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With all council members present except Pat Frederick, the Susquehanna Borough Council met on May 24 with president Mike Matis presiding. Secretary Judy Collins reported that she and Mayor Hurley had met with John Bry, the new Northeast Coordinator for the PA Downtown Center. During a tour of the downtown area, Mr. Bry suggested some additional options that are available for revitalization. He also expressed a willingness to work with the boro to secure additional funding and to help with marketing the buildings on Main St. He will make return visits on June 20 to meet with committees involved in the Main Street project, and again on July 27 to attend a meeting of the SCDA board. Sign-up sheets for the Hometown Days fishing derby council is sponsoring have been distributed to local businesses, and Mrs. Collins gave a synopsis of a seminar she had attended on basic training for municipal secretaries and administrators. During approval of the bill list, it was noted that this month’s payment would be the last for the boro garage loan. The list also included registration fees for Mr. Matis, Mrs. Hurley and Mrs. Collins to attend a grant writing workshop. Mayor Hurley reported on the grand opening of the New Milford Readiness Center that she and Mr. Lewis had attended, and that the Susquehanna Depot Restoration Committee’s application to have Main Street placed on the Historic Register is just about ready. William Hildebrandt, an actuary with Beyer-Barber Co. addressed council regarding the boro’s police pension fund. At the present time, the plan has only two participants, an officer who retired on disability and the spouse of a deceased retiree. Unfortunately, the plan shows what he called a “disability,” as he had been unaware that the deceased retiree was married, and did not expect his surviving spouse to be entitled to 100% of his retirement benefits, which, under the ordinance that existed at the time, she is. This, and a third party’s early withdrawal created a liability in the plan. At present, the boro’s payments into the plan are just over $7,000 per year (as there are no active participants, the boro is not receiving state subsidies). The total shortfall that must be made up is approximately $104,000. Mr. Hildebrandt said that the state would like this entire amount paid into the plan at once, but would allow amortized payments scheduled over a ten-year period. Payments in 2006-07 would be $18,000. If the plan’s investments show a higher yield than they have, the boro’s contribution could decrease during the ten-year period. Mr. Hildebrandt’s presentation was interrupted by a disturbance in the hallway between the police office and the meeting room. The disturbance became louder, and the mayor and many of the council members left the room, presumably to find out what was going on or to offer assistance. After about twenty minutes, the meeting resumed. Mr. Hildebrandt continued that the boro’s fund investments have shown a better return than many other plans; it has averaged a ten percent return over the last two years, and a total of five percent a year overall for the last ten years. Most others usually see only a two or three percent return. The plan would need to be amended if any full-time participants were to be added, and the boro does have the option of converting to a non-uniform plan, which would include the two present participants and could also include boro employees and employees from related entities, such as the sewer authority. And, Mr. Hildebrandt said, it is up to council’s discretion to offer a COLA to the present plan participants, but the boro’s contribution would have to increase to cover it. In other business, a motion carried to advertise bids for a new plow and a new(er) street sweeper. One model council has been looking at has a mechanical system, not a vacuum system, which cuts down on the dust clouds raised by sweeping. Expected cost is about $19,500. Mr. Lewis said that a new sweeper could help with the boro’s Agility agreement with PENNDOT, and Mr. Matis said that services could be contracted out to other municipalities, proceeds to be used towards payments on the sweeper. A short-term solution has been found for the building’s lack of storage space; the streets/codes office is being utilized to store records for the Tri-Boro Municipal Authority. Mr. Williams reported that two prospective bidders have looked at Drinker Creek Park, with a third expected. Restoration work is not expected to begin before June 15. He was scheduled to meet the following Friday with representatives from FEMA and PEMA to inspect damage caused by the April flooding. A motion carried to hire an additional part-time worker for the streets department. Council’s last hiree is limited to fifteen hours per week, and enough had been allocated so that an additional part-time worker could be hired. At Mr. Glover’s recommendation, Andy Scro, Jr. will be hired. At the suggestion of the contractor who cleaned and polished the boro building floors, a motion carried to purchase nine floor protectors for the building’s desks, at a cost of $15.99 each. Council reviewed a list of tax exoneration applications. All but one was approved; no income was listed and the applicant is not a full-time student or over the age of 65. Mr. Lewis questioned how incomes are verified; it is pretty much an honor system, with applicants’ information being accepted as factual. And, he expressed a concern about Social Security numbers being required on the forms and suggested that item be eliminated in the future. Approval was given for the Girl Scouts to use the library parking lot for pickup and drop off for summer day camp. Council discussed an extension that had been given for codes violations for a Grand St. property; the (prospective) owner had previously been given until June 1. But, the property in question was in the process of changing hands, with the sale just recently being finalized. The owner, Mr. Lewis said, is refurbishing the property, and requested that he be given an additional extension until September. Mr. Lewis recommended granting the extension; a motion to approve carried. Mr. Matis reported that the streets committee discussed summer paving and drainage projects; the west side of the boro will see paving this year, drainage work will be done on the east side, and vice-versa for next year. Mr. Lewis gave his monthly Codes reports for Susquehanna and Oakland. And, Mrs. Collins reported that the boro’s solicitor has been conducting a title search for the riverfront property obtained through River Bounty, and it appears to be going well. The next meeting will be on Tuesday, June 14, 7:00 p.m. in the boro building.
The Blue Ridge School Board "took a bold step" at its meeting on May 23, in the words of Superintendent Robert McNamara. All members but one voted for a "conditional resolution opting in" to the school funding and "property tax reform" program established by Act 72 last year. Act 72 knows itself as the Homeowner Tax Relief Act. By choosing to participate in the Act 72 program, Blue Ridge obligated itself to impose an earned income tax (EIT) of at least 0.1%, and to submit its budgets to the voters in some circumstances. In return, the state promises to share a portion of gambling revenue (under Act 71) with school districts to help reduce property taxes. The resolution adopted by the Board is hedged in a section headed "Limitation of Effectiveness and Validity" that reflects uncertainty with regard to on-going litigation that challenges the enabling legislation, and that lists the Board's expectations about funding availability (under Act 71). The conditional form of the resolution was developed by the schools' lobbying arm, the Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA). Governor Rendell has expressed some displeasure with the form of such measures. The state so far expects Act 72 to take effect by mid- 2007, when some $900 million is projected to have accumulated from gambling. When that happens, the district will put a question on the ballot at the next general election soliciting voter approval for the maximum EIT, which will probably be somewhat higher than the minimum. Within limits, and subject to voter approval, the higher the EIT, the larger the property tax reduction. Based on current figures, the maximum cut in real estate levies would be about $530, which would require an EIT rate of 0.63% (six times as high as the minimum). Only eligible and approved homeowners and farms will benefit from the property tax relief; all wage earners in the district will be liable for the EIT. None of this will take effect until 2007 at the earliest, but district boards were required to make a decision by May 30 of this year. Because of the complex funding formulas, Act 72 would appear to benefit small, rural districts more than wealthier urban and suburban areas. There is so far no clear count of how many districts of the 501 in Pennsylvania have opted in and how many have not. And no one yet knows what the reaction might be in Harrisburg should a significant number of districts choose not to participate. According to the PSBA web site (www.psba.org), as of May 26, only 76 have opted in; a whopping 230 have chosen to decline the honor. As the program is now constituted, districts have only this one opportunity to choose; districts that opt out will not have a second chance. Those that opt in, on the other hand, may choose to leave the program after 4 years. The amount of money available for property tax relief in a district is determined from a complex formula that does not depend on the amount of money available in the gambling fund, no matter how many or how few districts join up. The Board scheduled this second business meeting for the month primarily to deal with Act 72. There was other business, however. Among routine personnel actions, the Board hired Lisa Kowalewski as assistant to the Director of Information Systems, who happens to be John Ketchur. Mr. Ketchur -- who is also a teacher -- has been solely responsible for installing, maintaining, and upgrading the growing technology infrastructure at Blue Ridge. Ms. Kowalewski attended the meeting to accept the Board's welcome. To help them out, Board members accepted a proposal to join a consortium called NEP-WAN that hopes to win grants for participating schools from state funds under Act 183, which makes $10 million per year available for broadband networking support in the schools. As a member of the NEP- WAN coalition, Blue Ridge will be responsible for some portion of $3,565 per month to be spent on consulting services. A recommendation by the administration to join another consortium -- this one for psychological services -- from an outfit called Cognitive Learning Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania, was turned aside for lack of a second. Mr. McNamara said later that the proposal was presented too late for proper consideration by the Board. The Board also rejected a second round of bids for work to renovate several of the building entrances. Prior bids on a two-part project proposal were much higher than expected. Bids were solicited a second time in a different way, and again the bids were much too high. Board President Alan Hall said that the district would now have to look for alternative approaches. At the request of a resident, Mr. Hall detailed the cost to the district to send 4 Board members to San Diego for a national convention of school board members. The total was $8,240.50, including airfare, hotels, meals, and registration. Mr. Hall said that what Board members learn at such gatherings can save the district much more in the long run, and serves to bring new ideas to Blue Ridge from all around the nation. Unlike some surrounding school districts, Blue Ridge hasn't raised tax rates in 3 years. It already boasts the highest millage among county schools, largely to cover service on the large remaining debt left over from the reconstruction project that was completed nearly 10 years ago. Mr. Hall speculated that, should Act 72 actually become a reality, it might be possible in the future for Blue Ridge to afford to terminate its relationship with this confusing package of tax measures and referenda. But this is Harrisburg we're talking about.
