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Area Business Supports Oakland Boro Police Dept. The Oakland Borough Police Department used a recent donation from Empire Insurance Agency to help fund needed upgrades to aging enforcement equipment. “We’re very fortunate to have local law enforcement in our community,” said Empire Insurance Agency owner Brian Stout. “We’re proud to support the Oakland Police Department and their efforts that help keep our neighborhoods safe for everyone.” “Having current and functional enforcement tools is essential to protecting the community,” said officer Robert Sweet. “We’re very grateful for the support of Empire Insurance and their investment in making sure we have the proper tools to do the best job we can.”
Communities Encouraged To Prevent Underage Drinking Harrisburg - The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board recognized Alcohol Awareness Month on April 6, and noted the importance of education and community involvement in preventing dangerous and underage drinking. “No community is immune to the devastating effects that alcohol can bring when used inappropriately,” said PLCB Chairman Patrick J. “PJ” Stapleton. “We remain committed to providing local community leaders with the support and resources they need to protect our children.” Since 2009, Pennsylvania has seen some positive trends concerning the consumption of alcohol by youth, as well as the high-risk behaviors in which they participate. According to the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency’s Pennsylvania Youth Survey, there is a continued decrease in those reporting a willingness to try alcohol. However, there is much work to be done. On the national level, according to the Centers for Disease Control, there were approximately 190,000 emergency room visits by people under the age of 21 for injuries and other conditions related to alcohol in 2008. Research shows those who begin drinking before the age of 15 are four times more likely to develop alcoholism than those who don’t consume alcohol before the age of 21. The PLCB is committed to public education and outreach to combat these dangerous behaviors. Since 1999, the agency has awarded more than $4 million in grants to nearly 250 organizations while providing training and technical assistance to local communities. “Educating the public and supporting communities so that they can effectively address issues that have direct local impacts is at the core of what we do each day,” Stapleton said. “Because of the complex nature of these issues, we need to continue working together toward the common goal of keeping our families safe.” For more information about the Liquor Control Board, visit www.lcb.state.pa.us.
DES The DES 4-H Club held their re-organizational meeting on Sunday, February 27, at the East Rush Church. All members were given enrollment forms and reminded to either register on e-data if you are a new member, or carry over your membership from last year. The Club elected officers and they are as follows: President, Allison Kiefer; Vice President, Sabrina Clark; Secretary, Callie Curley; Treasurer, Cassie Clark; News Reporter, Austin Graham; and Social Chairs, Lydia Watkins and Kaitlyn Depew. Snacks were served and the meeting was adjourned. News Reporter: Austin Graham North Jackson The 4-H meeting on March 6 was held at the Pavelski’s home. It was opened by Shawn Carey at 1 p.m. The first order of business was to elect this year’s officers. The newly elected officers are: President, Shawn Carey; Vice President, Eric Giangrieco; Secretary, Troy Carey; Treasurer, Eric Onyon; Historian, Kim and Katie Klim; and News Reporters, KayLeen Conklin and Emily Supancik. The ethics program is now called Good Production Practices Program. This program is for all members working with animals, and is to be completed by July 1. Approximately 46 market steers have been tagged for the 2011 season. A reminder was given that the leader banquet is at the end of April. Abigail Onyon went over the E-data enrollment process. All of our club members were asked to take a box of candy bars home to sell as a fundraiser. News Reporter: KayLeen Conklin DES The DES 4-H Club held their meeting at 1:00 on Sunday, March 27, at the East Rush Church. A lot of new members were welcomed, several being clover buds. The Club discussed the fundraiser they will be having April 16 at Dana’s pig sale in Tunkhannock. Members signed up to help at the food stand and bring snacks for the bake sale. Ideas for the summer trip were also discussed. The Club is looking at several suggestions - Camel Beach, Knoebles and Ozzys Fun Park to name a few! All market hogs must be tagged by April 