“TOPs”  -  TOWNWATCH on Patrol:

Welcome to “TOPs”, Pennsbury Townwatch’s member newsletter.  Townwatch can be reached at 610-388-0785.

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Pennsbury Townwatch Announces CPR Certification Course

In our continuing efforts to enhance the security and safety in our Township, Pennsbury Townwatch is pleased to announce, as part of our Outreach Program, an Adult and Pediatric CPR course. Townwatch will subsidize part of the cost of this important certified training course

Representatives from the Longwood Fire Department who are certified CPR instructors will conduct an Adult and Pediatric CPR program on Saturday, November 8, 2008. The 3-hour course will be held at the Pennsbury Township Building, 9:00am to Noon. You will receive a 2-year internationally recognized CPR certification upon completion. Registration is $15.00 per attendee; total registration is limited to the first 20 people.  Registrations received above a total of 20 will have their checks returned. Townwatch is underwriting 50% of the normal $30 course cost as a community service to residents. You can sign up for the CPR course using the form on the last page of this issue of TOPs.

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President’s  Corner

“Autumn, the year's last, loveliest smile.” – William Cullen Bryant

This Fall TOPs newsletter has been mailed to members in over 550 households in our Township, about 40% of all households. Our membership has grown over the past year. Your continued support and generosity provides us the funds needed to support our direct operations: patrol equipment, road signs, printing and mailing expense. We are also able to provide and participate in programs for the community. These programs include 55 Alive, a senior driving program, as well as an upcoming CPR course.

For the third consecutive year, because of your generosity, the Board has awarded a scholarship to a graduating student of the UCF School District who is seeking a career in law enforcement or forensics.

Autumn is here; the long daylight hours of summer are gone. Fall doesn’t mean we have to stop noticing what is going on around us and in our community. Stay alert as you drive to and from home, as you take the kids to and from activities and do routine chores.

While traveling the roads of Pennsbury Township be alert to what seems out of place. Is there a car parked or stopped on the side of the road or in a place you wouldn’t expect to see one? Is there a strange car parked on your street? Strangers walking in your neighborhood? Try to pay attention to details: a license plate number, make and color of car. Don’t stop and get out of your car to see what is going on, but, if you feel uneasy, call the state police when you get home or from a safe distance. Share the information you have gathered. The state police will record the information and check out the situation.

Not every member of Townwatch is able to actively patrol but all members can play a part by observing and noticing things that are different or out of place in our community. You can always call the Townwatch phone at the Township Building at 610-388-0785. We can focus our weekly patrols on areas where there has been some unusual activity.

In conclusion, I want to thank everyone for their participation in Townwatch. We, the Board of Directors, welcome your suggestions to improve what we do for the community.

Remember; please look out for your neighbor.

Kevin D Meloney

President, Pennsbury Townwatch

9-1-1 Address -- DO YOU KNOW YOURS?

IS IT VISIBLE FROM THE STREET?

Checkout the Townwatch Website

The first Pennsbury Townwatch website went live in the summer of 2007, and has now been up and running for over a year. In that short time we have gone to over 1661 users per month in Aug. 2008, or 53 per day. This website not only allows the community to access information on Pennsbury Townwatch itself, but will also provide people will a valuable resource to tap for fun, news, events, education, community, USA.gov, emergency information, and Pennsbury Township’s website. Keep an eye out for announcements on the website for upcoming events, and items of interest, such as the CPR courses being subsidized by Townwatch in November 2008. The website can be accessed at www.pennsburytownwatch.com. Check it out!

