WHAT ’ S NEWS IN MURRYSVILLE
REBECCA SHISSLER EARNS GIRL SCOUT SILVER AWARD
Rebecca Shissler is in 8th grade at Greensburg Salem Middle School . She earned her Girl Scout Silver Award this summer . The Silver Award is a leadership award and the highest award a middle school Girl Scout can earn . It involves choosing a project that is sustainable and meets a need in the local community . Rebecca ’ s project accomplished both of these goals .
She created a Veterans Memorial at Eastview Union Cemetery in Delmont / Salem Township , Westmoreland County . Until now , there was no memorial or recognition of the over 240 veterans laid to rest at the cemetery dating back to the Civil War , or a way for the public to access the records if looking for a family member buried at the cemetery .
The memorial includes a granite bench with a design Rebecca created , a flag pole , inscribed paver stones and an outdoor bulletin board / information center . All of these were donated , along with the materials and labor . Around the memorial is a decorative garden . It is Phase I of a project to have a dedicated outdoor space for military and other burials .
Rebecca obtained all the local community donations of materials and supplies , totaling $ 3,700 . She logged over 100 hours of time to complete the project . She met with business owners , veterans groups , local government officials and members of the cemetery board .
She also worked with the cemetery director , Alan Oravec , to map out the cemetery and locate all the veterans who served our country . The map is color coded according to which war / campaign the veteran served . The document is preserved in the outdoor bulletin board /
information center . A copy was also given to the Delmont American Legion . Now on display , the information is easily accessible to the public for the first time .
Rebecca was inspired to work on this important project by a community service project that her Troop # 24142 helps with each year . The troop prepares for Memorial Day by placing flags at the grave markers of our veterans .
The new Veterans Memorial Garden will help honor and remember those who served our country , and make it family friendly for those doing genealogy or family tree research . It permanently preserves the vital record of Delmont / Salem Township veterans .
For more information , contact Andrea Shissler at andreashissler @ comcast . net .
MURRYSVILLE BUSINESS OWNER JOINS PRESIDENT TRUMP AT WHITE HOUSE
Steve Rennekamp , owner of Energy Swing Windows in Murrysville , was one of only 100 small business owners in the country invited to attend an exclusive event on August 1 in the East Wing of the White House . As part of “ American Dream Week ,” small business owners joined the President and several staff members to discuss what the administration can do to help small businesses succeed . Linda McMahon , Administrator of the SBA ; General John Kelly , the President ’ s Chief of Staff ; and Ivanka Trump also interacted with the small business owners .
Most Americans don ’ t realize that two-thirds of working people in the United States are employed by small businesses , and half of all new jobs are created by small businesses . Obviously , many of today ’ s larger companies grew from small business roots . Small businesses have always been the engine that built America ’ s economy and they will continue to play a critical role in adding well-paying jobs for tomorrow . The entrepreneurs who start and grow small businesses represent the true American spirit of creating opportunities for growth through hard work .
One of the primary points of discussion was the difficulty almost every business is facing in finding a qualified workforce . Most of the companies in the meeting expressed concern over their ability to find qualified personnel to fill today ’ s voids and future people needs . McMahon talked about programs that are
either in place or are being developed , aimed at assisting American workers and small businesses .
Energy Swing Windows manufactures , installs and fully guarantees all its products and work . It employs 15 people full time , including employee installers , which is unique for the window and door industry . Most companies use subcontractors to install their products , but Rennekamp strongly believes in using employee installers to ensure the quality of his company ’ s work . However , federal regulations have made it difficult for him to provide the level of benefits , especially health care , that he feels his employees deserve . Energy Swing is also a member of NFIB ( National Federation of Independent Businesses ), for which Rennekamp serves on the Pennsylvania NFIB Leadership Council .
Rennekamp expanded on the need for cooperation between the government and small businesses . “ Starting and running a business represents a risk that is hard to understand until you are in the middle of it ,” he said . “ On a daily basis , a business owner faces a variety of obstacles in an effort to sustain and grow a business . Every small business wants to grow and add jobs . I ’ m involved because it ’ s important for people in government to understand what they can do to help a small business grow and add jobs . Even more importantly , it is critical that they realize the detrimental impact that regulations and tax policies can have on growth . The President seems to have a good grip on the important issues we face as business owners and understands the actual mechanics that make small businesses run . He also knows what inhibits growth .”
For more information contact Steve Rennekamp directly at 724.387.2991 , or by email at stever @ energyswingwindows . com . n
Energy Swing Windows has been in business since 1996 and serves all of southwestern Pennsylvania . Energy Swing Windows manufactures its own brand of energy-efficient windows designed to swing open like a door for enhanced ease of cleaning .
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