Jeff Malik's April Update

April 2011 began with the Brownfields Conference in Philadelphia, PA. For three days I attended roundtable sessions, presentations, and workshops on community redevelopment. Projects from across the nation that focused on reuse of abandoned buildings and properties were showcased. Following the end of the conference, I returned to the office in Connellsville, where we moved into a new, larger office down the street.

I completed research on Fredericktown-Millsboro, PA and compiled a town report. A business directory accompanied the report. I also researched water quality issues related to the Monongahela River and its tributaries. I read several past studies and summarized them, as well as reading into current water testing efforts occurring in the region. I met with the Izaak Walton League, a national organization focusing on environmental issues. Their Greene County chapter is a leading force in the region on water quality issues. April was also Earth Day in Connellsville. I created an educational display about John Muir, and displayed it with the other educational programs. Later in the day, I assisted with planting native species along a former railroad tailing dump.

Several new projects were also started, including planning a memorial day parade for Point Marion, PA. Also, I have begun to review many old plans for the Monongahela River valley, and prioritizing the suggestions from them. This way, we hope to avoid doing any new planning, and begin to implement these ideas.