Pike to receive $250,000 in green money

MARSHALLS CREEK, PA — Pike County has received over $250,000 in state grants for two watershed projects under the Growing Greener I and II programs, state Rep. John Siptroth announced last week.

The Pike County Conservation District was awarded a $131,944 grant for a comprehensive groundwater study, and the Pocono Environmental Education Center has received $121,600 to design and implement storm water best management practices at the center.

“Pike County residents in general, and these two organizations in particular, have a deep concern with protecting the environment,” Siptroth said. “These significant awards will contribute to the overall health of the local environment and its watershed.”

The awards are Watershed and Nonpoint Source Implementation Program grants, and the projects were among 153 statewide to receive funding in this phase.

Clinton urges CDC to address flu vaccine problems

WASHINGTON, DC — Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton on November 30 called on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to take action to address repeated problems in production and distribution of flu vaccine. In a letter to CDC Director Julie Gerberding, Clinton wrote that providers in New York and around the country have experienced problems again this year getting the vaccine supply they need in a timely fashion. Clinton has introduced legislation, the Influenza Vaccine Security Act, which would modernize production and distribution of flu vaccine. The act would also help address the potential threat of an avian flu outbreak or flu pandemic.

“We may have record amounts of vaccine produced for this flu season, but such high production levels do us no good if the vaccine is not available when and where it is needed,” said Senator Clinton. “It is unacceptable that we have faced multiple delays and shortages since 2000.”

Community Bank of Sullivan County has a new name

MONTICELLO, NY — The Community Bank of Sullivan County (CBSC) has officially become Catskill Hudson Bank (CHB).

In a press release, company said the change was made to more accurately reflect the bank’s growth, into Orange and Ulster counties. The bank, however is still run by the same board of directors and management.

This move follows three new branches in Rock Hill, Neversink and Ellenville over the past year, as well as the addition of a free web site that allows for free internet banking. The bank, founded in 1993, also has branches in Liberty, Monticello and Middletown, and preparations are underway to open an additional branch in South Fallsburg.

“We have a unique understanding of growing small banks and we utilize an aggressive business plan,” said Mario L. Martinez, chairman of the board.

PA lawmaker forced to accept pay raise

HARRISBURG, PA — Citizen activists are asking newly elected lawmakers in the Keystone State not to accept the two percent cost-of-living salary increase that took effect last week.

Gene Stilp, of Taxpayers and Ratepayers United, said at a news conference in Harrisburg on December 5 that his group is seeking pledges from all 55 members of the freshman class that they will reject the increase, which boosted salaries $1,427 to $73,614, effective Friday December 1.

One lawmaker has so far signed the pledge. Republican Thomas, whose district is north of Philadelphia, has agreed to turn down the extra money but capital bureaucrats will not allow him to say no.

House attorneys said that members of the house are obliged to accept the salary that has been set by state law, and therefore cannot reject the raise. The chief clerk of the senate, W. Russell Faber, told the associated press, that the same law applies in the senate.

Murt, whose first day on the job was December 1, the same day the raise went into effect, said he would put the extra money into escrow until he figures out how to return the money, about $118 per month, to the state treasury. If he can’t find a way, he’ll donate the money to charity.

New law will require PA motorists to turn lights on

HARRISBURG, PA — Starting Janurary 29, 2007, drivers in Pennsylvania must turn on their headlights whenever they use their windshield wipers in rain or snow. The Department of Transportation made the announcement on December 1. The new law applies whether wipers are in the intermittent mode, or turned fully on.

Violators can be fined $25, but fees and other costs could increase the amount to about $100.

Seven other states have already passed similar laws mandating the use of headlights in the rain.

New York State has had a similar law on the books since it was signed by Governor Mario Cuomo in 1991. Traffic experts say the law reduces accidents, but critics charge it strains batteries in older cars.

LaCondre and Burckard to exit Sullivan County

MONTICELLO, NY — Richard LaCondre, who has been at the top of Sullivan County’s Financial Management Administration for 17 years, is leaving county government. He has accepted a $20,000 buy-out to retire early from his job.

The financial management of the county government has come under fire in recent years, with critics saying there were lax controls and auditing procedures were lacking. At on point, the county books were off by some six million dollars.

Still, LaCondre was admired by many at the government center as a talented professional whose loss will be felt at the Government Center.

Also leaving the employ of the county government is Paul Burkhard, the long-time director of real property tax services. Burckard will be retiring on June 30, 2007.