At a special meeting last Thursday , the Forest City Regional Board of Education decided to opt out of participation in Act 72 of 2004. The vote was 5-3 with one director, Dr. Joseph Lucchesi absent. The board’s action took place in front of a small attendance that appeared to be split on the somewhat controversial issue although three speakers in the audience urged favorable action by the board while one spoke out strongly against Act 72. The act is all about property tax relief. The legislature has been looking for tax relief for quite a number of years. This law is designed to reduce property tax primarily for senior citizens. Act 72 requires school districts to utilize a homestead/farmstead exclusion to provide property tax relief to owners of eligible homestead and farmstead properties. The amount of relief available will depend on the amount of funds districts will have to reduce property taxes under Act 72 and the number of eligible properties in the district. The county assessor is responsible for determining the eligibility of properties for the homestead/farmstead exclusion. “It’s time real estate taxes stop funding unequivocally the lion’s share of taxes,” said Gerald Franceski of Union Dale. “Act 72 gives the taxpayers some say and because they pay, why shouldn't they have a say?” “I am against Act 72,” said Carl Stahl of Union Dale, “because most people who own property in the county (Susquehanna County) do not live in the area. The only people who will pay taxes are working people and the people who will benefit the most are those who do not live here.” Mr. Stahl was obviously referring to a stipulation in Act 72 that would require school boards to increase the earned income tax. After members of the audience spoke, board members were given an opportunity to express their individual opinions on the subject. Director Al Dyno said he has been fighting property tax increases for more than 20 years, first as a councilman in Vandling Borough and now as a school director representing that borough. Mr. Dyno said everyone wants some property tax relief. He urged the board to support Act 72 with a stipulation that if it did not help the school district or its taxpayers, the matter be put on referendum and let the public vote on whether to stay with it or get out. “We should try to make this work,” Mr. Dyno said. He pointed out that there is no limit on the amount of real estate taxes the school board can impose. He said 35 states allow taxpayers to vote on school budgets and that legislation allowing it in Pennsylvania will be forthcoming whether or not Act 72 is around. “We should give the property owners some relief,” Mr. Dyno concluded. His motion to opt in to the Act 72 Program drew a second from Director Michael Sterchak but came up on the short end of a 5-3 vote. Director Hank Nebzydoski said the school board spends tax dollars wisely. “We are pretty responsible with our money,” he said of the board’s spending practices. Dr. Nebzydoski said if taxpayers are going to be allowed to vote on school budgets they should also be allowed to vote on state budgets. “You have to trust us,” Dr. Nebzydoski said of the board members. “If you don’t trust us, vote us out.” Dr. Nebzydoski proposed higher and stronger taxes as a means of stopping out-of-area people from buying land in the area. He said 75 percent of the large landowners in Wayne County do not live in the area. He also mentioned that out of area property owners do not qualify for tax exemptions under the homestead/farmstead allowance program. Rita Lowry, who joined the board earlier in the evening replacing Tom Baileys who resigned after she defeated him in the primary elections, said her primary fear was that older taxpayers would be reluctant to vote for school budgets that include tax increases. Director Tom Heller, whose motion to opt out of Act 72 was approved by a 5-3 vote, said he does not believe the act is unclear and the board would be gambling on a prediction of a $500 million annual gross from gambling proceeds. “The governor can have his gambling,” said Mr. Heller, “but I don’t think we will ever see that kind of money raised.” “It’s hard for me to sit here and say I am not interested in helping taxpayers,” said Board President Fred Garm. “My job is to balance education and to serve the best interests of the taxpayers. I will probably vote to support this.” Directors who voted to opt out of Act 72 included Mr. Heller, Dr. Nebzydoski, Mrs. Lowry, Ms. Walsh and Marge Schwartz. Those who preferred that the district opt in included Mr. Dyno, Dr. Sterchak, and Mr. Garm.
DEEDS Kenneth Singer and Kay Singer to Karen VanDegriek, in Montrose for $160,000. Seth Shuman and Marjorie A. Shuman to George E. Hooker (trust) and Hazel L. Hooker (trust), in Springville Township for $65,000. Martin S. Petroski Sr., Martin T. Petroski Jr. (aka) Martin T. Petroski, Helen W. Petroski to Helen W. Petroski, in Gibson Township for one dollar. Earl L. Nelson and Andrea K. Nelson to Michael S. Peranich and Anna L. Peranich, in Silver Lake Township for $37,800. Earl L. Nelson and Andrea K. Nelson to Michael S. Peranich and Anna L. Peranich, in Silver Lake Township for $28,500. Thomas J. McBride and Virginia M. McBride to Walter Nitterauer and Cathy L. Nitterauer, in Clifford Township for $136,000. Robert P. Woodbridge and Karen M. Woodbridge to Karen M. Woodbridge, in New Milford Township for one dollar. Wachovia Bank (fka) First Union National Bank, Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (by trustee) to Edward S. Florey, in Silver Lake Township for $30,500. Bank of New York (trustee) to Bobbi J. Kotowski, in Jackson and New Milford townships for $53,000. Dorothy Maher to Anthony Gawlinski and Colleen Raub, in Silver Lake Township for $26,000. Honesdale National Bank to Xun Lin Chen and Geng Hui Chen, in Susquehanna for $80,000. Henry S. Michael Sr. to Carl F. Pease and Ethel D. Pease, in Liberty Township for one dollar. Earl L. Rosenkrans to Thomas P. Romagnoli Sr. and Thomas P. Romagnoli Jr., in Silver Lake Township for $98,900. Robert G. Oslin and Kathy S. Oslin to Ralph L. Williams, in Springville Township for $119,000. Tammy R. Gorton (aka) Tammy R. Bonavita to Roy Whiting and Mary Jo Whiting, in New Milford Township for $153,000. Albert H. Stickney and Doris J. Stickney to William S. Carmalt and Susan Laufs Carmalt, in Choconut Township for one dollar. Albert H. Stickney and Doris Stickney to William S. Carmalt and Susan Laufs Carmalt, in Choconut Township for $75,000. Scott Glezen and Jacquelynne Glezen to John W. Bennett and Lisa C. Bennett, in Great Bend Borough for $90,100. Mary L. Yakely, William J. Yakely (est), Christina Ann Yakely, Stephen J. Yakely to Mary L. Yakely, in Union Dale Borough for one dollar. (Corrective deed) Mary L. Yakely, William J. Yakely (est), Christina Ann Yakely, Stephen J. Yakely to Mary L. Yakely, in Union Dale Borough for one dollar. (Corrective deed) Mary L. Yakely, William J. Yakely (est), Christina Ann Yakely, Stephen J. Yakely to Mary L. Yakely, in Union Dale Borough for one dollar. (Corrective deed) Raymond J. Shuta to Michael Shuta and Doris Shuta, in Silver Lake and Franklin townships for one dollar. Joseph McCabe to Dennis J. Muscarelle and Marilyn J. Muscarelle, in Rush Township for $265,000. Lance R. Tesoroni, Lisa J. Kisbaugh to Gregory L. Klusewitz and Allicia M. Klusewitz, in Herrick Township for $37,750. Lawrence T. O'Reilly and Christine M. O’Reilly to Robert J. Robinson Sr. and Virginia A. Robinson, in Silver Lake Township for $20,900. Roger M. Gelatt, Donna J. Gelatt to Roland G. Conklin, Linda J. Conklin, in Franklin Township for $69,000. John C. Stephens, Georgia Stephens to Group W. Furniture Company Inc. in Ararat Township for $35,000. Jason J. Legg, Magda Lynn Mchenka to Matthew D. Schimsky, in Montrose for $90,000. Charles S. Dodge, Bethel I. Dodge