The Greater Scranton YMCA is hosting the Y’s annual Healthy Kids Day on Saturday, May 6, at 10 a.m. This free annual event features a variety of family-friendly activities to encourage healthy kids, healthy families and a healthy start to the summer season.
“It is so important for kids to stay active over the summer, both physically and mentally,” said Trish Fisher, President & CEO, Greater Scranton YMCA. “At the Y, we believe in providing resources to families to ensure that their children have access to what they need to reach their full potential, no matter the time of year. Healthy Kids Day is a fun, free community-wide event that encourages families to take advantage of all the great summer resources that the Y has to offer.”
Sponsored by Eggland’s Best, Healthy Kids Day’s mission is to turn fun and play into lifelong memories. Some featured activities include a Kids Fun Run that kicks-off at 10:30 a.m., vendor fair, petting zoo, rides, bounce houses, entertainment and more.
As part of Healthy Kids Day and in conjunction with the Y’s Wellbeing Initiative, two renowned youth speakers – Taes Leavitt and Kelley Perotti – will offer motivational words to children and families in attendance. Taes Levitt will speak at 11:30 a.m. in Gym B and Kelly Perotti will speak at 12:15 p.m. in Gym B.
“At Eggland’s Best, we strive to help families fulfill their health and wellness goals by supplying them with the only egg that provides superior taste, nutrition, versatility and freshness compared to ordinary eggs,” said Kurt Misialek, President and CEO of Eggland’s Best. “We’re thrilled to be an Official Sponsor of Healthy Kids Day to make nutrition fun and encourage families to choose better-for-you foods.”
Locally, Healthy Kids Day is sponsored by Community Bank, Matrix Fitness, TOPP Business Solutions, Cal Mal Vending Services, Northeastern Rehabilitation Associates, NET Credit Union and Rainey & Rainey CPAs.
Giuliana Mazza, daughter of John and Wendy Mazza, is an honor student in the top 10 percent of her class. She has a sister Gia.
She has participated in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Scholars Program with Marywood University. In addition to her studies Giuliana serves Holy Cross as the Secretary of the National Honor Society and as a Student Council Representative.
She is an NEIU 19 Academic Challenge Team member. She actively participates in the History, Foreign Language, and Book Clubs, as well as the Tobacco Resistance Unit.
Her plan is to attend the University of Pittsburgh Frederick Honors College to major in business.
Election Day is upon us, and we must remember that it is a vital part of the democratic process. It is an opportunity for citizens to exercise their right to vote and have a say in the selection of their local government representatives. Local government officials are responsible for making decisions that impact the daily lives of their constituents, including decisions related to taxes, public safety, infrastructure, education, and much more. Therefore, every vote cast in local elections is critical and can make a significant difference in the outcome of the election.
Many individuals may underestimate the significance of local elections and choose not to participate in the voting process. However, the decisions made by local government officials can have a more direct impact on the lives of citizens than decisions made by federal officials. For instance, local officials are responsible for managing and funding schools, roads, and public safety services. If citizens fail to vote in local elections, they risk having their needs and concerns overlooked by those in power, ultimately affecting the quality of life in their communities.
It is also essential to understand that every vote counts in local elections. In some cases, local elections are decided by only a handful of votes. This has been the case several times in Lackawanna County, even right in the Borough of Dunmore. In 2019, the race for Mayor of Dunmore was decided by single digit votes. During the same election, the race for a seat on Borough Council was likewise determined by a small margin of votes.
Furthermore, local elections can have long-term consequences. Local officials who are elected have the power to influence policy decisions and allocate resources in their communities for years to come. A community’s quality of life can be greatly impacted by the policies and initiatives put in place by local officials. Thus, every vote cast in local elections is crucial, and citizens must take their civic duty seriously by participating in the election process.
The upcoming County Commissioner election should be important to all of us as well. There are several upcoming changes to us all on a county level with an impending reassessment, a prison that if constantly under scrutiny and an entire new County Department of Health underway. All of these county level changes will be in the hands of who we elect this May. We have a total of eight candidates vying for 3 seats. While often times, these types of races can be, well, boring, this year’s county commissioner race is full of excitement because the voters have several of candidates with whom to choose from. And that is the best part of our democracy. It is up to us to choose who will represent us.
A few years ago, I had the honor of representing four individuals from a neighboring county, two Republicans and two Democrats, who were seeking to run for the position of County Commissioner. The individuals had filed their petitions to run for office, but unfortunately, their petitions were challenged by others who sought to remove them from the ballot. If the challenge was successful, only the incumbent candidates would remain on the ballot.
I fought hard to ensure that our clients remained on the ballot and that the citizens of that county had the right to vote from several candidates, accurately and adequately representing them in government. As a result, the citizens of that county had the opportunity to vote for the candidates of their choice and to exercise their right to participate in the democratic process.
I was proud to have represented these individuals in their quest to serve their community and to have played a role in ensuring that the election process was fair and transparent. I firmly believe in the importance of upholding the democratic principles of fairness and justice, and I will continue to fight for the rights of my clients to have their voices heard in the political process. And more importantly, I will continue to exercise my right to vote and make a difference in each and every election so that I can support my candidates whomever they may be.
Please remember that your vote matters and each and every local election matters to all of us living in the Borough of Dunmore, the County of Lackawanna, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the United States of America because every vote cast in local elections is an opportunity to make a positive impact and improve the quality of life in our communities.
