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HEADLINES:
Elk Lake Improves Only Pennsylvania, it was said at the August 18 meeting of the Elk Lake and SCCTC school board, has made across-the-board gains in student achievement from 2002 to 2008, under NCLB legislation. Elk Lake received notification of this fact attached to an invitation to attend a special announcement session put on by the governor in Harrisburg. The reason why Elk Lake was specifically invited highlights another honor - the district was one of only 50 schools in the state to demonstrate this continuous improvement during those years (out of the 501 districts). In this list of high achievers, Elk Lake ranked 18th; Dr. Bush also acknowledged nearby Susquehanna Community School District, which ranked 1st on the list. Elk Lake saw a 25.2% rate of improvement; the state improved 34% overall. Dr. Bush publicly thanked and acknowledged the board, the administration, staff and students for working such that the school could receive this honor. On the SCCTC side, one instructor in particular was recognized for her work. The Food Management Production and Services program won the award for Exemplary Career and Technical Education Program, given by the Pennsylvania Association for Career and Technical Education. The award was presented at that organizations June conference. Dr. Davis provided some evidence as to why. In the past, that particular course saw 85% of students receiving PA Skills Certification; in the past two years that increased to 100 percent. Ms. Evans received a plaque, and was formally recognized at the meeting. She, in turn, thanked Dr. Davis, stating that a school couldn't have an exemplary program without a great administrator. The administrators’ reports revolved, as might be expected, around the commencement of another school year. All three principles thanked the maintenance staff, who made the buildings ready for student arrival. Mrs. Heed was also recognized, for her work in organizing the yearly substitute orientation. While most of the district is slated to start school on time, one subset of it is not. The head start program operating out of the elementary school is likely to be delayed unless the Pennsylvania budget passes. The question of swine flu was raised, as the media has hypothesized its resurrection with the start of the school year. Dr. Bush responded that the district would follow state board of health recommendations in their actions, and that they would be participating in a department of health webinar on Thursday. In response to a question about vaccinations, board members answered that if the vaccine was available to the district they would certainly make it available to students. Dr. Cuomo briefly discussed the dual enrollment program, as a contract with LCCC was finalized. It's delay was at least partially due to attempts to expand it further. Now students will have available to them, through the partnership with this college, four levels of French, as well as an applied physics course - Principles of Technology. In addition to this, Elk Lake has agreements with two other institutions of higher learning. In the past, the entire cost has been covered by a dual enrollment grant. With the uncertainty of the budget, however, it is unknown if this will continue, though it was included in the budget at one point. If state funding proves insufficient students may be expected to pick up some of the cost, but, it was pointed out, no one is forced to participate and even at full cost the program represents a significant savings from normal college tuition. A reporter asked the district how long it could function were the budget not to pass. It was responded that the district is in good financial shape, and pointed out that even though the state has not come through residents have been doing their part. One board member spoke up, urging people to write their legislators , stating that this budget issue is hurting everyone. The gas and oil company has begun drilling on the second horizontal well. It was requested that someone speak with the company, to ask if traffic could be regulated during school time. One visitor again broached the problem of runners in the road. She was still concerned, she said, about the cross country team's safety while traveling the roads around the school, and felt that perhaps they could run on the school's land instead. It was responded that the matter was discussed at the safety committee level, and that a sign has been put out warning traffic, and the students have been provided with florescent vests. The sign is erected at the beginning of practice, and taken down at the end. The visitor did not believe, however, that these actions were sufficient, being concerned about the possibility of students being struck by vehicles or abducted. Frustrated, she suggested that the board might not be concerned about the kids. Dr. Bush argued that it wasn't that the board wasn't concerned, but that they had been charged to consider safety and had done so with the sign and the vests. He pointed out that any student could be hit at any time, but that none had ever been struck while running for the team. In the summer, the students run on their own on the roads. He did not know, he said, of any local cross country program which did not run on the roads. Mr. Tewkesbury asked if there were any alternatives, as traffic would only continue to increase.
