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HEADLINES: Great Bend Boro Police Organizing The “Great Bend Borough Police” has a chief, er …, an Officer in Charge. At a meeting on April 18, the Great Bend Borough Council announced that Jon Record, a police officer of Lanesboro Borough and perhaps a few other places, has been hired, pending completion of some paperwork … and the formal establishment of a police department with that name. Mr. Record accepted the designation, but recommended that the Borough recognize the title “Chief” instead, because much law and precedent seems to favor the office of Chief over Officer in Charge (OIC). Council, however, seems to prefer the latter as a way to better control the nascent department. The Borough moved ahead to hire an OIC to help expedite the formation of a police unit for the little town, since Council itself had been “spinning its wheels” for some months, in the words of Council member Jerry MacConnell, who has been the moving force behind the creation of a police force for Great Bend. With substantial experience under his belt, Mr. Record was able to help Council identify and clarify many of the issues that remain before the town will have an active police presence on its 2.1 miles of streets, which Mr. MacConnell hopes can be accomplished by early June. It was Mr. Record, after all, who provided a “policies and procedures” manual that he developed for Lanesboro and which Great Bend is using as a basis for its own manual. In fact, at the meeting Council approved a resolution adopting the policies and procedures manual, with the understanding that it would undergo many changes. Such a manual, which one source calls “the foundation for all of the department’s operations,” would be a detailed guide to the operations and behavior of police officers in the Borough, even down to the details of the uniforms they wear. For some reason Mr. Record prefers that the policies and procedures manual “cannot be public … information.” This may bear some clarification. Many police departments around the country even post their policies and procedures on the Internet, on the web. Council also moved to advertise an ordinance that establishes the police department. The ordinance gives primary oversight of the department to the Borough Mayor, and to Council in the mayor’s absence. Borough Secretary Sheila Guinan was struggling with a questionnaire required by the Borough’s insurer that should result in coverage of the new police force. Mr. Record said that he would contact the insurer directly to answer any questions, and would help Ms. Guinan answer questions regarding such things as mutual aid to other police. The largest item in the questionnaire concerned a budget for the police department. Council spent most of its time at the meeting hashing out a draft budget that will include substantial sums for startup costs. The Borough increased taxes by 1 mill beginning in 2010 to pay for a police department, providing a total of some $40,000 through 2011 for the purpose. So far the town has spent a bit over $10,000, the largest part of that for a car purchased from Port Dickinson, NY, plus nearly $2,000 for remodeling a corner of the Borough garage for an office. Council sketched out a budget that would spend over $36,800 to get a police force in operation and fund it through the end of this year, including the $10,000 already spent. They included $7,500 for salaries, $5,200 for a computer, camera, radios and other miscellaneous equipment and supplies, $2,000 for fuel, and an uncertain amount for insurance of various kinds. Uniforms seemed to be a big concern, particularly the color. They allocated some $2,400 for uniforms, including Kevlar vests. The officers (it’s unclear how many would be hired) would be subsidized for their annual refresher training, which will include about 16 hours on the clock for each officer. Mr. Record said he had a source who would donate furniture for the office. All of the officers - however many there may be - will be part-time employees of the Borough, without benefits. One of the reasons Council didn’t want a “Chief” of police was a lingering unease over the Borough’s experience with its last chief of police, who has entangled the town in litigation over his pension. These officers will work only limited hours in Great Bend, sharing their time with other municipalities, on other jobs. Council is developing an “employment agreement” that will be the basis for their positions with the Borough. For one thing, new officers will be required to purchase their own uniforms, to be reimbursed by the Borough after 6 months on the job. Since the beginning of the year, the Great Bend Borough Council has been meeting twice a month, once on the first Thursday as usual for general business, and again on the third Monday focusing on police. All meetings begin at 7:00 p.m. at the Borough Building at Elizabeth and Franklin Streets.
