Pike political season opening shots

MILFORD, PA — The Democrat majority of the Pike County Commissioners has questioned the timing of a Republican call for an extensive series of joint appearances this fall.

Republican Commissioner Harry Forbes and challenger Richard Caridi are seeking a series of twice-monthly, public programs and joint appearances before the media over the next three months.

Incumbent Democrats, commissioners Karl Wagner and Gerry Hansen reportedly did not receive the proposal directly from Forbes/Caridi, but learned of it in the media, prompting a response that the suggestion was to be negotiated publicly for political purposes. The Democrats responded that they will be making public appearances, and may appear with the Republicans if details are agreed upon in advance.

NPS repairs Roebling Bridge

MINISINK FORD, NY — Repair work on the National Historic Landmark Roebling Bridge between Minisink Ford, NY and Lackawaxen, PA, will resume next week, according to the National Park Service.

The bridge will close for up to 40 days starting September 8.

Traffic Safety Services, Inc., of South Plainfield, NJ, will mill the surface of the bridge deck, adding a new layer of concrete to adjust the pitch to improve water run-off and snow removal, and also replace the concrete sidewalk panels.

Electronic message signs have been placed at the site detouring traffic along Pennsylvania Routes 590 and 434, using the bridge at Barryville, NY.

The contractor will also paint portions of the metal superstructure and re-point the stone bridge piers. This portion of the bridge repair requires only minimal impact on the flow of traffic and will continue throughout the fall.

Employment shows numbers mixed

HONESDALE, PA — Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry figures for July showed that Wayne County had gained about 100 jobs during the month, compared to last year’s statistics.

Of 22,800 people available for work in the county, about 1,000 remained jobless, for an unemployment rate of 4.4 percent.

The bad news is that the rate increased from June’s 4.2 percent figure.

New positions created this past year are in the leisure and hospitality industries and in local government, while recent losses were in trades positions, mining, natural resources and construction.

Pike County’s July unemployment rate stood at 4.3 percent, compared to 4.9 percent in July of 2002.

Statewide, unemployment stood at 5.6 percent and 6.2 percent were jobless nationwide.

Thruway/I-84 connection project is $80 million

NEWBURGH, NY — Governor Pataki was in Orange County last week announcing the beginning of the first phase of a four-phase, $80 million project to connect the New York State Thruway with Interstate 84.

Among the key features of the overall project are a direct connection between I-84 and the Thruway, higher speed E-ZPass lanes, a dedicated E-ZPass Only lane for northbound traffic exiting the Thruway to Route 17K, new state police offices and consolidation of two tandem-trailer lots.

Safety improvements include the complete separation of traffic entering and exiting both interstates, as well as the elimination of crossing movements by tandem-trailer trucks and maintenance vehicles.

Construction is likely to continue through 2005.

New industry in Bethel

WHITE LAKE, NY — A new manufacturing firm will provide good wages and opportunities for local workers, Bethel Supervisor Allan Scott announced last week.

Scott revealed that the Neversink Construction Company, a fabricator of steel and glass architectural designs, is occupying the old Kingston Industries property at the industrial park adjoining the Sullivan County Airport.

Scott said the company, which is expanding from its current quarters in Neversink, will provide 26 union positions with wages of $60,000 to $125,000 annually.

The supervisor, who will leave town government this month to join the Sullivan County Industrial Development Agency, said that with many of the region’s jobs providing substandard wages and benefits, the Neversink announcement “is a great opportunity for our workers.”

Bush weakens Clean Air Act

KINGSTON, NY — New York and Pennsylvania officials are critical of a Bush Administration decision to amend the Clean Air Act’s New Source Review (NSR) program.

The existing program requires large industrial facilities to install modern pollution control technology when they upgrade and increase their air emissions. The Environmental Protection Agency last week issued the final regulation allowing facilities to avoid modernizing pollution controls by exempting up to 20 percent of the cost of replacing a plant’s essential production equipment.

New York U.S. Representative Maurice Hinchey (D-22) called it the administration’s “most far-reaching assault on our environmental laws.”

Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection  Secretary Kathleen A. McGinty said it “will lead to more pollution, poorer air quality and dirtier skies, increasing public health risks and put Pennsylvania at a competitive disadvantage as businesses here have to shoulder the burden of increased emissions from upwind states.”