December 2011
Hinchey bill would avert rural PO closures
WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Maurice Hinchey has joined several of his U.S. House colleagues in introducing the Postal Service Protection Act, legislation designed to alleviate the U.S. Postal Service’s (USPS) immediate financial crisis and prevent the layoff of thousands of USPS employees nationwide. Read more
Email this pageHelicopter, thermal retrieve lost hunter
A hunter lost near Puckyhuddle Rd. in Bethel on Saturday, December 10 was found with the help of modern technology.
The Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call of a lost hunter in the Town of Bethel on at approximately 7 p.m. Read more
Wayne budget holds the line
WAYNE COUNTY, PA — The 2012 budget recently approved by the Wayne County Commissioners will require no increase in taxes despite declines in funding available from the state and federal governments. The balance is achieved by cutting costs by 1.16%. Read more
Pike budget: no increase for fourth year
PIKE COUNTY, PA — For the fourth year in a row, the Pike County budget has no increase in property taxes.
The total receipts and balance will stand at $47,502,869. The millage stands at 16.29.
“We are in very good shape financially,” said Commissioner Karl Wagner. “We are seeing neighboring counties like Monroe increasing the millage by four mills. We were able to carry over $1.3 million from last year which we did not spend. Many counties are losing or lessening their pension fund. We are not. We set aside one quarter of a mill for debt service. It’s unprecedented.” Read more
Shohola passes 2012 budget
The Shohola Township Board of Supervisors passed its new budget on December 8 with no increase in property taxes. The vote was unanimous. “There were no cuts in personnel nor in services again this year,” said George Fluhr, chairman. Read more
Cuomo’s grant awards announced; Sullivan gets $1.7 million
ALBANY, NY — Governor Andrew Cuomo wanted to change the way economic development was pursued in the state, so he created 10 Regional Economic Development Councils, which all competed for $785 million through an application process. The 720 projects that won grants from all 10 regions were announced on December 8. Read more
Sustainability group granted partial funding; SASD presents roadmap for county climate plan
Sullivan Alliance for Sustainable Development (SASD) has been providing consulting services to Sullivan County for the past year, but the cost of the contract for 2012, about $45,000, was not included in the tentative budget produced by county manager David Fanslau. Read more
Winterfest one of many regional holiday marvels
While this lovely scene transpired during Hawley’s Winterfest last weekend, seasonal events continue to abound throughout the Upper Delaware River region as the holiday season moves along. Check out what’s happening on our Arts & Leisure section and in Where and When. Please remember to make every effort to support local vendors with your holiday shopping.
Progressive versus regressive and tax exempts; New York State tax policy discussed
Anyone looking for detailed information about Governor Andrew Cuomo’s new tax plan could have learned a lot from the lengthy and complex presentation given by Frank Mauro, the executive director of the Fiscal Policy Institute. Mauro spoke at a meeting called Forum on Tax Relief and Reform at the Hurleyville Firehouse on December 12. Read more
