Even as Blue Ridge athletes win new championships, the coaching staff is dwindling, and nobody is stepping up to the plate.  For some reason, teachers, who used to be the mainstay of school sports programs, aren’t taking coaching jobs, and volunteers from the community have been hard to come by.  Area school districts are all competing for the same talent.  So if you’re interested in sports, Blue Ridge wants to hear from you.

That was the lament among members of the Athletics and Activities Committee prior to the Blue Ridge School Board meeting on November 7th.  A variety of coaching positions are open, and everybody who has been approached recently has had an excuse for backing away.

On the other hand, wrestlers have an active booster club, whose representative, teacher Kathy Roe, visited with the committee to promote 50 years of wrestling at Blue Ridge.  Her group will be offering T-shirts and promotional spots at several events for the low price of a $100 sponsorship; she is looking for 50 or more sponsors, whose organizations or businesses will be featured in programs and other materials associated with the program.  The Board later approved a donation of $100 to the program.

Wrestlers don’t wear much clothing in competition, but baseball players … well, the question came down to white or gray.  The debate over uniform colors for Blue Ridge athletes has simmered for many years, with some arguing for the simple standard of the schools’ colors, red and white.  On bright red shirts all are agreed.  As they often do, however, the mothers won out on the pants.  White pants don’t wash well, coming out “dingy” in the words of one, so gray it will be.  There was no clear consensus on the use of black accents.  A Board decision will be forthcoming.

Once the full School Board gathered, President Chris Lewis read out a commendation handed to each member of the varsity soccer and varsity women’s volleyball teams by Middle/High School Principal Peter Supko.  Each of the teams captured a Lackawanna League championship this year.  Soccer coach Eric Stallings thanked the Board for its support for a program that “was in shambles” 4 years ago, and this year finished unbeaten in the league.  A player presented Mr. Lewis with a shirt, and a soccer ball signed by the team.  It was volleyball coach Lori Zick’s 6th year and third straight championship.  These coaches should be great role models.

A sea of red and white, Blue Ridge athletes are recognized.

As is customary, Mr. Supko introduced a pair of his outstanding seniors, for October, Meagan Houlihan and Dane Beers.  Each of them described a long list of their activities and achievements.  Ms. Houlihan wants to study biology in college next year, and Mr. Beers will pursue a technical degree at a Pennsylvania campus.  Both are members of the National Honor Society.  Mr. Beers is also the student representative to the Blue Ridge School Board.  (The policy related to his job with the Board was eliminated, but he will presumably still represent the student body to the School Board.)

Seniors Dane Beers and Meagan Houlihan with Principal Peter Supko

And Elementary School Principal Danelle Decker introduced Aiden Glasgow, her choice for an outstanding 5th-grade representative of character and achievement.

5th-grader Aiden Glasgow with Principal Danelle Decker

With the preliminaries complete, the crowd of families and athletes departed, and the Board followed them for a 40-minute executive session.  Mr. Lewis announced that the closed meeting covered personnel matters as well as contract details related to the proposal to make some of the district’s 54 acres available to the nascent Susquehanna County Recreation Center.

The Board quickly disposed of a 17-point business agenda that consisted mostly of routine matters, including a very long list of names of sports officials, and a very short list of names of coaches.

The Board adopted a comprehensive plan for the District for the years 2017-2020.  The plan is available on the District website.  Such a thing is required by the state Department of Education to describe the District’s goals and a strategy for achieving them.  The Board adopted another plan, this one for the Counseling Department, required under Chapter 339 of the Pennsylvania School Code.  The Board was briefed on the counseling plan at a workshop in late September.  The Counseling plan so far does not appear to be available on the District’s website.

The Board granted the administration permission to participate in something called the Keystone Purchasing Network (KPN), a national cooperative purchasing program primarily for schools and sponsored by the Intermediate Unit.  KPN is similar to the COSTARS program for municipalities.  The Network allows the District to make purchases without having to solicit individual bids from pre-screened vendors.  The Board also authorized the administration to solicit bids for purchases outside of the KPN.

The Board contracted with Government Software Services to print homestead/farmstead mailers at 35 cents each.

And the Board approved supplemental transportation contracts for some handicapped students.  These contracts are outside the standard bus contracts, so Board members affiliated with bussing contractors were not affected.

A large collection of changes to the District’s policy manual were approved for 30-day review.  Most of the changes are minor amendments clarifying language.  This particular set of changes affects policies related to District governance, in particular, the Board and its committees, including conflicts of interest and emphasizing the availability of District policies and procedures to the public via its website.

