Dear neighbors,

I hope the community is aware that our town is about to lose a valuable service that we have had for almost 40 years. Child Developments Centers from Franklin was awarded the contract to run the Headstart program for the next five years. 

Headstart is a federal program that provides comprehensive early childhood education, health, nutrition and parent involvement services to low income children and their families. Headstart gets children ready to enter the school system by teaching appropriate behaviors and skills.  

Child Development Centers has announced it is closing several county sites while focusing on the city of Erie. Losing the Headstart program will have a devastating effect on our children, our school system and our town. Our children deserve equal opportunities. Too often people in power forget we pay taxes and we vote. The county deserves equal services. Too many agencies and services are offered only in the city.

To support having Headstart classes in North East for North East children there are two things you can do.

Sign the petition being circulated at the thrift store, the chamber and by various churches.  

Call your legislator’s office and tell the person who answers that the Headstart program should continue to operate in North East, county children deserve the same services the city kids receive.

Here is a list of phone numbers for local representatives:

• Mike Kelly — 814-454-8190

• Bob Casey — 814-874-5080

• Glenn Thompson — 814-670-0432

• Pat Toomey — 453-3010

Show you care about our children’s education by taking a few minutes to call.  Every phone call is counted and helps the legislator make his decision about what to support

— Vicki Stetson