State encourages renewable energy development

ALBANY, NY — Governor George E. Pataki announced last week that he has signed into law legislation that will encourage the development of new renewable energy sources. The new law exempts farmers from paying a penalty when they convert agricultural land from agricultural use to electric generation using wind.

Under current law, when land receiving an agricultural assessment is converted to a nonagricultural use, it is subject to a conversion payment equaling five times the taxes saved in the last year in which it received the assessment, plus interest of six percent per year for each year it received the assessment, up to five years.

Law supports sustainable forests

ALBANY, NY — Newly approved legislation increases the penalties for timber theft and provides $645,000 in financial, educational, and technical assistance for owners of private forests in New York State.

The funding is provided through the Forest Land Enhancement Program (FLEP), an innovative state-federal partnership that will provide educational, technical and financial assistance to promote active stewardship of private forest resources. The new law increases legal penalties to help prevent timber theft and helps encourage the practice of forestry on public and private lands by establishing a “Right to Practice Forestry.”

Private forest owners began applying for FLEP funds on October 6. Information and an application will be posted on the DEC website at www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dlf/privland/flep.html. Additional information about forest land enhancement and New York State’s Priority Plan can be found at www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dlf/index.html, or on the Cornell Forestry Extension website at www.dnr.cornell.edu/ext/forestrypage.

After school funding chopped

MONTICELLO, NY — Late last week, after months of waiting for news about their state contracts, 43 after-school programs around the state received notification that funding for terminated on September 30, 2003.

In addition, the majority of the 117 remaining sites that did receive renewal contracts suffered substantial cuts, some as much as 50 percent.

Advantage after-school funding supports four elementary after-school programs in Sullivan County. KidsAct After-School has been providing programs to 220 youth and their families since February 2001.

Programs are currently being provided at the Rutherford Elementary in Monticello, Duggan Elementary in White Lake, Chase Elementary in Wurtsboro and Mackenzie Elementary in Glen Spey. The KidsAct renewal contract suffered a 43-percent cut and come January approximately eight of the 22 staff and 80 of the 220 slots available for youth will be eliminated.

Blaney named permanent Mountain Laurel chief

BUSHKILL, PA — The directors of the Mountain Laurel Center for the Performing Arts have unanimously named Joseph J. Blaney as president and CEO of the center.

Blaney had been acting CEO since June of this year, replacing former CEO Chris Dunworth.

Blaney, a former New York educator and five-year area resident had been on the center’s board of directors since April after serving on the board’s strategic planning committee.

Wayne Highlands teachers get new contract

HONESDALE, PA — School directors for the Wayne Highlands Schools last week approved a new five-year contract with its faculty.

The new contract provides for an average annual salary increase of 3.5 percent over the contract period and the continuation of health care cost containment measures.

Salaries for district athletic coaches and extra-curricular program advisors were also increased.

The contract resolution came after 16 months of negotiations.

Missing man found dead

DINGMAN TOWNSHIP, PA — After a search of more three weeks, a missing 77-year-old Birchwood Lakes man was found dead by state police on October 3.

The body of Thomas Pisciotta was located in a wetland area near the end of a dirt road only a few miles from home. The body was found by a police search dog several hours after Pisciotta’s car was located just off the end of the road.

Pisciotta, who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease, had been missing and the subject of a widespread search since he drove off in the car on September 12.

New managed care program to create jobs in Wayne County

HONESDALE, PA — Wayne County Commissioners endorsed a letter last week to the Pennsylvania Department of Welfare that supports the implementation of the managed care Pennsylvania HealthChoices program in their county.

Wayne and Schuylkill Counties have collaborated to form Rural Solutions, Inc. (RSI), a private not-for-profit corporation that will implement the managed care program for behavioral health, which includes mental health and substance abuse, said Andrea Whyte, administrator of Wayne County Office Human Services. Other similar corporations have submitted cost proposals and are competing for funds.

RSI will create a minimum of 40 clinician jobs, as well as additional support positions in Wayne County.