to George Houser (estate), in Auburn Township for $28,000. Deutsche Bank National Trust Co. (trustee, fka) Bankers Trust Company of California to Harold S. Davenport, in Franklin Township for $105,000. James W. Powers III, Phillip P. Burns, Edward Magee to James W. Powers, Daryl Lotecka, in Great Bend Township for $12,000. Stephen A. Howanitz to Samuel A. Miner and Brenda L. Miner, in Bridgewater Township for $86,000. Diane B. Jones, Frances Jones, Donald Lockhart, Shirley A. Lockhart to Brian A. Birchard, Debbi Birchard, in New Milford Township for $65,000. Robert Cole (by sheriff), Charlene Cole (by sheriff) to Deutsch Bank Trust Company (fka) Bankers Trust Company (trustee), Saxon Mortgage Services Inc. (fka) Meritech Mortgage Services Inc., in Montrose for $3,304. James H. Thorn, Ann Krevestky to James H. Thorn, Ann Krevestky, in Jackson Township for one dollar. Charles L. Parker, Sandra K. Parker (aka) Sandra Parker to Charles L. Parker, Sandra K. Parker, in Forest Lake and Jessup townships for one dollar. Mark H. Sherman, Penelope K. Sherman to Mark H. Sherman, in Jackson Township for one dollar. Conrad J. Gemmer to Thomas A. Page and Lois E. Page, in Hallstead Borough for $90,000. Derek C. Barrett, Betty Ellen Barrett (both by sheriff) to United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in Forest City for $1,768. Edwin Hampton Shafer II (tadba) George Carlton Safer Jr. (tadba) Camp Susquehannock, Anne D. Shafer, Louis H. Shafer, George Carlton Shafer Jr., Edwin Hampton Shafer II to George Carlton Shafer Jr. and Louise H. Shafer, in Liberty Township for one dollar. Lori King (by US Marshal), Richard R. King (by US Marshal) to David G. Taylor and Linda L. Taylor, in Montrose for $51,000. William Brennan, Trudy Botts (nka) Trudy Brenny to William Brennan and Trudy Brennan, in Jessup Township for one dollar. MARRIAGES Jorden Paul Seaman and Melissa Sue Kovitch, both of Hallstead. John Hunneyman Cory, Auburn, NY and Kathryn Coiner Shanna of Penn, PA. DIVORCES Mark H. Sherman of Susquehanna vs. Penelope K. Sherman of RR 2, Susquehanna. Russell E. Slates of Kingsley vs. Concetta Slates of Great Bend. Susan C. Fike of RR 4, Montrose vs. Larry S. Fike of Springville. Lisa A. Beach of RR 1, Hallstead vs. Bryant K. Beach of Hallstead. David B. Dorman of RR 1, Montrose vs. Karen E. Dorman of Springville.
FATAL CRASH Shortly after 3 a.m. on May 26, a 2004 F150 driven by Charles Summitt, 20, Dallas, NC, was traveling north on Interstate 81 when it crossed the median and into the southbound lanes of the interstate where it was struck and driven 100 yards by a 1999 Freightliner tractor trailer driven by Gerald Nash, Liverpool, NY before coming to a stop across both southbound lanes. Summitt was not wearing a seatbelt and was pronounced dead at the scene. Nash was wearing a seatbelt and was not hurt, although the tractor-trailer received major damage. In the course of the investigation, the Ford was run through NCIC and came back stolen from North Carolina on May 25. An investigation continues. State police were assisted at the scene by Clifford and Harford Fire & Rescue and the county coroner’s office.* THEFT On May 19, Clifford P. Johnson, New Milford, was charged with the theft of approximately $8,000 of bluestone from the saw shop at the Conrad Quarry owned by Fred Conrad, New Milford Township. ONE VEHICLE CRASH This crash happened on the evening of May 24 when Jeffrey M. Snyder was driving a 2002 Kia Rio on state road 4007 about two miles north of state route 167. He took his eyes off the road and went off of it, overcompensated, and started to slide across the road. The car then struck a ditch and rolled over onto its roof, where it came to a stop. Snyder was wearing a seatbelt and was not injured, but the severely damaged Kia was towed by Kerr’s Towing. THEFT Between May 15 and 16, someone took four plastic letters from a sign advertising the ABC market on State Route 706 in Bridgewater Township, as well as a vinyl Pepsi sign and a metal post. Together, the stolen items are valued at $25.* CRIMINAL MISCHIEF Sometime between the afternoon of May 20 and the following morning, someone drove a piece of heavy equipment across the lawn and damaged it at the Springville Township Building.* BURGLARY A person(s) entered the home of David Dalrymple, 43, Liberty Township, sometime between the evening of May 18 and the following afternoon and stole four tires that were mounted on rims. The person also unleashed Dalrymple’s dog and released his four ring-neck doves. DUI CRASH Connie Broderick, 45, Conklin, lost control of her vehicle after cresting a hill on state road 1033 in Great Bend Township at a high rate of speed and hit an embankment on the evening of May 17. She was placed under arrest for driving under the influence of alcohol; an investigation is continuing. SIMPLE ASSAULT On the night of May 18 at the Lazybrook Trailer Park in Franklin Township, Michael Fisk, Steven Brown and Richard Davis, all of Conklin, became involved in a dispute between resident Wayne Mattox and his common-law wife, Sharon Oliver. While Mattox fled his home, he backed his vehicle up and struck Fisk, Brown and Davis. Mattox will be charged with simple assault, harassment and disorderly conduct. ARRAIGNMENT ON CHARGES RELATED TO FATAL TRAFFIC CRASH On May 17, Kenneth C. Bucksbee III, 28, Hallstead, was arrested in Susquehanna borough on an arrest warrant for charges stemming from his involvement in a fatal traffic crash that happened on February 20. The crash occurred as Bucksbee was driving a Pontiac Firebird westbound on state route 706 west of Montrose. It was determined through reconstruction of the accident that Bucksbee was driving faster than the posted 45-miles-per-hour speed limit. He had just made a left-hand curve in the road and was traveling uphill into a right-hand curve, when he lost control of the Firebird, skidded across the road into the opposing lane, and struck a Plymouth Neon in the driver’s side door. The Neon was operated by Julie B. Capwell, who had just pulled out of her driveway, turning left onto 706 to travel to Montrose. The impact of the Firebird hitting the Neon caused fatal injuries to Capwell, who had been pronounced dead at the scene. Witnesses to the crash indicated that Bucksbee had been traveling at a high rate of speed for a couple of miles before the crash, and had passed at least two other vehicles in areas where visibility was restricted or it was otherwise unsafe to pass. Based on total investigation of the crash, Bucksbee was arrested on various charges, the most serious of which are murder in the third degree, aggravated assault, homicide by vehicle and involuntary manslaughter – all felonies. He was arraigned before District Judge Dayton; bail was denied because of the murder charge. A preliminary hearing was scheduled for the end of May. CRIMINAL MISCHIEF Unknown persons arrived at the New Milford Video Store sometime on May 15 and ran over the store’s sign with a vehicle.* THEFT Sometime between January 1 and April 25, someone stole a Johnboat belonging to Thomas Reilly, West Pittston, that was chained to a tree at the Devil’s Punchbowl in Harmony Township. The boat is a Tracker Marine 1436 Johnboat, with a hull identification number BUJ32710C404.* ARSON John J. Monaco, 32, Montrose, was arrested for setting fire to a trailer belonging to Jesse Cook, 45, Franklin Township, and was charged with three counts of arson and arraigned before district justice Watson Dayton. He was later released; there were no injuries. This incident took place early in the morning of May 7. THEFT FROM A MOTOR VEHICLE Auto parts were stolen from several vehicles parked at the Ace Auto Clinic on State Route 171 in Great Bend Township, sometime between May 7 and 9.* * Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the State Police at 465-3154 or 800-506-0372.