Water Confounds Hallstead Council The owner of a property on Fourth Ave. has attended several prior meetings of the Hallstead Boro Council to discuss a water problem that has been recurring of late, and was present again at the April 22 meeting. Several council members had spent some time going over the property, trying to find the source of the flooding. One pipe and drain basin had been cleaned out, and they were trying to trace another pipe to see if a solution to the problem could be found. Some of the pipes were said to have been put in fifty years ago or more, and there were some questions as to who had put them in, the boro or individuals. It was not certain who actually owns the pipe that runs alongside the property in question, but council assured that they are trying to find a solution to the problem. Alan Hall was present to give council an update on the progress of the replacement of a building at the ballpark. He said that work is moving along, he has been working with COG to get the necessary permits. New drawings were needed with more details, and the architect has been working on them (at no cost). Once the new plans are ready, they will be taken to COG to begin the permit application process, which should start before council’s next meeting, and then the old building can be taken down and construction can begin. Complaints discussed included one about a property on Dayton Ave. An old trailer had been removed, but the property had reportedly been leased to someone who was planning to install a new trailer, and had dug holes to put in concrete footers. There was some concern about the holes being a hazard to children; there was caution tape around the site but it was not fenced off. Council will contact the property owner to get something done about the holes. The boro’s new truck was involved in an incident that damaged the mirror, but the insurance carrier of the other vehicle involved refused to honor the boro’s claim; replacement cost will be about $400. Council discussed paving, which streets are more in need, which require drainage work, and how the recent rise in fuel costs will impact how much can be done with the funds available. And, a motion carried to approve purchasing mulch for the boro’s parks.
Courthouse Report DEEDS Dawn Ziegler to Dawn and John Ziegler, in Harford Township for one dollar. Gerald B. and Kathleen Franceski to Joseph J. Tyrrell, in Forest City for $60,000.00. Centex Home Equity Company (FKA) Nationstar Mortgage LLC to Blue Spruce Entities LLC, in Lanesboro Borough for $2,750.00. Blue Spruce Entities LLC to Beneficial Homes LLC, in Lanesboro Borough for $5,500.00. US Bank (by atty) to Diane C. Smith, in Hallstead Borough for $32,500.00. Dale and Carol Jesse to Paul C. and Tina C. Sieben, in New Milford Township for $10,000.00. Frederick W. and Hazel M. Howell to Frederick W. Howell, Jr., in Gibson Township for one dollar. Bernadette Squindo to Albert F. and Claire L. Baker, in Ararat Township for $17,000.00. Carla A. and David S. Stackhouse to Carla A. Stackhouse, in Forest City for one dollar. Rosalie and Paul Bradley to Kimberly Striefsky and Paula Brennan, in Clifford Township for one dollar. Christopher G. (by sheriff) and Tara J. (by sheriff) Rodriguez to Wells Fargo Bank, in Silver Lake Township for $1,364.74. Kathleen Ashby to Stephen and Kathleen Kaminsky, in Jackson Township for one dollar. Arvin F. and Roselyn P. Hibbard to A & R Hibbard Partners Limited Partnership, in Dimock Township for one dollar. John R. and Pamela B. Malkoski to John R. (trust) and Pamela B. (trust) Malkoski, in Forest Lake Township for one dollar. John (AKA) John R. Kaub to John R. and Linda C. Kaub, in New Milford Township for one dollar. Theodore D., Jr. and Coleen S. Warholic to Theodore D. Warholic, Jr., in Springville Township for one dollar. James T., II and Kimberly A. Homet to James T., II and Kimberly A. Homet, in Harford Township for one dollar. Richard Keelen to Robert Bolus and Sophie Gregory, in Thompson Township for $62,500.00. James C. Baisch (estate) to Adam J. and Nancy A. Baisch, in Springville Township for $68,000.00. John D. Hayes to Diana and Robert Fox, in New Milford Township for one dollar. Beulah M. (AKA) Beulah E. Reynolds (estate) to Cindy G. Reynolds, in Lenox Township for one dollar. John D. and Leighann Charles to Jeffrey Scott and Ann Louise Empfield, in Rush Township for $711,000.00. Gordon B., Jr. (trust by trustee) and Sandra J. (trust by trustee) Knipe to Pond View Partnership LP, in Rush township for one dollar. Fannie Mae (AKA) Federal National Mortgage Association to Jacob