Youths volunteer on home improvement projects
By PAT FRIDGEN Echo Pilot

Area teenagers participated in the Chambersburg Project in July. One volunteer assignment involved trimming trees and shrubs at a Greencastle home. Pictured from left: Brandon Thrush, 15, Kristi Beaver, 14, Shelby Harmon, 14, Hannah Wylie, 13, and Alex Yoder, 14.

Area teenagers got their fingernails dirty and cemented friendships and homeowners got help with repairs this summer, thanks to The Chambersburg Project.

Now in its 10th year, the nonprofit organization sends youth crews across Franklin County for one week each summer. With adult supervisors, the young people from area churches do yard work, construction, painting, cleaning and other tasks.

Joseph Longnecker, 23, a crew leader from Blue Ridge Summit, explained the purpose of the volunteer program, "We help people who because of age or disability cannot do the work for themselves. We make the workload manageable with the skills of the youth." "I'm the tie-wrap you all need."

"It's a tough decision," said supervisor Curtis Myers. "Everyone is way more than qualified. Nevertheless, one person stood out a little more than the others."

He moved to appoint Young, with Scott Diffenderfer adding the second.

The board took a five-minute recess so Young could fill out the Statement of Financial Interest. He then took the oath of office and was seated.

He told the staff not to make him a permanent name plate.

While that would make it appear he was not interested in serving for the full term, such was not the case. Young and the other four Republicans had already submitted statements to the Franklin County Republican Committee, indicating a desire to be selected as the candidate for the general election.

Jim Taylor, Chairman, said the five letters were in hand by Monday, Sept. 10. The committee met Wed., Sept. 12 at the Antrim Township building to make its selection.

Young received six votes and Thrush four.

The candidates each spoke and then answered questions from the committee, comprised of two people from each of Antrim's five precincts. They were Dwight Thrush, Cheryl Thrush, Michael Murray, Linda Golden, David Kipp, Susanna Scott, Malcolm Neikirk, Lynn Wakefield, Henry Ryder and Cynthia Ryder.

Taylor said Young's selection the previous night played a role in the decision.

"Because he was elected unanimously by the current board, they thought he probably could work well with them, and that's a good thing," he said.

Contacted later, Young, 36, said, "I'm not sure what I got myself into."

As a supervisor, he is hoping to make decisions that reflect what taxpayers want. He said he first became interested in township issues when the pending municipal complex was the center of attention last winter. He believed that the price tag was extreme and researched possible options, which he presented at the March 27 meeting.

Young also said that while residential growth has slacked off due to the economy, "We have to keep an eye on it."

He also is concerned about commercial growth.

"Greencastle is attractive but the infrastructure is not ready. Do we want to do that? And how?"

He admitted there were many challenges ahead.

Beth Shupp-George, Franklin County Democratic Committee Chairman, did not return calls by presstime, but no candidates had been announced as of the filing deadline Monday. Young will run unopposed.

The interest in seats on the Antrim board was spirited this year.

Alleman and Republican Rick Baer face off for the six-year term of Scott Diffenderfer, who is not running for re-election.

Dwight Thrush and Larry Eberly also entered the May primary. Baer won the nomination from a field of six.