29 September 2008

YorkCounts E-Newsletter - September 2008


The YorkCounts E-Newsletter
found on the blog at yorkcounts.org
September 2008

In this issue:

  • Police study presentations continue
  • Diversity countywide: a snapshot from the schools
  • Foundation of the Year (and they’re blogging too!)
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Police study presentations continue

YorkCounts teams visited Jackson Township and Dover Township in September as the YorkCounts Public Safety Committee continued to make the case for a regional public safety feasibility study.

Jackson Township’s Board of Supervisors and the commission that oversees the Northern York County Regional Police Department were the latest to hear from Committee co-chair Carl Anderson. Anderson and Meckley are seeking local government participation in a study – conducted by an independent consultant – to evaluate the merits of a multi-municipal, regional police department.

Ten presentations have been made so far by Meckley, Anderson or both, accompanied by YorkCounts staffers James DeBord and Beau Boughamer. Because the Northern York County Regional Police Department’s oversight body includes representatives from each of the NYCRPD’s eight participating municipalities, the number of communities reached by the study pitch has risen to 18.

West York Borough, the City of York and the three member municipalities of the Northeastern Regional police – Mount Wolf and Manchester boroughs and East Manchester Township – have agreed to take part in the study. Decisions are expected soon from Springettsbury Township and Spring Garden Township among other communities.

Each municipality is appointing someone to serve on the panel that will oversee the study.

Municipal elected officials or administrators with questions about the Public Safety Committee can reach YorkCounts Director James DeBord at 717/815-6436 or jdebord@ycp.edu.

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Diversity countywide: a snapshot from the schools

YorkCounts expects to release its latest Indicators report next spring. Between now and then, an occasional series in the E-Newsletter will spotlight community data relating to York County.

From its beginnings nearly ten years ago, YorkCounts has been interested in diversity in York County – not only in fostering an environment in which diversity is respected and celebrated… but also in keeping tabs on just how diverse we are and how the community is changing.

Because information on diversity that is released between decennial Census reports is limited in scope, the best real-time way to see increasing diversity is in year-to-year population counts released by York County’s public school districts.

The chart below is reflective of how more diverse communities now can be found in virtually all corners of York County. (If you can’t see the chart in the e-mail E-Newsletter, try accessing the copy that’s on the web at http://yorkcounts.blogspot.com/2008/08/yorkcounts-e-newsletter-september-2008.html).

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Foundation of the Year (and they’re blogging too!)


We congratulate the York County Community Foundation – a YorkCounts Partner – as it has been named the 2008 Foundation of the Year by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Central PA chapter. The award was announced earlier this month and will be given at a ceremony in Harrisburg on National Philanthropy Day, November 17.

YorkCounts Director James DeBord was pleased to be among those who nominated the York County Community Foundation. “With the guidance of a thoughtful and committed board and under Susan Barry’s able and innovative leadership, the York County Community Foundation has grown tremendously,” DeBord said.

“Of particular interest to YorkCounts is the YCCF’s role as a catalyst for regional improvement. Since YorkCounts’ inception, YCCF has been not only a financial supporter of the organization, but also an active, engaged partner in planning for a better York County.”

Also this month, the York County Community Foundation launched its first blog. In Barry’s first contribution to the blogosphere, she shares her thoughts on what fishing and philanthropy have in common. The “President’s Point of View” blog can be found at http://www.yccf.org/presidents_blog.asp.

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The YorkCounts E-Newsletter is written by Beau Boughamer. Reach YorkCounts by mail c/o the Center for Community Engagement at York College of Pennsylvania, 605 South George Street, Suite 160, York, PA 17401, by telephone at 717/815-6430 or by e-mail at yorkcounts@gmail.com. Visit YorkCounts online at yorkcounts.org.