News and Action Alerts of Interest

Try something new this holiday season! Instead of cutting down a tree to decorate in your house, why not purchase a “live” tree. After the holiday season you can plant the tree in your backyard and give a gift to Mother Nature. Trees provide habitats (homes) for all sorts of species, including birds, squirrels, and insects. And if you like to decorate your house with twinkling lights, put the lights on a timer to save energy. Have a Happy & Green Holiday! As always thanks for your continued support and we look forward to seeing everyone in 2008!

Learn about other ways to go green this holiday season from Co-op America

Dec. 07 - Oppose the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture's (PDA) recent enactment of the rule that will prohibit dairy farmers from advertising on their labels that their products were produced without the use of artificial hormones, antibiotics, and/or pesticides.  Take Action

Dec 07 - Kutztown Area Communities for Appropriate Development Report - Something to Celebrate by Daree Sicher
Happy days to all as we announce that Maxatawny and the Kutztown area shall remain Walmart-free! After 1 ½ years of battling to preserve our community and quality of place from a proposed 200,000 square foot Walmmall, with 2,900 car parking, we have finally received all the proper paperwork that this project is dead! It’s been a battle indeed – 8 months of public hearings plus thousands of dollars and hours spent provinhow detrimental this project would be for the community. Still, Maxatanwy twp supervisors unanimously approved the zoning change for the 67 acre property on Rt. 222, east of Kutztown, PA with 99 conditions thatthe developer, the Gambone group, would have to meet in order to install the mall. Although the developer stated that they were not interested in the property because of the 99 conditions, they did not withdrawl their offer in writing and we (the community, represented by Attorney Robert Grim and his clients) filed an appeal that we disagreed with the vote of the township. In a bizarre twist, Maxatawny twp filed against our appeal. Long story short – we finally have in writing that Gambone no longer wants the property and Maxatawny twp dropping their fight against the community! We the people did it – made our voices heard and gathered oresources to fight for our hometown. A sigh of relief and raise a glass! Check in with our website at www.kacad.com or phone me directly at 610-823-8258 to get involved in what happens next for our community. Let this wonderful victory remind us all that we are worth fighting for!

Sept 07 - CONGRATS TO TOM POWER FOR WINNING THE KITTATINNY GROUP HEROF THE YEAR AWARD! Tom Power has been a member of the Kittatinny GroupExecutive Committee; he has served as the group’s Conservation Chair, and he is a former member of the Berks County Environmental Advisory Council. Tom has been a long-time environmental activist and the group wishes to thank Tom and honor him for his years of service.