 
Jim Shugarts-Webmaster

 Scholarship Awarded to Unionville High School graduate

To encourage the study of law enforcement and community safety and service, Pennsbury Townwatch is pleased to announce the continuation of a scholarship entitled the Pennsbury Townwatch Scholarship for Law Enforcement Study to a deserving Unionville High School graduate who is pursuing a career in law enforcement, forensic science or criminology. The scholarship consists of a one-time $1000 award to a student enrolled in such a training program. In May, a Unionville High School Scholarship Committee selects the student from a list of those meeting the selection criteria established by Townwatch. The 2008 recipient was Caitlin Ogram who is now attending Penn State University at University Campus Park. Caitlin is studying Psychology and Criminology. We wish her continued success in her studies 

Chester county Sheriff welsh addresses Townwatch annual meeting

Ms. Carolyn Bunny Welsh, Sheriff of Chester County, PA was the guest speaker at the Annual Meeting on March 12, 2008 at the Chadds Ford Winery. Eric Miller, winemaker, hosted the event. Since many people are unfamiliar with the duties and responsibilities of the Sheriff’s Department in our County (that differs from other counties and Parishes across the country), Ms. Welsh gave a short description of what goes on at the Sheriff’s office and the principles that affect the way that she approaches her responsibilities. She then talked about some of the newer programs and plans for the future of the Sheriff’s office. Her very interesting lecture was attended by over 35 members of Pennsbury Townwatch. At the conclusion, she “deputized” and gave badges to all of those in attendance. She also answered questions from the floor.

An e-Mail Alert System for Pennsbury Township--Subscribe now!

There have been a number of criminal mischief incidents in the past few months in Pennsbury Township that called for increased attention to things going on in our local neighborhoods. An alert system has been set up by the Township to disseminate information about these types of events and incidents within our Township and School District. To be included in this alert system, all you have to do is to visit the Pennsbury Township website at http://www.pennsbury.pa.us and subscribe to e-mail notifications. Be aware of the events, news, and alerts in your community---subscribe today.

Thirty Gas Saving Tips

The surest way you can improve your fuel cost problem is to change your motoring habits. Listed below under four categories are 30 effective methods of doing so... no need to buy expensive add-on equipment.

ENGINE WARM-UP

1. Avoid prolonged warming up of engine, even on cold mornings - 30 to 45 seconds is plenty of time.

2. Be sure the automatic choke is disengaged after engine warm up... chokes often get stuck, resulting in bad gas/air mixture.

3. Don't start and stop engine needlessly. Idling your engine for one minute consumes the gas amount equivalent to when you start the engine.

4. Avoid "reving" the engine, especially just before you switch the engine off; this wastes fuel needlessly and washes oil down from the inside cylinder walls, owing to loss of oil pressure.

5. Eliminate jack-rabbit starts. Accelerate slowly when starting from dead stop. Don't push pedal down more than 1/4 of the total foot travel. This allows carburetor to function at peak efficiency.

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HOW TO BUY GASOLINE

6. Buy gasoline during coolest time of day - early morning or late evening is best. During these times gasoline is densest. Keep in mind - gas pumps measure volumes of gasoline, not densities of fuel concentration. You are charged according to "volume of measurement".

7. Choose type and brand of gasoline carefully. Certain brands provide you with greater economy because of better quality. Use the brands that "seem" most beneficial.

8. Avoid filling gas tank to top. Overfilling results in sloshing over and out of tank. Never fill gas tank past the first "click" of fuel nozzle, if nozzle is automatic.

HOW TO DRIVE ECONOMICALLY

9. Exceeding 40 mph forces your auto to overcome tremendous wind resistance.

10. Never exceed legal speed limit. Primarily they are set for your traveling safety, however better gas efficiency also occurs. Traveling at 55 mph give you up to 21% better mileage when compared to former legal speed limits of 65 mph and 70 mph.

11. Traveling at fast rates in low gears can consume up to 45% more fuel than is needed.

12. Manual shift driven cars allow you to change to highest gear as soon as possible, thereby letting you save gas if you "nurse it along". However, if you cause the engine to "bog down", premature wearing of engine parts occurs.

