Deeds in 2005 down from 2004

MONTICELLO, NY — The number of deeds recorded in 2005 in Sullivan County was slightly less that the number recorded in 2004. Director of Real Property Taxes Services Paul Burckard gave lawmakers that news at the Real Property Committee meeting on January 19. The total number of deeds in 2005 was 4,938; for 2004 the number was 5,403. While that represents about a 10 percent drop, it is still high by historical standards. In 2001, for instance, when property sales began to increase substantially, 3,985 deeds were recorded.

New subdivisions were also off countywide this year, but just by one. In 2005, the subdivision total was 696; in 2005 that number was 695.

Burkhard said, “Unfortunately, we ran behind last year from an economic standpoint. Hopefully, that will turn around and we’ll have a good year in 2006.

Legislator Leni Binder said, “For those people who don’t like over-development, they look at the subdivision decreasing and probably think it’s a good thing.”

Temporary slot parlor could go up nine months after license approval

POCONO MANOR, PA — Matzel Development, which is vying for one of five standalone slot-machine licenses available statewide for its planned Pocono Manor resort, intends to build a temporary slots parlor right away if it is awarded a license. According to Gregory Matzel, president of the company, the temporary structure could be built and opened within 9 months of a license award. It would operate until the planned $1.2 billion resort hotel was completed.

Although five licenses for up to 5,000 slot machines are available statewide, three have already been promised to other areas. This leaves Matzel competing with seven other parties, including Dunmore businessman Louis A. DeNaples, who hopes to develop a casino at Mount Airy Lodge, for one of only two licenses.

The PA Gaming Board is not expected to make a decision public until late summer at the earliest.

Elliot Spitzer chooses running mate

ALBANY — Published reports say that David Paterson will run for the office of lieutenant governor in the November elections. Paterson, the Democratic leader in the state senate, has represented Harlem since 1986. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Eliot L. Spitzer invited Paterson to run for the office and Paterson accepted.

Because he is the Democratic front-runner, Spitzer wields a lot of influence over who will run for lieutenant governor, but other candidates may still run for the office in the primary. In November, voters have the option to vote for a Democratic candidate for governor and a Republican lieutenant governor or vice versa.

Paterson, who is legally blind, is widely credited with strengthening the Democrats’ standing in the senate in the past few years and narrowing the Republican lead, which now stands at 35 to 27. One of the duties of the lieutenant governor is to preside over the senate and ensure that rules of order are followed.

Local doctor suffers stroke

CALLICOON, NY — A doctor for over 23 years in Sullivan County, 53-year-old Dr. Paul Salzberg suffered a minor stroke earlier this month while vacationing in Florida. He is currently attending physical therapy and rehab to improve the weakness caused by the stroke. During Salzberg’s absence, the Callicoon office will be remain open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and on Tuesdays and Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon until Salzberg returns in early spring.

More patching for Medicare Part D

ALBANY, NY — A state assembly bill co-sponsored by Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther (D-Forestburgh) would provide emergency relief for recipients eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid who have had difficulty getting their prescriptions filled since the new Medicare Part D benefit took effect on January 1.

Many poor people have been recorded in computers as financially well off, and are being asked to cover a $250 deductible and 25 percent of the next $2,000 in drug costs instead of the expected flat fee of $5 per prescription.

The bill, if passed, would authorize the state to pay for prescriptions for people caught in this bind until the current problems have been resolved. Compensation from the federal government would be sought. On February 13 Pataki ordered a similar stop-gap measure, but it expired after seven days.

Pataki butts heads with budget

ALBANY, NY — It was a showcase of the good, the bad and the tax cut as Governor George Pataki unveiled his 2007 proposed budget January 17.

Pataki is calling for a dollar hike for a pack of cigarettes and for the $1.20 monthly cell service fee to be extended to include owners of prepaid cell phones.

The budget also supports an extension of clothing sales tax, a $500 increase in tuition for students in the State University of New York and higher fees for emergency room visits for the underprivileged.

Pataki also proposes to phase out the estate tax, give homeowners a rebate on their property taxes, and provide a $400 tax rebate to residents residing in school districts that limit their budget increases to four percent, or 120 percent of the consumer price index.

In the governor’s budget, the “marriage penalty” on personal income taxes would be lifted, seniors earning less than $75,000 would receive a $500 heating cost credit, and parents of children in badly performing school districts would receive a $500 credit toward additional educational services.

PA gains service jobs

HARRISBURG, PA — According to statistics released by the state this week, Pennsylvania gained about 64,400 jobs in 2005. The gains were particularly strong in education, tourism, health and professional services. The state lagged slightly behind the national average, which had a growth rate of 1.5 percent for the year, while the rate for the Keystone state was 1.1 percent.

In the manufacturing sector, however, there was a loss as the long slide in manufacturing jobs continued. In 2005, almost 16,000 jobs disappeared, bringing the total now to 673,600. It’s a trend that economists expect to continue. Growth was strongest in the tourism sector, which added 13,000 jobs.