Slatington’s mayor has an idea for revitalizing the borough. She is forming two committees of residents to focus on renewing the community.

Mayor Jeralyn Schoch said the Economic Redevelopment committee will focus on improving infrastructure by coming up with ideas and programs to attract new businesses and jobs into town. She thinks this will increase the a sense of well-being among residents and improve the quality of life.

“Back when I was a kid, Slatington was a cute, quaint little town and people enjoyed going into the businesses,” she said.

The historic buildings are still there.

“Those buildings are beautiful inside. Almost every one of them was a business, and I would like to see that come back again,” she said.

Schoch said she sees how far Palmerton and Jim Thorpe have come and she envisions a future for Slatington that is as bright.

“I know we have a great community with an even greater amount of citizens who care about the town,” she said. “We want to see this town succeed.”

Schoch also wants to create a Beautification Committee to find ways to improve the appearance of Slatington’s parks, streets, businesses and neighborhoods.

“We have some playgrounds that aren’t being used that have really gone downhill and are pretty much dilapidated. I know there’s people in town interested in cleaning up those playgrounds and parks and utilizing them again,” she said.

It isn’t enough for just a few people and the council to get involved.

“It takes a whole community to make it happen,” she said.

Schoch said the volunteers for the committees can be on either one or both of them, and she is not setting a maximum number of people.

“The more the merrier,” she said. “I think the more people that get involved the more ideas.”

Council member Zachari Halkias said he plans to get involved as well.

“I think there’s a good base of people who want to see a change for this town,” he said.

Halkias said he is committed “to making Slatington a more economically friendly environment and a more visually appearing environment, because I think those two things combined will bring in both more residents and businesses.”

Anyone who wants to volunteer can email the mayor at mayor1@slatington.org or call her borough number at 484-224-3226. She plans to get the first meeting together in early March. The time and place have yet to be determined.

“Please consider joining the committee, so together we can make Slatington the town people want to establish their businesses in and visit. Get involved and be the change you want to see in your community,” Schoch said.