30. The dairy beef and market hogs must be tagged by a leader. E-data enrollment must be done by May 1. Make sure you update your medical information! If you have any trouble with Edata, please contact leader LouAnn Kiefer. To be able to show in County Round-up you must attend at least 3 meetings. The next meeting will be on April 24 at the East Rush Church at 7:00 p.m. All enrollment forms and the fee are due at this meeting. News Reporter: Austin Graham North Jackson The 4-H meeting on April 2, at the Onyons’ house, was opened by Shawn Carey. KayLeen Conklin led the pledge to the American flag, and Eric Onyon led the pledge to the 4-H flag. As the club’s community service project, on April 30 members will be raking leaves and cleaning up the cemetery in Gibson. Anyone who comes is asked to please bring a rake(s). At the next meeting Casey Gorick will be doing her demonstration. Remember that history books from the years 1960-2010 are for sale. Abigail Onyon helped several club members with the E-data enrollment. Enrollments are due by May 5. Market hogs must be tagged by April 30. The county dairy show and district dairy show will be held in Harford this year. The members enjoyed refreshments together at the close of the meeting. The next meeting will be on May 7. News Reporter: KayLeen Conklin
Art Displays Fill Area Businesses A pink heart made to look like stained glass, a flower made from a coffee filter or a colorful painting expressing spring are just some items you may see in area businesses during April. The countywide CARES Young Artists’ Display is in celebration of National “Week of the Young Child,” April 10-16, 2011. More than 50 businesses from Forest City to Montrose or from Hallstead to Springville responded to the call from Susquehanna County CARES (Childcare, Agencies, Resources and Educational Services) to recognize the talents of our young children by displaying their work. The items reflect the role early education plays in shaping a child’s future. Research shows children who receive a quality experience before the age of five achieve greater success late in life. Children from the following quality early learning and school environments provided items for this countywide display: Blue Ridge School District; Forest City School District; Montrose Area School District; Mountain View School District; Susquehanna Community School District; Elk Lake Head Start; New Milford Head Start; New Milford Early Intervention; Angel Beginnings; Children’s Palace; Endless Mountain Learning Center; Grace Lutheran Pre-K; Kim’s Kids; Mrs. Colleen’s Childcare; Tiny Treasures; Tiny Totz; and Treasure House Child Development Center. CARES would not have been able to coordinate this special display without the help of CARES volunteers, the Endless Mountains Business Association, Forest City Commercial Association, Montrose Area Chamber of Commerce and the Susquehanna Community Development Association. The effort is another way CARES promotes Pennsylvania’s Promise for Children, because every child is Pennsylvania’s future.
FSA Farm Loans For Socially Disadvantaged The Farm Service Agency (FSA) can make direct and guaranteed loans to socially disadvantaged applicants to buy and operate family-size farms and ranches. Funds specifically for these loans are reserved each year. A socially disadvantaged farmer is one of a group whose members have been subjected to racial, ethnic, or gender prejudice because of their identity as members of the group without regard to their individual qualities. For purposes of this program, socially disadvantaged groups are women, African Americans, American Indians and Alaskan Natives, Hispanics, and Asians and Pacific Islanders. Direct Loans are made to applicants by FSA and include both farm operating and farm ownership loans. Guaranteed Loans also may be made for ownership or operating purposes, and may be made by any lending institution subject to Federal or State supervision (banks, saving and loans, insurance companies and units of the Farm Credit system.) Typically, FSA guarantees 90 to 95 percent of a loan against any loss that might be incurred if the loan fails. Farm Ownership Loan funds may be used to purchase or enlarge a farm, purchase easements or rights of way needed in the farm's operation, erect or improve buildings such as a dwelling or barn, promote soil and water conservation and development, and pay closing costs. Farm Operating Loan funds may be used to purchase livestock, poultry, farm and home equipment, feed, seed, fuel fertilizer, chemicals, hail and other crop insurance, food, clothing, medical care and hired labor. Funds also may be used to install or improve water systems for home