| Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania | |||
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| — Borough — | |||
| Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania | |||
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Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania
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| Coordinates: | |||
| Country | United States | ||
| State | Pennsylvania | ||
| County | Snyder | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 1.9 sq mi (5.0 km2) | ||
| Elevation | 440 ft (134 m) | ||
| Population (2000) | |||
| • Total | 5,383 | ||
| • Density | 2,790.3/sq mi (1,076.9/km2) | ||
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC) | ||
| Zip Code | 17870 | ||
| Area code(s) | 570 | ||
| Website | Borough of Selinsgrove website | ||
Selinsgrove is a borough in Snyder County, Pennsylvania, United States. It was founded in 1787 by Captain Anthony Selin, who fought with Washington in the Revolutionary War.
The population was 5,383[1] at the 2000 census. More specifically in terms of demographics the number of men in Selinsgrove is 2,357, and the number of women is 3,026.[2] It is the largest borough in Snyder County.
Nestled in the middle of the Susquehanna River Valley in Central Pennsylvania, Selinsgrove is located along US Route 11 & US Route 15, 50 miles (80 km) north of Harrisburg and about five miles (8 km) southwest of Sunbury.
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Selinsgrove was founded in 1787 by Captain Anthony Selin, who fought with George Washington in the American Revolution.
Occurring on October 16, 1755, the Penns Creek Massacre was the first Indian hostility event in the region after General Braddock's defeat in Seven Year War. A marker on the bank of Penns Creek north of Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, commemorates the massacre of settlers by Native Americans, with fourteen killed and eleven taken captive. The Leroy Massacre site is about 2 km southeast of Mifflinburg, Pennsylvania. Near here, John Jacob Leroy was killed by Indians on 16 October 1755, following the Penn's Creek Massacre. In response, Conrad Weiser organizes local defence. Fort Augusta at Shamokin now Sunbury, Pennsylvania, the largest of Pennsylvania's frontier forts, was built in 1756 as a result of this conflict.[3]
Routes 11 & 15 once traversed the borough by its primary artery, Market Street. Traffic concerns led to the construction of a bypass to funnel long haul traffic around the historic downtown. Like many similar projects, an unintended consequence of this bypass was the growth of retail and commercial businesses in the communities north of the borough. Selinsgrove's downtown has sought to reinvent itself by emphasizing its historic charm.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 1.9 square miles (4.9 km2).
Selinsgrove borders the Susquehanna River. The portion of the borough that is located between Penns Creek and the Susquehanna River is known locally as the "Isle of Que" (pronounced queue).
In March 2007, the Patriot-News, a Harrisburg newspaper, published an eight-page story investigating the possibility of a "cancer cluster" near Susquehanna University.[4] The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection responded within a week by taking samples of air, soil and ground water, and found no environmental threat to student health. The Department of Health confirmed their findings in 2009.
The Lower Penn’s Creek Watershed Association’s central purpose is to protect, conserve, and improve the Lower Penn’s Creek watershed by promoting the wise stewardship of the land and aquatic resources. The organization is open to all citizens. The organization has sponsored a main stream assessment The Lower Penn’s Creek watershed is approximately 163 square miles (420 km2) within Snyder and Union Counties. It drains into the Susquehanna River on the northern border of the community of Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania. It is located within the Lower Susquehanna subbasin. LPCWA’s efforts contribute to the success of the missions of the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership and the Susquehanna River Basin Commission. The Snyder County Conservation District and the Union County Conservation District both have watershed specialists that participate in LPCWA.
Ongoing pollution and soil erosion in the region continues to degrade the water quality and the environment locally as well as regionally. Farming, wastewater treatment facilities and industrial spills are cited as contributing factors to loss of water quality. It also contributes to the pollution of the Chesapeake Bay. Controlling the wastewater discharges alone is expected to cost the region's taxpayers billions of dollars.[5]
The Susquehanna River Heartland Coalition for Environmental Studies (SRHCES) is a watershed organization whose geographic focus is the entire Susquehanna River West Branch watershed in Pennsylvania. At present, SRHCES partners include representatives from six academic institutions as well as various other groups.
The borough is governed by an elected council of seven residents. The Borough Council meets the first Monday of the month (with exceptions), in the borough building. There is an elected mayor, a borough manager and a chief of police.[6]
On November 6, 2007 a member of the Libertarian Party was elected to the borough council, the first Libertarian elected to office in Snyder County history and one of only nineteen Libertarian election victories nationally.[7]
Local government has been challenged by the increasing amount of property that is tax exempt. In 2004 it was reported that 49.3% of the properties were exempted from paying taxes. This includes the land owned by Susquehanna University, the land held by local churches and the campus of the Selinsgrove Area School District. The Borough has been facing a continued decrease in the value of the taxable real estate for many years. The borough has requested "payment in lieu of taxes" from the exempt entities with limited success. There have also been several successful property tax assessment challenges that have decreased tax revenues. Omega Bank donated property to Selinsgrove Borough which was converted into a police station.