Board member Edward Arnold reported on what he called a “threat” assessment carried out last month by the State Police.  The 19-page report will be reviewed by the Board and discussed at future meetings.  Mr. Arnold read from the report’s conclusion, which stated, in part, the “risk of an attack … must be considered real.”  He said that the report offered a number of measures that could be taken to mitigate the risk.

And finally, District Superintendent Matthew Button reported on a team he has assembled to review recent recommendations from the District’s attorneys in response to notice through the nurse’s office from the State Board of Nursing that schools must comply with a requirement that drugs administered to students must be prescribed by providers licensed in Pennsylvania.  Students are not permitted to take drugs of any kind in the schools without a nurse’s supervision.  While the requirement has been in effect for some time, most school districts managed to ignore it until now.  On the other hand, enforcement of the rule could put school districts near state borders, whose residents frequently depend on medical providers in a nearby state, in a difficult situation.  Mr. Button said that his team has identified at least 27 families that could be affected by these rules.  The team is trying to determine what can be done in the multitude of various situations that can arise as a result.  He said that other nearby school districts are facing the same issues.

The Blue Ridge School Board will meet next in public session on Tuesday, November 29, 2016, beginning at 7:00pm, for a workshop.  The Board’s committees often meet on the same evenings, before the full Board session.  Meetings are held in the cafeteria in the Elementary School.  Consult the calendar on the District’s website for the latest information.  Workshops frequently feature delicious soups.

Starrucca borough council gathered for its monthly meeting on Election Eve, Monday, November 7, 2016. Much like the nation's election the following day, as well as similar to the borough's meetings of the past few years, the hour-forty-minute meeting was tense and contentious. Council President Kirk Rhone presided, with Councilmen Charles Levchak, Louis Gurske, Darl Haynes, Jason Heeman, and Donald Haynes, Jr., present. Also present were Secretary/Treasurer Keith Payne and Mayor Mary Ann DeBalko. The Mayor's presence was not inconsequential since once councilman, Arthur Kopp, was not in attendance.

Five times during the course of the meeting, Councilmen Donald Haynes, Jr., and Darl Haynes abstained from voting on motions that could conceivably be construed as a conflict of interest. On each of these five motions, Councilmen Rhone and Levchak voted in the affirmative. Councilmen Heeman and Gurske voted “NO” on these same five motions:

(1) Agreement to pay the borough's current bills, with the exception of Lavery Law;

(2) Agreement to advertise the borough's proposed budget for 2017 per the State's Borough Code;

(3) Agreement to seek a loan in the amount of approximately $118,000 for unfunded debt;

(4) Agreement to authorize the borough's Solicitor to draft a petition to obtain a loan for unfunded debt; and

(5) Agreement to hire Chris Miller Contracting Service, Thompson Twp., Scott Twp., and Preston Twp. to perform winter road maintenance through May 15, 2017, upon signed contract with same parties.

In the absence of a seventh councilman, Mayor DeBalko provided executive guidance, i.e., the tie-breaking vote for each of the five aforementioned motions. Each motion had either a primary or tangential connection to the borough's mediated settlement (May 25, 2016) of the Haynes Federal Civil Rights lawsuit. By carrying out the terms to which the borough agreed on May 25th, the borough demonstrated good faith and protected itself from the possibility of case reinstatement and the concomitant need to defend in court. Had Mayor DeBalko voted with Councilmen Gurske and Heeman, borough government would have contravened essential elements of its settlement with Darl Haynes. That inaction—refusal to approve essential elements—would have brought about “de facto” nullification of settlement.

In what appears to be the end of “de jure” attempts to upend Starrucca Borough's settlement of Darl Haynes' Federal Civil Rights lawsuit, Plaintiffs Jack Downton, Kathy Downton, Thomas Galiardo, Robert Martin, Delores Martin, Paul Everett, Loreda Everett, Frank Monico, David Soden, Peggy Soden, and Robert Weldy DISCONTINUED their civil action in Wayne County's Court of Common Pleas. Plaintiffs had sought temporary and permanent injunctions to enjoin Starrucca Borough from settling the Haynes Civil Rights lawsuit; had sought to invalidate the agreement that had been mediated and legislatively agreed upon; and had sought a contempt of court hearing and penalties from Starrucca Borough officials. The “Plaintiffs' Praecipe to Discontinue” was requested on October 26 and filed by the Prothonotary on November 4, 2016. With its discontinuance there no longer exists any third party attempt to dissolve the “Kellogg Road Maintenance Agreement, Settlement Agreement and General Release.” All that remains is for the borough to do what has already been agreed upon.

As to performance of what was agreed to, President Rhone took a key step by signing the “Starrucca Borough & Schaefer Enterprise of Deposit, Inc., Agreement.” With the execution of that agreement, approved by Council at a previous meeting, road work can commence for the length of roadway from 117 Kellogg Road to the Scott Township line.

