With lame-duck Commissioner Leon Allen absent, reelected commissioners Warren and Giangrieco agreed to all (12) motions on the agenda, including the 2012 budget. The 9 to 9:15 a.m. meeting on Wednesday, December 28, closed out the commissioners’ regularly-scheduled meetings for 2011. When asked by this reporter what she considered to be her greatest achievement during her chairmanship, Mary Ann Warren replied that she was proud “taxes had been reduced.” Additionally she took a moment to praise “the way the three commissioners worked together,” and that “there was diversity among the three of them, but none of them had come there with their own agenda.”

While the commissioners’ penchant for agreement, be it bipartisan or collaborative, was profoundly manifest, it provoked one observer to question their consistent agreement absent foundational transparency in public policy formulation. Commissioners’ “transparency,” it was charged, amounted to nothing but opacity, if not outright violation of the Commonwealth’s Sunshine Law. Edna Paskoff asked a series of questions concerning the procedures followed to arrive at imminent budget passage. She asserted that the county’s budget should be discussed at commissioners/public meetings to have an open process in which the public could participate. Mrs. Paskoff inquired as to when such discussions had been conducted in public. And when, she asked, had the public had an opportunity to express their opinions or have any input to the proposed budget? Commissioners, she lectured, must discuss budgetary issues before the public, rather than find agreement behind closed doors, if they are to conform to state law.

Commissioner Warren pointed out that the proposed 2012 budget was advertised (in the November 9 edition of this paper) as being available at the front counter of the commissioner’s office, for review and public comment, from the first week of December. No mention was made of how many people had availed themselves of the opportunity to review the budget, nor what, if any, budgetary changes had been considered or made in response to public review. Still, both commissioners posited this process permitted anyone to review the budget and offer their input. Mrs. Paskoff, mollified not in the least, retorted, “Offer input to whom? The piece of paper! If no commissioner is here, how does that work?” Commissioner Giangrieco twice voiced that he agreed with Mrs. Paskoff in her contentions that the budgetary process should be open. Unfortunately only cognitive dissonance could rationally explain his disconnect between words and past performance. That said, Commissioners Warren and Giangrieco passed the budget and moved on to dispatch remaining issues with their more-accustomed alacrity.

Among those issues quickly dispatched were approvals of seminar requests for Susan Adamec and Ken Zahora, Children and Youth, at a cost to the county of $139.20; and for Lisa Vail, Probation, at zero cost to the county. Commissioners accepted, with regret, the resignations of Karen Mitchell and Brian James, effective respectively at the end of business on January 3 and January 20, 2012, per recommendation of Susan Adamec, Agency Director.

Commissioners agreed to reappoint Nancy Harvatine of Thompson and Ted Place of Meshoppen (Auburn) to the Susquehanna County Planning Commission for four-year terms beginning January 1, 2012, and ending December 31, 2015. Also agreed to was the appointment of Harry Phillips of Clifford Township to this same board for an identical term.

The commissioners voted to authorize signature of a Memorandum of Understanding between Penn State Cooperative Extension and the Susquehanna County Commissioners for calendar year 2012 to employ an agricultural/dairy educator, the county’s portion of cost being $25,352 of the educator’s total $55,044 salary and benefit package. A question from the public brought clarification by Commissioner Warren that this is an ongoing program which keeps dairymen and farmers up-to-date with the latest in agricultural developments.

“Public Comment” was listed on the meeting agenda, and during this period Bruce Paskoff was recognized to speak. In a comment that reflected the age-old philosophical question, “If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make any sound?,” Mr. Paskoff questioned rhetorically why commissioners had bothered to list “Public Comment” on the agenda, given that no comments from the public were ever recorded in the minutes, nor was there any record of members of the public present. “Was a comment ever made,” he theorized, “if it’s not recorded in the minutes or reported in news coverage?” Commissioner Warren thanked him for his comment, then upon agreement of motion adjourned at 9:15.