Erdmann, in Forest City for $81,600.00. Anna Witiak (estate) to Irene Witiak, in Clifford Township for $15,000.00. Gary A. and Pamela S. Griffis to G&P Griffis Family Limited Partnership, in Forest Lake Township for one dollar. Randy A. Schmidt to Schmidt Living Trust, in Auburn Township for one dollar. Peter Defazio to Peter and Eleanor Defazio, in Clifford Township for one dollar. Michael D. and Terry Rychlewski to Scott A. Lonzinski, in Great Bend Township for $440,000.00. Emerson M. and Susan M. Stone to Emerson M. and Susan M. Stone, in Great Bend Township for one dollar. Raymond Joseph (AKA) Raymond J., Jr. (estate), Clair V., Mark and Margaret Hinkley to Mark, Clair V. and Margaret Hinkley, in Springville Township for one dollar. Raymond Joseph (AKA) Raymond J., Jr. Hinkley (estate) to Clair V. and Margaret Hinkley, in Springville Township for one dollar. Raymond J. (AKA) Raymond Joseph, Jr. Hinkley (estate) to Clair V. and Margaret Hinkley, in Springville Township for one dollar. Susquehanna Co. Tax Claim Bureau and Martin V., Jr. (by tax claim) and Marian P. (by tax claim) Hopkins to Donna Fekette and Thomas Lopatofsky, in Thompson Township for $31,000.00. Susquehanna Co. Tax Claim Bureau and Thomas Woodford (by tax claim) to Terrilyn A. Segerstrom, in Thompson Borough for $9,110.89. Susquehanna Co. Tax Claim Bureau and Charles Snyder (by tax claim) to Walter Harvey, in Susquehanna for $546.37. Susquehanna Co. Tax Claim Bureau and Mark (by tax claim) and Cathy (by tax claim) Quattrone to Paultin Realty Holdings, in Susquehanna for $884.91. Susquehanna Co. Tax Claim Bureau and Matis MFG Co., Inc. (by tax claim) to Alan C. Bloomer, in Susquehanna for $2,691.19. Susquehanna Co. Tax Claim Bureau and Robert A. (by tax claim) and Victoria A. (by tax claim) Rogers to Russ L. and Carol S. Everitt, in Silver Lake Township for $4,200.00. Susquehanna Co. Tax Claim Bureau and Frances Olga C. Reuter (by tax claim) to Benjamin and Amy Rutherford, in Silver Lake Township for $1,300.00. Susquehanna Co. Tax Claim Bureau and Marie Barbara Ciofalo (by tax claim) to Benjamin and Amy Rutherford, in Silver Lake Township for $1,029.23. Susquehanna Co. Tax Claim Bureau and Barbara Marie C. Chase (AKA) Marie Barbara Ciofalo (by tax claim) to Benjamin and Amy Rutherford, in Silver Lake Township for $1,029.23. Susquehanna Co. Tax Claim Bureau and Robert Jackson (by tax claim) to Christy J. Eger, in Oakland Borough for $3,641.29. Susquehanna Co. Tax Claim Bureau and Henry Pease (estate by tax claim) to Paultin Realty Holdings, in Montrose for $10,918.12. Susquehanna Co. Tax Claim Bureau and Tiffany Bartkus Moyer (by tax claim) to Thomas J. Lopatofsky, in Middletown Township for $10,500.00. Susquehanna Co. Tax Claim Bureau and Richard (estate by tax claim) and Beverly (estate by tax claim) Barnum to Bond Transport Company LLC, in Little Meadows Borough for $4,082.63. Susquehanna Co. Tax Claim Bureau and Frank Barnum (estate by tax claim) to Upstate Green Energy LTD, in Little Meadows Borough for $4,336.48. Susquehanna Co. Tax Claim Bureau and Gene Rafferty (by tax claim) to Paultin Realty Holdings, in Liberty Township for $642.96. Susquehanna Co. Tax Claim Bureau, William Nechwedowich (estate by tax claim), and Marianne Stout (by tax claim) to Thomas J. Lopatofsky and Donna Fekette, in Harford Township for $190,000.00. Susquehanna Co. Tax Claim Bureau and Allen (by tax claim) and Angie (by tax claim) Antidormi to Christine Evans, in Forest City for $5,367.17. Susquehanna Co. Tax Claim Bureau and Allen (by tax claim) and Angie (by tax claim) Antidormi to Paultin Realty Holdings, in Forest City for $377.21. BENCH WARRANTS The Susquehanna County Domestic Relations Section has bench warrants for the following individuals as of 9:50 a.m. on April 21, 2011. Douglas Buckman, Bryan S. Burnett, Beverly A. Carvin, James J. Corridoni, John C. Creps, Heather R. DeBoer, Charles S. Dunn, David J. Fischer, Thomas Fisher, John S. Frisbie, Jr., Andy L. Groff, David Haines, Jr., William Neil Hendrickson, Shannon J. Hollister, Richard E. Kalinowski, Christopher J. Kingsbury, Erik E. Krisovitch, Lee Labor, Casey J. Lawton, Charlie J. Legere, Carlos L. Leiser, Derrick Lezinsky, Jason Lindquist, Michael Maryasz, Mark C. McCarey, Jennifer M. Miller, Daniel Thomas O'Brien, Donald Palmer, Jeremy Presson, Arthur D. Quick, David J. Shiner, Eric J. Snell, Garrett M. Staudinger (aka Thomas), Justin Thompson, Robert J. Twilley, Steven G. Warner, Steven G. Wormuth. Please contact the Domestic Relations Section at 570-278-4600 ext. 170 with any information on the location of these individuals.