The Mountain View School District Board of Education public meeting, May 23, was called to order and roll call taken. Those present were Bryce Beeman, President, John Halupke, First Vice President, Kevin Griffiths, Second Vice President Ordie Price, Treasurer, John Beeman, Susan Christensen, James Zick, Ronald Phillips, and Carolyn Price, Secretary. Absent was Sondra Stine. Also attending the meeting were Arthur Chambers, Superintendent, Colin Furneaux, High School Principal, Eiza Vagni, High Scholl Assistant Principal, Mary Hvezda, Director of Special Services, and Margaret Foster, Elementary School Principal. Also present representing the high school was student Emily Merryl. The minutes of the May 9 meeting were approved as presented. At the first hearing of visitors, a public member questioned section 1, item (e) on the agenda, relating to the opt out of the Homeowners Tax Relief Act (Act 72) pertaining to one of the reasons given for not participating in Act 72; possible downgrade of the School District’s bond rating, causing subsequent increases in borrowing costs. The question was whether this was a concern particular to Mountain View, or was this a concern in general? Mr. Chambers answered that the concern about bond ratings was shared by school districts across the state. The report of the financial services committee was given by Mr. Griffiths. Among financial items, the board approved general budget transfers and the purchase of art supplies, athletic supplies, copier paper, and cafeteria paper supplies for the 2005-2006 school year. Also, a bid was awarded to Waste Management of PA for refuse removal in the amount of $32,290.00. The 403(b) plan was approved for continuation, a bus contract was approved as amended, and a substitute bus driver was approved. The donation of a stone bench for the Veterans Monument area by the “Mountain View Class of 1960” was also accepted. Citing numerous reasons including uncertainty surrounding tax millage increases by way of referendum, a budget process requiring projections rather than definite information, unclear amounts to be distributed from gaming money, pending litigation regarding Act 71 that may result in nullifying Act 72, and the requirement that the School District commit all of its fund balances to any future school building project in order to quality for a referendum exception, the board unanimously agreed to opt out of Act 72 participation. Instead, the board let it be known its support for the Pennsylvania School Board Directors Association’s efforts to delay Act 72, and seek property tax relief in more reasonable ways that authorize school districts and municipalities to convert earned income taxes to personal income taxes and allocate local taxes between a real estate tax and an income tax as deemed appropriate by the school board. Bus route changes in the southeast area of the district were reviewed by Mrs. Price who gave two main goals of the route changes: 1) to shorten bus riding time for students while 2) remaining considerate of the economic impact on bus driver contractors. Using maps of the district on an overhead slide, changes to the routes for buses 27, 22, and 28 were reviewed. In a nutshell, with the closure of Sacred Heart Jr-Sr. High School (and the elimination of a bus going there), one bus will be freed up to lessen the overcrowding on two other buses in Clifford Township, the fastest growing area population-wise in the district, and indeed the fastest growing in all of Susquehanna County. Therefore, Bus 27 will have a new route through Clifford and along Creamery Road, picking up some students previously on Bus 22. Bus 28 will begin picking up students around Lake Idlewild, and take Interstate 81 North to Harford, instead of Creek Road. This should save approximately 15-20 minutes on the route. The consensus of the board was to proceed with the changes to the bus routes as planned. Mr. Halupke reported on the Human Resources, Policy and Labor Relations Committee. The board approved the following appointments: Andrew Genneken as security police and Diane Makosky as Board Secretary. Resignations were accepted from Jo Anne Ciuccio, 7-8 grade reading specialist, Constance Schulte as 3rd/4th Grade Leader, and from Colin Furneaux as Jr./Sr. High School principal. Mr. Chambers thanked Mr. Furneaux for over 10 years of service and expressed appreciation and best wishes for his future at North Pocono, on behalf of the board. A special public board meeting for general purposes was approved for June 6 at 7 p.m. Discussion of the first reading of the revised dress and grooming policy consumed much of the remainder of the meeting. The policy was read aloud by Mr. Halupke. Salient points noted: acceptable dress includes striped, checked, solid shirts (logos ok) that are long enough to tuck in, with the neckline “at the shoulders”, shorts 5 inches above the knee, skirts 3 inches above the knee; clothing no more than one size larger. Unacceptable dress includes all “slogans” on clothing, hooded sweatshirts, sweatpants, open-toed shoes, and backless shoes. Consequences of non-compliance would be three-tiered: 1) first offense: student is notified and given opportunity to correct the infraction and parent/guardian notice is sent home for signature. 2) second offense: in school suspension for the day with parent/guardian notification. 3) third offense: suspension from school. Board members and administrators discussed various issues including handling the volume of offenses until the new policy had time to ingrain, safety ramifications of backless and open toed shoes – use of the term “non-supportive shoes” instead of specific types, enforcement difficulties and exceptions to the policy for medical/other justified reasons. Mrs. Christiansen questioned the need to notify parents at the first non-compliance offense, asked that the definition of “at the shoulders” for necklines be further defined (someone said it should just say “no cleavage”), and the student attendee said this policy was not going to work and that they should just go to a uniform instead. It was agreed that some additional modifications would be made to the dress and grooming policy and would be returned for a second reading at the next board meeting. Mr. Beeman noted in his report of the building & facilities committee that the cafeteria project would be moving ahead and a date would be set to meet with the selected architects. There was no report of the superintendent. The report on the education committee was given by Mrs. Christensen. A number of conference and field trip attendances were approved. One workshop involved eight teachers being out on the same day and Mr. Halupke wondered if the priority was to teach children or to train the teachers. Mr. Chambers said this was unusual, but the pay off would be better math instruction and the teachers could plan ahead for the absences. The 2005-2006 revised calendar was approved. Mr. Halupke had several issues with the matrix accompanying the calendar, which he raised under new business. At the second hearing of visitors, numerous public members had comments and questions. First, regarding the bus route changes a public member asked if safety was considered in the changes, for example with bus 28 to use the Interstate verses a secondary road, and the driver (present) responded that he believed it was safer that using Creek Road which was in bad shape due to the early spring rains. Also, it was noted that the time spent on bus 28 for the Lake Idlewild students would actually be longer because they will be picked up about 15 minutes earlier – around 7:20 am. The same member asked if the board was aware of a provision allowing an opt out after 4 years of participation in Act 72, and if this was considered. The board said it was not aware of such a provision, and did not consider it. Also, the parental notification procedure after the first offense of the dress policy was fully supported by this member since she opined that the quality of the school’s communication with parents was no where near where it ought to be, and this might help in that area. On the topic of the dress code, several public members/parents reiterated their opposition to various requirements under the dress policy, including sweatpants and hooded sweatshirts. It was agreed that hooded sweatshirts could be worn to school as a jacket, but not worn during the day in the school. Some opined that there needed to be more consistency of the teachers and administrators when enforcing dress codes because it was felt that the student-faculty relationship had much bearing on whether the rules were enforced, and how stringently. The problem of special needs students standing out because they had a medical excuse for not complying with the dress code was reiterated. Because some student representatives at the board meetings had voiced opinions of a nature not overly against the dress policy, and some even opined that uniforms would be better, a member asked how students were selected to attend the meetings. It was explained that two students attended as members of student council, and two approached Mr. Furneaux and asked if they could attend with the board’s approval. The same public member said that she heard there was a gun found in the high school and wanted to know if that was true. Mr. Furneaux and the board vehemently denied that any gun had been found in the school. One member voiced concern about special needs students being bused as much as 1-2 hours per day for special services and asked if the district could provide its own life skills program. Mrs. Hvezda replied that this is being looked into, but due to the small size of the school and the low number of students, if would be difficult to do. Mr. Phillips, as representative for the intermediate unit said he would be interested in discussing the matter further. A person asked if there was a position description for board secretary, and the board answered yes. It was asked if the secretary position had been advertised, and the response was no, that this was a board-appointed position and needed no advertising. Under new business, several issues were raised regarding the scheduling matrix by Mr. Halupke, beginning with the question of what was the objective of having a Resource Period, as it seemed to make classroom instruction time shorter? Apparently the school was operating 9 periods in a time frame designed for 8 periods. Mr. Furneaux replied that RP serves several purposes including allowing time for remedial math/reading clinics, SAT and PSSA preps, Athlete preparation, graduation projects, mentor meetings, and co-curricular activities. Mr. Halupke asked then, that this be added to the handbook to fully inform of the purpose of the RP. Next, he noted that the 3 minute time period between classes was unrealistic, especially since the new wing was added, and at times it was physically impossible to get to class on time. Also, there were reports of students being locked out of the lunchroom—reports which were refuted by the high school administrators. Overall, Mr. Furneaux stated that at Mountain View classes were on average 42 minutes long and allow for more instructional time than with block scheduling.