Other agreements—non-controversial—were addressed during the course of the meeting. Council voted unanimous agreement for the renewal bid of Freddy's Refuse Removal for the term of October 1, 2016 through September 30, 2016. Also, Council reviewed, and President Rhone signed for renewal of the borough's fire protection contract with Thompson Hose Company.

Back in the legal realm, the Ghost Properties case is working its way through the federal court system for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. A number of legal documents and letters were referenced. Secretary Payne read the Plaintiff's Complaint and the proposed answer to that complaint. Council spent an extended period of time to discuss the matter. The plaintiff in the Ghost Properties case is seeking $45,299 in damages, $26,000 in lost rental monies, plus relief “necessary and proper” for pressing his claim in court. The borough denies wrong-doing and a case management conference is currently scheduled for November 15, 2016.

During the Public Participation period of the meeting Jack and Kathy Downton peppered council—specifically, President Rhone and Secretary Payne—with questions. Mr. Downton's questions focused on his Right-to-Know (RtK) requests, the time-line for payment of Lavery Law's legal fees, and maps defining Starrucca Borough's boundaries. Mrs. Downton asked questions based on events, including a case in the Court of Common Pleas, in the time-frame of 1976 to 1979. President Rhone, failing to realize he would be quizzed on that period of Starrucca's history, was observably unprepared to answer the questions put to him and admitted he did not know the answers.

Finally, President Rhone, for the ninth consecutive month requested a Starrucca resident volunteer for the position of Emergency Management Coordinator. For the ninth time his request fell on deaf ears.

Starrucca Borough's next monthly meeting is scheduled for Monday, December 5, 2016.

Borough residents living on Franklin Avenue attended Susquehanna Borough Council’s meeting on November 9th seeking assistance from police for drug addicts going back to a condemned house.  One resident informed the mayor and council he will keep coming to each meeting looking for help until the problem is resolved, and he can sleep at night knowing his neighborhood is safe.

The resident informed the mayor he has been reaching out to Chief Sweet, and Officer Cramer to go to the house when he informs them there is activity.  Mayor Hurley said the proper procedure is to go through the 911 system since the officers are not always on duty.  She said the State Police, if called, know how to get in touch with the local police to confirm whether or not they can take the call, or if the State Police need to respond.  Mayor Hurley reminded the resident, Susquehanna has only four part-time officers in the department, and they are not on duty twenty-four seven.  Councilman Roy Williams informed the gentleman he arranged a meeting with the owner of the property in two weeks time, and something will be done.  He said he went to the house and secured it himself this past Monday.

In his opinion Susquehanna residents are not safe in their homes, and he’s very concerned stated the resident. He said he backs up the police officers when they come out, and he wants them to back him up by coming out when he needs them.   Mayor Hurley responded again he needs to use the 911 system and not the officers cell phone numbers.  She said the next meeting with the police and the community will be on December 1st from 6-8 p.m., and invited him to attend.

When dealing with an emergency situation, the resident wanted to know if the Lanesboro Police would be able to respond.  Mayor Hurley said yes, they have a Mutual Aid Agreement, and would be able to assist Susquehanna Borough.  She said she understands his concern, but the borough has to work around the schedule of the police officers that have full time jobs.

Another resident said he’s been dealing with a situation regarding a neighbor letting their dogs run loose since May of 2014, and he would like some help with this problem.  He said he’s been calling the dog warden, who comes and gives the people a fine, but the situation returns after a few weeks and he’s at the end of his rope.  He said the dog warden told him to catch the dogs himself, but he can’t get within ten feet before the dogs start growling and showing their teeth. 

Mayor Hurley said they are doing the best they can with the schedule that has to be juggled around.  She said they don’t have the funds at this time to hire more Police Officers to cover the current officers during their time off.

Council President Varsik introduced John Fabiseski from Trehab who attended the meeting to speak about the drug problem in the area.  Mr. Fabiseski thanked council and the mayor for inviting him.  He said he was in touch with Mayor Hurley, and he is willing to assist them in putting together a community program to help the people addicted to drugs.

Mr. Fabiseski said he was listening to the comments of tonight’s meeting regarding the drug problem in the area.  He said he came into town one day, parked in the lot by the Chinese Restaurant and witnessed drug deals in broad daylight.  How does he know they were drug deals? Because he has been in recovery since January 26, 2014 and he knows what a drug deal looks like.  Mr. Fabiseski said he was fortunate; he came to the realization his life had to change, so he got clean and is currently a Certified Recovery Specialist for Trehab in Susquehanna and Montrose.  He said he is willing to help the community of Susquehanna Depot develop a program to help the addicts, which will eliminate the problems the community is currently facing.  Mr. Fabiseski said he’s sure the police officers and the residents see people who have been arrested seven, eight maybe nine times and they’re out on the streets.  The sure fire way is to help these people towards the road to recovery.