Gibson Barracks Report ATTEMPTED BURGLARY Between the 26th of September and the 16th of April, the property of Juanita Daniels of Wenonah, NJ was trespassed upon. The front door was forced in, prior to the scene being left. THEFT BY UNLAWFUL TAKING Between the 15th and 18th of April, a truck belonging to Arnold Transportation Services of Chattanooga, TN was stolen from the premises of the Flying J truck stop. Richard Paccio of New Milford drives for the company, and parked the truck at that location. After being home for the weekend, he returned to the truck stop and the truck and loaded trailer were missing. The trailer was loaded with woman's shoes enroute to Warren, PA. The truck was a 2007 Freightliner, red in color, with Oklahoma registration 2KA556, and Arnold written on the side in white. The trailer was a 2006 Wabash, white in color, with Maine registration #1549434, and Arnold written on it in green. BURGLARY A storage barn in Liberty Township was entered, by means of the bottom of large sliding barn doors being pulled out and the culprit(s) crawling underneath. An air tank and toolbox with miscellaneous hand tools were removed from the barn. CRASH On April 18 at 5:21 a.m. Todd Burkey of Dalton exited I-81 northbound via exit 230 and attempted to turn southbound on SR 171 in Great Bend Township. At this time, Cody Norris of Susquehanna was traveling southbound on that road. Burkey's vehicle became disabled from suspected alternator problems and was stationary within the intersection. Norris' vehicle made an unsuccessful avoidance maneuver and impacted with the disabled vehicle's front driver side. Both drivers and one passenger were utilizing seat belts; none were injured. Seat belt use was uncertain for a second passenger; he sustained minor injury. HIT AND RUN On April 17 at 1 a.m. a 2004 Nissan Altima was traveling eastbound on SR 706 just east of SR 267 when the driver lost control of the vehicle, exited the roadway off the north berm, and struck a utility pole. The driver and any occupants fled the scene after the collision. BURGLARY Between January 10 and April 5 water line copper tubing was crudely removed from the basement of Frank Surace of Union Dale. The residence was located in Herrick Township. BURGLARY Between the 3rd and 4th of April, the rear screen door was cut to a residence on Tingley Lake Road in New Milford Township. That attempt at entry being unsuccessful, entrance was eventually achieved via the front door with the use of an unknown instrument used to defeat the locking mechanism. Carnival glass and a 42” Hitachi LCD television were removed from within. ATV CRASH On April 11 at 4 p.m. Willie Moore of Scranton was backing into the Jackson post office parking lot to pick up mail. At this time a motorcycle/dirt bike driven by a Jackson juvenile was traveling north on T-808 and attempted to beat the truck and drive behind it to get around. The boy was unsuccessful and laid the bike down under the rear end of the truck. The boy sustained a minor injury; he was utilizing a motorcycle helmet. Moor was uninjured; he was utilizing a seat belt. CRASH On April 11 at 9:36 p.m. Patrick Hunt of Scott Township/Jermyn was traveling east on Church Street in Clifford Township when his vehicle swerved right off the roadway onto the dirt berm. It subsequently reentered the roadway, starting to rotate clockwise and exiting again, continuing south approximately 40 feet into a wooded area and striking a tree. CRASH On April 14 at 12:30 p.m. Terry Steele of South Montrose was traveling east on SR 2024 in Dimock Township when his vehicle traveled off the roadway and struck a utility pole. SEXTING INCIDENT On April 15 a 16 year old male took a snapshot with an ipod touch of a 15 year old female exposing her genital area during a live video feed known as “Face Time,” without the female's knowledge of the photo being taken. The boy later displayed the snapshot form his cell phone to other classmates while in school. Juvenile petitions were filed on the 16 year old male at the Susquehanna County DA's Office on April 15, according to the report. SEXTING INCIDENT On April 15 a concerned mother was going through her 13 year old daughter's cell phone and discovered naked photos of her 16 year old boyfriend. The 13 year old female reported to her mother and investigators that she also sent pictures of herself naked to her boyfriend. Juvenile petitions were