There have been two consistent topics that the Township hammers home to its residents centered around the need to be recognized through two of the most important aspects of a democracy.

Those two items, the 2020 Census and the 2020 General Election, have been the subjects of much communication from the Township to our residents. Rest assured, once both are completed, we will start all over again for the next time.

But as we are now under one month until Election Day, allow me to shout from the rooftops how passionate we are about voting.

For decades the Board of Supervisors has spoken about the importance of voting. Voting drives public policy and, frankly, the attention our community deserves from higher levels of government. High voter participation goes a long way to gain the attention of those elected officials and, in turn, they are more responsive to Cranberry Township’s issues.

Although it is the General Assembly and Governor who set the laws governing elections in the Commonwealth, the challenging task of implementing the voting process lays with County Bureau of Elections. For decades our Township Supervisors have consistently stood in support of the Butler County Bureau of Elections by providing facilities on the day of voting, education outreach and training facilities for poll workers. 

COVID-19 has created even more challenges to achieving high voter turnout. Fortunately, the Commonwealth has provided new ways to vote, from traditional in-person voting to mail-in ballots, along with absentee ballots.

During this challenging COVID pandemic, the Township pledges to work with the County Bureau of Elections to provide safe facilities for in-person voting, as well as help communicate to our residents about mail-in options. 

If you select a mail-in option, please, request it early and send the completed ballot to the County Bureau of Elections EARLY. If you select a mail-in option and your completed ballot is received late, you will have failed to perform one of your most important tasks in a democracy.

To find information about different voting options, please visit votespa.com/Voting-in-PA/Pages/Mail-and-Absentee-Ballot.aspx. Remember, the final day to register to vote is Monday, October 19.

Additionally, mail-in and absentee ballot applications must be received by the county election office by 5 p.m. Tuesday, October 27.

Want to help on Election Day by being a Poll Worker? Please visit butlercountypa.gov/176/Poll-Workers.

Please, get involved however you can, and be sure to cast your vote in whatever way is most comfortable for you. It is one of the greatest duties we all have as residents of this wonderful country.

Thoughts? Feedback? Questions? Contact me at jerry.andree@cranberrytownship.org.

Each day, Township staff spend their days making decisions with one goal in mind: how to make our community better for our residents.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact daily life, and with back-to-school plans subject to constant change, our Parks and Recreation Department has stepped up to ensure childcare for our working families is one less worry.

Our Kids Club Before and After School programs are being expanded to include Kids Club PLUS, an all-day childcare option. With these programs, students in kindergarten through sixth grade can learn remotely, get exercise and social interaction in a safe environment from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. each weekday.

By opening our Municipal Center for these additional hours, we hope to take the guesswork and worry off the plate of parents and guardians who must find a way to balance careers and childcare for days when students are not in a school classroom.

The Parks and Recreation Department is also hard at work to ensure the Early Learning Center, which offers pre-school for ages 3-5, is being operated in the safest way possible. The state-certified program follows all CDC and state regulations and is currently enrolling new students.

The safety protocols being put in place for both Kids Club and the Early Learning Center have been extensively discussed, vetted and implemented over the course of the summer. They were created at the same time as the Camp Cranberry program and the Township Waterpark were operating with much success.

In all instances, safety remains the key focus for both students and staff. We hope these programs and protocols help our families feel comfortable and assured that as always, Cranberry Township is here to do what it takes to take care of our residents.

To learn more about Kids Club, visit cranberrytownship.org/kidsclub. To learn more and to register for the Early Learning Center, visit cranberrytownship.org/preschool.

I’d love to hear your feedback on these and other programs. Email me at jerry.andree@cranberrytownship.org.

The recent images and videos of the tragic deaths of George Floyd and Ahmaud Arberyre, along with the news accounts of the death of Breonna Taylor, are hard to see and difficult to understand. How could these tragedies happen?

They serve as a blunt reminder that there is still much work to be done in America to ensure our neighbors feel equal.

The reaction has been swift and, at times, violent. It’s been a trying time for leaders and residents across the country as they grapple with how to make their communities safe, welcoming and considerate of all cultures and backgrounds.

The goal of creating a diverse community where all cultures are seen and heard is one that is part of the fabric of Cranberry Township.

It starts with every municipal employee, who are held to high standard when it comes to treating residents and co-workers with respect.

That includes our Police Department, where our officers are held to the highest standards of professionalism and public service, a standard that is embraced and practiced consistently by every officer. They practice their professionalism in a compassionate and understanding manner, no matter the situation in which they find themselves.

That mission spreads throughout the community thanks to organizations like the Township supported Cranberry Area Diversity Network, CADN. For 27 years, the organization has promoted inclusion and diversity for those of any ethnicity, religion, gender, age or race.

Through yearly events like CranFest and frequent programs, the group brings all members of the community together to engage in conversation. The goal is to promote better understanding for others and adopt an appreciation for the challenges their neighbors may face each day.

The mission has been embraced by the community, with thousands from around the region taking part in these programs each year. Our community takes this mission seriously and has helped CADN become an integral part of our community’s fabric. 

These are unsettling times for many, and tough conversations and interactions lie ahead. Our promise is that Cranberry Township will continue to value and place emphasis on promoting diversity through positive interactions and respectful, compassionate dialogue.

We will continue to make Cranberry Township a great – and inclusive – place to live, work and play.

We’d love to hear your feedback. Email me at jerry.andree@cranberrytownship.org.

Sincerely,

Jerry Andree, Township Manager

Kevin Meyer, Chief of Police

Charles Hawkins, Coordinator, Cranberry Area Diversity Network