New York dairy farmers can still apply for emergency funds

ALBANY, NY — Dairy farmers can still take advantage of sharing in the $30 million subsidy being offered for milk produced in 2006. The measure was passed by the New York State Legislature to help struggling dairy farmers meet their debt obligations encountered in 2006. Originally, the deadline for applications from farmers was April 27. The deadline has been extended.

Checks for those who have already applied are scheduled to be cut on May 9, 2007.

“If you have not yet sent in your application, it is critical that you do so now,” said Jessica Chittenden of the Farm Bureau.

For more information call 518/457-3136.

State cabinet members to attend Sullivan housing roundtable

WURTSBORO, NY — Two members of Governor Eliot Spitzer’s cabinet will attend a roundtable discussion on housing and community development organized by State Senator John Bonacic at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 11.

State Housing Commissioner Deborah VanAmerongen and Priscilla Almodovar, President and CEO of the State of New York Mortgage Agency (SONYMA) and State Housing Finance Agency (HFA) will attend the forum and meet with housing developers, local officials and non-profits invited by Senator Bonacic to attend.

Topics to be covered include green building, impediments to the siting of workforce housing, the role of local government and unique housing partnerships. Scheduled speakers are senior housing developer Jonah Mandelbaurn of Warwick, builder Larry Regan of Westchester County, David Church, Orange County Planner and several other key housing and community development officials.

Registration is required. For more information call 845/255-9656.

Pike commissioners slammed for hiring consultant

PIKE COUNTY, PA — Greene Township Supervisor Mary Ann Hubbard has criticized the Pike County Commissioners for their hiring of a private consulting firm as premature and a waste of taxpayer dollars. Delta Development Group, Inc., of Mechanicsburg, PA, was engaged at the commissioners’ meeting on April 25 to advise the county on ways to collect gambling proceeds due from slots parlor revenues in Monroe County.

Hubbard believes the commissioners should instead have contacted state public officials for help, and says state representative Siptroth’s office has no record of any requests from them for information. Siptroth’s office also said that the initiative wasn’t yet funded, the primary county and municipality did not know what they would do with the proceeds themselves, which must precede any distribution to contiguous counties, and the rules for application have not even been set. Hubbard also reports that Siptroth’s office told her the available funds are to be divided equally between the eligible counties. “So what exactly will Delta be lobbying for?” she asked.

New Catskills planning and preservation group launched

MONTICELLO, NY — A new organization called Catskill Mountainkeeper, which is modeled after the Hudson Riverkeeper, is now operating in the region. The mission is “to protect the environmental, recreational and commercial integrity of the Catskill region and to safeguard the air and water quality of the region by creating an activist based membership that will monitor development proposals, sources of pollution and sustainable growth projects.”

The group’s official launch will take place at the government center in Monticello at 11:00 a.m. on May 10.

According to Wes Gillingham, the organization’s program director, the group will focus on the preservation of farmland, open space and preventing unsustainable development. But perhaps the biggest emphasis will be on a region-wide vision for the six-county Catskills area.

Another electronic recycling day in Pike County Pennsylvania

MILFORD, PA — Based on the success of previous electronic recycling days, the Pike County Commissioners have approved a second recycling day on Saturday, June 16 from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

This time recyclers should bring their items to the Blooming Grove Township Municipal Building on Route 739 in Blooming Grove, PA. Householders can bring any old or broken electronic items such as monitors, printers, key boards, VCRs, cables, CPUs, faxes, radios, modems, telephones, TVs, copiers, typewriters and stereo equipment.

There is no charge for the service.

Businesses must pre-register at 845/858-8809.

For more information, call Christine Obser at 570/296-3434.

Cellini named Woman of Distinction by Senate

ALBANY, NY — Linda Cellini of Monticello in Sullivan County has been chosen to be this year’s New York State Senate Woman of Distinction. Cellini had been nominated by State Senator John J. Bonacic (R/I/C - Mount Hope).

Bonacic said that the State Senate’s Woman of Distinction is a special honor bestowed upon women whose lives, work, or special accomplishments contribute to making our communities better, making our families stronger and who serve as special examples to others.

Cellini is currently the Chief Professional Officer of the United Way of Sullivan County, and has served in that capacity for the past 23 years.

“Clearly, Linda Cellini serves as a special example to others and is someone who will not pat herself on the back for her work,” said Bonacic. “She deserves to be appreciated and recognized for all she has done for the communities in Sullivan County.”

The Women of Distinction program was created as part of the Senate’s celebration of Women’s History Month. The 10th annual celebration will be held Tuesday, June 5, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Legislative Office Building in Albany.