Commissioner Warren convened the Salary Board once Treasurer Cathy Benedict arrived to constitute a quorum. Not to worry; even with that delay, county commissioners acted expeditiously to permit meeting attendees to take in the full Salary Board meeting and still exit the courthouse by 9:22 a.m. Among items acted upon was approval of the “2012 Miscellaneous Compensation Schedule” and elimination of the Deputy Coroner/Secretary position as of the end of business day, December 31, 2011, per the request of Anthony Conarton, Coroner. (Readers should be informed that at the previous Commissioners meeting of December 14, Commissioners acknowledged the acceptance by Coroner Anthony Conarton of the resignation of Laura Conarton, effective the end of the business day on December 31, 2011.)

And finally, a quick check by this reporter during the 90 second interim between the Commissioners’ meeting and the Salary Board meeting demonstrated that the 2012 budget was not available at the front desk of the Commissioners Office. Chief Clerk Sylvia Beamer explained this seeming discrepancy at adjournment of the Salary Board meeting. She had brought the budget from the front counter to the Commissioners meeting, and now that the proposed budget had been passed, it would be placed online within the next few days. A perusal of the county’s website at 4:25 p.m. on December 28 provided this link: http://www.susqco.com/final12.htm to the approved 2012 budget, demonstrating once again the county’s ability to exceed expectations in ways often unexpected. According to the budget, revenues and expenditures for 2012 are projected to match precisely at $20,068,561.00.

CORRECTION

In the December 28, 2011 edition of the County Transcript it was reported in error that James Michael Jerauld and Linda L. Robinson were married, when in fact they have not been. The reporter apologizes for any inconvenience this may have caused.

DEEDS

David R. Cooper, Jr. (estate) to Daniel B. Edgar, in Choconut Township for $340,000.00.

Shawn T. (by sheriff) and Erin D. (by sheriff) Truex to Firstar Bank (FKA) US Bank, in Lanesboro Borough for $3,681.93.

Norma Osterling to Norma and Scott Osterling, in New Milford Township for one dollar.

Richard Lee and Ruth R. Hester to Richard Lee and Ruth R. Hester and Diane Hudock, in Silver Lake Township for one dollar.

United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to Robert B. and Barbara L. Powers, in Clifford Township for $70,500.00.

Drinkers Creek Holdings LLC to Drinkers Creek Holdings LLC, in Susquehanna for one dollar.

Richard L. and Ruth R. Hester to Michael L. and Tina J. Hester, in Silver Lake Township for one dollar.

Richard L. and Ruth R. Hester to Michael L. and Tina J. Hester, in Silver Lake Township for one dollar.

Jerome and Jennifer A. Slick (NBM) Jennifer A. Lukus to Eugenio F. Rodriguez, in Forest City for $60,000.00.

William C. and Barbara A. Burridge to William C. and Barbara A. Burridge, in Springville Township for one dollar.

William C. and Barbara A. Burridge to William C. and Barbara A. Burridge, in Springville Township for one dollar.

Barbara Borgese to Angela Gottschalk-Preziuso, in Forest City for one dollar.

Ronald G., Sr. and Kathy J. Brown and Jessica May and Joseph L. Brittingham to Jessica May and Joseph L. Brittingham, in Forest Lake Township for one dollar.

Alexander James, Jr. and Barbara J. Novack (NBM) Barbara Jensen to John A. and Linda Davis, in Forest Lake Township for one dollar.

John A. and Linda Davis to Barbara J. Novack, in Forest Lake Township for one dollar.

Christopher T. and Cathleen A. Tracy to Cynthia L. Fisher, in New Milford Township for one dollar.

Donna M. and Michael A. Roane to Joseph A., III and Carolyn B. Regan, in Herrick Township for $125,000.00.

August and Jessica Welch Eriksmoen to Brian D. and Jane A. Berlanda, in Ararat and Gibson townships for $275,000.00.

Robert E. Weiss to Robert Weiss (trust), in Jackson Township for one dollar.

Robert W. and Alice L. Roe to Craig T. Roe, in Forest Lake Township for $43,697.68.

Gregory T. and Patricia A. Looby to Michael Canedo and Cherie Stone, in Gibson Township for $165,000.00.