13. Keep windows closed when traveling at highway speeds. Open windows cause air drag, reducing your mileage by 10%.

14. Drive steadily. Slowing down or speeding up wastes fuel. Also avoid tailgating - the driver in front of you is unpredictable. Not only is it unsafe, but if affects your economy, if he slows down unexpectedly.

15.Think ahead when approaching hills. If you accelerate, do it before you reach the hill, not while you're on it.

GENERAL ADVICE

16. Do not rest left foot on floorboard pedals while driving. The slightest pressure puts "mechanical drag" on components, wearing them down prematurely. This "dragging" also demands additional fuel usage.

17. Avoid rough roads whenever possible, because dirt or gravel rob you of up to 30% of your gas mileage.

18. Use alternate roads when safer, shorter, straighter. Compare traveling distance differences - remember that corners, curves and lane jumping requires extra gas. The shortest distance between two points is always straight.

19. Stoplights are usually timed for your motoring advantage. By traveling steadily at the legal speed limit you boost your chances of having the "green light" all the way.

20. Automatic transmissions should be allowed to cool down when your car is idling at a standstill, e.g. railroad crossings, long traffic lights, etc. Place gear into neutral position. This reduces transmission strain and allows transmission to cool.

21. Park car so that you can later begin to travel in forward gear; avoid reverse gear maneuvers to save gas.

22. Regular tune-ups ensure best economy; check owner's manual for recommended maintenance intervals. Special attention should be given to maintaining clean air filters... diminished air flow increases gas waste.

23. Inspect suspension and chassis parts for occasional misalignment. Bent wheels, axles, bad shocks, broken springs, etc. create engine drag and are unsafe at high traveling speeds.

24. Remove snow tires during good weather seasons; traveling on deep tire tread really robs fuel!

25. Inflate all tires to maximum limit. Each tire should be periodically spun, balanced and checked for out-of-round. When shopping for new tires, get large diameter tires for rear wheels. Radial designs are the recognized fuel-savers; check manufacturer's specifications for maximum tire pressures.

26. Remove vinyl tops - they cause air drag. Rough surfaces disturb otherwise smooth air flow around a car's body. Bear in mind when buying new cars that a fancy sunroof helps disturb smooth air flow (and mileage).

27. Auto air conditioners can reduce fuel economy by 10% to 20%. Heater fan, power windows and seats increase engine load; the more load on your engine, the less miles per gallon.

28. Remove excess weight from trunk or inside of car - extra tires, back seats, unnecessary heavy parts. Extra weight reduces mileage, especially when driving up inclines.

29. Car pools reduce travel monotony and gas expense - all riders chip in to help you buy. Conversation helps to keep the driver alert. Pooling also reduces traffic congestion, gives the driver easier maneuverability and greater "steady speed" economy. For best results, distribute passenger weight evenly throughout car.

30. During cold weather watch for icicles frozen to car frame. Up to 100 lbs. can be quickly accumulated! Unremoved snow and ice cause tremendous wind resistance. Warm water thrown on (or hosed on) will eliminate it fast.

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results for Membership Drive for 2009

We are happy to report that 289 of you renewed your memberships for 2008. Most donated the regular $7.50 (single) or $10 (family), but we especially want to thank those who generously donated more than this amount. In total, 12 of you gave in the range of $12-20, 56 in the range of $20-29, 8 in the range of $30-40, 5 in the range of $50-100, and 6 gave over $100. We appreciate those of you who contributed to our efforts. Remember that as a tax-free corporation, all donations to Pennsbury Townwatch are tax-deductible.

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 If you would like to become a mamber -  Make checks payable to Pennsbury Townwatch

Name(s):_________________________________________________________________

Street Address:____________________________________________________________

City:______________________________State: PA     ZipCode:_____________________

Phone:  ________________________E-mail:____________________________________              

Want to Patrol ?              Yes, I’d like to volunteer to patrol; contact me at telephone number above.

                                           No, not right now but keep me in mind for future requests

Pennsbury Townwatch

702 Baltimore Pike

Chadds Ford, PA 19317