The average American spends 3 hours and 30 minutes on their phone each day.

While research shows most of that time is spent scrolling through social media or watching videos, there is seemingly endless information out there on any topic you can imagine.

That includes Cranberry Township, where a few mobile swipes can put everything you want or need to know at your fingertips.

In the last few months, we’ve worked diligently to make that information easier to find, digest and decipher.

A completely redesigned website with a focus on mobile accessibility and a clean interface was rolled out at the beginning of 2020. A new email blast, Cranberry Central, puts Board of Supervisors actions, events and other news directly into your inbox. The Township maintains a heavy presence on all social media platforms, along with a text alert system that informs residents of breaking news in an instant.

This is all in addition to the traditional media avenues like the quarterly Cranberry Today magazine, bill inserts, brochures, video screens and electronic signage used by the Township Communications Team to share information.

For those who miss the days of old fashioned, face-to-face conversation, the Board of Supervisors meet twice per month. Business is transparently conducted, and residents have a forum to bring any comments or concerns they might have directly to Township leaders. This is in addition to events like the Manager’s Coffees, which address different topics each month.

I don’t point this out to brag.

I point it out to emphasize that the Township emphatically and efficiently uses many tools to communicate with residents.

Still, no amount of work seems to be enough, as we still hear from residents who say they didn’t know about something, or don’t know where to find information.

That is unfortunate. Even more unfortunate is when that perceived lack of information leads to residents assuming the Township is not being transparent. We’d be naïve to think this won’t happen regardless of how much we share.

We’d ask that you take a break from your Instagram feed or next game of Candy Crush and check out what is happening in your community. Better yet, sign up to receive our new email blast at www.cranberrytownship.org/communications.

I’d love to hear your thoughts about Cranberry’s communications.  You can reach me at jerry.andree@cranberrytownship.org.

Numbers don’t lie. But perhaps sometimes they don’t show the whole picture. 

If you’ve read any national real estate or regional news publication or watched the local news, you’ve heard the sale price of the property that houses Westinghouse’s global headquarters in Cranberry Woods. According to those reports, it is a record-setting amount. 

As one would suspect, the noise being made was about the sale price and the real estate transfer tax the Township and Seneca Valley School District would receive.  

Yes, the amount was not anticipated, meaning $727,000 will soon flow into Township coffers. 

However, that money will help meet our budget goal of $1.4M in real estate transfer revenue for 2020 and is less than 1 percent of our total Township budget. 

What those reports are missing – and what the numbers don’t show - is what this demonstrates about the faith of the private sector in the vitality of this community. A major investor willing to invest a record amount in Cranberry Township screams that they have confidence in what is happening here. 

Our community works very hard to build value that has staying power. The Cranberry Woods Business Park and the Route 228 Corridor is a testament to that commitment.  

The basic principle of our Cranberry Plan is to build and maintain a world-class community in which to live. Everything else will take care of itself – an idea that has proven to be true time and again. 

World-class companies have located here because they can find the kinds of employees they are seeking. The Cranberry Woods Business Park is also a testament to the shared vision of our community partner MSA Safety, the developer of Cranberry Woods, who shared the same vision of building a world-class community. 

So, yes, you and every resident of Cranberry Township should be smiling ear-to-ear. I consider our residents to be shareholders of this Township and as such, you experienced a huge outside investment into your community.  

Our task is to continue to ensure that investment is well cared for. We continue to be the place to invest not only in the companies located here, but into everything that makes this place such an attractive place to live, work and play. 

I'd love to hear your thoughts or comments. Reach me at jerry.andree@cranberrytownship.org.

Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind?

Perhaps.

While the new year has many asking that question - and others singing it off-key - there are a host of other things that should not be forgotten as the calendar turns to 2020.

It has been a year of success, change and hard work throughout the Township. That success is a tribute to many people throughout our community, and I’d like to take a moment and reflect on their various contributions before we ring in the arrival of another year.

• Our dedicated Fire/EMS/Police personnel who work 24/7, including holidays. These men and women leave their families behind to ensure the safety and well-being of others, and that commitment and sacrifice should never be taken for granted.

• The Board of Supervisors’ commitment to working with others, as shown in the collaborations that will enable the MSA Thruway project set to break ground in the spring.

• The Township’s Public Works crew who keep our roads safe during snow and ice conditions. It’s a thankless job but one that keeps our Township running smoothly.

• The Township’s Public Works crew who respond at all hours of the day and night and under all weather conditions to repair water line breaks to keep the water flowing to our homes.

• Doctors, nurses and staff who ensure UPMC Passavant/Cranberry Hospital provides ready access to our residents and businesses for emergency care.

• Our Board of Supervisors who are passionate about their service to the residents of Cranberry Township with a vision that is unmatched in the country.

• The Township’s family of employees who put customer service as their top priority.

• The Board of Supervisors’ continued commitment to collaboration with our neighboring municipalities to find way to work together to serve the mutual interests of our residents and businesses.

• The strong, supportive relationship that exists between the Township Government and the Seneca Valley School District. It is based upon the principle that great communities need great schools and great schools need great communities.

• For our amazing residents who are so deeply concerned about others in the communities and second to none in their willingness and passion to work together for the betterment of our community.

• For our volunteers serving on our boards and commissions, including the Library Board, the Planning Advisory Commission, the Zoning Hearing Board, the Building Code Board of Appeals and our Ad Hoc Environmental Advisory Committee.

• And personally, for the privilege and honor I have had serving the Board of Supervisors and this amazing community for 30 years, working alongside the best municipal workforce in the Commonwealth.

As we begin a new decade, let us all take a moment to appreciate our great community and those who comprise it.

I wish you a healthy and prosperous new year.

I'd love to hear your thoughts and reflections of the decade. Please email me at jerry.andree@cranberrytownship.org.