Janice Sprout to Sprout Family Trust, in Bridgewater Township for one dollar.

Barbara Gow to Barbara Gow and Jennifer P. Henry, in Liberty Township for one dollar.

Barbara Gow to Jennifer P. Henry, in Liberty Township for one dollar.

David R. and Sharron L. McGuigan to J Cam Farms 3 LP, in Apolacon Township for $3,770,000.00.

Scarff Bros., Inc. (AKA) Scarff Brothers, Inc. to Hunter Road LLC, in Dimock Township for $275,000.00.

Joy Lynn Rood to Bridget Lee and Marty Evans, in Lenox Township for one dollar.

Robert F. and Wendy A. Cross to RW Cross Family Limited Partnership, in Lenox Township for one dollar.

Gary Fahs to Pamela Fahs, in Silver Lake Township for one dollar.

TH&W Forging (DBA) Thomas Jordan to Endless Mountains Community Development Corporation, Inc., in Montrose for one dollar.

Kenneth F. Gilchrist to Kenneth F. Gilchrist, in Silver Lake Township.

BENCH WARRANTS

The Susquehanna County Domestic Relations Section has outstanding bench warrants for the following individuals as of 10:35 a.m. on December 30, 2011.

Craig J. Anderson, Brian Anderson, Sharon Baker, Shiloe M. Benedict, Tonya S. Birchard, Christopher Brenner, Douglas Buckman, Bradley C. Button, Jonathan Fathi, David J. Fischer, Nichole M. Jones, Charlie J. Legere, Carlos L. Leiser, Derrick J. Lezinsky, Michael Maryasz, Corey A. Maynard, Erica Y. Mead, Matthew S. Miller, Donald Palmer, Jeremy Presson, Perry Rohan, Mark Salsman, Christie L. Sheptock, David J. Shiner, Peter S. Showalter, Sinon C. Smith, Sr., Eric J. Snell, Robert J. Twilley, Steven G. Warner, Jamie L. Williams, Sr., Kelly L. Yarbrough.

Please contact the Domestic Relations Section at 570-278-4600 ext. 170 with any information on the location of these individuals.

BURGLARY

Between the 26th and 29th of December, the Navasaitis home in Hop Bottom was broken into. Missing was a Sony Vaio Laptop.

BURGLARY

Between the 27th of November and 28th of December, The Bzoyk seasonal residence, located in Gibson Township, was broken into. Stolen items included: electronic equipment, a flat screen tv, a dvd player and a computer system. The estimated value of the stolen property was $1000 overall. Anyone with information is asked to please contact PSP Gibson.

BURGLARY

On November 28, the Rogers home in Lenox Township was burglarized. Several pieces of jewelry were stolen from within. The jewelry had an estimated value of $2,000 overall. Further investigation was to follow as of the time of report. Anyone with information is asked to please contact PSP Gibson.

THEFT

Between the 23rd and 28th of December a 25 horse power Kohler motor for a table saw was stolen from the Lopke Quarry in Harford Township. Anyone with information is asked to please contact PSP Gibson.

THEFT

Sometime between November 1 and December 28 PA License Plate #HDG4825 was taken off of a church van at the Stanfordville Baptist Church in Liberty Township. Anyone with information is asked to contact PSP Gibson at (570) 465-3154.

BURGLARY

Between December 14 and 27 the Frigerio residence in Lenox Township was burglarized. Several area rugs and 3 bottles of liquor were stolen from within. The estimated value of the stolen property was $1,100 overall.

BURGLARY

PSP Gibson is investigating a burglary which occurred on December 25 between 1:30 and 2:45 p.m. in Bridgewater Township. The following items were taken: a black xbox wireless controller, three xbox games (Assassins Creed 2, Madden 2012 and Batman Arkham Asylum), three gift cards ($25 Price Chopper, $25 Pacific Sun and $30 Amazon), and $277 in U.S. Currency. Anyone with information is asked to please contact the police.

