Smallwood residents plan “speak-out” at Chapin Estate gate

SMALLWOOD, NY — Friends of the Toronto Reservoir, a group of Smallwood residents, is planning a short march and what organizers describe as a “speak-out” on Saturday, August 4 at 11:30 a.m. Demonstrators will gather at Route 55 and Moscoe Road and walk to the gate at Chapin Estate on Route 55.

In June 2006, the group demonstrated at the controversial gate on Town Road 62 blocking access to Toronto Reservoir, which is hidden from public view because of its remote location. According to demonstration organizer Mary Anne Burke, the group chose the more public gate this time with the goal of reaching more members of the public, and perhaps bringing their cause to the attention of residents who reside in Chapin Estate.

The developer of the gated community has been locked in a legal battle with residents of the community for more than four years over public access to Toronto Reservoir through private property within the development. Alliance Energy Renewables, which in May purchased the reservoir, and is charged with maintaining public access to it, has not yet indicated how it intends to handle the dispute.

Clinton calls on Bush for assistance for Roscoe flood victims

WASHINGTON, DC — Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton today called on President Bush to provide Individual Assistance to those affected by the devastating floods in the Roscoe, NY area last month. In a letter to the President, Senator Clinton asked him to expand the current funding to make Individual Assistance Grants available to the impacted areas.

The Senator’s letter follows the recent announcements by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) of a Major Disaster Declaration for Delaware and Sullivan counties. FEMA’s declaration provides Public Assistance to the flood ravaged communities, and provides funding statewide for Hazard Mitigation Programs, but not Individual Assistance Grants.

“The cost of this flooding is not only being felt by the counties and towns, it is also being felt by families and individuals,” Senator Clinton said. “Public Assistance from FEMA is a good start, but alone it will not provide the needed funding for impacted individuals and families to put their lives back together. Individual Assistance is absolutely essential to helping those affected get back on their feet.”

PA gypsy moth funding more than doubles

HARRISBURG, PA — Under the state budget that is now law, $5.2 million has been appropriated to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) for gypsy moth control, according to Reps. Mario M. Scavello (R-Monroe) and Mike Peifer (R-Monroe/Pike/Wayne ).

“This funding is more than double the previous year’s budget,” said Scavello, a member of the house appropriations committee. “The defoliation problem, and gypsy moth infestation particularly, was severe this year. These funds will go a long way toward controlling gypsy moth defoliation in area forests.”

In last year’s budget, $2.11 million was appropriated for forest pest management in the DCNR. The budget just enacted appropriates $5.19 million, nearly a 250 percent increase.

The gypsy moth is a serious pest of hardwood forests, with the potential to defoliate millions of acres of Pennsylvania forest a year when it is at the peak of its life cycle.

Applications for gypsy moth spraying

MILFORD, PA – The Pike County Conservation District is now accepting applications from residents and communities who would like to be considered for gypsy moth spraying. This is a state program that is aimed at limiting defoliation. Any person who would like to be evaluated for possible inclusion in the spring of 2008 program must submit an application to the Pike County Conservation District office in Blooming Grove by August 10.

Guidelines require a 25-acre minimum spray block size. It is strongly suggested that residents speak to their neighbors to ensure that they meet this spray size. To be considered for the program, residence must be within 200 feet of a forest, have at least 250 egg masses per acre, with a residence on the property.

For more information call 570/226-8200.

County legislature opposes closure of Sullivan farm offices

MONTICELLO, NY — The Sullivan County Legislature on July 19 unanimously approved two resolutions in support of retaining the United States Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) offices at the Cornell Cooperative Extension in Liberty.

“Currently both of these offices are targeted for redistricting or elimination by their federal headquarters. These resolutions were proposed and approved as a means of showing our unanimous support for these offices and the county residents and businesses they serve, particularly our farming and agribusiness communities,” said Legislator Elwin Wood, who serves as vice chairman on the Soil and Water Conservation Board of Directors.

The FSA offices assist farms and agribusinesses, particularly with technical and financial assistance during lean harvests, and administer other programs.

The NRCS offices are charged with the administration of programs such as the Wildlife Habitat Improvement Program, a voluntary program for people who want to develop and improve wildlife habitat primarily on private land.

According to lawmakers, without a local office and staff, farmers and business owners who are already strapped for time and money will be forced to drive more than 40 miles from Liberty to either the Delaware County office in Walton, NY, or the Orange County office in Middletown, NY to take advantage of the various programs.

Catskill Regional Medical Center appoints Steven Ruwoldt as CEO

HARRIS, NY — The Board of Directors of Catskill Regional Medical Center (CRMC) has appointed Steven T. Ruwoldt as Chief Executive Officer.

Ruwoldt most recently served as President of Lutheran Hospital, a Cleveland Clinic Hospital, where he was responsible for overall operations and the financial viability of the 204-bed acute care hospital with 750 full-time employees and annual gross revenues of $233 million.

Prior to leading Lutheran Hospital, Ruwoldt served as vice president of professional services at Pinnacle Health System in Harrisburg, PA, which consists of four hospitals comprising 1,000 acute care beds, 123 long-term beds, 4,267 full time employees and annual revenues of $600 million.