ny/pa briefs

Martucci wants impeachment, NEPA COVID relief and more

What's new in the Upper Delaware region March 18-24

Posted 3/18/21

Martucci calls for Cuomo impeachment

ALBANY, NY — While the New York State Assembly has initiated an impeachment investigation into allegations of misconduct by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, NYS Sen. …

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ny/pa briefs

Martucci wants impeachment, NEPA COVID relief and more

What's new in the Upper Delaware region March 18-24

Posted

Martucci calls for Cuomo impeachment

ALBANY, NY — While the New York State Assembly has initiated an impeachment investigation into allegations of misconduct by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, NYS Sen. Mike Martucci (NY-42) is joining other state Republicans calling for immediate impeachment hearings. 

“Gov. Cuomo has flatly said he will not resign. He has not walked back that statement. Given these facts, he must now be impeached. It is important to note that he has not denied any of the specific incidents of sexual harassment that have been alleged. He has instead said he didn’t mean it, that it was not intentional, that no one objected at the time and that he was being playful. These are all classic defenses of a narcissistic, habitual harasser,” Martucci said in a statement.  “What is left to investigate? The assembly should introduce and pass articles of impeachment immediately.”

Gov. Cuomo has denied allegations from a former aid who said that he groped her in the governor’s mansion last year. She was at least the sixth woman to allege sexual harassment.

NYS offers emergency heating assistance 

ALBANY, NY — The New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance recently announced that an additional $15 million is available to help eligible New Yorkers facing a home heating emergency. Households that have already received emergency assistance from the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) this winter can apply for a second round of benefits if they are in danger of running out of fuel or having their service disconnected when the statewide moratorium on utility shutoffs expires at the end of March.

Additionally, the deadline to apply for both the regular and emergency HEAP benefits was extended until Friday, April 30. With the initial round of HEAP benefits, both rounds of emergency assistance, households can receive up to $2,371 in assistance.

Applications for emergency HEAP are accepted at local departments of social services in person or by telephone. A list of offices by county can be found at www.otda.ny.gov.

Baker calls for transportation reform

HARRISBURG, PA — Sen. Lisa Baker (PA-20) is supporting legislation that she says would reform the commonwealth’s Public-Private Transportation Partnership (P3) statute and create more legislative oversight over future transportation projects.

The bill, Senate Bill 382, comes as the P3 board, under PennDOT’s jurisdiction, plans to impose tolls on nine interstate bridges throughout the commonwealth, a plan Baker and other lawmakers hope to void.

In addition to canceling PennDOT’s bridge initiative, Senate Bill 382 would require PennDOT to publish detailed analyses prior to P3 voting meetings; create a 30-day public comment period before meetings; and give the General Assembly power to approve and disapprove P3 projects involving user fees.

Thompson gets top-tier credit rating

TOWN OF THOMPSON, NY — Moody’s Investor Service has just released its credit ranking for the Town of Thompson, giving it an Aa3 credit rating, which is in the top tier of financial ratings. This rating ensures that the town receives lower interest rates when issuing bonds or financing purchases, thereby saving its taxpayers thousands of dollars in interest. 

“We are pleased that Moody’s has affirmed our top tier Aa3 financial rating for bond financing. Thompson is growing its $1.55 billion tax base, while maintaining solid reserves, liquidity and a strong balance sheet,” supervisor Bill Rieber said. “Our financial management strategy is calculated and conservative, which is in part why we received such a great credit rating. Most importantly, lower interest costs benefit our taxpayers. By protecting the town’s bottom line, we’re looking out for the taxpayer’s bottom line as well.”

Volunteers sought for litter sweep

NARROWSBURG, NY — Volunteers are needed for the first-ever Upper Delaware Litter Sweep that will take place in every Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River corridor community between April 17 and April 25 in celebration of Earth Day.

Participants will receive a commemorative t-shirt featuring original artwork designed by Dan Nelson of Happy Tattoo in Honesdale, PA; supplies to use including safety equipment, bags and pickers; and disposal information for their collected trash.

The Upper Delaware Council (UDC) is working with designated litter leaders in the New York towns of Hancock, Fremont, Delaware, Cochecton, Tusten, Highland, Lumberland and Deerpark; and PA townships of Buckingham, Manchester, Damascus, Berlin, Lackawaxen, Shohola and Westfall Townships to coordinate the series of land-based cleanups.

Anyone willing to help provide labor or services should contact Ashley Hall-Bagdonas at (845) 252-3022 or ashley@upperdelawarecouncil.org and provide your name, email, phone number, preferred location and availability.

NEPA to receive millions in COVID relief

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright (PA-08) recently announced that the American Rescue Plan passed by Congress and signed by President Biden could make an estimated $300 million available directly to the counties and larger cities that comprise the Northeast PA. Millions more will also be distributed to the state government to pass on to boroughs, townships and smaller cities. These resources will help keep frontline employees like police, firefighters and EMS workers on payroll and maintain essential local public services, Cartwright said.

According to House estimates, Wayne and Pike counties are both receiving roughly $10 million in aid.

Wayne awards hospitality funding

HONESDALE, PA — The Wayne County Commissioners awarded more than $60,000 in Hotel Tax funds to 10 local organizations to help promote events and activities in the community that encourage overnight stay: Chamber of the Northern Poconos, $15,350; Dorflinger Factory Museum, $2,000; Greater Honesdale Partnership, $17,808.86; Rail-Trail Council of NEPA, $1,910; The Cooperage Project, $3,000; WP Waterways & Trails Alliance, $2,500; Wayne County Creative Arts Council, $3,500; Wayne County Historical Society, $3,000; Women’s Club of Honesdale, $2,965.

The county plans to reopen the application process sometime in May to allow for additional applicants who have had more of a chance to see how COVID restrictions will impact their events or operations.

martucci, impeachment, nepa, covid-19, relief, litter sweep, volunteers, matt cartwright, lisa baker, heating assistance, thompson, credit rating,

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