Metzger lauds bridge decision

COCHECTON, NY — Sen. Jen Metzger (SD-42) welcomed the decision by the New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) to avoid fully closing the Cochecton-Damascus Bridge while it undergoes critical repairs. The bridge is an essential link between Cochecton, NY, and Damascus, PA, for emergency vehicles to cross the Delaware River in a timely manner. After meeting with Cochecton Supervisor Gary Maas and local businesses and residents in March, Metzger wrote a letter to the DOT urging that the department keep one lane open during construction. She received official confirmation on April 17 that the department agreed to the request. 

“The communities on both sides of the river are dependent on the assurance that the bridge provides. Fire trucks, ambulances, and rescue vehicles require access to their destinations via the Cochecton-Damascus Bridge. An alternate route over the closest bridge at Callicoon is a 22 mile detour—an unacceptable distance in an emergency situation that could jeopardize public safety,” Metzger wrote in a letter to NYS Department of Transportation Region 9 Regional Director, Nicholas A. Choubah.

Legislation for mail in ballots

HARRISBURG, PA — In the midst of a pandemic that has infected thousands, allowing registered voters to safely cast their ballots is quickly becoming a critical issue as states begin to head to the polls. In Pennsylvania, state Rep. Ed Gainey has moved to introduce legislation that would automatically send mail-in ballots to the homes of registered voters, allowing them to avoid potentially crowded public polling areas.

“As we make our way through this public health crisis, we need to be looking at options to keep people apart as much as possible,” Gainey said. “Recently in Wisconsin, we saw the dangers of allowing an election to proceed as business as usual—long lines, uneven protection measures and no small amount of chaos.

“Extending the legislation that we passed last year to provide all registered voters with a mail-in ballot prior to an election would ensure that all Pennsylvanians can exercise their rights without fear of contracting or spreading this virus,” Gainey said. “We don’t know what will happen this fall, but we need to take steps now to ensure that our election proceeds smoothly and safely.”

Curbiside pickup for some PA liquor stores

HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) began allowing curbside pickup service in a limited number of stores in the state. Each store will take a limited number of orders by phone from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., or until the store reaches the maximum number of orders it can fulfill that day, Monday through Saturday. 

Curbside pickup orders will be limited to one order of no more than six bottles. Only one order will be accepted per caller, per store, per day. Callers will be guided by store staff through products available to purchase at each location. Payment by credit card will be required by phone, and all curbside pickup sales are final (no returns). A message on the PLCB website says, Fine Wine & Good Spirits is making strides in expanding service to our customers. We ask you to remain patient if you don’t get through by phone right away. We’re optimistic our capacity to fulfill orders through our website and curbside pickup will increase in the coming weeks. Thank you for your continued patience and understanding.”

In Wayne County, Fine Wine & Good Spirits Premium Collection #6401 at 74 Welwood Avenue in Hawley is participating.

Delgado, Gillibrand call for direct funding to rural municipalities

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Antonio Delgado (NY-19) and U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) urged Congress on April 17 to include robust funding for rural communities in the next coronavirus relief package. Rural communities often operate on very thin margins and the coronavirus pandemic has caused these already struggling communities to lose valuable resources as they continue to operate with diminished sales tax returns, an abandoned tourism industry, and closures across nearly all retail sectors. 

Additionally, rural communities have difficulty accessing federal funds because they must rely on competitive grant programs to receive funding. Delgado and Gillibrand requested robust rural funding and the consideration of direct payments to small towns and counties to address their unique needs. The push is based on framework from their Rebuild Rural America Act, which would establish a dedicated stream of federal funding for rural communities.