Agricultural park receives grant

SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY — State Senator John J. Bonacic has announced that the Sullivan County Agricultural Local Development Corporation will receive a state grant in the amount of $45,000 for the Liberty Agricultural and Light Industrial Park project.

The Sullivan County Agricultural Local Development Corporation was formed in 2004 and is a nonprofit whose mission is to improve economic viability and sustainability for Sullivan County and the surrounding area’s agribusiness. The corporation, in partnership with the local Industrial Development Agency, is developing the Liberty Agricultural and Light Industrial Park. It will have water, sewer and electric available to five different lots with an access road running through it.

The “Build Now NY” funding was granted by the Empire State Development Corporation to be used for a portion of pre-permitting costs associated with making the Liberty Agricultural and Light Industrial Park “shovel ready.”

Siptroth adds seat on tourism to committee assignments

HARRISBURG, PA — State Rep. John Siptroth (D-Monroe/Pike) has added a seat on the Tourism and Recreational Development Committee to his list of committee appointments. He will continue to serve on the Appropriations, Commerce, Transportation, Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness committees. He will serve as chairman of the Transportation Committee’s Subcommittee on Aviation.

Siptroth said that being on the tourism committee will enable him to consider legislation that could affect one of the Pocono’s largest industries.

Hinchey helps form sustainability coalition

WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) has helped establish the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC), a new caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives committed to advancing a legislative agenda that will bring about progressive change in energy and environmental policy while helping to grow the economy. The group, which was founded by Congressman Jay Inslee (D-WA) and Congressman Steve Israel (D-NY), recently met with assistant to the President Carol Browner to discuss energy and climate policy. Additionally, SEEC has been working to strengthen green technology provisions in the economic recovery bill currently being debated in Congress.

The stated purpose of SEEC is “to advance policies that promote clean energy technology innovation and domestic manufacturing, develop renewable energy resources, create green collar jobs throughout the product supply-chain, help arrest global warming and protect our nation’s clean air, water and natural environment.”

SEEC has 35 founding members.

Monticello impact patrol cuts violent crime in half

MONTICELLO, NY — The State of New York Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) has reported an overall drop of 27 percent in crime and a 52 percent drop in violent crime in the Village of Monticello for the period of 2006 through 2008.

Monticello chief of police Douglas Solomon and Sullivan County District Attorney Stephen F. Lungen met with officials from the DCJS in late 2006 due to the substantial increase in violent crime at that time primarily attributed to the influx of gang activity. Violent gun crimes, gangs and increased illegal drug activity mainly attributed to the Bloods street gang plagued the Village of Monticello. With the help of an “impact tools grant” of $60,000 from DCJS, the Monticello Police Department put out special overtime patrols that assigned officers specifically to target the increased gun, drug and gang activity. The 2007/2008 Monticello impact patrol initiative resulted in a total of 1,122 arrests. Thirty-three search warrants were executed and 30 firearms taken off the streets by arrests or investigations.

Monticello police have been awarded a third straight impact tools grant for 2009.

Honesdale polling places may be consolidated

HONESDALE, PA — The Wayne County Bureau of Elections is considering consolidating polling stations in Honesdale before the May 19th primary as a way of cutting costs.

The existing District #4 would remain as is, with voting at the Texas #4 Fire Hall on Grove Street. District #3 would be merged with District #1 and vote at the current District #1 polling place, at the Honesdale Senior Center on 10th Street. District #2 would merge with the current District #5. It has been sharing space with District #5 at the Park Street Complex, so the change would have no impact on voting location.

The bureau estimates that $2,450 could be saved by closing the two polling stations. The measure would bring the total number of voters in each district to a little under 1,000 on average, well under Pennsylvania’s recommended maximum of 1,600 voters.

Fundraiser planned to keep Duggan open

BETHEL, NY — An organization named “Bethel United to Save our Schools” (BUSS) has been formed to keep Cornelius Duggan Elementary School open. The organization intends to maintain a presence at various community meetings and chats, providing information about the school system and its budget.

The group will hold a fundraiser to pay for professional and legal consulting services as well as basic operating expenses such as office supplies. It will be held on Sunday, February 8 from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Friends Restaurant in Smallwood.