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| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
| State Rep. Neal P. Goodman
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Goodman, local officials work to fight blight
MAHANOY CITY, May 11 – State Rep. Neal P. Goodman held a workshop Thursday in Frackville that was attended by about 30 local officials who learned about the resources available to fight blight.
"I was pleased with the turnout and interest about this important topic," Goodman said. "It's my goal to inform our local officials about all the tools in the toolbox to help them fight blight."
"Blight impacts the quality of life Shenandoah residents and all citizens of Schuylkill County," Shenandoah Borough Manager Joe Palubinsky said. "This workshop provided valuable information to help us address this issue."
"The judicial system is ready to work arm-in-arm with local officials and enforce laws on the books to deal with blight," said District Judge David Plachko of Port Carbon. "Act 90 provides several measures that can help our communities."
Act 90, which Goodman supported and was signed into law in 2010, allows municipalities to recover the costs of demolishing or repairing a blighted property by placing a lien against the owner's personal assets; gives municipalities authority to deny permits or licenses to the owners of blighted properties; allows for extradition of out-of-state property owners who have housing code violations filed against them; and permits the creation of county housing courts.
It also developed an education program for judges and district magistrates related to blighted and abandoned properties.
Attorneys Joan London and Ed Brennan discussed Act 90. Cindy Daley from Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania explained new tools available to address blight and abandonment.
Officials from Mahanoy City, Mahanoy Township, Pottsville, Delano, McAdoo, Cass Township, Palo Alto, Shenandoah, Gordon and Schuylkill County were among the attendees.
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