Bridge, towpath to be repaired

MINISINK FORD, NY — In late June, repairs will be undertaken on two Upper Delaware River resources, addressing damage from the floods of 2004 to 2006.

Pride Enterprises, Inc. of Norristown, PA, will return to the Roebling Bridge to finish repairs of the Ice Breakers and the stone piers caused by the April 2005 and June 2006 floods. Work is scheduled to last for approximately three weeks. Minor traffic delays are expected during the early phase of this project and river users will also encounter minor delays.

The Cutting Edge Group of Lake George, NY, will repair the Towpath Trail at Minisink Ford with an eye toward sustainability in flood conditions. Minimal traffic interruption is expected while the trail is being repaired and resurfaced, and there will be no impact on river users. The New York parking lot will be closed during the trail project. Visitors are being asked to park on the Pennsylvania side of the Roebling Bridge during this phase of construction.

For more information call 570/729-8251.

Shad in decline; more protection pondered in New York

UPPER DELAWARE RIVER — The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is seeking public input on potential fishing regulation changes being considered for Delaware River American shad.

The shad population is in significant decline and in need of rebuilding, prompting the DEC to consider decreasing the current daily creel limit from six to three fish.

A public scoping meeting is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 23 at the Hancock Town Hall, 661 West Main Street, Hancock, NY.

New York, in cooperation with other Delaware River Basin states, recently completed a stock assessment of Delaware River shad that indicates the stock is at historic lows. The shad abundance declined substantially in the early 1900s and has fallen further since the early 1990s. Juvenile production has varied without trend since the late 1980s.

Following the input received from the public, DEC staff will discuss what changes may be formally proposed.

For more information email r3hrf@gw.dec.state.ny.us or call 845/256-3072 or 256-3071.

Bishop is named warden

HONESDALE, PA — Acting warden Kevin Bishop has been named Warden of the Wayne County Correctional Facility by the prison board.

Bishop has been serving as acting warden since March 10, after the sudden resignation of warden Craig Chalmers.

Bishop, who has labored in the corrections field for 18 years, takes the helm of a prison that is not yet one year old. He lives in Honesdale with his wife and two daughters.

Pammer resigns

MONTICELLO, NY — Bill Pammer, Sullivan County’s planning commissioner for the past five years, has tendered his resignation effective August 21. Although he will continue to reside in Sullivan County, he has taken a tenured position at the Department of Public Management at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in Manhattan.

Pammer indicated a desire to return to teaching and research. He also said his new position will offer him more flexibility to engage in private consulting.

Under Pammer, the county produced a new comprehensive plan and flood management plans, as well as engaging in various green initiatives.

Wayne program needs employers for summer youth program

HONESDALE, PA — The Wayne County Job Training Program has money to pay the salaries of youths hired for the summer by local employers, but it has more applicants than employers.

“The program will pay the youths’ salaries,” said Marie McDonnell, director of the Job Training Program. “All the employer has to pay for is the workman’s compensation portion.”

The money is not restricted to high school-aged youth, but all unemployed youths from age 14 to 24. Any business or agency is eligible as an employer.

“As long as the employer has not laid people off during the recent recession, he or she is eligible for the program,” she said.

Participating employees are asked to train the youths in some aspect of the business and not just use them for “dirty work” but make the experience a possible step in a career, she said.

For more information, call the program at 570/253-5970, ext. 1765.

Interest-free loans for small businesses

WASHINGTON, DC — Many local small businesses may soon be eligible for interest-free loans under a new program created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The newly launched America’s Recovery Capital (ARC) program allows small companies to take out loans of $35,000 to pay down existing business debts. Borrowers pay no interest on the ARC loans and repayment does not begin for one year.

To qualify for the ARC loans, small firms must demonstrate they are experiencing immediate financial hardship due to the economic downturn, but are otherwise deemed by the Small Business Administration to be viable. The loans will be made by commercial lenders and can be used for payments of principal and interest for existing, qualifying small business debts like credit card obligations, mortgages, lines of credit and balances due to suppliers, vendors, and utilities.

To apply for ARC loans, businesses should visit their local SBA-approved small business lenders. For more information visit www.sba.gov/recovery/arcloanprogram/index.html