Martha Herron, PPL's regional affairs director and a huge supporter of Tamaqua's revitalization efforts, has decided to retire.

Herron made what was most likely her last official visit to Tamaqua on Thursday, but she didn't arrive empty-handed. Instead, she brought a check for $50,000 from PPL to be used for revitalizing the Mauch Chunk Street Corridor, a project undertaken by the Tamaqua Area Community Partnership.Standing on the stage at the Tamaqua Art Center's newly refurbished theater, Micah Gursky, partnership treasurer, introduced Herron by reaching back in to his memory, traveling to 1994 when Tamaqua 2004 was created by an eclectic group of Tamaqua residents and business owners. Gursky said it didn't take much to convince Herron of the group's dedication. In turn, she brought what was then PP & L to the table as one of the first corporate sponsors. The company has provided financial and technical assistance throughout the past 20 years.State Sen. Dave Argall took the podium next, explaining how the concept began when businessman Ted Block visited his office (Argall was then a state representative) to complain about the deteriorating shape of the downtown area. After some discussion, it was decided to bring together people from all aspects of the community in an effort to develop a workable plan.That's how Tamaqua 2004 was created, "with a lot of good community support, hard work and great corporate sponsorships, led by Martha and PPL. I remember Doc Geiger (former Tamaqua School District Superintendent H. Bruce Geiger) telling me he would know the project was a success when he could look at the Five Points Intersection and not see an eyesore. Look at the Five Points now. We've certainly had a lot of success."Herron also looked back, noting it wasn't hard to convince her supervisors of the importance of revitalizing communities."When you have people who are so dedicated to improving their community, you want to be a part of that. I'm proud to say I was able to help and, on behalf of PPL, I can tell you the corporation is more than happy to continue to support the revitalization of Tamaqua."As for her retirement, Herron said the next time she visits Tamaqua, "you will probably see me with a paintbrush in my hand."