Safety Day on July 4

YULAN, NY — The Knights of Columbus at St. Anthony’s Church have a July 4 breakfast to be followed by a “Safety Day” program with the New York State Police.

The safety program will feature a child-seat safety inspection and demonstration of car-seat installations and a children’s fingerprinting clinic.

The owners of the first 50 cars arriving at the seat inspection will receive a free smoke alarm.

Breakfast will be served at 8:00 a.m. at the parish center opposite the church. Tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for kids, and those under the age five eat for free.

The safety check and fingerprinting program begins at 10:00 a.m. and will continue until 1:00 p.m.

For more information, call Knights of Columbus Grand Knight Tony La Ruffa at 845/557 0511.

State police warn of fireworks danger

HARRISBURG, PA — State police commissioner Jeffrey B. Miller is advising Pennsylvanians that while fireworks are a Fourth of July tradition, they are dangerous and state law strictly limits their use by the public.

“The only fireworks permitted for the public’s use are sparklers and devices containing extremely small amounts of powder; no more than in a toy pistol cap,” Col. Miller said. He said items such as standard firecrackers, cherry bombs and M-80s are illegal.

Colonel Miller said state law permits public fireworks displays by certain organizations, but only after proper bonding, permit, registration and inspection requirements have been met in the municipality where the display is to be presented. Violators face a fine of up to $100 and a jail term of up to 90 days.

Mountain Laurel gets new funding

BUSHKILL, PA — The financial backers of the Mountain Laurel Center for the Performing Arts reportedly are trying again to jump-start the troubled Lehman Township facility.

Meeting last week, the facilities bondholders agreed to fund up to an additional $500,000 to meet some outstanding bills and rehire some employees.

The center’s board of directors was said to have received a 90-day deadline to solicit another $300,000 to create a three-year operating plan.

Should the new effort fail the property owners, the Pike County Industrial and Commercial Development Authority would be empowered to revoke the center’s 50-year lease.

Radio marketer intervenes in planned suicide

HONESDALE, PA — State police last week commended two radio station employees for intervening with a despondent caller who had called the station recently to request their playing of a certain song he wanted to hear before taking his life.

Carol Hamblin, the media marketing consultant for deWitt Media Group Inc, took the early morning call, alerted the disc jockey, George Schmidt, who called the police and then spoke to the man.

The two reportedly stayed on the phone with the caller for one hour and fifteen minutes while police traced the call and eventually found the caller.

The still surviving caller was transported to Marian Community Hospital in Carbondale for assistance.

New business investment in Sullivan

ALBANY, NY — A statement from Governor Pataki last week announced that HY-R Building Systems will establish a new manufacturing operation in the Town of Mamakating, creating 125 new jobs over the next four years.

The company will be investing $525,000 and leasing a 36,000 sq. ft. facility to develop and market energy efficient building panels.

Private dams cited by state

HARRISBURG, PA — As part of a recent statewide effort to repair failing and substandard privately owned dams in Pennsylvania, the Department of Environmental Protection issued enforcement orders to four unnamed dam owners in Pike and Wayne counties in June.

The orders went to owners who have repeatedly refused state requests to comply with state requirements to provide emergency action plans for downstream safety.

Governor Rendell announced the dam safety initiative on June 1, the anniversary of Johnstown Flood of 1889.

Pataki announces Sullivan land acquisition

WURTSBORO, NY — Governor Pataki announced last Friday that the state has purchased 942 acres of land which will result in expanded hiking and recreational opportunities and protect critical natural resources along the Shawangunk Ridge and Trail in the Town of Mamakating.

The acquisitions will help expand and enhance the Shawangunk Ridge hiking trail, providing a link from the Bashakill Wildlife Management Area to the Wurtsboro Ridge State Forest and northeast to the Shawangunk Ridge State Forest. The purchase price for the five properties is $937,700 and will be paid for through the State Environmental Protection Fund.

Park dedication scheduled

SHOHOLA, PA — The township’s park commission will formally dedicate the Rohman Park ball field at a noontime ceremony on July 10.

Ceremonies are scheduled to include the dedication, ribbon cutting, flag raising and a ceremonial first pitch from Dave Wood, the grandson of the township’s most illustrious son, former Boston Red Sox pitcher “Smokey” Joe Wood.

The Shohola Railroad and Historical Society will offer a luncheon fundraiser to help fund their proposed new building.

The rain date is noon on July 11.

For more information call the township office at 570/559-7394.

Hinchey calls for speed limit increase

MONTICELLO, NY — Congressman Maurice Hinchey (NY-22) has added his weight to a request that the speed limit on the Sullivan County portion of Route 17 be increased to 65 miles per hour.The interstate highway speed limit, on the future I-86 was recently approved by state DOT for adjoining portions of Rte. 17 in Orange and Delaware counties, but the Sullivan County roadway was not included. The Sullivan County Legislature earlier approved a similar resolution supporting the increased speed limit.

State officials said uncontrolled access issues like the Parkville traffic light prompted their decision.