Tired of ads? Subscribers enjoy a distraction-free reading experience.
Click here to subscribe today or Login.

WEST PITTSTON — Nearly six years after the borough was ravaged by floodwaters, Gov. Tom Wolf joined other elected officials and borough residents to break ground for a new community garden.

“I came here because the folks here are really stepping up to try and make a bad situation better, and I want to applaud them for doing that, and make sure I understand what they’re doing so if there’s anything I can do to help, I can,” Wolf said.

The governor, along with U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright and state Rep. Aaron Kaufer, turned shovels of dirt at a lot on 225 Race St., where a house that had been devastated by floodwaters had been razed. The Federal Emergency Management Agency bought the property and turned it over to the borough, with a set of restrictions on its use.

A community garden was one of the allowed uses, and members of the West Pittston Tomorrow organization have been working for the last several years to secure approvals from the state and federal governments for use of the property.

After the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency approved plans early this year, West Pittston Tomorrow formed a Garden Committee.

Committee Chairman John Ochman said water lines will be installed on the property next week. Then soil will be hauled in and garden beds will be constructed.

When Wolf asked what could be planted, Ochman said just about anything will be welcome — fruits, vegetables, flowers, perennials, annuals.

“Anyone from West Pittston is welcome to garden,” Ochman said. “We’re asking for a small donation (per plot) to help defray our costs (for water and soil).”

Wolf jokingly asked whether tomatoes would be grown in the garden or “across the river” in the City of Pittston, which is said to have acquired the moniker “Tomato Capital of the World” in the 1930s.

David Todd, a master gardener with the Penn State Cooperative Extension who has been helping West Pittston Tomorrow get state and federal approvals for the garden, rattled off a list of tomato varieties that can be grown there, including wild cherry, Amish paste and jet star.

Before leading Wolf on a tour of refurbished sidewalks and a lighting of new period street lights — all paid for with state grants — Councilwoman Ellen Quinn said the group intends to work on plans for more green space properties throughout town that were bought out by the federal government.

West Pittston Tomorrow board member Kendra Rogers said the group hopes more community gardens can be built and that local schools can become involved as well.

Cartwright, D-Moosic, said one of the first things he did when getting involved after the 2011 flood was to attend meetings with FEMA as well as West Pittston Tomorrow.

“I was incredibly impressed with the amount of cooperation on what to do with the flooding situation and the amount of teamwork that was going on among all the citizens here,” Cartwright said.

Kaufer, R-Kingston, recalled cleaning out flood mud from Agolino’s the day after the waters receded, as well as attending the first West Pittston Tomorrow session.

“Today is not just a symbolic groundbreaking, but truly showing that we are moving forward here in West Pittston, we’re making progress and it’s time for everybody here in West Pittston, the Greater Wyoming Area and Luzerne County to know that West Pittston is coming back better than ever,” Kaufer said.

The governor was scheduled to attend a Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders game later Friday.

Gov. Tom Wolf meets members of West Pittston Tomorrow during a visit Friday afternoon.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_TTL060317Governor2-2.jpg.optimal.jpgGov. Tom Wolf meets members of West Pittston Tomorrow during a visit Friday afternoon. Aimee Dilger | Times Leader

A plot plan for the West Pittston Community Garden. (Courtesy of West Pittston Tomorrow)
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_West-Pittston-Community-Garden-Plot-Plan-1.jpg.optimal.jpgA plot plan for the West Pittston Community Garden. (Courtesy of West Pittston Tomorrow) Aimee Dilger | Times Leader

Following the groundbreaking, West Pittston Councilwoman Ellen Quinn, left, leads Gov. Wolf on a tour of reconstructed sidewalks with new period lighting on Friday afternoon.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_TTL060317Governor3-2.jpg.optimal.jpgFollowing the groundbreaking, West Pittston Councilwoman Ellen Quinn, left, leads Gov. Wolf on a tour of reconstructed sidewalks with new period lighting on Friday afternoon. Aimee Dilger | Times Leader

From left, Gov. Tom Wolf, state Rep Aaron Kaufer and U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright applaud after lighting West Pittston’s new street lights on Luzerne Avenue.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_TTL060317Governor4-2.jpg.optimal.jpgFrom left, Gov. Tom Wolf, state Rep Aaron Kaufer and U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright applaud after lighting West Pittston’s new street lights on Luzerne Avenue. Aimee Dilger | Times Leader

Gov. Tom Wolf talks to West Pittston residents at the groundbreaking for the West Pittston Community Garden on Friday afternoon.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_TTL060317Governor1-2.jpg.optimal.jpgGov. Tom Wolf talks to West Pittston residents at the groundbreaking for the West Pittston Community Garden on Friday afternoon. Aimee Dilger | Times Leader

By Steve Mocarsky

[email protected]

GET INVOLVED

Any West Pittston resident interested in planting a plot at the new community garden can contact West Pittston Tomorrow through the group’s Facebook page or via email: [email protected].

CLIMATE DEAL REACTION

After helping break ground for a new community garden Friday, Gov. Tom Wolf was asked what he thought about a community investing in the environment in light of President Donald Trump announcing he was withdrawing the United States from the Paris climate accord.

U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright also offered his opinion.

Wolf:

“I think Pennsylvania remains committed to doing things to address climate change. We have legislation in place — every 18 months we have to present our Climate Change Impact report, which we did last year. We’ll do it again … We remain — I think all of us in Pennsylvania — committed to try to make our environment as clean as we possibly can. I’m sorry that we’re back where we’re joining Nicaragua and Syria,” he said, referring to the only other countries that chose not to participate in the accord.

Cartwright:

“I also regret President Trump’s decision on that and I do hope he will change his mind. I think a lot of cooler heads are trying to prevail on him about the ill-advised nature of that decision. Not only are cities and corporations across America rejecting that decision, but they’re also pledging to support the climate agreement themselves.”

— By Steve Mocarsky