Child goes missing for 24 hours

MONGAUP VALLEY, NY — A three-year-old boy who had been missing from Swinging Bridge Campground for over a day was found in good condition after an extensive search.

On Saturday, May 24, Deputies from the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report that Daniel Niktalova, age three, had gone missing. He had last been seen in front of lot D3 of the campground at approximately 11:00 a.m. Search and rescue teams helped law enforcement officers comb the area surrounding the campground and the Swinging Bridge Reservoir until dark.

The search resumed at 8:00 a.m. Sunday morning.The child was eventually found by Search Team #2, led by Liberty Fireman Harry Rampe, shortly after 11:00 a.m. The child was found sitting under a rock ledge about half a mile east of the campground in a heavily wooded area. He had a slight bump on his head but was otherwise unharmed. After being reunited with his parents, Eduard Katanov and Svetlana Niktalova of Forest Hills, NY, he was taken to Catskill Regional Medical Center as a precaution.

Missing man turns up safe

GLEN SPEY, NY — A man reported missing on Monday, May 19 after going out to get some cigarettes was found safe and sound the next day at his family’s house.

According to police, Grzegorz Fabrowicz, 37, who had been vacationing with friends in Glen Spey, had gotten lost somewhere in the Delaware Water Gap after drinking too much alcohol. Fabrowicz made an attempt to call his mother, but had to call collect, and since she understands little English, she did not properly understand when she was asked to accept charges.

Police requested that Fabrowicz report to a police station to confirm his identity.

Bill promoting solar passes House

WASHINGTON, DC — Legislation championed by Congressman Maurice Hinchey that will promote solar energy has passed the House of Representatives.

The Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act extends and expands tax incentives for renewable electricity, energy and fuel, as well as for plug-in hybrid cars and energy efficient homes, buildings and appliances. It extends a 30 percent tax credit on solar products purchased by consumers, and doubles the annual cap to $4,000. The measure also extends the business solar energy tax credit of 30 percent for six years, which should spur investments and make solar equipment more competitive and less costly.

The measure is similar to one that the House passed in February. The Senate, blocked that measure because the renewable energy tax incentives were paid for by eliminating federal subsidies for oil companies. The bill just passed pays for the tax incentives by closing loopholes that allow corporations and executives to avoid U.S. taxes by shipping jobs and investments overseas.

Texas Township holds hotel hearing

TEXAS TOWNSHIP, PA — A hearing on the proposed 80-room hotel and restaurant in Texas Township by the Route Six Development Company, LLC, was held before the Texas Township Board on Monday, May 5, 2008.

Paul Menichello, of Reilly Associates, presented the results of a traffic impact study that was conducted in August of 2006 at the intersections leading up to and away from the site, which will link into the road that leads to Home Depot and Wal-Mart.

The study, which Menichello claimed was based on scientific studies of traffic patterns of similar projects, indicated that the increase of traffic could be readily handled at the proposed construction site.

A question that arose was whether the emergency access road that will traverse the Quiet Acres Mobile Park, which abuts the property, could safely carry heavy emergency fire equipment in and out of the mobile park.

The board is expected to rule on the permit at its next meeting on Monday, June 2, 2008 at 7:30 p.m.

Bonacic expects action on property tax reform in June

ALBANY, NY — State Senator John Bonacic (R/I/C – Mt. Hope) is pushing to get action on property tax relief before the New York State legislature adjourns on June 23.

In early June, the Commission on Property Tax Reform, established by former Governor Eliot Spitzer to examine the issue of a school property tax cap, is expected to call either for a property tax cap, or an expanded “circuit breaker” law, or both.

A property tax cap would limit the growth in property taxes to an estimated three percent per year. An expanded circuit breaker law would refund a portion of the property taxes paid by middle income New Yorkers. The circuit breaker measure alone, however, does not have any provision to control local school spending and could produce unintended results similar to the STAR program. In fact, while the STAR program does reduce taxes a little, schools continue to spend more each year.

Some in the state legislature are pushing for higher income taxes to help fund a “circuit breaker.” Under one proposal being considered, income taxes would be raised on high income individuals in order to give a larger property tax credit to other families, a measure Bonacic opposes.

Two teens go on vandalism spree in Port

PORT JERVIS, NY — Two 19-year-olds have been arrested on 14 felony counts of criminal mischief in connection with extensive car vandalism that occurred in Port Jervis last Sunday.

The young men, Harry Koch of Huguenot and Kenneth Conklin of Matamoras, PA, smashed the windows and lights of 15 cars throughout the town. No motive for the behavior is known, and the destruction appears to have been random.