Flu recommendations issued

HARRISBURG, PA — A house select committee has released recommendations to help secure the availability of influenza vaccinations in Pennsylvania.

The recommendations to address shortage problems include requiring every vaccine manufacturer to provide preseason reports of vaccine supplies, prioritizing the distribution of the vaccination until the state Department of Health confirms that adequate supplies are available for the vaccine season, creating a state-purchased vaccine reserve and implementing anti-price-gouging legislation.

Other recommendations to improve the vaccination process in general include the establishment of a state-managed or state-sponsored influenza vaccine purchasing and distribution program, if poor access to the vaccine and rates of immunization in Pennsylvania worsen.

The recommendations will be reviewed by the state Department of Health and the legislature for future action.

Disaster assistance at $2.6 million

ALBANY, NY — Federal and state disaster assistance approved for flood-related damages in Sullivan County has reached $2,608,967 to date, according to state and federal disaster recovery officials. Homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes are among those receiving assistance.

The FEMA Housing Program provides grants to renters to find alternate housing. Homeowners may receive grants to make the home livable or, if that cannot be done, grants are given to rent alternate housing. The program is funded 100 percent by FEMA. To date, $778,098 has been approved for 296 households in Sullivan County.

The FEMA/State Other Needs Assistance Program (ONA) provides grants for lost personal property, transportation, medical, dental and funeral expenses to those who have serious and essential needs unmet by other assistance programs. To date, ONA has provided 75 households $144,369 in Sullivan County.

In addition, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has made $1,686,500 in low-interest loans in Sullivan County.

Registration deadlines have been extended to October 2. See page 9 for details on applying.

Survey of private well owners

PENNSYLVANIA — Penn State University, in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Water Resources Research Center, is conducting the first statewide survey of private well owners across the state through the end of the year. Pennsylvania is home to over one million private water wells that provide drinking water to over three million rural residents, with an additional 20,000 new water wells drilled each year. However, it is one of the few states that have no guidelines on how to construct and maintain private water wells, and many fail at least one drinking water standard. Since all aspects of private well location, construction and management are voluntary, little is known about them and how they perform for homeowners. The survey is designed to correct this problem.

The survey may be taken online at www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=71482275593.

For more information call 570/296-3400.

CRMC gets HIV program grant

HARRIS, NY — Catskill Regional Medical Center (CRMC) is the recipient of a $2,327,500, five-year federal grant for its HIV/AIDS program. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Service’s Health Resources and Service Administration Division of Independent Review is administering the funds, which are part of a grant program available through the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency Act.

The funds were secured with the help of Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY). “Providing compassionate and comprehensive care to those with HIV/AIDS is critically important, and that is exactly what Catskill Regional Medical Center does so well. I’m very pleased that the federal government recognizes the great accomplishments of the HIV/AIDS program at CRMC and has invested another $2.32 million in their efforts to treat and counsel patients,” said Hinchey.

Suhosky resigns from WEDCO

HONESDALE, PA — Robert J. Suhosky, Executive Director of the Wayne Economic Development Corporation (WEDCO), has resigned his post effective November 4, but will remain a consultant to the economic development agency.

Suhosky will focus his consultancy efforts on the completion of the Sterling Business Park, the reconstruction of the Stourbridge Line railroad trestle and the final settlement of Ideal Steel Company in its site in White Mill, PA.

Liberty citizens provide input to the planning process

LIBERTY, NY — The town of Liberty held the first of several meetings that will provide a forum for community input on the update of the town’s comprehensive plan on Thursday, August 24. About 50 residents came to the CVI auditorium to express their opinions. When asked what they loved and what they felt needed to be changed about the town, a broad consensus emerged that natural beauty is an attribute of high importance.

Items cited most often as needing change were opportunities for young people, taxes, attitudes, the condition of Main Street and concern over preserving the rural quality of the area during growth.

Community members will get another chance to participate in the planning process at the next meeting, on Thursday, September 28 at BOCES.

Bonacic in “Circle of Friends”

ALBANY, NY — State Senator John J. Bonacic (R/I/C - Mount Hope) has been once again named by the New York State Farm Bureau to be a member of the “Circle of Friends” for his support of farmers and their issues. The award was made based on Bonacic’s consistent support of issues of importance to New York State’s agriculture industry. Senator Bonacic is one of five senators who serve on the Senate Budget Subcommittee that oversees funding for the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.

“Farming remains this state’s largest industry. Supporting our farmers means jobs not only on farms, but also in transportation, food processing and at the retail level,” said Senator Bonacic.