Water problems were the main topic of discussion at the August 20 meeting of the Hallstead Boro Council. One Pine Hill resident present at the meeting had been reporting problems for some time, with water running through his property and his lawn being destroyed by drivers cutting across the curve at the corner of his property. Council said that a contractor had been at the site that day to see what could be done as far as road repairs or installing curbing, but they had not yet heard what his recommendations were. They promised to contact him as soon as there was any word. Another resident asked if a sluice pipe would be put into a ditch the boro had recently dug out near the cemetery; there are no plans to put in a pipe, but if the resident wants one there they will put it in if the resident purchases it. The resident also asked if the ruts in her lawn caused by the equipment used to dig out the ditch would be filled in, as it is difficult to mow with them there. Filling in the ruts had been delayed due to the recent rainy weather, but the boro will fill them in. A complaint received from another resident had been taken care of, a storm drain had been unclogged and fixed, but there was still a problem during heavy rain. Because of the geography of that specific area, where the neighboring property was somewhat higher, the solution would seem to be scraping the edges of the neighboring property a bit to divert water into the drain, but the owner of that property had refused to allow it. Council would talk to him/her again, and see if it could be done. With so many complaints about water and plugged drains, council discussed putting together a map, showing all of the boro's drains, and where they run and working on getting them all cleaned out. Another guest at the meeting reported that he had been displaced from his home and is temporarily staying with friends. He asked if it would be permissible to set up a tent (on boro property) and stay there until his situation is resolved; council said that they could not agree to that, it would be too much of a liability to the boro. The backhoe has not been running well; a mechanic was set to take a look at it on Tuesday. There have been complaints about an “eyesore” on Pine Hill, various car parts and four unregistered vehicles. The person responsible will be sent a letter, along with a copy of the boro's nuisance ordinance, which only permits one unregistered vehicle on each property. And, correspondence included a letter from the county Emergency Management Agency. The letter stated that Title 35, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Services Code, requires that municipalities appoint an individual as their Local Emergency Management Coordinator. Several potential candidates have been contacted by council, but they have been unable to find someone willing to fill the position. The county EMA suggests that, in this situation, perhaps the coordinator of a neighboring municipality might be willing to share this service with Hallstead. Council will look into this option. The next meeting will be on Thursday, September 17, 7:00 p.m. in the boro building.
The Susquehanna County Council of Governments meeting on August 18 took place with very light attendance, most likely due to the Harford Fair being held that week. COG One of the first items of business was to approve the minutes of last month's meeting. There was some clarification as to the item pertaining to the lay-off of the SEO and the partial lay-off of the office manager (from five to three days a week). Since most of the discussion had taken place with voting members behind closed doors, it may not have been entirely clear that the move was made largely as a result of the state not passing its budget. As of the date of the meeting, no state budget was in place, and municipalities were not receiving state reimbursements for sewage enforcement. More discussion on that subject took place during the COG Sewage portion of the meeting. Correspondence included notice that the state COG first vice president has resigned. The second vice president has moved up to first vice president, and candidates are being sought for second and third vice president. Interested parties should contact PACOG. No response had been received from New Milford Boro regarding some issues with the COG office's windows and door. A letter had been sent to the boro council in July. It was agreed that a member of the executive committee should attend the next council meeting or work session to discuss the matter further. There has been no further word on the DCED regional police study; Greg Hostettler, who has been writing the report, did expect to attend the September meeting to give an update. With business being somewhat slow, there was some discussion about COG changing their meeting schedule from monthly to every other month. COG's bylaws allow that meetings may be set as often as necessary, as determined by the board. With such a light turnout on this evening, it was agreed to continue discussion at next month's meeting when there will be more members in attendance. COG Sewage With no state budget in place, many multi-municipal organizations like COG are facing the same funding dilemma, as they largely rely on state reimbursements for operating revenue. Several nearby organizations are writing not only to their own local legislators about the situation, but to all those involved in the budget process. One organization in Northern PA has closed their offices; employees are using temporary office space elsewhere. Another is charging a per-person fee to fund operation until the reimbursements come through. And, once the state budget is passed, the problem may not be solved, as one proposed budget contains a provision to cut the reimbursement funding from 80% to 65%. It was agreed that COG should also send letters in support of reinstating the reimbursements and keeping them at 80% to state legislators, not only the local ones but those involved in the budget process. COG Codes At last month's meetings, an unofficial complaint was made by a visitor regarding a commercial building project where the building inspector had reportedly ordered a number of items to be torn out and reinstalled. The codes committee reported that the matter had been thoroughly investigated and all parties concerned had been contacted; their conclusion was that a number of factors may have contributed to the problem, but that there are specific codes requirements for commercial structures, particularly those that will be used by the handicapped. The next meeting will be on Tuesday, September 15, 7:00 p.m. in the COG offices in New Milford.
