Men of 109th remembered

AL ASAD, IRAQ — Marines and soldiers stationed at Al Asad held a memorial service for seven soldiers of the First Battalion, 109th Infantry Regiment (Mechanized), who were killed in August and September in Iraq.

The unit is attached to the Army National Guard that is located in Honesdale, PA, at the armory on Tryon Street.

On January 25, 300 soldiers departed from the armory for six months training in California and then were deployed to Iraq and Kuwait. Killed in action were Staff Sgt. Ryan s. Ostrom of Liberty, PA; Specialist William L. Evans of Hallstead, PA; Staff Sgt. George A. Pugliese of Carbondale, PA; Staff Sgt. Daniel L. Arnold of Montrose, PA; Sergeant Eric W. Slebodnik of Greenfield Township, PA; Specialist Lee W. Wiegand of Hallstead, PA; and Private First Class Oliver J. Brown of Athens, PA.

Before its deployment to Iraq, in August 2002 the unit was sent on a peacekeeping operation in Bosnia.

Pike supports grant applications

MILFORD, PA — The Pike County Commissioners gave their support to several grant applications by the Delaware Highlands Conservancy (DHC). The applications were submitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR).

If approved, one grant would fund DHC’s educational outreach, helping the non-profit publicize the various conservation options it offers, such as conservation easements and the transfer of development rights.

Another grant would provide additional funding for the Forest Legacy Program, assisting DHC’s purchase of easements on three properties. DHC had previously received $2.3 million for this purpose, but an additional $8 million is needed for easements on the entire three properties, said DHC Executive Director Sue Currier.

The final grant application is for the acquisition of the Polatnick Tract, for which the DHC applied under The Trust for Public Lands, a national land trust.

Public meeting in Damascus

DAMASCUS, PA — The Damascus Township Planning Commission will hold an open meeting on Wednesday, October 19 at 7:00 p.m. in the township building on Conklin Hill Road in order to inform residents about the progress the township has made on updating Damascus’ comprehensive plan.

Increasing growth pressures from the surrounding areas and their potential effect on natural resources, lifestyle and rural character in Damascus are among the township’s core considerations as it reviews the plan. Officials will solicit issues, concerns and ideas from residents.

The plan, a document of basic objectives and policies used to guide future development, was adopted in 1995. It consists of three related parts: background studies, community development goals and objectives, and plans for future actions.

For more information call Marty Kuntsmann at 570/224- 4377.

Palmer plan accepted

INDIAN ORCHARD, PA — Rusty Palmer, owner of Rusty Palmer Motor Sports Center on Route 6, received approval for the development of a new 67,000-square-foot dealership from the Texas Township supervisors on October 3.

Palmer began working on this plan when his business was destroyed by fire on February 21, 2004. In August, the supervisors approved his proposal to consolidate six properties he owns along Route 6 into one parcel on which he will build a new sports-vehicle dealership.

Palmer is also seeking a variance to reduce the number of required parking spaces from 335, which is required by township law, to 176 spaces. The law requires one parking space for every 200 square feet of retail space.

“A lot of space will be more warehouse than retail space. There’s a lot of storage,” said the township’s zoning officer, Wayne Earley.

The variance application will go before the township’s Zoning Hearing Board on October 13 at 7:30 p.m.

Literacy group awarded new building

MONTICELLO, NY — Literacy Volunteers of Sullivan County (LVSC), an organization that has been working out of constrained offices that limited instruction and residents’ full access to services, will be taking up new headquarters. LVSC trains tutors to work with county residents who are in need of literacy education.

The U.S. Department of Education has awarded LVSC the building on 63 North Street in Monticello, which was formerly used by the Social Security Administration.

“The Literacy Volunteers of Sullivan County demonstrated a compelling need to acquire this building for education utilization,” said Mary Hughes, a representative of the federal department.

LVSC will move its offices and Read It Again Bookstore into the new location by January 2006. LVSC has asked the community to donate renovation services in areas such as plumbing, electrical, carpentry and computer installation or in moving and maintenance. The bookstore’s size and hours will also be expanded, and volunteers will be needed to staff the store. Monetary donations are also greatly appreciated.

For more information call 845/794-0017.

Coffee, tea and history

COCHECTON, NY — The Cochecton Preservation Society will hold a social meeting, entitled “Coffee, Tea and History,” on Sunday, October 16 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the former Cochecton Depot, an historic railroad station on Route 97.

Long-time Cochecton residents Sol Katzoff and Muriel Fredricks will lead a presentation as participants look back at the history of old Cochecton, including the work and social lives of past residents.

A question and answer period will follow the free event. Refreshments will be served.

For more information call Jerold Yavarkovsky at 845/932-8210.