Commissioners Meeting Is Brief In a couple of quick meetings that took up less than half an hour the Susquehanna County Commissioners handed out a promotion, shuffled some personnel around and reappointed its members to the Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council. The most noticeable change was in the maintenance department where the commissioners accepted with regret the resignation of Harold Scott Wayman as supervisor. Then, on recommendation from Mr. Wayman, the commissioners named Allen Luce to succeed him. Meeting as the Salary Board after their regular meeting, the commissioners set Mr. Luce’s annual salary at $25,000 for a 40-hour work week plus benefits. He will also serve a six-months probationary period. Mr. Luce has worked in the maintenance department for about 10 years. It was listed on the meeting agenda as a promotion but actually the commissioners moved Charlene Moser, a clerk/typist in the EMA/911 departments to the open non-union position of clerk/typist/switchboard operator in the commissioner’s office. She replaces Julie Fair who resigned. The Salary Board agreed to continue Ms. Moser’s salary at $9.15 an hour for a 35-hour week. Members of the Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council, all of whom were reappointed, are: Clara May Benning of Kingsley, Lillie Thomas of New Milford, Harold Wegman of Montrose, Josephine Opeka of Forest City, Rita Tiffany of Kingsley, Donald Rittner of Hallstead, and William Wagner of New Milford. Other motions approved by the commissioners completed the following actions: – Awarded a bid to Dunmore Roofing and Supply Co. to replace the roof on the county office building on Public Avenue in Montrose at a cost of $65,800. – Hired Joan Hicks to an open fulltime position of 911 dispatcher effective May 31 at an hourly rate of $8.50. – Hired Matthew Purdy to the seasonal temporary position of West Nile Virus Program Field Technician at $10 an hour. – Adopted a resolution for cost-sharing the 4-H coordinator and dairy agent positions between the county and Penn State Cooperative Extension. – and, Amended the motion previously made when Deanna Haluska was hired as West Nile Virus Program Coordinator by boosting her annual wage from $24,000 to $29,000 in keeping with the grant award for the program.
There is no new information on the status of legal proceedings to clear the deed on the Odd Fellows property in the village. Information and documents are still being collected in preparation for a court motion to remove restrictive covenants so that the Harford Township fathers can more easily decide what to do with the property and the 87-year-old building that sits on it. At the Harford Township Supervisors' meeting on May 24, it was revealed that, since November of last year the township has spent just under $10,000 on legal fees in this process. It's taken six months to spend that money. At the meeting, the two attending Supervisors decided to spend a few more dollars to keep the township in good shape. On the recommendation of Terry VanGorden, they decided to install 3 new doors in the township garage at a cost of $5,000 (the low bid, by Northeast Door). Supervisor and Township Secretary Sue Furney said that fuel bills to heat the drafty garage have recently been averaging about $3,600 per month. New and tighter garage doors should help to keep these bills in line. The Supervisors also hired Graf Lawn Care to cut the grass at three township properties. The sole bid this year was increased by $5 per cut over last year. The township Supervisors also function as the Harford Township Sewer Authority, and in that capacity, on the recommendation of the sewer system's engineers, decided to purchase new pumps, at a cost of about $1,320 apiece, the number of pumps to be decided by the operating engineer at the sewage plant. Mr. VanGorden said that the older pumps were of lower quality, but most of them have lasted at least 10 years. The Supervisors hired temporary help at $8.25 per hour for 40 hours work with the township "cleanup" project, to begin on June 6. There was only one application for the position. As promised last month, a "solicitation" is available from the U.S. Postal Service for property that might be suitable for a new post office in Harford. Real Estate Specialist Michael New visited Harford a month ago to answer questions, and said the solicitation would be forthcoming. He may have a lot more questions to answer. The solicitation package is 41 pages long, and full of forms. Anyone interested in selling or leasing a property or a building for a new Harford post office should contact the township office or the village post office to get a copy of the package. Last month Mr. New admitted that the Postal Service "does paperwork real good," and that he will be available to help anyone interested in submitting a proposal to fill out the forms. In a letter accompanying the package, Mr. New outlines what they're looking for: "a vacant site of approximately 180 feet by 135 feet or 24,290 net useable square feet. OR An existing building of approximately 1060 square feet on a suitable site; parking and maneuvering area for approximately 8 vehicles; and a dock or other provision for truck loading and unloading. The building must meet Federal Handicapped Accessibility Standards at the time of occupancy or be capable of being modified to meet such." Proposals should be submitted by June 26, 2005. Roadmaster George Sansky told the meeting that his crew was almost back on schedule after rearranging the sequence of operations earlier in the season. His approach, he said, is "we're not making bigger ditches, we're making better roads."
Following is the list of names drawn to serve as Petit and Traverse jurors for June, 2005 to appear in the Court of Common Pleas, Susquehanna County Courthouse (main courtroom), Montrose, PA on the 13th day of June, 9:00 a.m. Ararat Twp.: Robert Dolph, Ben Hobart, Tom Sampson, Jessie Thorn. Auburn Twp.: James G. Hawk, Kenneth W. Reaves, Shannon Patricia Reeder, Richard Salsman. Bridgewater Twp.: Kristopher R. Barron, Nancye Jenkins, David R. Parsons. Brooklyn Twp.: Karen Baker, Edward J. Kozlowski III, Jackie Thomas. Choconut Twp.: Jerrold L. Aronson. Clifford Twp.: Laura Clark, Robert P. Dietz, Lauren H. Kenyon, Maureen A. Swetter, Paul J. Tomazic. Dimock Twp.: Joseph R. Dafcik, Richard Seymour. Forest Lake Twp.: Francis M. Karpov. Gibson Twp.: William H. Clarke, Lisa L. Norton. Great Bend Twp.: Carol G. Galloway, Melanie Reid, Joyce Roody. Hallstead Boro: Jack A. Carlsen. Harford Twp.: Kay Butler, Ruth Anne Gallinger, Sheila Petrochko. Harmony Twp.: Mary Lou Knowles, Scott J. Rockwell. Herrick Twp.: Patricia Kalsinski. Jackson Twp.: Barry R. Wallace. Lanesboro Boro: Hannah Landry. Lathrop Twp.: Richard Carpenetti. Lenox Twp.: Beverly Conniff, Sue Dayton. Liberty Twp.: Larry D. Beasley, Virginia L. Decker. Little Meadows Boro: Cynthia A. Baldwin. Montrose Boro 1W: Therese R. Cooke, David J. Dibble, Jay Kenneth Goldsmith, Gerald L. Lathrop, John R. Wilson. Montrose Boro 2W: Christine M. Baker, Stephen A. Shindle. New Milford Boro: Wallace G. Jesse, Lisa L. Moris. New Milford Twp.: Roger L. King, Tracy A. Shidagis, Joseph S. Travis. Oakland Boro: Connie Groover. Rush Twp.: Vera K. Frick, Amy L. Knapp, William L. McEwen, Jr., Chad Moore, Marie C. Moore. Silver Lake Twp.: Thaddeus J. Capwell, Colleen J. Walsh. Springville Twp.: Joe E. Delesky, Stephen Ensmenger, Bryant Kasson, Foster Singer, Dorothy C. States. Susquehanna Boro 2W: David M. Rockwell. Thompson Twp.: Albert Baker. Union Dale Boro: Jean M. Mitchell.