Township Centennial Acknowledgment Although he was absent from the August 19 New Milford Township meeting, Ken Bondurant was publicly thanked for his work on the Bicentennial celebration. Mr. Hunter stated that the township owed him a big thanks, and that he deserved a round of applause. His hard work and ability to take over tasks was appreciated. He first mentioned the idea to the supervisors two years ago. As for the celebration itself, it was thought to be a success. Everyone commented, the supervisors said, that it was a real nice event. DEP was called to confirm what was meant by a permit replacing another permit, a question that had been raised at a previous meeting. The man they contacted confirmed that generally the permit being replaced is no longer valid, but there are certain situations which would make a permit replaced still valid. Examples of this include if there is litigation ongoing, or if part of a quarry is being replaced while other portions are still worked by the original owner. Two questions by Steve Hrobuchak, a man who attended the previous month's meeting to request assistance with a water discharge permit and the potholes at Flying J, were answered at the August meeting. The Conservation Department at the Montrose Courthouse is the appropriate agency from which to request a discharge permit; this information was confirmed and passed on. It was also discovered that the parking lot at the Flying J is privately owned, and therefore needs to be fixed by the owners. A court meeting on the East Lake Camp Ground, scheduled for July 29, was postponed to November 20, it was announced. It was reported, though, that the last the supervisors knew, Mr. Young had stated that he was going to start applying for permits. Someone asked what happened to Lake Road. This road was hit pretty hard by the weather, it was responded, but the supervisors said they would get to it before buses ran for school. The township is slightly behind on roads, they said, not only because of weather, but because every Monday they have been hauling cinders in preparation of winter. A Penn Dot project, which was originally not supposed to begin until 2011, might be pushed up and affect township residents. Mackin Engineering, the township received notification, has applied for a General Permit toward the project, which would involve replacing part of a bridge on Tingley Lake Road. The notification did not state when work would commence; any change was pure speculation. Were the project moved up, however, it would likely require a detour up over Washburn Hill and down to Three Lakes Road. The supervisors are not in charge of the matter; it is a state road. The supervisors publicly thanked Raymond McDonald of Snyder Road. He donated a business table and six chairs to the township. The supervisors have no problem with the Lackawanna College moving onto township land off the Gibson exit on SR 0848 it was stated, so long as the Land Development Plan meets sewage and code enforcement standards. The building would be located across the street from Flying J, it was thought.
Courthouse Report DEEDS John V. and Gloria A. Osolnick to John V. and Gloria A. Osolnick, in Middletown Township for one dollar. Gibson Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church (By Trustees AKA) Gibson ME Church (By Trustees) to Gibson United Methodist Church, in Gibson Township for one dollar. Thomas J. Chickey to Robert W. and Dominick J. Annese, in Lathrop Township for $45,500.00. Timothy G. and Mary C. Edwards to Timothy G. and Mary C. Edwards, in Susquehanna for one dollar. John and Joyce A. Rudzianski to Schillinger Rudzianski Cabin Trust, in Dimock Township. Big Oak Tree Sportsman Club, Inc. to Big Oak Tree Rod & Gun Club LLC, in Ararat Township for one dollar. Charles P. Noldy to Charles P. and Ann Noldy, in Auburn Township for one dollar. James H. and Ann Thorn (NBM) Ann Kravestky to James H. and Ann Thorn, in Jackson Township for one dollar. Evangelical Free Church of Montrose to Entrust Cama, Jack A. Maynard and Jack A. Maynard IRA, in Bridgewater Township for $112,645.00. Mary J. (Estate) and Allan K. Little to Allan K. Little, in Clifford Township for one dollar. Michael and Filomena Kenyon to Bremer Hof Owners, Inc., in Herrick Township for $100.00. Molt LLC to Nicholas Halkias (Living Trust), in Rush Township for $400,000.00. Dale G. Webster to Dale G. Webster, in Franklin Township for one dollar. Wade R. Goria and Nadine G. Reis to Wade R. Goria, in Thompson Township for one dollar. MARRIAGES Gregory L. Garnett and Alicia Grace Vancott, both of Great Bend. DIVORCES Aloysius McCarey vs. Kimberly J. McCarey, both of Montrose, married 2005. James A. Aten of Springville vs. Joetta L. Aten of Meshoppen, married 1999. Bernard G. Kolenda vs. Karie E. Kolenda, both of Thompson, married 2004. BENCH WARRANTS The Susquehanna County Domestic Relations Section has bench warrants