people can now play at the park.</p><p>&#8220;It&#8217;s not just a hangout for teens,&#8221; she said. &#8220;It&#8217;s a real park.&#8221;</p><p>Helen Eddy, 75, also credited Concert with thinking outside the box when it came to community.</p><p>&#8220;How many others towns have Easter Bunny parades?&#8221; she said.</p><p>Eddy, who is donating candy for the event, was especially excited about the Easter bonnet competition, which she said will find her bringing out a straw hat, adding flowers and bows.</p><p>&#8220;I&#8217;m going to play around with it,&#8221; she said. &#8220;We&#8217;ll see what it looks like.&#8221;</p><p>Concert said he is looking forward to continuing borough efforts to provide family activities and maintain recreational areas.</p><p>On May 25, he will be working with United Way of Wyoming Valley&#8217;s Day of Caring with 10 volunteers at each of three parks, raking, cleaning, and painting.</p><p>&#8220;I take pride in our parks,&#8221; he said. &#8220;It won&#8217;t happen overnight, but I will strive to get the parks into the best shape that we possibly can.&#8221;</p><p>On May 27, Concert is sponsoring a free cookout at Loveland Park on Noyes Avenue, complete with hot dogs, baked beans, coleslaw, salads and non-alcoholic drinks.</p><p>&#8220;I want people to come out and enjoy togetherness and meet their neighbors,&#8221; he said.</p><p>Concert said he is also collecting children&#8217;s books and is planning to read to children at the three borough parks during the summer months.</p><p>&#8220;I want children to come out with their parents,&#8221; he said. &#8220;And they will have opportunity to take home a book.&#8221;</p><p>Concert said he will be teaming up with Mothers Against Drunk Driving in April, encouraging teens not to drink and drive, complete with a photo shoot.</p><p>&#8220;I also encourage folks who know someone who may be down on their luck or need a smile to message me the person&#8217;s address, as I weekly send out cards and letters,&#8221; he said.</p><p>Concert said although he may have not have power when it comes to roads or budgets, except in the event of a council tie, he can serve as the voice of the community.</p><p>&#8220;I love to hear from our residents&#8221; he said. &#8220;I am always open to listen, even if they just want to vent.&#8221;</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Concert </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_chrisccccc-1.jpg</photo0><caption0>Concert </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Geri Gibbons</p><p>ggibbons@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><factboxMeta><p><strong>IF YOU GO</strong></p><p>The Swoyersville Easter Bunny Parade will begin at 1 p.m. on March 26 at Close2U storage on Slocum Street.</p></factboxMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Geri Gibbons at 570-991-6117 or on Twitter @TLGGibbons.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Swoyersville Borough plans future events including Easter parade, cleanup