Mayor John Schmeck

To most people, the thought of being involved in local government is enough to send a chill up their spine. We all love to talk about what is and isn't being done, as well as the people doing it, but when it comes to putting our lives on the firing line of community politics, the answer is usually "No thanks."

It takes a special person to be willing to stand strong in the face of the ever changing political climate, to press on with what they believe will benefit their towns even in the face of the adversity it may cause. Sometimes we have to look beneath the rolling tempest of political opinion to see the intentions and passions these people have for their community and the effort required in bringing it to fruition.

"I've been truly blessed. I've always had a great family, a great place to grow up, and I want to maintain that for the kids growing up today." For Mayor John Schmeck of Plum, this is the desire that fuels his political motor.

Having grown up in Plum, Mayor Schmeck has been appearing in local newspapers since his days on the Mustang football team. Coming from a family of seven, John had a grandfather who was wounded in World War I and a father who fought in World War II. His father was also a school principle and a basketball coach. Watching these men instilled in John a desire to "give back to community" and he saw public service as a way to accomplish this.

Now in his sixth year as mayor, John also served 14 years on the Plum School Board and also on the Eastern Area board. With a wife and three kids living in Plum, building a better Plum takes on even more meaning for the mayor.

The goal from the outset was to keep Plum "moving in a positive, forward motion." Examples of this motion can be seen in a number of places, such as the new School Resource Officer (SRO) program. It involves having a uniformed officer working in the school at the secondary level. In addition to other responsibilities, the officer teaches a driving course for the kids.

John is also working with the school to develop an intramural athletic program for sports minded kids who aren't on the school teams, which should be up and running this month.

Another positive step is the Plum Beautification Committee. The activities of this group include the organization of Plum Clean Up Day in mid-May and many other beautification projects around Plum Borough. Plum is also working on a Traditional Neighborhoods concept for future development, with a goal of maintaining the rural flavor of the area.

Sugar Plum Days in December is another event John helped institute. The weekend event included many holiday activities and presentations throughout the community. John says it has been a good way to bring the community together and kindle holiday spirit.

Another new concept has been the recent involvement of high school students in the local government. Council members are mentoring interested young people and allowing them to be involved in council meetings and local issues to better understand how it all works.

The formation of a Drug Task Force has also had a strong impact on the community. With an aim of creating a heightened awareness of drugs in the area and sending a tough message to those involved, the Task Force not only educates kids about drugs, it provides help to those who are already users. Using a variety of media and other means, this head-on approach has already produced results. Another symposium is planned for later this year.

For John, the two biggest challenges of being mayor have been balancing the needs of the older citizens in the area with those of the younger and meeting the budget needs of the community in a sound financial manner. John says, "In today's world, you have to be astute as to how dollars are earned and spent." Not unique to Plum, this is a matter that has been a challenge on all levels of government.

Despite the challenges, being mayor of an area like Plum has many rewards. John says being able to help people and seeing the results of his work when things are accomplished makes the job gratifying. Having people thank him for the effort to stop drugs in the community lets him know he's on the right track.

John believes Plum is a great community with great people who love to help out. He says, "If you give them direction, shine the light, the people of Plum always step up to the plate."

For Mayor John Schmeck, his desire and intentions can best be summed up in his often repeated campaign slogan: "I want to build a better Plum. A place we can be proud to call our home. A place people can feel safe and secure in their own homes and where our children dare to dream of tomorrow. A place where they too can raise their families."