Charitable giving just got easier

MONTICELLO, NY — The Community Foundation of Orange County will expand its services into Sullivan County and change its name to the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan.

“Through the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan, and the combined gifts of many people, permanent charitable funds will be created whose income will make grants that meet important community needs and leave a lasting legacy,” said Karen VanHouten, executive director of the newly christened foundation.

“The Community Foundation should propel philanthropy to a new level in Sullivan County as individuals discover that giving in the county has become easier and more organized,” said R.J. Smith, president of the board of directors of the foundation. “The reality is that it is expensive to set up a private foundation. Donors are required to meet regulatory requirements, comply with federal guidelines and make appropriate IRS filings, among a myriad of other details… We are here to assist donors in carrying out their charitable wishes, while relieving them of the administrative burdens.”

Byway debuts toll-free phone number

REGION — Information on New York State Route 97’s Upper Delaware Scenic Byway (UDSB) may now be obtained through a toll-free hotline, 866/511-8372. The number went into service on September 1.

Callers may direct questions or comments to the UDSB, a non-profit organization responsible for the enhancement of the byway corridor, and request copies of the UDSB Travel Guide, which offers maps of the state-designated byway route, historical overviews of the byway communities and a description of amenities.

Telephone answering services are being provided by the Village of Hancock, the UDSB Northern Gateway member municipality, through an agreement with Upper Delaware Scenic Byway, Inc. The hotline will be staffed during normal weekday business hours; messages may be recorded at other times. The byway also has a website at www.upperdelawarescenicbyway.org.

Municipalities now eligible for farm preservation funding

ALBANY, NY — New York State municipalities will soon be able to apply for funding to help develop local agricultural and farmland protection plans. Only counties have been eligible for such funding in the past.

“Local government can play a vital role in farmland protection by creating a supportive business environment for agriculture, by insuring that comprehensive plans and land use regulations contain clear language and explicit policies that are supportive of the local agriculture industry,” said agriculture commissioner Patrick Hooker. Municipalities, including cities, towns and villages that are located within a county that has established an agricultural and farmland protection board, will be eligible to submit an application. Grants will be made in amounts up to $25,000 or 75 percent of the cost of developing a local protection plan, whichever is less.

A copy of the Municipal Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan Development Request for Application will be made available at www.agmkt.state.ny.us under “Funding Opportunities” on Wednesday, September 26.

State program will help homeowners refinance existing mortgages

ALBANY, NY — Legislation sponsored by state Senator John Bonacic, and recently signed into law by Governor Elliot Spitzer, establishes a “Keep the Dream” program, making up to $100 million available to refinance existing mortgages into more traditional mortgage products. Locally, in Orange, Ulster, Sullivan and Dutchess counties, M&T Bank in Fishkill is participating in the program. The Fishkill office of M&T can be reached at 800/990-6209 or 845/440-2800.

Borrowers are eligible if they can demonstrate that they have experienced a mortgage payment hardship or will experience a mortgage payment hardship in the near future. Generally, the program will help borrowers with adjustable rate or interest-only mortgages where the interest rate has just increased or will increase in the near future. Borrowers who are less than 60 days behind on their mortgage payments because of higher payments due to an increased rate reset may also be eligible. The income limit is $70,000 in Sullivan County and $126,000 in Orange County.

For more information on the “Keep the Dream” program, visit www.senatorbonacic.com.

PPL donation will help improve emergency communications

HAWLEY, PA — PPL Corporation has donated $8,250 to the Wayne Pike Chapter of the American Red Cross to help purchase weather radios for people living along the Lackawaxen River.

“We are acting on a suggestion from the Lake Wallenpaupack Public Advisory Committee, which gives our neighbors in the lake region a forum with us,” said Paul Canevari, PPL’s regional community relations director. “The committee identified a need to improve emergency notifications to people who live along the Lackawaxen River, and PPL is pleased to support that initiative.”

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Weather Radios broadcast official National Weather Service warnings, watches, forecasts and other hazard information 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The Wayne Pike Chapter of the American Red Cross will purchase 150 NOAA radios, which will be distributed by local municipalities to people who live along the Lackawaxen.

Sheriff makes major drug arrest in Manor

LIVINGSTON MANOR, NY — Sullivan County Sheriff Michael Schiff has reported the arrest of a major drug trafficker in the Town of Rockland. Bradley Dunham, age 48, who resides in the Hemlock Ridge apartment complex, was arrested Saturday, September 8 and charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, with intent to sell. Dunham is reputed to head a group of individuals known as the “Cash Crew” who distribute narcotics in the Livingston Manor area. Sheriff’s Detective Jason Gorr, who arrested Dunham, says that Saturday’s arrest was the result of numerous citizen complaints.

“People in the Manor have asked us to get this guy off the street,” said Gorr, who led the investigation. Schiff said that his deputies have received reports that Dunham may have moved as much as five kilos of crack cocaine over the past several months. Dunham was arraigned in the Town of Rockland court before Judge Harold Madison, and sent to the Sullivan County Jail without bail.