A new district magistrate, a mayor leading by one vote in her reelection bid and the annihilation of a veteran mayor, highlighted last week's primary election that saw less than half of Susquehanna County's registered voters turn up at the polls. Looking at some of the highlights in the 2005 primary elections, Jeffrey L. Hollister, one of three Montrose candidates seeking to replace retiring magistrate, Watson Dayton, walked away with the Republican and Democratic nominations in Magisterial District 34-3-01. Unofficial returns show Mr. Hollister, a former police officer, with 454 Democratic votes to win handily over his closest challenger, Linda LaBarbera, Susquehanna County's chief public defender. Mrs. LaBarbera had 333 votes, while Darrell Sands, the third Montrose residents, had 77 votes. Ray Smith, son of former county commissioner Lee Smith was sandwiched in the middle with 134 votes. On the Republican side of the race, Mr. Hollister displayed awesome vote-getting power with 1,207 votes compared with Mrs. LaBarbera's 690. Mr. Smith picked up 416 votes and Mr. Sands trailed all of his opponents with 203 votes. In Bridgewater Township, incumbent Tax Collector Sylvia Baker easily defeated the challenge of Connie J. Ely in the Republican Primary Election by a count of 421-121. While in the Borough of Forest City, Mayor Frank Brager took it on the chin in his quest for a fifth consecutive four-year term. Councilman Nick Cost humiliated Mr. Brager in the Democratic Primary with a lopsided 206-43 victory. Mr. Cost also received more Republican write-in votes than Mayor Brager to lockup a successful first run at the mayor's chair. Also in Forest City, Pam Franceski Green defeated Paul J. Amadio in the Democratic Primary Election race for tax collector, 131-119, and won the GOP nomination with 63 write-in votes compared with 50 for Mr. Amadio. And former school director, Robert Trusky, won the write-in vote to replace Mr. Cost on the borough council by a count of 55-39 over Bernadette Twilley in the Democratic Primary and 24-23 over Bernadette Twilley in the Republican Primary. Barring any recount changes, the council candidates for the four seats in Forest City come November will be incumbents Jim Lowry and Mary Twilley, Mr. Trusky, and Pat Coles, whose name appeared on the Democratic Primary ballot in place of Councilman Allan Gordon who did not seek reelection. Republican voters in Harford Township selected James M. Ketterer over incumbent Supervisor Terry L. VanGorden by a count of 160-136. No Democrat filed for the six-year seat. In Lathrop Township, incumbent Supervisor Nick Sabuacak declined to seek another term setting up a contest for his seat by Republicans Paul J. Himka and Linda Castorina. Mr. Himka prevailed by a count of 70-67. No Democrat filed for the position. Lenox Township Republicans gave overwhelming support to incumbent Supervisor Fred Benson who defeated William E. Zick, 266-71. Mr. Zick retired recently as coordinator of the Susquehanna County Recycling Program. In Region One, Montrose Area School District, Kevin Sives and Joe Reynolds appear to have enough write-in votes to qualify for spots on the Democratic and Republican ballots in November. They will run unopposed unless there is a write-in campaign. Should they get elected, they will replace Shawn Brown and Linda LaBarbera on the school board. In the Borough of Susquehanna Depot, incumbent mayor, Nancy Hurley, received 64 votes in the Democratic Primary while her opponent, former borough police chief David J. Scales Sr. finished with 63. No word on whether Mr. Scales will seek a re-count. The winner of the Democratic race will face Republican Denise Reddon in November. Ms. Reddon, who was unopposed in the GOP Primary, received 84 votes. She is the sister of Roberta Kelly, chair of the Susquehanna County Board of Commissioners. Election day results as released by the county follow. All results are unofficial pending certification by the county Board of Elections. The results only reflect candidates who filed nominating petitions. DEM SHERIFF No Declared Candidates0 0% DEM PROTHONOTARY & CLERK OF COURTS No Declared Candidates 0 0% DEM JURY COMMISSIONER Robert Chamberlain 1,660 100.00% DEM MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT JUDGE 34-3-01 Ray Smith 134 13.43% Jeffrey L. Hollister 454 45.49% Darrell L. Sands 77 7.72% Linda LaBarbera 333 33.37% DEM MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT JUDGE 34-3-02 Peter M. Janicelli 503 100.00% REP SHERIFF Lance Benedict 4,700 100.00% REP PROTHONOTARY & CLERK OF COURTS Susan Eddleston 4,461 100.00% REP JURY COMMISSIONER Gladys C. Bennett 4,375 100.00% REP MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT JUDGE 34-3-01 Jeffrey L. Hollister 1,207 47.97% Ray Smith 416 16.53% Linda LaBarbera 690 27.42% Darrell L. Sands 203 8.07% REP MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT JUDGE 34-3-02 Peter M. Janicelli 963 100.00% GROWING GREENER BOND QUESTION Yes 2,961 53.70% No 2,553 46.30% Apolacon TownshipREP APOLACON SUPERVISOR David R. McGuigan 40 100.00% REP APOLACON AUDITOR Faith Garza 37 100.00% REP APOLACON TAX COLLECTOR Edith Farr 40 100.00% REP APOLACON ELECTION JUDGE Teresa E. Thorne 37 100.00% REP APOLACON ELECTION INSPECTOR Donald J. Griffin 40 100.00% DEM APOLACON ELECTION INSPECTOR Mary J. Butler 16 100% Ararat Township REP ARARAT SUPERVISOR Donald M. Stone 47 100% REP ARARAT AUDITOR Melissa Warring 43 100% REP ARARAT TAX COLLECTOR Clifford W. Tinklepaugh 53 100% Auburn Township REP AUBURN SUPERVISOR George Gregory 175 100.00% REP AUBURN AUDITOR 6 YR Erin Place 182 100.00% REP AUBURN AUDITOR 4 YR Larry R. Mowry 172 100.00% REP AUBURN TAX COLLECTOR Betty Jean White 199 100.00% REP AUBURN ELECTION JUDGE Mary Ann Bonavita188 100.00% Bridgewater Township DEM BRIDGEWATER AUDITOR Patricia A. Wood 115 100.00% DEM BRIDGEWATER ELECTION INSPECTOR Ellen A. Smith 109 100.00% REP BRIDGEWATER SUPERVISOR Charles E. Mead 456 100.00% REP BRIDGEWATER TAX COLLECTOR Sylvia Baker 421 77.68% Connie J. Ely 121 22.32% REP BRIDGEWATER ELECTION JUDGE William (Fred) Little 470 100.00% REP BRIDGEWATER ELECTION INSPECTOR Unadine Wiseman 471 100.00% Brooklyn Township DEM BROOKLYN ELECTION INSPECTOR Debra J. Wadge 30 100.00% REP BROOKLYN SUPERVISOR Morgan Turner 115 100.00% REP BROOKLYN AUDITOR Ann S. Corbin 121 100.00% REP BROOKLYN TAX COLLECTOR Connie M. Arthur 117 100.00% REP BROOKLYN ELECTION JUDGE Melanie S. Lasher 121 100.00% REP BROOKLYN ELECTION INSPECTOR Rebecca S. Pilcher 117 100.00% Choconut Township DEM CHOCONUT SUPERVISOR William R. Stewart 36 100.00% DEM CHOCONUT TAX COLLECTOR Barbara A. Legg 39 100.00% DEM CHOCONUT ELECTION INSPECTOR Shirley Stewart 36 100.00% REP CHOCONUT AUDITOR Roger L. Doolittle 75 100.00% REP CHOCONUT ELECTION JUDGE Mary Lou Byerly 77 100.00% Clifford Township REP CLIFFORD SUPERVISOR Dennis Knowlton 124 100.00% REP CLIFFORD TAX COLLECTOR Harry E. Phillips 128 100.00% Dimock Township DEM DIMOCK ELECTION INSPECTOR Laura J. Wells 59 100.00% REP DIMOCK SUPERVISOR Edwin S. Bunnell 161 100.00% REP DIMOCK TAX COLLECTOR Esther Rayias 159 100.00% Forest City Borough DEM FOREST CITY MAYOR Frank Brager 43 17.06% Nicholas H. Cost 209 82.94% DEM FOREST CITY TAX COLLECTOR Pamela Franceski Green 131 52.40% Paul J. Amadio 119 47.60% DEM FOREST CITY COUNCILMAN Pat Coles 140 28.81% Mary Twilley 165 33.95% James Lowry 181 37.24% DEM FOREST CITY W1 ELECTION JUDGE Marion Yanchitis 97 100.00% DEM FOREST CITY W1 ELECTION INSPECTOR Theresa Miller 90 100.00% DEM FOREST CITY W2 ELECTION JUDGE Betty Lowry 134 100.00% REP FOREST CITY W1 ELECTION INSPECTOR Agnes M. Susco 47 100.00% REP FOREST CITY W2 ELECTION INSPECTOR Jeanne Suhadolnik 92 100.00% Forest Lake Township DEM FOREST LAKE SUPERVISOR Art Donato, Jr. 47 100.00% REP FOREST LAKE AUDITOR Norval Potts 163 100.00% REP FOREST LAKE TAX COLLECTOR Dawn Fearnley 172 100.00% REP FOREST LAKE ELECTION JUDGE Gertrude M. Green 162 100.00% REP FOREST LAKE ELECTION INSPECTOR Else Brunner 150 100.00% Franklin Township REP FRANKLIN SUPERVISOR David Darrow 106 100.00% REP FRANKLIN TAX COLLECTOR Jeffrey A. Sammon 121 100.00% REP FRANKLIN ASSESSOR Donna Darrow 116 100.00% REP FRANKLIN ELECTION JUDGE Heidi E. Mitchell 124 100.00% REP FRANKLIN ELECTION INSPECTOR Amy Coy 124 100.00% Friendsville Borough No candidates filed petitions for any borough offices but there are write-in candidates whose names will be released by the county when the write-in votes are tabulated. Gibson Township REP GIBSON SUPERVISOR Harold M. Shay 80 100.00% REP GIBSON TAX COLLECTOR Boyd C. Manzer 84 100.00% Great Bend Borough DEM GREAT BEND COUNCILMAN Richard Franks 26 57.78% Michael Wasko 19 42.22% REP GREAT BEND MAYOR James Riecke 41 100.00% REP GREAT BEND TAX COLLECTOR Laura L. Conarton 40 100.00% REP GREAT BEND COUNCILMAN Jeffrey Burkett 43 56.58% Bea Alesky 33 43.42% REP GREAT BEND ELECTION JUDGE G. Louise Lonzinski 40 100.00% Great Bend Township REP GREAT BEND TWP TAX COLLECTOR Margo Merritt 114 100.00% REP GREAT BEND TWP ELECTION JUDGE Linette Leatso 98 100.00% Hallstead Borough DEM HALLSTEAD COUNCILMAN James Gillespie 45 33.09% David Callender 43 31.62% Theodore J. Loomis 48 35.29% REP HALLSTEAD TAX COLLECTOR Peggy L. Woosman 50 100.00% REP HALLSTEAD COUNCILMAN Michele Giangrieco 46 60.53% Jeffrey R. Case 30 39.47% Harford Township DEM HARFORD ELECTION INSPECTOR Suzanne Needham 53 100.00% REP HARFORD SUPERVISOR James M. Ketterer 160 54.05% Terry L. VanGorden 136 45.95% REP HARFORD AUDITOR Linda Bonham 271 100.00% REP HARFORD TAX COLLECTOR Timothy C. Button 267 100.00% REP HARFORD ELECTION JUDGE Maureen Warren 269 100.00% REP HARFORD ELECTION INSPECTOR Kenneth D. Gallinger 260 100.00% Harmony Township DEM HARMONY TAX COLLECTOR Sandra L. Babcock 30 100.00% DEM HARMONY ELECTION INSPECTOR Beverly R. Walker 27 100.00% REP HARMONY SUPERVISOR Frederick Jackson 39 100.00% REP HARMONY AUDITOR Jennifer Bixby 40 100.00% REP HARMONY ELECTION JUDGE Elaine M. Hobart 47 100.00% REP HARMONY ELECTION INSPECTOR Joyce M. Bailey 43 100.00% Herrrick Township DEM HERRICK SUPERVISOR David Durko 24 100.00% DEM HERRICK AUDITOR 6 YR Angeline Svecz 34 100.00% DEM HERRICK AUDITOR 4 YR Margaret Balunas 32 100.00% DEM HERRICK ASSESSOR Joseph Svecz, Sr. 36 100.00% DEM HERRICK ELECTION INSPECTOR Louise Petrus 34 100.00% REP HERRICK TAX COLLECTOR Joseph Svecz, Jr. 63 100.00% Hop Bottom Borough DEM HOP BOTTOM MAYOR Paul Henry 15 100.00% DEM HOP BOTTOM TAX COLLECTOR Laurie E. Schwarztrauber 10 100.00% DEM HOP BOTTOM COUNCILMAN Susanna Pratt 12 100.00% REP HOP BOTTOM COUNCILMAN Ronald Barankovich 37 100.00% Jackson Township REP JACKSON TAX COLLECTOR Miriam J. Page 89 100.00% REP JACKSON ELECTION INSPECTOR Joseph R. King 89 100.00% Jessup Township DEM JESSUP ELECTION INSPECTOR Larry R. LaRue 22 100.00% REP JESSUP SUPERVISOR Dennis N. Bunnell 97 100.00% REP JESSUP AUDITOR Brenda M. Bennett 125 100.00% REP JESSUP TAX COLLECTOR Cheryl A. Arnold 125 100.00% REP JESSUP ASSESSOR Judy A. Daly 123 100.00% REP JESSUP ELECTION JUDGE Ginger Hewitt 123 100.00% REP JESSUP ELECTION INSPECTOR Clara M. Bennett 124 100.00% Lanesboro Borough REP LANESBORO COUNCILMAN Robert Mireider, Sr. 45 31.25% Stanley J. Rockwell 52 36.11% Chris Maby 47 32.64% REP LANESBORO ELECTION JUDGE Sandra Boughton 59 100.00% REP LANESBORO ELECTION INSPECTOR Marjorie L. Glover 58 100.00% Lathrop Township DEM LATHROP AUDITOR Regina M. Evans 59 100.00% DEM LATHROP TAX COLLECTOR Beverly J. Pashchuk 65 100.00% DEM LATHROP ELECTION JUDGE Barbara L. Robbins 61 100.00% DEM LATHROP ELECTION INSPECTOR Helen Skumanick 61 100.00% REP LATHROP SUPERVISOR (vote one) Linda Castorina 37 34.58% Paul J. Himka 70 65.42% Lenox Township REP LENOX SUPERVISOR William E. Zick 71 21.07% Fred Benson 266 78.93% REP LENOX AUDITOR Dorothy A. Wallace 293 100.00% REP LENOX TAX COLLECTOR Suzanne Brainard 305 100.00% REP LENOX ELECTION JUDGE Deborah L. Cerynik 283 100.00% REP LENOX ELECTION INSPECTOR Evelyn G. Jerauld 297 100.00% Liberty Township REP LIBERTY SUPERVISOR 6 YR D. Scott Tiffany 125 100.00% REP LIBERTY SUPERVISOR 4 YR Alton B. Wilber 60 45.11% Dan Henry 73 54.89% REP LIBERTY AUDITOR Lisa L. McVaugh 123 100.00% REP LIBERTY TAX