Harrison residents in the 2nd Ward have a chance to build up their neighborhood through a series of small group get-togethers hosted by Commissioner Jamie Nee.
Nee was elected to represent the 2nd Ward in November.
“I wanted to find out what’s important to them, what will make us strong,” Nee said.
The next informal meeting is March 29 at Nee’s house.
Harrison’s 2nd Wardis bordered by 12th Avenue on the north and runs to the Allegheny River.
It is bordered on the sides by Argonne Drive and California Avenue. It includes most of West Natrona and all of Natrona below Argonne Drive, including the ATI steel mill.
Resident Frances Brown, founder of the advocacy effort called Natrona Comes Together, was one of about 15 people who attended the first meeting in February.
“We concentrated on the positives and negatives of our ward,” Brown said.
“We want a new future, so we discussed the points of what is safe, healthy and positive to determine a vision.”
Resident Bill Godfrey volunteered to create a Facebook page with 2nd Ward information, though it will be an open group to foster communication throughout the township.
“Some of what makes our community strong is ATI and the volunteers,” Nee said.
“We need to look forward at what we need to do to resolve our weaknesses. If we want change, it has to come from more than one person.”
An agenda for the March 29 meeting will include plans for an Earth Day clean-up, among other issues.
As proposed, a townshipwide litter pick-up will be scheduled for Saturday, April 23.
Each of Harrison’s five wards will solicit volunteers to rid garbage from streets and parks. Details will be announced in early April.
Tentatively, the 2nd Ward meetings will be hosted each month on the Tuesday following the township commissioner’s meeting.
Commissioners meet at 6 p.m. the fourth Monday of the month.
“We’re just trying to get together and see what we can accomplish,” Nee said.
For more information, email jnee@harrisontwp-pa.gov.