Dinniman: Drinking Takes Toll on College Communities

CONTACT: Adam Cirucci
1-610-692-2112

WEST CHESTER, May 2 – State Senator Andy Dinniman will host a hearing of the Senate Democratic Policy Committee to examine how excessive drinking affects university-area communities on Wednesday, May 2.

The hearing will address the law-enforcement and nuisance-crime issues that are particularly common in college towns like Bloomsburg, State College and West Chester. It will also examine a recent study by the Pennsylvania Economy League that showed that homeowners in college towns have a higher local-tax burden than those elsewhere because students generally do not add to local income-tax revenue and because university land is not taxed.

Dinniman, deputy chairman of the Senate Democratic Policy Committee, and fellow committee members will hear from business representatives, residents, students and law enforcement and university officials.

Those scheduled to testify include:

  • Patrick Stapleton III, Chair of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board
  • Dr. Madeleine Wing Adler, President of West Chester University
  • West Chester Borough Police Chief Scott Bohn
  • Kutztown Borough Mayor Sandy Green
  • State College Mayor Bill Welch and Police Chief Tom King
  • Kevin Finn, co-owner of Iron Hill Brewery
  • Dr. Ari Tuckman, a West Chester homeowner and resident
  • Kyle Mullins, a senior at West Chester University
  • Holly Brown, a West Chester Councilwoman and local business owner; and
  • H. Paul Fitzpatrick, a West Chester resident and Borough Council President.

“It is important that lawmakers hear not only about problems but also about possible solutions,” Dinniman said. “For far too long, public drunkenness has gone unbridled in downtown districts throughout Pennsylvania, and residential properties have been vandalized by late night bar-hoppers. It’s time to come up with a viable, long-term solution for the residents of West Chester and similar communities.”

In addition to Dinniman, other members of the committee, Senators Connie Williams (17th), LeAnna Washington (4th), Shirley Kitchen (3rd), Jay Costa (43rd), Richard Kasunic (32nd), Christine Tartaglione (2nd), Anthony Williams (8th), Sean Logan (45th), Michael Stack (5th) and Michael O’Pake (11th) are scheduled to attend.

The hearing is open to the public. It begins at 4 p.m. on Wednesday in Courtroom 1 of the Chester County Courthouse.

For more information about the hearing, call Senator Dinniman’s office at 610-692-2112 or e-mail andydinniman@pasenate.com.