use, livestock or irrigation, and other improvements. Individuals, partnerships, joint operations, corporations, and cooperatives primarily and directly engaged in farming and ranching on family-size operations may apply. A family-size farm is considered to be one that a family can operate and manage itself. In addition to being members of a socially disadvantaged group, individual applicants under this program must meet all requirements for FSA's regular farm loan program assistance. To be eligible, an applicant must, among other requirements: Have a satisfactory history of meeting credit obligations. For Farm Operating Loans (OL), have sufficient education and/or on the job training, or farming experience in managing and operating a farm or ranch (1 -year’s complete production and marketing cycle within the last 5 years), which indicated the managerial ability necessary to assure reasonable prospects of success in the proposed plan of operation. For Farm Ownership Loans (FO), have sufficient applicable educational and/or on the job training or farming experience in managing a farm or ranch, which indicates the managerial ability necessary to assure reasonable prospects of success in the proposed plan of operation. Also, have participated in the business operations of a farm or ranch for at least 3 years out of the 10 years prior to the date of application. Be a citizen of the United States (or a legal resident alien). Be unable to obtain credit elsewhere at reasonable rates and terms to meet actual needs. Possess the legal capacity to incur the obligations of the loan. In the case of corporations, cooperatives, joint operations, or partnerships, the stockholders, members, or partners holding a majority interest must meet these same eligibility requirements. The borrowing entity must be authorized to operate a farm or ranch in the State where the actual operation is located. In addition, the entity must be owned by U.S. citizens or legal resident aliens, and the socially disadvantaged members must hold a majority interest in the entity. If individuals holding a majority interest in the entity are related by blood or marriage, at least one stockholder, member, or partner must operate the family farm or ranch. If they are not related by blood or marriage, those holding a majority interest must operate the farm or ranch. Repayment terms for Direct Operating Loans depend on the collateral securing the loan and usually run from one to seven years. Repayment terms for Direct Ownership Loans can be as long as 40 years. Guaranteed Loan terms are set by the lender. Interest rates for Guaranteed Loans are established by the lender. Guaranteed Loan applications are made with the lender. In cases where a lender is not known to an applicant, personnel at the county offices will help find one and will help with an application, either for a Direct Loan or a Guaranteed Loan. Persons who think they might be eligible are urged to contact the Farm Service Agency County Office located at 200 Lake Rd Ste D, Towanda, PA. Phone number 570-265-6969 ext 110 to reach Sheryl Potocek.
Pickett Supports Pipeline Safety Bill HARRISBURG -Legislation that would give authority of natural gas gathering lines and their safety to the Public Utility Commission (PUC) passed the state House, said Rep. Tina Pickett (R-Bradford/Sullivan/Susquehanna), a leading co-sponsor of the measure. “As it currently stands, there is no specific state agency charged with regulatory and safety oversight of these types of pipelines, unless they are deemed to be a public utility,” said Pickett. “Most pipelines that are not owned by a public utility fall under the jurisdiction of the federal government, but because of the rapid development in the Marcellus Shale, we must have an state agency to deal with the gathering lines being put in place to transport gas here in Pennsylvania. Safety is our top priority.” House Bill 344 would stipulate that the PUC can conduct safety inspections and investigations of natural gas pipelines in coordination with federal law. That involves investigations relating to pipeline operators, facilities and reports of safety-related conditions regarding pipeline facilities. The bill also would create a registry of all gas and hazardous liquid pipeline operators and develop an application for registration. “This legislation emphasizes that safety standards will be among the foremost concerns of the PUC’s oversight of gathering lines,” Pickett said. Violations of the law would result in a fine of up to $100,000 for each violation each day that the violation persists. The maximum penalty would be set at $1 million. The legislation now goes to the state Senate for consideration.
