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Residents urge Pottstown to include minority veterans on downtown 'hometown heroes' banners
Summary
During public comment, NAACP leader Johnny Corson said minority veterans are underrepresented on downtown banners and requested council action so new minority hometown‑heroes banners can be installed by Memorial Day; borough staff and the Elks were cited as involved parties but no immediate resolution was announced.
Johnny Corson, who identified himself as president of the NAACP chapter, used public comment time to press the borough to ensure minority veterans and service members are included among the downtown "hometown heroes" banners.
Corson described a pattern in which banners visible on High Street appeared to represent predominantly white veterans and said community members — including people who had been directed between the Elks lodge and Borough Hall — reported inconsistent guidance about how to secure banner placement. "By excluding black veterans, Spanish, Jewish, and other minority veterans from public recognition... it sends a message that their service is less valued," he said, and asked council to act before Memorial Day so minority banners being produced could be installed in time.
Peggy Lee Clark, representing PAID’s board, later told council that her board would object to a separate zoning application (415 E High) and reinforced that community groups are monitoring downtown decisions. No official action or timeline was set at the committee meeting; staff acknowledged the request and referred parties to the appropriate administrative process for banner placement and schedule coordination.
Council did not take an immediate vote on the matter at the committee meeting; Corson asked for a response within a week, citing community urgency tied to Memorial Day and veterans recognition.
