Vol. 15, No. 3, October 1977 - "Local Government and Geography"
THE ROLE OF THE GEOGRAPHER IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT
(pp. 1 - 11)
Bettie Banks Stammerjohn; Research Assistant
Center for Local and State Government at Shippensburg State College
Abstract
Geography is a quickly expanding field with more and more geographers entering into careers in government. These positions range from those with the United States Government in various federal departments to positions in State Governments to jobs with counties, cities, and other municipalities on the local level. However, many areas of work in these fields, especially careers in local government, are still unknown to many individuals. We are now discovering that geographers are critical to local government in numerous positions in the areas of planning, research and information resources.
THE APPLICATION OF GEOGRAPHY CLASSROOM PROJECTS TO A CENTER FOR LOCAL AND STATE GOVERNMENT
(pp. 11 - 12)
John E. Benhart and John J. Ford
Shippensburg State College
Abstract
Some members of the Geography-Earth Science Department at Shippensburg State College have found a unique classroom relationship with the Center for Local and State Government. The Center can be used for data sources, for obtaining planning instruments such as Comprehensive Plans, Zoning Ordinances and Subdivision and Land Development Ordinances and for internship experiences. In addition, quite often municipal officials will request the Center for Local and State Government to perform needed municipal services. Some of the requests from municipal officials have been for:
(1) Construction of a Land Use Map needed for a new Comprehensive Plan.
(2) Preparation of Environmental Impact Statements for potential sites that will be developed in surrounding municipalities.
(3)Industrial location surveys indicating new types of manufacturing plants that will be likely to locate in countries in Southcentral Pennsylvania and the analysis of potential sites for new plants. Potential locations for recreational parks in a local township.
(5) Developing a downtown merchandizing study for a local borough.
(6) Drawing a drainage basin map showing stream relationships in four municipalities.
(7) Development of a transportation survey assessing the need for public transportation in local municipalities.
(8) Preparation of an environmental impact study for a municipally-owned pond as a recreation area.
(9) Housing survey indicating past, present and future housing trends in Cumberland and Franklin Counties.
(10) Traffic Free Pedestrian Zones analyzing the impact on the downtown area.
THE LETORT SPRING RUN - A REGIONALLY SIGNIFICANT STREAM IN A DEVELOPING COMMUNITY
(pp. 13 - 23)
Kenneth A. Barrick
Environmental Planning Consultant; K. A. Barrick Associates
Executive Secretary; LeTort Regional Authority
Abstract
The LeTort Spring Run is a quiet stream that works its way through a small part of Southcentral Pennsylvania's Cumberland Valley toward the Conodoguinet Creek (Figure I). If you pass by the LeTort failing to stop along its way to wet your fishing line and if you do not happen to exchange legends of the fish that got away with one of the local anglers, you might never suspect that the small stream is ranked among the Nations most respected trout streams. Then again, if you worked your line from the stream banks long enough and luck prevailed, perhaps in its own way the LeTort would be luring you for a closer look into its story as you strain to catch a glimpse of the prize straining your tackle in the merky waters.
MAKING SOCIAL STUDIES COME ALIVE THROUGH THE USE OF PERIODICALS, NEWSPAPERS AND THE LOCAL COMMUNITY
(pp. 23 - 28)
Paul E. Beals
Shippensburg State College
Abstract
How would it feel to have television viewing limited to several hours per day? What would be the consequences of having no fuel for personal automobiles? If electricity were not available for home consumption, how would food be preserved? How would food be delivered to stores? Where would food supplies come from if we had no long range transportation systems? You can give your students opportunities to explore these and other potential and hypothetical problems, thus making your social studies program meaningful and exciting, by utilizing periodicals, newspapers and the local community as the students, primary source of information. Through the use of this material you can aid students to improve problem solving skills, foster the development and refinement of concepts, and encourage the use of basic skills, all important goals of social studies instruction.
MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR COMMUNITIES RESOURCES
(pp. 29 - 32)
Gerald Strock; Principal
Mary B. Sharpe Elementary School
Abstract
Most Pennsylvania educators would readily agree that the financial funding of public education in Pennsylvania is in serious trouble. Schools are being asked to improve programs and become more accountable at the same time as taxpayers indicate they are unwilling to bear any additional tax burden to adequately finance public education. These pressures on the educational system have forced educational administrators to make undesirable cuts in various school programs. As educators, we must carefully consider all cost factors as well as accountability when developing our educational programs. This burden of responsibility must inevitably be borne by the classroom teacher. In carrying out this responsibility the teacher must carefully examine all available resources when planning the educational program for the students. Many times various resources within the community are not fully utilized while others are completely overlooked
INFORMATION SOURCES RELATING TO GEOGRAPHY AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN PENNSYLVANIA
(pp. 32 - 40)
Marion Smith; Assistant Director
Center for Local and State Government at Shippensburg State College
Abstract
If an enterprising geographer wishes to develop a classroom unit on land use analysis within a specific Pennsylvania municipality, what resource materials and publications are available to him? What key individuals can he ask into his classroom to discuss their impacts on land use as part of the formal and informal political process within their municipality? Or, a geographer-planner may be preparing a study on potential industrial sites for a borough, or may be projecting future recreational needs for a developing township. "f4hat information is available to him for such projects? The bibliography of materials at the end of this article, many of them free for the asking, can be put together by a geographer interested in such projects. The materials are also useful to anyone who wants to explore the growing use of geography as a tool in municipal government. Most of these materials are currently available at the Center for Local and State Government at Shippensburg State College with a focus on municipalities in Cumberland and Franklin Counties. For the most part these resources at the College have been used by interested college faculty, undergraduate and graduate students engaged in research projects and serving as interns, and local government officials looking for comparative data to help them in growth management and program planning. It must be stressed that this bibliography only skims the surface of available resources.