for the following individuals as of 10:23 a.m. on August 21, 2009. Duane Aldrich, Michael A. Argust, David P. Atherholt, Jr., Erika L. Back, John W. Barber, Sr., Keith B. Beach, David Shawn Blaisure, Joseph Bonavita, Michael P. Bradley, Jr., Devin S. Brewer, Daniel M. Brown, Howard A. Burns, III, Robert B. Carrier, Jason James Carroll, Tony R. Clark, Mark T. Conklin, Edward J. Dickson, Jr., Jeremy M. Dixon, James W. Donahue, III, Deborah L. Drish, David J. Fischer, Ryan M. Forder, Kelly Fox, Dominick M. Franklin, Tiffany M. Groover, David Haines, Jr., CeeJay B. Halstead, Suzanne R. Hansen, Ann Hightower, Jeremy C. James, Steven L. Jones, Kenneth M. Kintner, Kevin D. Klein, Eric C. Kohlhepp, Erik E. Krisovitch, Amber Kuns, Charlie J. Legere, Harold K. Leiger, II, Carlos L. Leiser, Christopher Locke, Patricia J. Marrero, Jason Marshall, Zada A. McDonald, Nancy McGillis, Rollin E. Miller, Jr., Joseph C. Moore, Anthony Neri, Benjamin Newell, Tanya M. Novak, Rodney Alan Oakley, Todd M. O'Hara, Donald Palmer, Gary Perico, Jesse R. Rhinebeck, Jr., Timothy W. Rogers, Troy Rohmann, David J. Shiner, Darin Sink, Garrett M. Thomas, Jozsef M. Varga, Keith W. Vroman, Steven G. Warner, Jamie L. Williams, Kenneth L. Wilmot, Jr., Amanda E. Woodruff. Please contact the Domestic Relations Section at 570-278-4600 ext. 170 with any information on the location of these individuals.
Following is the Susquehanna County sentencing report for August, 2009 as submitted by the county District Attorney’s office. Philip T McCarthy, 32, of Montrose, to 30 days to 6 months in Susquehanna County Correctional Facility, pay $750 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $100 Act 198 fee, pay $100 CAT surcharge, pay $10 EMS, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee, perform 50 hours of community service, not to posses, transport or consume alcoholic beverages, complete a safe driving school program, receive drug and alcohol counseling and treatment for Driving Under the Influence in Montrose Borough on November 2, 2008. Duane R Chase, 44, of Binghamton, to 12 months to 36 months in a State Correctional Facility, pay $2,500 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee, pay $300 Act 198 fee, not to possess, transport or consume alcoholic beverages, not to visit any establishment whose sole purpose is the sale of alcohol, receive a drug and alcohol evaluation, complete a safe driving school program for Driving Under the Influence in New Milford Borough on November 28, 2008. Kammie M Nannie, 37, of South Montrose, to 3 months to 2 years minus 1 day in Susquehanna County Correctional Facility, not to have contact with children, pay $500 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee, perform 25 hours of community service for Failure to Comply with Registration of Sexual Offenders Requirements in Gibson Township on June 1, 2008. Jessica A Barrows, 28, of Uniondale, to 15 months probation, pay $350 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee, pay restitution to the victim in this case, perform 50 hours of community service, continue with drug and alcohol counseling for Access Device Fraud in Clifford on November 1, 2008. Ms. Barrows also received 12 months probation, to run concurrent to the above sentence, pay $300 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $100 Act 198 fee, continue with drug and alcohol counseling for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia in Clifford Township on November 1, 2008. Terry Lee Strohl, 36, of Montrose, to 6 months to 2 years in a State Correctional Facility, pay $750 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee, perform 25 hours of community service, pay restitution to Susquehanna County for Default in Required Appearance on May 16, 2008 in Montrose Borough. Mr. Strohl also received 6 years to 12 years in a State Correctional Facility, followed by 8 years probation, pay $1,500 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee, not to have contact with persons under the age of 18, complete sexual offenders treatment, perform 50 hours of community service for Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse in Choconut Township on January 1, 1999. Robert Kevin Wiles, 41, of Laceyville, to 30 days to 1 year in Susquehanna County Correctional Facility, pay $500 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay restitution the victims in this case, not to possess, transport or consume alcoholic beverages, perform 50 hours of community service for Accident Involving Damage to Attended Vehicle or Property in Rush Township on April 19, 2009. Robert Edward Poole, 32, of South Montrose, to 10 years to 20 years in a State Correctional Facility, pay $1,000 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $250 DNA cost and submit sample, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee, complete Sexual Offenders Treatment, not to have contact with