Bonacic calls for hearings on ATV use of public lands

ALBANY, NY — State Senator John Bonacic called on the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) last week to conduct a public hearing in his 42nd Senate district on a draft department policy regarding the use of all-terrain vehicles on public lands.

Bonacic said the agency has scheduled hearings in other areas but not the Catskills where “there are thousands of acres of state lands for the public’s enjoyment.”

The DEC said the new policy will ensure ATV use of public lands will adhere to all traffic and vehicle laws, DEC rules and regulations and any local area planning in the Catskill and Adirondack park areas.

The policy is available from the DEC by mail and may be reviewed on the Internet at www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dlf/index.html.

Three races settled in village elections

SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY — Winners emerged from three contested races in the March 15 village elections and a write-in candidate created a fourth race.

In Monticello, Gordon Jenkins (310) who fought against allegations of Hatch Act violation in running, handily defeated challengers David Rosenberg (150) and Jeffry Steinberg (35).

In Jeffersonville, Mayor Ed Justus defeated a write-in campaign for Andrew Dressel by a 30 to 16 vote.

Incumbent Liberty Mayor William “Rube” Smith defeated challenger Diane Atkins, 212 to 63, but Wurtsboro challenger Edward Handford defeated incumbent Mayor Robert Whitehead, by a 152 to 136 tally.

There were no other contested races in the county.

Tusten requires emergency-911 address markers

NARROWSBURG, NY — The Tusten Town Board passed a resolution on March 14 requiring all residential and commercial buildings to post Sullivan County Emergency-911 address markers at the intersection of a driveway and a main road or on the face of a building.

The Narrowsburg and Lava, NY fire departments and the Tusten Volunteer Ambulance Service requested the measure in order to aid emergency responders in finding locations in need of emergency services.

Bernadette Seafood House takes on new ownership

BEACH LAKE, PA — Formerly owned by Steven Williams, the Bernadette Seafood House on Route 652 was on the market for 18 months before its recent purchase by Deanna and Victor Mazzotta.

Former owners and managers of a café in New York City, the Mazzottas plan on tag-teaming the kitchen duties and running a full bar. The restaurant is currently under renovations and expected to open before summer 2005.

The restaurant will serve seafood and Italian food and the Mazzottas have not decided if they will keep the name.

ATV misuse leads to charges

GLEN SPEY, NY — Four youths had their all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) confiscated and their parents were issued some 28 tickets on March 18.

Lumberland Chief Constable Greg Wagner said repeated complaints from residents on Kalin-Weber Road and Highway Superintendent Charles Hallock’s concerns that ATVs would damage the closure cap on the former town landfill prompted a sweep to catch the youths.

New York State Forest Ranger Luke Evans, Wagner and Constables Corporal John Cuomo patrolled the road and in the end, “they drove right up to us,” Wagner said.

Each of the youth’s parents were issued appearance tickets for charges including the use of unregistered and uninsured vehicles, the lack of helmets, operating on private property without permission, unlawful use of public roads, failure to display license plates and permitting use of a vehicle by a minor.

The ATVs will be impounded until the town justice court disposes of the charges and an impoundment fee will be charged upon their return, Wagner said.

Assembly casino hearing scheduled

MONTICELLO, NY — Two state Assembly hearings have been scheduled to hear testimony on the proposed legislation to allow five Indian gaming casinos in Sullivan County.

They are scheduled for April 5, at 10:00 a.m. in Albany in the Roosevelt Hearing Room C, second floor of Legislative Office Building and April 7, at 10:00 am, at the Sullivan County Government Center.

The hearings are co-sponsored by Assembly standing committees on Judiciary, Oversight Analysis and Investigation, Racing and Wagering, and Tourism Arts and Sports Development.

Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther commended recommended changes to the legislation by Senator John Bonacic. Changes would include specific spending from the proposed $50 million regional open space fund for the Catskills. Funding would be divided with 25 percent to schools administered by BOCES, 10 percent to higher education, 10 percent to hospitals, 10 percent to housing and community development, 10 percent to public transportation and 10 percent to environmental issues and the Delaware River region. Twenty-five percent would be directed annually on an as-needed basis for various public protection, infrastructure and unforeseen issues.

Bonacic is also recommending regional fast tracking of school construction and that no further service agreements be signed with Indian tribes until state money is guaranteed for I-86 upgrades.

Visitor center, college funding

WASHINGTON, DC — The recently approved House transportation spending bill includes funding Representative Maurice Hinchey sought for two Sullivan County projects. Funding includes $500,000 for an Upper Delaware Scenic Byway Visitors Center in Cochecton and $1.5 million for the rehabilitation of roads at the Sullivan County Community College in Loch Sheldrake.

The bill still must pass the Senate and win the approval of President Bush.