Edwardsville police receive comfort bears to help soothe children

EDWARDSVILLE — The Edwardsville Hometown Committee presented borough police with “comfort bears” on Thursday night to be given to children in traumatic situations.

Jackie Moran, president of the committee formed in 2013 to unite the community, said the gift was another step in the organization’s effort.

“About 10 of us met and thought it was a good idea,” she said. “We then reached out to police. They said they had had the program in the past, but not for a long, long time.”

At the council’s regular meeting that followed the presentation, Cathy Soprano, borough manager, said that plans to demolish a former bank at Main Street and Hillside Avenue as part of a community development project were nearing completion.

Several council members said they remembered the bank as a landmark and would hope that photos would be taken prior to demolition.

The project, she said, was funded by a $95,000 Local Share Account grant received last year.

The council approved South Jersey Energy as a second party energy provider which, Soprano said, had saved the borough $3,000 during the last year.

The council also approved a contract with True Green to maintain football and soccer fields on Zerby Avenue for $950 a year for three years.

Soprano said that the three-year contract ensures that the amount would not change over the course of those three years.

Soprano also informed the council that she had been in contact with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation regarding the repair of pedestrian crosswalks on Main and Hillside streets.

A PennDOT representative said that although the borough would be responsible for the repairs, he thought a bid for the project at $15,000 was high.

“He told us not to do anything right now,” said Soprano. “We’re waiting to hear back from them.”

According to Soprano, the SPCA had reached out to her recently requesting that the borough enter into a contract to pay a fixed amount for animals from the borough brought to the facility.

“We did offer to make a donation to the SPCA, but not to pay about $100 per animal,” she said.

According to Soprano, the SPCA said that if the borough failed to pay the requested fee per animal, they would no longer accept their animals.

Several council members said they believed that the cost was the responsibility of the person surrendering the animal and not the borough.

Teddy bears that were presented to Edwardsville Police officers from the hometown committee to give to children while they are on duty.
Amanda Hrycyna|For Times Leader

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/web1_ttl011317edwardsville_11.jpg.optimal.jpgTeddy bears that were presented to Edwardsville Police officers from the hometown committee to give to children while they are on duty.
Amanda Hrycyna|For Times Leader Amanda Hrycyna | For Times Leader

Jackie Moran, the president of the Hometown committee, says a few words before presenting teddy bears to the Edwardsville Police Department Thursday night.
Amanda Hrycyna|For Times Leader

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/web1_ttl011317edwardsville_31.jpg.optimal.jpgJackie Moran, the president of the Hometown committee, says a few words before presenting teddy bears to the Edwardsville Police Department Thursday night.
Amanda Hrycyna|For Times LeaderAmanda Hrycyna | For Times Leader

Officer John Bradley looks at a teddy bear he was presented with Thursday night from the Hometown committee to hand out to children during his work shift.
Amanda Hrycyna|For Times Leader

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/web1_ttl011317edwardsville_21.jpg.optimal.jpgOfficer John Bradley looks at a teddy bear he was presented with Thursday night from the Hometown committee to hand out to children during his work shift.
Amanda Hrycyna|For Times LeaderAmanda Hrycyna | For Times Leader