the victim unless initiated by the victim, not to reside within 3 miles of daycare or school for Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse on January 1, 2008 in Liberty Township. Francisco Jose Martinez, 50, of Susquehanna, to 1 year to 5 years in a State Correctional Facility, pay $500 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee, not to have contact with the victim in this case, complete Sexual Offender Treatment for Corruption of a Minor in Susquehanna on November 23, 2008. Jesse Steven Erickson, 18, of New Milford, received the following sentences: 9 months to 23 months in Susquehanna County Correctional Facility, followed by 4 years probation, pay $500 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay restitution to the victim in this case for Burglary in New Milford Borough on June 14, 2009. 1 months to 11 months in Susquehanna County Correctional Facility, to run concurrent to other sentences, pay $150 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay restitution to the victim in this case for Criminal Mischief in New Milford Borough on April 15, 2009 2 months to 15 months in Susquehanna County Correctional Facility, to run concurrent to other sentences, pay $150 fine, pay $150 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay restitution, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee for Access Device Fraud in New Milford Borough on October 12, 2008. 1 month to 11 months in Susquehanna County Correctional Facility, to run concurrent with other sentences, pay $100 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay restitution to the victim in this case, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee for Theft by Unlawful Taking in Great Bend Township on October 25, 2008. 1 months to 11 months in Susquehanna County Correctional Facility, to run concurrent with other sentences, pay $150 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay restitution to the victim in this case, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee for Theft by Unlawful Taking in Great Bend Township on October 25, 2008. 1 month to 11 months in Susquehanna County Correctional Facility to run concurrent with other sentences, pay $100 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay restitution to the victim in this case, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee for Theft by Unlawful Taking in Great Bend Township on October 25, 2008. 1 month to 11 months in Susquehanna County Correctional Facility, to run concurrent with other sentences, pay $50 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay restitution to the victim in this case, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee for Theft by Unlawful Taking in Great Bend Township on October 25, 2008. 1 month to 11 months in Susquehanna County Correctional Facility, to run concurrent with the other sentences, pay $100 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay restitution to the victim in this case, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee for Theft by Unlawful Taking in Great Bend Township on October 25, 2008. 11 months probation to run concurrent with other sentences, pay $100 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay restitution to the victim in this case, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee for Theft by Unlawful Taking in Great Bend Township on October 25, 2008. 11 months probation to run concurrent with other sentences, pay $100 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay restitution to the victim in this case, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee for Theft by Unlawful Taking in Great Bend Township on October 25, 2008. 11 months probation to run concurrent with other sentences, pay $100 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay restitution to the victim in this case, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee for Theft by Unlawful Taking in Great Bend Township on October 25, 2008. 11 months probation to run concurrent with other sentences, pay $100 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay restitution to the victim in this case, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee for Theft by Unlawful Taking in Great Bend Township on October 25, 2008. 11 months probation to run concurrent with other sentences, pay $100 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay restitution to the victim in this case, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee for Theft by Unlawful Taking in Great Bend Township on October 25, 2008. 9 months probation to run concurrent with other sentences, pay $100 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay restitution to the victim in this case, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee for Theft by Unlawful Taking in Great Bend Township on October 25, 2008.
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