Senate approves bill to allow referendums

ALBANY, NY — The New York State Senate has passed a bill to amend the New York State constitution to provide for initiatives and referendums, allowing people as electors to propose or reject laws and submit amendments to the state’s constitution. The resolution was approved with bipartisan support.

This proposal (S6020) would allow for direct initiatives and referendums on the state, county, city, town or village level. In order to propose any measure at the local level, signatures from at least five percent of the residents in the municipality who voted in the last gubernatorial election would be required. A measure would become law if it receives the approval of the majority of voters within the municipality.

State senator John J. Bonacic (R/C—Mount Hope) supports the bill. “Part of what makes our state and nation great is that government is by the people and for the people,” he said. “Providing additional avenues for the people to participate in their government is in line with this philosophy and is democracy at its best.”

Graduation rates fall for region

SULLIVAN, ORANGE AND ULSTER COUNTIES — The rate at which students in Sullivan, Orange and Ulster counties graduated in June four years after entering high school dropped from 77 percent in 2006 to 75.8 percent in 2007. Counting summer graduates, the average rate for the area improved somewhat to 78.4 percent. This is the first year the summer data was collected, so it is not possible to compare it to last year.

Eldred bucked the trend with an increase from 86 to 90 percent, and Liberty and Monticello also improved, from 54 to 55 percent and from 60 to 65 percent respectively. The lower absolute levels are correlated with higher poverty levels for those districts, a correlation/observed throughout the three-county region. Sullivan West school district held steady at 75 percent, while a few Sullivan County districts showed deterioration, including Tri-Valley, dropping from 79 to 75 percent; Livingston Manor, slipping from 81 to 80 percent; and Fallsburg, which fell a whopping eight percentage points to 48 from 56 percent.

Thompson turns down proposal

MONTICELLO, NY — Cherry Valley Builder’s request to connect 29 proposed homes on Old Sackett Road in the Emerald Green development to the Emerald Green-Lake Louise Marie has been turned down by the Town of Thompson.

According to supervisor Tony Cellini, the sewer facility in question is currently near capacity. A $2.5 million expansion of the existing plant is planned, however. A number of other projects are also in line to use the sewage system.

The Emerald Green board of directors and other homeowners in the area have opposed the new development.

County asks college to share the pain

MONTICELLO, NY — After initially giving a verbal indication that they would increase the county’s share of funding for Sullivan County Community College by three percent, Sullivan County lawmakers have offered a rise of only 1.03 percent, about $70,000 than the original proposal.

The change comes at a time when the county itself is under severe budget pressures. Last week it approved about $1.25 million in budget cuts. News in cuts of state funding is expected later this month.

4-H sale reaches record at Wayne fair

HONESDALE, PA — The Wayne County Junior Livestock Sale on the last day of the Wayne County Fair realized $346,853.10, a record. The main auction was followed by a buy-back sale, at which buyers donated the animal purchased back for resale, with the proceeds designated mostly to the Nebzydoski-White Memorial Junior Livestock Sale Scholarship program. A total of $23,847 was raised for that fund, which benefits students seeking degrees in agricultural or veterinary fields, or planning to stay on the farm or start an agricultural-related business.

Over 400 animals were auctioned, presented by 206 exhibitors.

The fair overall attracted 89,664 visitors this year, a gain of over 4,000 from last year but still somewhat short of the record 93,825 set in 2006.

Charge against Etkin dropped

MONTICELLO, NY — A federal extortion charge against suspended Sullivan County sheriff’s deputy Phil Etkin was dropped by U.S. District Judge Kenneth Karas at a pretrial conference on Thursday, August 7.

It had been charged that Etkin took $2,500 from the owner of the Da Shark Lounge, located on Route 17B, telling the owner that in return he would clear up problems related to alleged violations in connection with the New York State Liquor Authority. U.S. attorneys requested that the charge be dismissed.

A trial date of November 10 has been set for the remaining charge, which alleges that Etkin made an extortion attempt against another party in Monticello.

Township seeks to have five supervisors

CLINTON TOWNSHIP,PA — If you live in Clinton Township, you will see more on your ballot in November than the names of the presidential candidates. You will also be asked to vote on a special referendum to increase the size of the board of supervisors from three to five members.

The Wayne County Board of Elections approved the appearance of the referendum on the ballot at its meeting on August 7, 2008.

“There are 1,289 registered voters in the township, and they had to have signatures from five percent of that number,” said Vicky Lamberton, chief clerk of the county. The petition presented to the commissioners had 67 names, two more than the 65 that are required.

No mention was made why the township is seeking to expand the board, which would be the first such increase in Wayne if it passes, Lamberton said.