Pegasus Power Company is examining alternatives

TORONTO, CANADA — Even though the Norfolk-Southern Railroad is leasing its tracks to the Central New York Railroad, the action does not prohibit the Pegasus Power Company of Toronto, Canada from moving forward with its plan to run electric transmission lines down the Delaware River corridor, according to Pegasus asset manager Christopher Severs.

In granting the lease, Norfolk Southern retained property rights, including the development of power lines.

However, Severs revealed that the company is also investigating alternate routes from Canada to New York City.

The company has not contacted representatives of the National Park Service or the Upper Delaware Council for several months about any plans.

Cops investigate car break-ins

HONESDALE, PA — The Honesdale Borough Police Department is investigating a rash of car break-ins. Nine Honesdale residents reported that their vehicles had been rifled through sometime overnight on January 10.

Stereos, money and some work tools were missing in a spree covering Beechwood Drive, Elm Street, Ridge Street, Grove Street and 14th Street.

Anyone with information concerning these incidents is being asked to contact police at 570/253-1900. All calls will be kept confidential.

Binder teaching gaming course

LOCH SHELDRAKE, NY — Sullivan County Legislator Leni Binder will be putting experience to work later this month when she begins teaching the history of Indian gaming as part of an Introduction to the Casino Industry course, offered at Sullivan County Community College.

The course starts on January 31 and will be offered on Mondays from 6:00 to 8:40 p.m. as part of a two-year degree track in club management.

Binder, who was an educator prior to entering county government, wrote her masters degree thesis on the topic and has been a guest lecturer in the past both at Sullivan County Community College and Marist College.

Gambling addiction is growing in New York

ALBANY, NY — According to the New York Daily News, the number of crisis calls to a state hotline for problem gamblers soared by a startling 45 percent in New York City in 2004.

Statewide, calls increased by 30 percent, according to the New York Council on Problem Gambling, which maintains the hotline.

Treatment experts said the problem is on track to get even worse as the state pushes to open more gambling halls and casinos.

The nonprofit agency gets $243,000 per year in state funds to deal with compulsive betting problems that are worsening, with gambling poised to become a $3 billion annual industry in New York.

All told, the state doles out $2.3 million to fight problem gambling, while spending $70 million to promote the state lottery, just one form of gambling.

The hotline number, 800/437-1611, is answered around the clock

BOCES seeking $17.2 million building project

LIBERTY, NY — Sullivan County Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) officials last week revealed plans for expansion of instructional spaces at the vocational and technical education campus.

A $17.2 million bond would pay for renovations to the Rubin Pollack Education Center plus a 78,000 square-foot addition.

With no taxing authority, BOCES Superintendent Dr. Martin Handler must win approvals from each of the county’s eight school districts, where the project would be added to May district election ballots.

Costs will vary by district. In Eldred, the additional tax cost was estimated at $13 on a property assessed at $100,000.

Handler will address the Eldred Central Board of Education at its 7:30 p.m., January 13 meeting at the high school. A date for his presentation to the Sullivan West board is to be announced.

Byway visitor center money still in the mix

COCHECTON, NY — A $448,000 appropriation for the Upper Delaware Scenic Byway visitor center at Cochecton Preservation Society train station museum is still pending in Congress.

The grant money is part of the Transportation Reauthorization Bill, which was expected to reach the floor of the House of Representatives in mid-January, according to a spokesman for Rep. Maurice Hinchey.

Hinchey announced the funding proposal last April.

UDC reschedules reorganization

NARROWSBURG, NY — The Upper Delaware Council has rescheduled its annual election of officers and reorganization to take place at the Tusten Town Hall on February 3 at 7:30 p.m.

The council’s January meeting was canceled last week due to inclement weather.

Gunther secures tax exemption paybacks

ALBANY, NY — Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther (D-Forestburgh) announced the passage of a budget initiative to repay local governments for taxes lost on exempt forestlands enrolled in the state’s timber management program. The $429,200 initiative goes to eight Sullivan and Orange county towns and three Sullivan County school districts.

The towns, school districts and reimbursed amounts include: Deerpark (Orange County) $3,000, Bethel $25,800, Cochecton $19,200, Forestburgh $106,100, Highland $51,300, Tusten $38, 200, Lumberland $37,900, Rockland $12,500, Eldred School District $100,700, Tri-Valley School District $18,100 and Livingston Manor School District $16,400.

Gunther also authored a measure that would provide $807,501 in local transitional aid to help Orange County towns and school districts hurt by the tax-exempt status of the Port Jervis Railroad line. The aid will be paid out over the next 10 years.