Say Thanks To Your Township Supervisors! Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors You may read about them in the newspaper or see them along local roads, plowing snow in the winter or patching potholes in the spring. They’re your township supervisors and staff, and while you may not know them personally, these public servants show up each and every day with one goal in mind: to build a better community for you, your family, and your neighbors. As Pennsylvania celebrates Local Government Week, April 11-15, this is the perfect opportunity for you to better understand the critical role your township and its officials play in the commonwealth’s governing system. Established to be a direct reflection and representation of the people who live there, townships are places where residents - when they choose to - have a voice in what happens, where every expenditure is scrutinized, and where services provided don’t exceed what the community needs or can afford. In other words, townships are full-service, grassroots-driven communities overseen by your neighbors, who are dedicated to meeting your needs. Since its inception, Pennsylvania has had three levels of government: state, county, and local. This structure, which the Founding Fathers based on a division of labor, made sense then and makes even more sense now. In fact, the commonwealth’s governing system is a lot like a telescope. Open it wide and you’ll see the state’s big-picture view. Narrow the focus a bit and you’ve got the county’s regional perspective. Narrow the focus even more and you’ll see what townships see: the local side of things. And each of these levels of government has distinct duties and priorities. In the early days, for instance, township supervisors primarily oversaw the maintenance of local roads. And while this continues to be one of their top priorities, township supervisors today have many more responsibilities. Jacks of all trades, township supervisors in the 21st century are hands-on local leaders who must be well-schooled in a wide range of complex issues, such as land use management, budgeting, transportation planning, and environmental concerns. And because they live and may even work in the communities they represent, township supervisors are on call around the clock. In fact, it’s not unusual for supervisors to field phone calls from residents during dinner and plow roads at night and into the early hours of the morning. Just imagine, though, what it would be like if your township didn’t exist and your community was managed by a larger, centralized government. Under this scenario, which has been proposed in the state legislature, you would not be able to turn to a neighbor for help. Instead, you would have to approach a more distant group of elected leaders - some of whom may be familiar with your community; most of whom may not - and compete against a much larger pool of individuals to get your voice heard and needs met. Local democracy, as you know it, would be lost and replaced with a bigger and more sluggish way of governing. So as we celebrate Local Government Week, here’s something to keep in mind: township government isn’t just another layer of government, it’s the critical layer, the foundation. It’s the one that represents you and your family, lives within its budget, and provides the services you’ve asked for - nothing more and nothing less. And the next time you’re out and about, take a good look around your township and realize that all the good things you see - the parks, the well-maintained roads, and the safe environment to raise a family - are possible because your local leaders, your neighbors, had a vision and turned it into a reality for you.
Sea Scouts Honored At Regional Event Two Sea Scout ships in Baden-Powell Council 368 were represented at the 29th Regional Sea Scout Bridge of Honor and Ball held at the Holiday Inn Select, Bridgeport, NJ. From Ship 25, the Spear, Ithaca, NY, was boatswain mate Yvonne Plesnar; and attending from Ship 90, the North Star, New Milford, PA, were boatswain Christian Chludzinski, boatswain mate Josh Warner, crew leader Brittany Birtch, storekeeper Trinity Spencer, sea scout Tyler Chidester, first mate Helen Reed and commodore Ron Hall.
Pictured above, Northeast Region Sea Scouts of the Year: Austin Chludzinski, 2011; and Christian Chludzinski, 2010. Both hold the Quartermaster Award, Venturing Silver Award and the Silver Anchor with Gold Star from Ship 90. The bridge of honor was held in the grand ballroom and started with opening ceremonies, followed by dinner. Keynote speaker was Rear Admiral Randolph L. Mahr, United States Navy. He was a former sea scout from Sea Scout Ship Sea Dart, Elizabeth, NJ, and was a Quartermaster Sea Scout. Following Admiral Mahr, the formal land ship ceremony was held and many sea scout awards were presented. Boatswain Christian Chludzinski accepted the Regional Commodore’s Award for Ship 90 (only 7 were presented in the northeast region) and Austin Chludzinski received Ship 90’s Sea Scout of the year award! Next was the very exciting and well-attended formal ball, the highlight of the evening, lasting until 1:30 a.m. In addition to the ball and bridge of honor, all skippers, commodores and boatswains attended regional meetings to find out about events and activities planned for sea scouts in the northeast region, especially the centennial of Sea Scouting in 2012.
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