Sullivan Showcase nominations sought

MONTICELLO, NY — Nominations are being sought for the 2010 Sullivan Showcase Awards to recognize owners of homes and businesses that enhance the appearance of their community, with a deadline of September 10. Awards are presented by the Sullivan County Board of Realtors.

Residential categories are Best New Residential Construction (over 2,500 square feet), Best New Residential Construction (under 2,500 square feet), Best Residential Renovation (before and after photos required), Best Spruce-Up Residential (before and after photos required) and Other (unique, most interesting). Commercial categories are Best New Commercial, Best Commercial Renovation (before and after photos required), Best Spruce-Up Commercial (before and after photos required) and Other (unique, most interesting).

A separate application is required for the Best Municipal or Public Building Project. The winner is awarded a $2,000 grant made possible through Sullivan Renaissance.

Applications are available at scbr.getlamps.net or www.sullivanrenaissance.org. Call 845/794-2735.

Biohazard burial, illicit license probed

LIBERTY, NY — The Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office has opened an investigation into the license plates that appeared on a vehicle that was stopped in a Jewish cemetery on Hysana Rd. on August 24. NYS Environmental Conservation Police and sheriff’s deputies questioned Mayer T. Berger, 29, of Brooklyn, who was determined by police to be there to bury a fetus. Berger, who is a supervisor with Chesed Shel Emes, a Jewish burial society, was ticketed by the Department of Environmental Conservation for bio-hazard bags containing blood-soaked linen and cloth.

Berger was questioned about the license plate “NY OCME” on his car. Berger claimed that the plates stood for “New York Office of the Chief Medical Examiner,” and that he had permission from Dr. Hirsch of the NYC Medical Examiner’s Office to have them. When contacted, the medical examiner’s office said they did not know Mr. Berger and did not give anyone permission to have license plates indicating any affiliation with the office. The sheriff’s office is working with the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles on the investigation.

Drowning in Bethel under investigation

BETHEL, NY — Deputies from the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office were called to 3214 State Rte. 55 in the Town of Bethel to investigate a drowning on Saturday, August 28 at approximately 5:45 pm.

Town of Bethel Constable Chris McCarthy and Mobil Medic paramedics found Ann Krekun, 67, who resides at the address, floating in a pond near a dock when they responded to a 911 call to the address. The victim was taken to Catskill Regional Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead. A preliminary investigation indicates that Krekun may have been feeding the fish when she fell into the pond. The investigation is continuing. See obituary on page 8.

Conservation districts to regain authority?

HARRISBURG, PA — A bill proposed by Rep. Karen Boback (R-Columbia/Luzerne/Wyoming) would restore authority over erosion and sediment control for Marcellus Shale drilling projects to local conservation districts.

The bill addresses an action taken by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection in 2009, when it took over the responsibility for reviewing and approving or disapproving erosion and sediment control plans submitted by drilling companies from the conservation districts. Visit PAHouseGOP.com.

Comments sought on hazard mitigation

MONTICELLO, NY — County Manager David P. Fanslau announced that Sullivan County has completed a draft of the Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan update. The intention of the plan is to meet the NYS and Federal hazard mitigation planning requirements of the NYS Emergency Management Office and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

“The purpose of this Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) is to effectively reduce future disaster damages, public expenditure, private losses and community vulnerability to natural, technological and man-made hazards,” said Fanslau.

The plan can be seen at www.co.sullivan.ny.us . Residents are invited to submit comments at a meeting on Tuesday, September 7 at 5:30 pm at 100 North Street, in the second-floor Legislative Hearing Room. Feedback can also be emailed to planning@co.sullivan.ny.us or called in at 845/807-0527.