JOHNSTOWN — A city resident brought up a couple safety and quality of life issues regarding traffic speed and cemeteries to the Common Council recently at City Hall.
Alfin Maynor of 207 Jansen Ave. called his street “basically a speedway.” He said he maintains a security camera at his home and has caught speeders and motorists racing on Jansen Avenue.
“You might want to have a little more of a [police] presence,” Maynor told city officials.
He also told the council that people are not picking up after their dogs at the Johnstown Cemetery off North Perry Street. He also decried vandalism at the cemetery, as he said he has seen headstones pushed down.
“It’s just a disgrace,” Maynor said. “There’s not a reason for it.”
Police Chief David Gilbo said officers can be more effective if they can respond immediately. He said an officer might be in the vicinity.
“You have to call once you see it,” Gilbo said.
Maynor said things happen so frequently, he doesn’t want to seem like he’s pestering the police too much.
“I’ll pass this on to the patrols,” Gilbo said.
Mayor Vern Jackson told Maynor he will contact the cemetery association to make them aware of concerns he raised.
In regular monthly reports to the council:
∫ Johnstown Senior Citizens Center Director Diedrie Roemer said the center has been busy, with 2,300 people visiting in March. She said state Sen. James Tedisco, R-Glenville, recently spoke to seniors.
“He gave them a lot of good information,” he said.
Roemer said the center building will be the site of a Community Health Fair on Saturday. Participants will include the Fulton County Public Health Department and the county Office for Aging/Youth. She said the center will celebrate Mother’s Day in May.
∫ Johnstown Public Library Director Erica Wing said the library’s website has added data about use of the facility.
∫ City Treasurer Michael Gifford called April “Tax Collection Month,” noting that is “going very well” in the city.
∫ Gilbo urged residents to “lock your vehicles” because of recent increases in vehicle theft in the city. He also reported all police supervisors passed a training requirement of the state. The police department had 684 calls in March, which included 70 arrests, 125 citations issued, 67 traffic tickets and 22 motor vehicle accidents investigated.
∫ Fire Chief Bruce Heberer said his staff went through firefighter survival techniques training in March. The department had 64 calls, including two structure fires, and 18 hazardous condition calls in March. The Codes Division in March issued 40 permits for projects valued at $262,000.
“So far this season, we’ve been very busy,” Heberer said.
∫ Fourth Ward Councilman Timothy Cellary said the Water Board is hoping to replace a roof at the Christman Reservoir.
Michael Anich covers Johnstown and Fulton County news. He can be reached at [email protected]