filed on both juveniles at the Susquehanna County DA's office on April 15, according to the report. COMMERCIAL VEHICLE CRASH On April 13 at 10 p.m. a Kenworth truck was parked at the welcome center in Great Bend Township, when a Freightliner truck pulled in to the adjacent parking space and struck the left rear of the parked vehicle's trailer. Minor damage ensued. The driver of the moving vehicle was cited for Careless Driving; neither driver's name was listed in the report. HARASSMENT Between the 10th and 11th of April, someone placed a note, which contained a racial slur, in the screen door of a resident of the Colonial Brick motel in Great Bend Township. The note was directed toward a Texan resident. DUI On April 9 at 11:46 p.m. Toby Sparks of New Milford was traveling south along SR 1013 in Harmony Township when his vehicle drove into the opposing ditch, traveled along the embankment, and crashed onto the roadway. Sparks was not utilizing a seat belt; he sustained minor injury and was treated at Barnes Kasson emergency room. The vehicle was removed from the scene by French's towing. The driver was to receive numerous traffic citations and a charge of driving under the influence as a result of the incident. CRASH On April 6 at 9 p.m. Robert Wellman was negotiating a left hand curve in the roadway when his vehicle suffered a vehicle failure, losing the right rear wheel. Wellman was traveling on SR 3029 in Jessup Township at the time and pulled to the right berm, striking a guardrail. COMMERCIAL VEHICLE CRASH On April 12 at 12:33 p.m. two vehicles, a Honda Civic and a Freightliner truck, were traveling north on SR 11 near New Milford Hardware store when a dog ran out in front of the truck. It slowed to avoid the dog, and the car struck it. No injuries were reported. Neither driver was named in the report. CRIMINAL MISCHIEF Between the 1st and 4th of April, the sidewalk in front of Emerson Apartment Building in Hallstead Borough was spray painted. CRIMINAL TRESPASS On April 2 at 4:50 p.m. Pamela Noble of Tunkhannock arrived at the residence of William McNeice with her mom's vehicle, entered through a garage access door, grabbed a mini sledge hammer, smashed in the window in the interior door, unlocked the door, and entered the occupied residence. She was arrested and arraigned at District Court 34-3-02, according to the report. THEFT FROM MOTOR VEHICLE Between the 9th and 10th of April the unlocked vehicle of Cody Ellis was entered. A suitcase, HP Laptop model # 662-14OUS, black laptop case, xbox 360 with accessories, Nike bookbag, t-shirt, and phone charger were removed from within. The vehicle was parked in the Checkered Express parking lot at the time, in Springville township. RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT On April 10 Robbie Cranmer of Little Meadows was to be charged for violations alleged in the aforementioned incident. What the “aforementioned incident” referred to, was not mentioned in the report. RETAIL THEFT On April 3, between 5:25 and 6:48 p.m. someone pumped $385.26 worth of diesel fuel from the gas pumps of Great Bend Exxon and departed without paying. CRIMINAL MISCHIEF On April 4 the quarry site of Jackie Thomas of Hop Bottom was entered and a window smashed on a skid steer. The incident occurred at Rozell Quarry in Brooklyn Township. UNDERAGE DRINKING On April 6 at 10:15 p.m. a trooper responded to a Jackson Township residence for another incident and caught an underage male under the influence of an alcoholic beverage. Charges were filed at District Court 34-3-02, according to the report. RECEIVING STOLEN PROPERTY/FIREARMS NOT TO BE CARRIED WITHOUT A LICENSE On April 7 at 5:51 p.m. Stuart James Miller of Owego was traveling on I-81 in New Milford Township, operating a 2000 Blue Dodge Caravan which was reported stolen in New York State in February of this year. A traffic stop was initiated after the vehicle was determined to be stolen. The accused was taken into custody without incident. Inside the vehicle was a .45 caliber Taurus pistol which was also reported stolen in that state, the same month, and multiple .45 caliber fully loaded magazines The accused was arraigned on the above listed charges as well as on being a fugitive from justice out of Tioga County, NY. If you have information regarding any of these incidents please contact PSP Gibson at (570) 465-3154.
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