Hamburg-area dealership bolsters local police, recreation services
Nov. 23—A Tilden Township auto dealership that earlier this year donated $15,000 for additional playground equipment at the township park has stepped up to the plate again.
Township Supervisor Frederick Herman recently accepted two checks totaling $9,000 on behalf of the board of supervisor from John Bobo, general manager at Kelly Toyota.
One check was for $3,000 to cover the cost of a seesaw on the expanded playground. The other was for $6,000 to cover the first-year cost of a stationary license-plate reader the police department wants to install at a heavily traveled intersection.
Township Manager Monica Flower said Bobo asked how the business could help the township meet some needs. She mentioned the playground expansion that was on the drawing board.
With the initial $15,000 donation from the dealership, the township was able to buy a mommy-and-me swing set that is designed so a toddler and adult/older child can make eye contact while swinging; a merry-go-round; and a balance beam.
"We had been looking for grants and other opportunities as a way to expand our park and his timing was perfect," Flower said. "It's so very much appreciated, and they were well used over the summer."
Well after that equipment was dedicated, Bobo approached the township again, and Flower said officials really wanted to add a seesaw to the park next spring.
Bobo also learned the police department was seeking a way to fund the installation of license plate readers, which are small cameras that randomly scan license plates of passing vehicles.
Police Chief William J. McEllroy III said the township, which is traversed east and west by Interstate 78 and north and south by Route 61, has a need for the technology to better deal with crime such as burglaries and retail thefts in the commercial district.
"It's going to be a wonderful investigative tool," McEllroy said. "So we're excited about that and we're very thankful for Kelly Toyota for making this possible."
