Brothers charged with drugs, weapons possession

MONTICELLO, NY — A police raid on 5 Edwards Avenue on Thursday, December 14 turned up a variety of weapons including two sawed-off 12-gauge shotguns, loaded .38- and .357-caliber pistols, a wooden crossbow, an illegal stun gun and two Chinese throwing stars. The police also discovered and seized more than four ounces of marijuana and 12 ecstasy pills.

State police from Liberty, the Community Narcotics Enforcement Team, the Mobile Response Team, Aviation, the Gun Investigation Unit and Monticello police raided the premises, known on the street as “The Dog Pound,” at 7:05 p.m.

Three brothers who live at the address—Eric Ivan, 21; Connor Ivan, 28; and Dustin Ivan, 20—were placed under arrest. They have been charged with felony weapon possession and several drug-related misdemeanor charges, and sent to Sullivan County Jail without bail.

Carney passed over for Appropriations; named to Transportation

WASHINGTON, DC — Freshman Representative Chris Carney of Pennsylvania’s 10th District was passed over for a highly coveted seat on the Appropriations Committee, despite assurances by Congressman John Murtha that the latter would use his influence to get Carney the spot. He has, however, been assigned a seat on his second choice, the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. He said he has also been assured a seat on the Appropriations Committee, the most influential committee in terms of determining how federal dollars are spent, at the next opening.

Carney noted that he will be able to fight for money for road and bridge repairs on the transportation committee. Carney is also expecting to be named to either the Armed Services or Homeland Security committees. A spot on Armed Services would allow him to help the Tobyhanna Army Depot and other local defense plants. On the Homeland Security Committee, he could ensure emergency preparedness funding for local police and fire departments.

North White Lake Fire District gets federal grant

NORTH WHITE LAKE, NY — The North White Lake Fire District has been awarded a $69,208 federal grant to install an exhaust system for its fire station and to purchase a new air compressor to refill the district’s Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus gear. The funds come from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, which is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the United States Fire Administration. Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) was instrumental in obtaining the funds. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, Hinchey has worked to secure full funding for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program since its inception in 2001. He has also sponsored a number of workshops across his congressional district to help fire departments with the grant application process.

Pike presents 2007 budget

MILFORD, PA – The Pike County Commissioners presented the new budget for public inspection on December 6.

There will be no increase in taxes resulting from this budget. The total spending plan for 2007 will be $33,325,905. Last year’s spending plan was $29,976,614. This new budget will see an increase of $3.3 million.

The millage will remain the same as last year, at 15.17 mills.

The budget document is available for inspection at the Pike Administration Building on Broad Street in Milford.

The budget must be adopted by December 28.

Orange County Dems push single-payer resolution

GOSHEN, NY — Orange County Democrats have pushed a resolution through the Health and Mental Health Committee to support a nationalized, single-payer health system. The victory is largely symbolic, as the Republican majority is not likely to support the resolution in the full legislature when it comes to the floor. Even the victory in committee, however, represents progress for the Democrats, who increased their numbers in the November elections to 10, one short of the majority in the 21-seat chamber.

“For the first time, we as Democrats got something the Republicans appeared to be totally against out of committee and on to the floor of the legislature,” said Chris Eachus, D-New Windsor, a freshman who spearheaded the effort.

Sullivan legislature likely to endorse single-payer system

MONTICELLO, NY — Sullivan County lawmakers approved a resolution supporting universal healthcare with a single-payer system. The unanimous vote came in committee on December 14. It is expected that the measure will be approved by the full body.

Legislator Ron Hiatt, chairman of the Health and Human Services Committee, said the nation’s seniors were already in a single-payer system called Medicare. He said administrative costs in private insurance programs run from 15 to 30 percent, but with the Medicare program, administrative costs run only 5 percent. He called universal health care with a single-payer system Medicare for everybody.

Wayne West Nile virus program

HONESDALE, PA — Wayne County will have a West Nile virus prevention program for the summer of 2007.

A grant of $39,760 is forthcoming from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

“Last year, there were no instances of the virus occurring in the county,” said Pat Mohn, West Nile Virus coordinator for the county.

During the summer, Mohn, who works only five hours a week, supervises two full-time workers who work on the project, laying out traps and monitoring the number and condition of mosquitoes that are trapped.

Traps are laid out in all townships of the county.