COLLECTOR Grace Merrill 137 100.00% Little Meadows Borough REP LITTLE MEADOWS COUNCILMAN Charles W. Barnum, II 36 100.00% Middletown Township REP MIDDLETOWN SUPERVISOR Dan Jones 48 100.00% REP MIDDLETOWN AUDITOR Robert Curley 52 100.00% REP MIDDLETOWN TAX COLLECTOR Mary (Kathy) Long 52 100.00% REP MIDDLETOWN ELECTION INSPECTOR Chris J. Shadduck 51 100.00% Montrose DEM MONTROSE W1 ELECTION INSPECTOR Carolyn F. Warner 61 100.00% REP MONTROSE TAX COLLECTOR David B. Colwell 301 100.00% REP MONTROSE W1 COUNCILMAN (vote for three) Todd Chamberlain 152 36.19% Bernard Zalewski 138 32.86% Jack R. Yeager 130 30.95% REP MONTROSE W1 ELECTION JUDGE Brooks E. Warner 186 100.00% REP MONTROSE W2 COUNCILMAN Craig Reimel 109 100.00% New Milford Borough DEM NEW MILFORD AUDITOR Jennifer A. Allen 22 100.00% DEM NEW MILFORD COUNCILMAN Scott M. Smith 25 100.00% DEM NEW MILFORD ELECTION INSPECTOR REP NEW MILFORD MAYOR Joseph M. Taylor 68 100.00% REP NEW MILFORD TAX COLLECTOR Vicki L. Drake 83 100.00% REP NEW MILFORD COUNCILMAN James Carr 67 50.00% Teri M. Gulick 67 50.00% REP NEW MILFORD ELECTION JUDGE Betty Kegelman 85 100.00% REP NEW MILFORD ELECTION INSPECTOR Jeanette Worden 80 100.00% New Milford Township DEM NEW MILFORD ELECTION INSPECTOR John P. Hoffman 40 100.00% REP NEW MILFORD TWP SUPERVISOR Jack T. Conroy 129 80.12% John Clirehugh 32 19.88% REP NEW MILFORD TWP AUDITOR Gayle A. Marcy 147 100.00% REP NEW MILFORD TWP TAX COLLECTOR Roberta Gulick 152 100.00% REP NEW MILFORD TWP ASSESSOR Brian J. Gafney 142 100.00% Oakland Borough DEM OAKLAND MAYOR Wendy MacDonald-Dudley 22 100.00% DEM OAKLAND COUNCILMAN Paul Dudley 21 100.00% REP OAKLAND BORO TAX COLLECTOR Susan Arthur 42 100.00% REP OAKLAND BORO COUNCILMAN Ronald E. Beavan 40 33.06% Brian Rhone 29 23.97% Gary Boughton 37 30.58% Jerry M. Hallisey 15 12.40% REP OAKLAND BORO ASSESSOR Amanda Hilton 46 100.00% REP OAKLAND BORO ELECTION JUDGE Carol Trevarthan 51 100.00% Oakland Township REP OAKLAND TWP AUDITOR Ronald C. Dubas 40 100.00% REP OAKLAND TWP TAX C0LLECTOR Jeane M. Roe 44 100.00% Rush Township REP RUSH TAX COLLECTOR Denise Campbell 138 100.00% REP RUSH ELECTION JUDGE Marilyn S. Quick 135 100.00% Silver Lake Township DEM SILVER LAKE AUDITOR 6 YR William Whittaker 92 100.00% DEM SILVER LAKE ELECTION INSPECTOR Phyllis McNamara 109 100.00% REP SILVER LAKE SUPERVISOR Thomas Swan 130 100.00% REP SILVER LAKE TAX COLLECTOR John J. Nagy 150 100.00% REP SILVER LAKE ASSESSOR James A. Harvilchuck 117 100.00% REP SILVER LAKE ELECTION JUDGE Carol Elliott 140 100.00% REP SILVER LAKE ELECTION INSPECTOR Donna Foster 134 100.00% Springville Township DEM SPRINGVILLE AUDITOR Ruth H. Casselbury 63 100.00% DEM SPRINGVILLE TAX COLLECTOR Barbara T. Fuhrey 78 100.00% DEM SPRINGVILLE ELECTION INSPECTOR Dorothy C. States 80 100.00% REP SPRINGVILLE SUPERVISOR Jerry Ainey 141 100.00% REP SPRINGVILLE ELECTION INSPECTOR Enid C. Ball 136 100.00% Susquehanna Borough DEM SUSQUEHANNA MAYOR David J. Scales, Sr. 63 49.61% Nancy Hurley 64 50.39% DEM SUSQUEHANNA TAX COLLECTOR Linda K. Schell 155 100.00% DEM SUSQUEHANNA COUNCILMAN 4 YR Roy Williams 103 58.19% Allen C. Wolf 74 41.81% DEM SUSQUEHANNA COUNCILMAN 2 YR Patricia Frederick 53 38.41% Shane Lewis, Sr. 85 61.59% DEM SUSQUEHANNA W1 ELECTION JUDGE Judy D. Crowley 60 100.00% DEM SUSQUEHANNA W1 ELECTION INSPECTOR Teresa Whitney 59 100.00% REP SUSQUEHANNA MAYOR Denise Reddon 84 100.00% REP SUSQUEHANNA COUNCILMAN William K. Kuiper 67 45.27% Margaret Biegert 81 54.73% REP SUSQUEHANNA W1 ELECTION INSPECTOR L. Judith Canfield 32 100.00% Thompson Borough DEM THOMPSON TAX COLLECTOR Vera Halesky 19 100.00% DEM THOMPSON COUNCILMAN Diane Sabatelli 16 100.00% DEM THOMPSON BORO ELECTION INSPECTOR Jeanette Saulo 19 100.00% REP THOMPSON BORO MAYOR James D. Delaney 14 100.00% REP THOMPSON BORO ELECTION JUDGE Raymond A. Grant 17 100.00% Thompson TownshipDEM THOMPSON TWP ELECTION INSPECTOR Alice Marilyn Czachor 15 100.00% REP THOMPSON TWP SUPERVISOR Stacy Nier-Yoskowitz 23 54.76% Richard B. Wademan 19 45.24% REP THOMPSON TWP AUDITOR Mary E. Piercy 44 100.00% REP THOMPSON TWP TAX COLLECTOR Frances J. Sheldon 46 100.00% REP THOMPSON TWP ELECTION JUDGE Marjorie A. Whitney 46 100.00% REP THOMPSON TWP ELECTION INSPECTOR Diane A. Powers 45 100.00% Union Dale BoroDEM UNION DALE COUNCILMAN Kevin Durko 9 100.00% REP UNION DALE MAYOR Stephen Durko 43 100.00% REP UNION DALE TAX COLLECTOR Beverly Durko 48 100.00% REP UNION DALE COUNCILMAN Patricia A. Cino 43 52.44% William J. Heller 39 47.56% Boards of Education DEM BLUE RIDGE SCHOOL REG 2 Cynthia Gillespie 75 100.00% DEM ELK LAKE SCHOOL REG 2 Jack Sible 50 100.00% DEM ELK LAKE SCHOOL REG 8 Kevin Pierson 70 100.00% DEM ELK LAKE SCHOOL REG 9 Eric Emmerich 65 100.00% DEM FOREST CITY SCHOOL REG 2 Lorne Sutton Powell 32 100.00% DEM FOREST CITY SCHOOL REG 9 Fred G. Garm 59 100.00% DEM MONTROSE SCHOOL REG 2 George Gow 170 100.00% DEM MOUNTAIN VIEW SCHOOL REG 2C James W. Zick 139 100.00% DEM MOUNTAIN VIEW SCHOOL REG 3A Lucrecia D. Jesse 23 100.00% DEM MOUNTAIN VIEW SCHOOL REG 3B Kevin M. Griffiths 53 100.00% DEM SUSQUEHANNA SCHOOL REG 1 Mary Wescott 54 100.00% DEM SUSQUEHANNA SCHOOL REG 2 Johnine Ann Barnes 131 100.00% REP BLUE RIDGE SCHOOL REG 1A Denise Bloomer 65 100.00% REP BLUE RIDGE SCHOOL REG 2A Dawn Franks 43 100.00% REP BLUE RIDGE SCHOOL REG 3B Lonnie Fisher 105 100.00% REP ELK LAKE SCHOOL REG 2 Jack Sible 161 100.00% REP ELK LAKE SCHOOL REG 8 Kevin Pierson 123 100.00% REP ELK LAKE SCHOOL REG 9 Eric Emmerich 120 100.00% REP FOREST CITY SCHOOL REG 2 Lorne Sutton Powell 54 100.00% REP FOREST CITY SCHOOL REG 3 Thomas M. Heller 39 100.00% REP MONTROSE SCHOOL REG 2 George Gow 658 100.00% REP MOUNTAIN VIEW SCHOOL REG 1B John L. Beeman 119 100.00% REP MOUNTAIN VIEW SCHOOL REG 2C James W. Zick 546 100.00% REP MOUNTAIN VIEW SCHOOL REG 3A Bryce E. Beeman 67 52.76% Lucrecia D. Jesse 60 47.24% REP MOUNTAIN VIEW SCHOOL REG 3B Kevin M. Griffiths 79 100.00% REP SUSQUEHANNA SCHOOL REG 1 Mary Wescott 140 100.00% REP SUSQUEHANNA SCHOOL REG 2 Johnine Ann Barnes 99 56.57% Lori Canfield 76 43.43%
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