Selinsgrove is in the 85th Legislative District for the Pennsylvania General Assembly. This office is held by Russ Fairchild. The Pennsylvania Senate District 27 office is held by Senator John Gordner. Selinsgrove is in the US House of Representatives 10th district represented by Christopher Carney.
Selinsgrove Area School District is the local public school system. The mascot is the Seals. There are approximately 2700 students (down from 3000 in 2002) clustered on a campus located in Selinsgrove borough. The school colors are Red and Blue and the mascott is the Selinsgrove Seal. Selinsgrove Area High School has about 910 students in grades 9-12. There is a strong emphasis on music education and extracurricular athletics. The Selinsgrove Area Middle School serves students in grades 6-8 using a team teaching approach. Selinsgrove Area Intermediate School has students grades 3-5. Primary grades are at Selinsgrove Area Elementary School. Kindergarten is located at Jackson Penn School. In the 2007 - 2008 school year, the district initiated All Day Kindergarten as one approach to improving its low elementary math and reading scores. Selinsgrove Elementary will be renovated and enlarged to hold all kindergarten, first and second grades. Jackson Penn School will be closed.[8]
In 2005, Standard & Poors reported the district's student teacher ratio was 15.9 to 1.[9]
SASD employes about 350 people in 2007. Two hundred of the employees are teachers. The median teacher salary in 2007 is $58,000 plus benefits. Seventy percent of spending is allocated to employee costs. The district reports spending $9800 per pupil in 2007.[10] According to district business manager, Jeffrey Hummel, the costs for building projects coupled with salaries and benefits will mean continued maximum property tax increases.
Public School busing is provided in the district, but not to most borough residents as they live within walking limit set by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT).
In 2005, the high school was ranked 306th out of 601 Pennsylvania high schools on the annual state testing. The 3rd grade ranked 1215th out of 1779 Pennsylvania third grades. According to Pittsburgh Business Times, which ranks Pennsylvania school districts based on test scores, in 2007 Selinsgrove Area School District was ranked 235th out of 499 state public school districts. According to The Daily Item, in 2007, Selinsgrove also reached adequate yearly progress standards for the first time since the progress analysis began during the 2002-03 school year.
The Selinsgrove Community Library is a public library that is part of the Snyder County Library system. Patrons have free use of the PA Power Library and Access Pennsylvania which provide extensive online resources for children and adults. The library is on the corner of High Street and Pine Street, one block west of Market Street in downtown Selinsgrove.
The Selinsgrove Area High School Media Center is open to the public one evening a week during the school year.
The State Library of Pennsylvania Commonwealth & Walnut Sts., Harrisburg, PA. This library provides information for State Government and citizens, collects and preserves Pennsylvania's written heritage through materials published for, by, and about Pennsylvania.
The Greater Susquehanna Valley United Way in 2006 commissioned a study regarding what matters most in area communities. They found that some major concerns were: alcohol and drug use among all age groups and its effects on the community, the dependency on social services and assistance across generations, and a lack of public transportation.[11] It is the intention of the organization to focus spending on these issues.
"Kidsgrove Park" is a 3.25 acre neighborhood park maintained and operated by Kidsgrove, Inc. The park contains a large wooden play structure, universal swings and sandbox, a band shell, picnic pavilions and tables, accessible walking path and permanent restrooms that are open seasonally. Off-street parking is available.[12]
Major Anthony Selin Park located on Sassafras Street is equipped with horseshoe, quoit, and basketball courts and soccer fields. A large covered pavilion for picnics can be reserved for outings and reunions. This facility also offers a kitchen area, restrooms, and game equipment. A “Life Trail”, which is a system of exercise and walking trails, is one feature of the park. Local businesses have donated kiosks that provide information on fitness for active adults. During the summer of 2011, this program will offer a sport-camp atmosphere promoting physical activity. Activities will include soccer, baseball, lacrosse, volleyball, basketball, etc. A different sport will be featured each week. The program consists of fitness and sports activities.[12]
""Pump House Park and Gazebo"" The Pump House Park includes a building that can be rented for any meeting, party, or group event. This facility contains restrooms and a kitchen, as well as a meeting space that comfortably seats about 30 people and can be rearranged for as many as 60. The Gazebo is another great feature of the park, located in an attractive setting along Penns Creek. The Gazebo is a popular spot for outdoor weddings, and also hosts a concert series of local performers during June, July and August. For reservations, call the Borough Office.[12]
Music at the Gazebo is a program that runs from June through August with free concerts held in Pump House Park.
Selinsgrove borough government is participating in a regional effort to increase and improve outdoor recreation in Eastern Snyder County. A regional plan has been developed by Shamokin Dam borough, Selingrove borough, Monroe Township, and Penn Township officials. Their hope is to garner state tax dollars through grant and matching fund applications. Officials assert that a poll of 10% of residents showed that they were willing to paying higher taxes to add more recreation facilities to the area.
