Fanslau requests disaster declaration

MONTICELLO, NY — County Manager David Fanslau has issued a letter to Governor David A. Paterson requesting that the governor issue a state declaration, and request a federal disaster declaration, related to the blizzard that affected Sullivan County the last week of February. “During the course of 72 hours, some areas of our county realized snow accumulations in excess of four-and-a-half feet, and as a result extensive resources had to be expended in order to ensure the safety and comfort of our citizens,” said Fanslau.

“Last weekend, February 26 to 28, approximately 120 members of Sullivan County’s snow removal crews put in up to 50 hours of overtime in three days. As a result of the storm, the county, towns and villages have spent a total of $439,000 to date in cleanup efforts, which far exceeds our county’s cost threshold of $242,000 to receive emergency aid,” Fanslau added.

Eagle count may hit record this year

REGION — With an annual mid-winter survey near completion, preliminary results indicate that the bald eagle population in New York State may be at an all-time high since the state began its repopulation efforts more than 30 years ago.

New York has conducted annual surveys since 1979, and the highest official winter count occurred in 2008, with 573 bald eagles spotted. The Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) preliminary results for 2010 indicate that sightings may exceed this number. As of January 31, 459 eagles had been sighted. Additional eagle reports will be added to these totals as the volunteers’ ground-counts are reviewed. This winter’s count is expected to be higher than previous years because of prolonged periods of cold weather and extensive ice conditions, which can draw more eagles in from Canada.

For more information visit www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7068.html .

Local officials meet with DEP on sewers

HARRISBURG, PA — Local lawmakers met with Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary John E. Hanger; Senator Lisa Baker (R-20); and Reps. Sandra Major (R-111), Edward Staback (D-E 15), Mike Peifer (R-139) and Mike Carroll (D-11 8) regarding a controversial policy pertaining to on-lot sewage systems in Wayne County.

The meeting was held at the request of the lawmakers in order to express their concerns that recent changes to permitting of on-lot sewage systems would have a negative impact on construction activity and the local economy.

During the meeting, Hanger outlined several steps the DEP will take to mitigate the problem. Individuals who have had applications returned with no action taken will be contacted immediately and given guidance for resubmission, and DEP regional office staff will no longer withhold permit reviews or return applications without comment.

More meetings to discuss the issue are planned.

NYC steps up reservoir releases

REGION — New York City has stepped up the amount of water it releases from its reservoirs to reduce the threat of flooding from the historic snow pack throughout the Upper Delaware River basin.

This action is one of several new flood-mitigation measures established under a cooperative agreement between New York City and states along the Delaware River.

The upper basin typically contains 60 billion gallons of snowpack water at this time of year, but recent snowstorms have tripled the water content in the region’s snowpack to an estimated 175 billion gallons.

“To lessen the threat to downstream lives and property, New York City is releasing the maximum amount of water allowed under the Flexible Flow Management Plan to increase the storage capacity in their reservoirs,” said Pennsylvania Environmental Protection Secretary John Hanger.

Father convicted of attempted murder

MONTICELLO, NY — Cory Clarke, 27, has been convicted of attempted murder, incest, first-degree predatory sexual assault against a child and other sex crimes by a Monticello jury.

The crimes took place last July 4, when Clarke left his daughter, then seven months old, in the woods outside the Monticello Wal-Mart after abusing her. After going back inside, Clarke told a Wal-Mart employee she was missing, saying that someone had taken her while he was in the bathroom changing the diapers on her brother.

The prosecution used DNA tests and videotapes taken inside Wal-Mart, among other evidence, to obtain a conviction. Clarke’s attorney argued that he would not have had time to abandon the baby during the indicated time frame, and that no dirt or grass had been found on his clothing.

Sentencing will take place on April 19. The predatory sexual assault charge carries a sentence of 10 years to life, and the attempted murder charge carries a charge of up to 25 years in prison.

Road funds released for Cappelli site

ALBANY, NY — New York State has released $6 million in funds for road building to create access to developer Louis Cappelli’s planned resort on the site of the old Concord—a project that remains suspended in limbo due to financing problems.

The road work would include new roadway and traffic circles off Concord Road and County Road 109, where the main resort building and harness track are proposed to be built, as well as storm drainage, walkways and lighting.

The Sullivan County Legislature passed a resolution favoring the project last November, but some officials, including Town of Thompson Supervisor Tony Cellini and Senator John Bonacic, now question the wisdom of building the roads given the state’s tight budget and the questionable status of the development.

Cappelli insists the project will go through, despite multiple liens against it by contractors and a lawsuit for loans in default.