CRIMINAL TRESPASS

On December 19 at 1 p.m. Pamela Hegedus of Susquehanna, Donna Tugend of Kingsley, and Mary Edwards of Forest City, are accused of entering the Burman property in Ararat Township, looking for glassware. The property was posted, prohibiting any trespassing on said property. The accused took pictures as they explored around the victim's property and then later posted the pictures on Facebook. Charges were filed at District Court 34-3-02 on all three of the accused.

CRASH

On December 23 at 9:09 a.m. a young man and a female juvenile passenger, both of Baldwin, NY were traveling north on I81 in New Milford Township when, for unknown reasons he lost control of his vehicle. The car exited the roadway, traveled up an embankment, and rolled onto its roof. Neither occupant was injured; both were utilizing seat belts. During the course of the investigation, it was learned that both the driver and passenger were illegal aliens. The driver had no drier's license. Immigration Customs Enforcement was notified, interviewed both individuals, and declined to take them into custody. The driver was charged with driving without a license, driving on roadways laned for traffic, and careless driving.

CRASH

On December 24 at 3:14 a.m. Floyd Vanwinkle of Montrose was traveling north on Township Road 602 in Jessup Township when he exited the roadway for unknown reasons and hit a ditch. After impacting with the ditch, the vehicle came to a rest. It sustained damage to its front driver side tire area, and was towed by Force's towing.

THEFT

Sometime during the month of November or December drilling equipment was stolen from a storage lot in Uniondale, belonging to Murphy Well Drilling.

THEFT

Between the 17th and 19th of December, old galvanized drainage pipe was stolen from the rear of the Liberty Township building.

THEFT

Between the 16th and 19th of December scrap metal, old brake rotors, were removed from the Johnson Motors in Lenox Township. The metal was valued at approximately $300 total.

INDECENT EXPOSURE

On December 16 at approximately 7:30 p.m. an unknown male stood in the doorway of the girl's bathroom in the pool building of the Endless Mountains Resort in Herrick Township and was masturbating. When a 15 year old victim made eye contact with the man he fled the scene in an unknown direction. The incident was reported to PSP 24 hours later. The cameras in the hallway could not be accessed until December 19. Anyone with further information is asked to please contact PSP Gibson at (570) 465-3154.

CRASH

On December 17 at 11:15 a.m. Corinne Brooker of Susquehanna was traveling south on Jackson Street in Thompson Township when she lost control on the snow covered road. The vehicle went across the opposite lane and struck an embankment, rolling over onto the passenger side after impact. Both the driver and a passenger were treated at the scene and released. Both sustained minor injury; both were utilizing appropriate safety equipment.

HIT AND RUN

On December 17 at 12:40 p.m. a 1999 Nissan Altima was traveling northbound on SR 3023 in Lathrop Township when the driver failed to negotiate a left hand turn in the roadway. The vehicle began a counter clockwise rotation and exited the roadway, beginning a rolling maneuver toward the passenger's side as it impacted a length of fence and trees. The driver and all occupants fled the scene prior to police response.

THEFT

Between the 17th and 18th of December a gray metal mailbox was stolen from the Bayne residence in Brackney. Anyone with information is asked to please contact PSP Gibson.

THEFT BY UNLAWFUL TAKING

Between the 17th and 18th scrap metal consisting of used automotive springs and caterpillar track rollers were stolen from the property of Phillips Garage in Great Bend Township. The scrap metal was valued at approximately $300 total. Anyone with information concerning this crime is asked to contact PSP Gibson.

TRESPASS

On December 18 at midnight one or more unknown person(s) were heard around the buildings at Kozlowski Towing but could not be seen or identified.

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF

On December 17 between midnight and 6 p.m. a set of chains and a pad lock were cut from a garage door on the Teddick property in Kingsley. Anyone with information regarding this crime is asked to contact PSP Gibson.

THEFT

Between December 15 and 16 home heating oil, approximately 10 gallons worth, was stolen from the Gleason property in Dimock Township. The oil was valued at $35.00 in price.

If you have information regarding any of these incidents please contact PSP Gibson at (570) 465-3154.