Bill would address sub-prime crisis in NY

ALBANY, NY — Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther has endorsed a plan to address the sub-prime lending crisis in New York State. The plan allocates $150 million in direct financial assistance and $30 million for counseling and legal services to homeowners struggling with growing interest rates.

“The deceptive loan practices that characterize the sub-prime lending crisis are leaving thousands of New Yorkers high and dry,” Gunther said. “The scope and stakes are as staggering as they are real. Countless homes are on the line across the state. With the cost of inaction too high, this legislation offers a much needed helping hand to borrowers confronting insurmountable mortgages.”

In addition to providing funds for direct assistance and counseling, the proposed legislation would call for addressing current sub-prime predatory lending practices, including adjustable rate mortgages, negative amortization, prepayment penalties and lending without regard to repayment ability; require home loan originators to report their lending activity to the state banking department, which then would be required to issue an annual report to the legislature and develop a database on defaults and foreclosures, and increase the duties owed borrowers by lenders and brokers, among other measures.

Eight years later, fugitive turns himself in

MONTICELLO, NY — Richard Lopez, 28, on the run since being arrested in Monticello in 2000, turned himself in to police on Monday, January 14.

Lopez had been charged with possession of a forged instrument, a felony, and was also wanted on a parole violation related to a burglary conviction. He fled to Nevada and had been living in Las Vegas before returning to Monticello to turn himself in.

He has been sent to the Sullivan County Jail without bail.

Property tax deadline approaches

MONTICELLO, NY — Sullivan County Treasurer Ira J. Cohen, has issued a reminder to land owners who received a tax foreclosure notice during October, 2007, that the deadline to pay is Thursday, January 31 at 5:00 p.m. Payments postmarked January 31, 2008, will be accepted. Unless the unpaid tax delinquencies are paid in full, the property will be foreclosed and slated for sale at public auction.

The treasurer’s office will accept payment in the form of cash, certified bank check, money orders and MasterCard or Visa credit card. Certified bank checks and money orders should be made payable to the “Sullivan County Treasurer.” Personal checks will not be accepted.

Property owners may be eligible for an installment payment plan. For information about the installment plan, contact Gen at 845/794-3000 ext. 3204. All other questions should be directed to the county treasurer’s office at 845/794-3000, ext. 5014.

USDA collects statistics on farm households

REGION — The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is conducting a survey to collect information on issues affecting America’s farm households. The annual Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS), conducted by the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), is the USDA’s primary source of information on production practices, resource use and economic well-being of America’s farm households.

From January to March, NASS field offices will contact 33,500 farmers nationwide by mail or phone to complete the survey. Producers will be asked to provide data on their operating expenditures, production costs and household characteristics. ARMS survey responses will be compiled and NASS will publish the farm economic data in the annual Farm Production Expenditures report, to be released on August 7.

Information provided by respondents is confidential by law. All NASS reports are available online at www.nass.usda.gov.

DOE sued on transmission corridor

REGION — Eleven regional and national environmental organizations, including the local Catskill Mountainkeeper, have announced plans to file suit against the Department of Energy (DOE) over its final designation of a mid-Atlantic National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor. The groups are challenging the designation on grounds that the Department of Energy violated the National Environmental Policy Act and Endangered Species Act by failing to study the potential harmful impacts of the corridor on air quality, wildlife, habitat and other natural resources.

Among the organizations joining the lawsuit in addition to Catskill Mountainkeeper are the Sierra Club, the National Parks Conservation Association, the Clean Air Council and the Pennsylvania Land Trust Association. They are asking the U.S. District Court in the Middle District of Pennsylvania to compel the DOE to perform an environmental impact statement on the corridor and consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over impacts to endangered species as required by law.

Repairs improve line of sight on Sterling Business Park road

HONESDALE, PA — Travelers along Route 191 and Moon Road in Sterling Township may experience brief delays during the next two weeks as trees are cleared along the business park site. The clearing is required by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PENNDOT) in order for Wayne Economic Development Corporation (WEDCO) to receive its highway occupancy permit for the business park.

“One of our key concerns and PENNDOT’s is the intersection of Routes 191, 196 and Moon Road,” said WEDCO executive director Mary Beth Wood. The change will improve safety for motorists, she said.