On January 12, 2017 at the Susquehanna High School at 7:00 p.m. there is going to be a presentation on a program called Susquehanna Community Assisted Recovery (SCAR).  Mr. Fabiseski said the program provides compassion for the people addicted to drugs, to show them there is help for them leading to recovery.  He said he even offered the police to call him instead of taking them to jail.  Mr. Fabiseski said the system has been broke for too long, and a way of dealing with the problem is for the community to band together.  Mr. Fabiseski said he knows they can do this since Susquehanna was built on resilience.

Mr. Fabiseski stated he knows this recovery program works, but the community needs to do it on their own level.  Similar, Nationwide programs have worked, and one small town in Missouri was able to close their jail.

Mayor Hurley said another item that disturbs her is the high rate of suicide, which is beyond comprehension.  She agrees with Mr. Fabiseski if the community pulls together it will help eliminate some of the problems they are currently facing.

There are twenty-two million Americans in this country who belong to a long-term recovery program stated Mr. Fabiseski.  He said the community can look at other programs that have been successful, or come up with their own plan.  All the information regarding programs will be addressed at the January 12th meeting.  President Varsik said this is their number one problem in the borough, and they were willing to try any way possible to resolve the problem.  He congratulated Mr. Fabiseski on his recovery, and thanked him for coming in to speak with them.

President Varsik said five bids were received for demolition of a property located at 1248 Main Street.  Brdaric Excavating Inc. from Luzerne, submitted a bid in the amount of one hundred thirty-five thousand dollars; Artistic Excavating from Olyphant, submitted a bid in the amount of sixty-three thousand four hundred twenty-eight dollars; T. Brennan LLC from Carbondale submitted a bid in the amount of seventy-eight thousand dollars; A.R. Popple Construction from Wilkes-Barre, submitted a bid in the amount of fifty-seven thousand dollars; and WEB Construction Inc. from Susquehanna submitted a bid in the amount of twenty-seven thousand two hundred fifty dollars.

Councilman Rockwell asked about asbestos in the building, and Councilman Williams stated a report from Carl Postupek was submitted finding no asbestos.  Asbestos removal was not included in the bid packet.  Councilman Williams stated before the building is scheduled to be demolished the Department of Environmental Resources (DEP) needed to be notified.  The storeowners near the vicinity also need to be aware since dumpsters will take up parking spaces. 

WEB Construction Inc. had the lowest bid, and Council voted unanimously to award them the project.  Councilwoman Zayas asked Eric Barnes, the owner of WEB Construction how long  the demolition take, and he responded approximately one month, weather permitting.  Mr. Barnes stated he bid the project very low, approximately forty percent off his normal price because he lives in town and wanted to help them out.  He also stated there is material on the site which he would be able to reclaim.  Councilman Williams informed everyone the expense would be coming from the Impact Fee and not taxpayer dollars.  The Impact Fee allows for monies to be used for eliminating blight.

Councilman Williams, during the DPW report stated they took possession of the spreader for the GMC truck on November 8th.  He stated the DPW picks up leaves everyday and residents can phone the Borough office for removal

Secretary Margaret Biegert said Council had a budget meeting for the 2017 fiscal year, to review expenses.  She said there hasn’t been any tax increase in nine years even though they have paid higher prices each year for borough expenses.  Although taxes have not increased, services to the residents have improved by grant money.  Mrs. Biegert said blight removal projects, new sidewalks, and other improvements have occurred in the borough.  She said they haven’t had an assessment in over twenty years, but due to the improvements houses are worth more but not assessed.  Mrs. Biegert said council has no choice but to increase tax by one point five percent, which averages out to approximately thirty dollars a household per year.  She would like to advertise the 2017 proposed budget to be adopted on December 14, 2016.  The motion was approved with a six to one vote in favor of approving and advertising the proposed budget.

Councilman Hendrickson reported the EMA was quiet, and he was checking the streetlights to make certain they were working.

Councilman Williams would like to remind people the snow normally starts falling this time of year, and there is an Ordinance declaring within twenty-four hours after the snow ceases sidewalks must be clear.  Councilman Williams is working with the police to keep the roads clear by keeping illegally parked vehicles off the streets.

Council President Varsik said he would like to thank the Codes Department, Councilman Williams and his administrator for keeping up with violations, diligent with citations and keeping up with a schedule.