Office Of The Mayor
Thomas M. McMahon


Mayor’s Report To City Council
June 9, 2008

Public Safety

Keep your cool this week in the first heat wave of the summer.  Elderly people, young children, and those who are sick are the most susceptible to extreme heat.

Plan strenuous activities in the coolest parts of the day, drink plenty of water, and wear lightweight, light-colored clothing.  If your home does not have air-conditioning, you can cool down in libraries, the mall, and supermarkets.  I’m asking everyone to check on neighbors, family and friends that are elderly or have special needs.

Financial

The Administration and City Council have confirmed that part two of the Budget Summit will be held on Saturday, June 14, 2008, in the Penn Room starting at 12 noon.

Economic Development

Thanks to everyone that contributed to the success of the Third Commerce Bank Reading Classic Bike Race on Thursday, June 5.  The excitement of the City’s largest single-day sporting event was evidenced by the cheering crowds along the entire race route.  In addition to the winners of the three Commerce Bank Reading Classic Races, congratulations to the Olivet Boys and Girls Club winners, who raced between laps on bicycles donated by St. Joseph’s Medical Center.  Thank you, Cindy Kauffman, for your dedication to making this an outstanding community event for the third consecutive year. 

Welcome Archive and Abigails Tea Room, two of Reading’s newest businesses.  Archive, a menswear store owned by Santo and Giuseppe Napoli, is located at Fifth and Penn Streets.  Abigails Tea Room is located at 1441 Perkiomen Avenue.  

Neighborhoods

Centre Park Historic District will hold their annual Garden Tour on Saturday, June 21 from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.  In addition to tours of the gardens of the Historic District, the event will include seminars, food vendors, demonstrations and a scavenger hunt for children.  Tickets can be purchased in advance or on June 21.   For more information please call 610-375-7860 or visit their website at www.centrepark.org.

Miscellaneous

The new Neighborhood Resource Guides have arrived.  Free copies are available in all of City Hall’s offices, as well as Reading Public Libraries and schools.   The Office of Neighborhood Development will distribute copies to city neighborhood groups.  Neighborhood groups should contact the Office of Neighborhood Development at 610-655-6277 to arrange to receive their Neighborhood Resource Guides.

Friday, June 20, is the City Day Mid Day Café from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at Fifth and Penn Streets.  This year, in addition to representatives and displays from Fire, Police, the Reading Museum, and the Animal Rescue League, we’ve added two new activities - a dunking booth and a pie throwing booth.  Please bring a can of pet food to donate to the Animal Rescue League or a new children’s book to donate to Cops N Kids to the dunking and pie throwing booths.  Thank you to all of the City staff who have volunteered to be dunked or wear a pie for a good cause.  I hope that Council members can join us at this Mid Day Cafe. For more information, go to www.downtownreading.com.

The Olivet Boys and Girls Club pool on Clinton Street is now open.  For Olivet membership and pool information please call 610-236-9112.

Schlegel Park Pool is also open.  For more information please call the City of Reading Recreation Office at 610-655-6233

This is a reminder to City of Reading residents to call 1-877-727-3234 to report graffit.