The East Snyder Park is a multi-use facility which is under development using state grants and local donations. It is located along the upper end of University Ave. near Rt. 522, at the location of the existing Penn Township ball fields. The master plan of the park calls for nine professional grade horseshoe pits, baseball, softball, football and soccer fields, a preschool playground with age appropriate apparatus (Kaboom grant) a playground for older children, and a small wetland conservation education area. The facilities are governed by the East Snyder Regional Recreation Association, a 501(c) organization with a board made up of interested parties, local youth recreation organization representatives and area government officials.
One concept brought out in the Park, Recreation and Open Space Plan is for the region to market riverfront recreation opportunities. This is in direct competition with efforts across the river in Sunbury where local and state officials are working on a riverfront project funded in large part by state tax dollars. This effort includes a third attempt to make use of an abandoned building in the Shikellamy State Park.
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Boating access to the Susuquehanna River on the Isle of Que. Primary boating using shallow-draft, lightweight fishing boats, canoes and inflatables is accessible. Parking is available.
Susquehanna Greenway is a regional effort to link natural, cultural, historic, and recreational resources along the 500-mile (800 km) corridor of the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania. 7894| Susquehanna Greenway Partnership
There are 91 tax exempt and nonprofit organizations in Selinsgrove with combined assets of $236,146,919 in 2005 as reported by TaxExemptWorld.com.
Selinsgrove Area Youth Foundation SAYF was founded in 1994. It has endowed assets of approximately $400,000 and has affiliated with the Central Susquehanna Community Foundation (CSCF). SAYF's giving includes $9,000 in scholarships is to four Selinsgrove Area school students. In addition it has provided funding to community projects such as KidsGrove, the Selinsgrove Pool, Snyder County Library System, EconomicsPA. and improvements at the high school's Bolig football field and track fields.
There is a public swimming pool which was founded in the early 1970s.
The Selinsgrove Adult Band gives an annual spring concert utilizing school district facilities. This concert benefits the American Cancer Society raising over $91,000 to help with research, education, advocacy and services for people with cancer.
Selinsgrove also has many scouting groups that youth may become involved in, outside of the school day. All of these groups meet at the Sharon Lutheran Church in Selinsgrove.
In 2005 the following crime statistics were reported to the Pennsylvania Uniform Crime Reporting System by the borough police department:
Sex-related offenses - 11
Robbery - 1
Assaults - 129
Property offenses - 366
Arson - 1
Drug violations - 16
Other alcohol crimes - 57
In 2006 the following crime statistics were reported to the Pennsylvania Uniform Crime Reporting System by the borough police department:
Sex-related offenses - 14
Robbery - 2
Assaults - 136
Property offenses - 387
Arson - 2
Drug violations - 23
Other alcohol crimes - 77
As of the census[13] of 2000, there were 5,383 people, 1,767 households, and 987 families residing in the borough. The population density was 2,790.3 people per square mile (1,076.9/km²). There were 1,912 housing units at an average density of 991.1 per square mile (382.5/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 94.67% White, 2.73% African American, 0.07% Native American, 0.91% Asian, 0.87% from other races, and 0.74% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.92% of the population.
There were 1,767 households out of which 23.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.5% were married couples living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.1% were non-families. 34.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.18 and the average family size was 2.75.
In the borough, the population was spread out with 14.6% under the age of 18, 34.9% from 18 to 24, 18.7% from 25 to 44, 15.0% from 45 to 64, and 16.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 26 years. For every 100 females there were 77.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 74.7 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $31,034, and the median income for a family was $42,500. Males had a median income of $29,679 versus $22,115 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $13,401. About 7.8% of families and 16.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.8% of those under age 18 and 10.4% of those age 65 or over.
The average weekly wage for Snyder County in 2005 was $553. This is equivalent to $13.83 per hour or $28,756 per year, assuming a 40-hour week worked the year around. Center for Workforce Information and Analysis.
The largest local employers are housing related manufacturers and educational institutions including the public schools and Susquehanna University. Educational Services and Health Care & Social Assistance combined are projected to be about 90.7% of all job growth by 2014 in the central region. Manufacturing of both Non-Durable and Durable Goods are expected to lose over 4,000 jobs (a change of about -9.1% in employment) in the same time period. Construction is the only goods producing sector projecting job growth, where employment may increase by about 210 jobs (or about 2.1%). Central Pennsylvania Workforce Investment Area
As predicted, ongoing manufacturing job losses continue. In 2007 over 250 manufacturing jobs have been lost. Efforts to improve the downtown have stalled. Public schools, in the region including Selinsgrove, continue to hire specialists in order to meet demands of No Child Left Behind. Several districts are planning major renovations and new construction projects which may mean temporary employment for construction workers.
Outside of the community local region employment includes: service jobs in local businesses, area hospitals which includes Sunbury Community Hospital in Sunbury, Pa. and Evangelical Hospital in Lewisburg, PA. In 2007, local service jobs are in decline with an upward trend of business loss on the 11& 15 strip.
On April 30, 1988 in Selinsgrove, PA, USA 33,000 bananas were delivered along with 2,500 gallons of ice-cream, 600 pounds of nuts, and lots of other toppings. The reason: To create the world's longest banana split. It was 7.32 kilometres (4.55 mi) long.[14]
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