LIHEAP is now accepting applications - HARRISBURG - Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint) announced today that Pennsylvania's Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is now accepting applications for cash grants. Crisis grants will be available on Jan. 3, 2011.

LIHEAP helps low-income people pay their heating bills through home energy assistance grants and crisis grants. Cash grants are awarded based on household income, family size, type of heating fuel and region. Crisis grants are provided in the event of a heating emergency, including broken heating equipment or leaking lines that must be fixed or replaced, lack of fuel, termination of utility service or danger of being without fuel or of having utility service terminated. In most counties, assistance with home heating crisis situations is available 24 hours a day.

Applications are available at local county assistance offices, or from local utility companies and community service agencies, such as Area Agencies on Aging. Residents can also apply online through the COMPASS system.

Income eligibility for cash grants begins at $35,280 for a family of four. For full income eligibility guidelines and other information, call the appropriate county assistance office:

· Cameron County -- 814-486-1206

· McKean County -- 814-362-4671

· Potter County -- 814-274-4900

Assistance is also available by calling the toll-free LIHEAP hotline at 1-866-857-7095 (individuals with hearing impairments may call the TDD number at 1-800-451-5886). Internet users can access additional information at Causer's Web site at RepCauser.com.

Zito Closes Galaxy Deal

Rigas-Owned MSO Grows to 35K Subs

Zito Media, the Coudersport, Pa.-based cable company owned by James Rigas, closed on its acquisition of Galaxy Cable on Tuesday for an undisclosed sum.

Galaxy, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2001, has been in liquidation mode since 2003 when its new owners, distressed debt investor Cerberus Partners began selling off systems. The Zito transaction was the last Galaxy property to be sold.

Zito announced its intention to purchase Galaxy in May. New York-based cable investment banker Waller Capital was the exclusive advisor to the seller.

The Galaxy systems passed about 55,000 homes and served about 19,000 revenue generating units in Kentucky, Illinois, Nebraska, Kansas and Texas. With this deal, Zito now has about 35,000 subscribers in 11 states.

Source:  (http://www.multichannel.com/article/459326-Zito_Closes_Galaxy_Deal.php)

Change your clock, change your battery!

Each year we lose an hour/gain an hour.  Better known as Daylight Savings Time, that time to fall back and gain an hour of sleep is fast approaching.  This Saturday (11/6) as you go to bed, remember to set your clocks back one hour.  The end of Daylight Savings Time is officially observed at 2:00am, Sunday.  It's also a good time to change the batteries in your smoke detectors!

Boro Council Topics: Water, Street Repairs, Budget Prep

By Martha Knight

A major water storage tank has been cleaned and its interior waxed, a pump in Well 9 has been replaced, another pump motor was replaced, a control meter was defective, and there had been a main line leak on Ransome Street, all in October.

These problems and more were reported to the Port Allegany Borough Council at their monthly meeting Monday night, but borough manager Richard Kallenborn was able to assure the council that nearly all of the various repairs had been accomplished. The replacement meter has been ordered.

Good news for continuity in water system operation and pressure maintenance was that Saint-Gobain Containers has donated a diesel-powered generator which will be used to provide back-up power to Wells 7 and 8, in case of a major electric company service outage. Another generator is in use at the borough government complex.

On another water-related matter, Kallenborn reported that plans to sell the treated output of the sewer plant, for hydro-fracturing or “fracking” gas drilling use, are taking shape. Solicitor Michael Alfieri has readied a water sales agreement, just in time for use with initial water buyers. The borough expects such sales to become a source of revenue. A company has built a large holding tank near the treatment plant, and the borough has provided a supply line.

Leaf pick-up service will be continued as long as borough residents call to request it, Kallenborn said. The aging leaf collecting machine broke down Monday but is being patched up for further use. Persons wanting leaves picked up from street-side piles may call the borough office, as may others who are interested in receiving leaves for composting and mulch.

Work on the 2011 budget will get underway November 15 and continue November 17, with both work sessions to begin at 5 p.m. Kallenborn offered to have pizza delivered so council members can work through the dinner hour. Work sessions are open to the public.

This year’s street paving projects have been completed and crews are placing berm material along new blacktop, Kallenborn said. New sluices have replaced catch basins in several places.

Kallenborn praised paving and sewer line replacement contractor Glenn O. Hawbaker’s performance on the past season’s projects. He asked Fred Roys, a fire department volunteer and officer who works for Hawbaker, to convey his approbation.

Council member Dave Fair mentioned that some crosswalks in the Main Street business section still need to be repainted. Kallenborn said that those painted in the spring have faded, and that the paint can’t be used when it is too cold, but he will see to the task.

Council member Lewis Duell and mayor Don Carley wanted to know the status of plans to hold discussions with cable service franchisee Zito Media, to air concerns council members have or hear about from constituents.

It was agreed that borough secretary Sue Roboski will arrange to have Zito Media representatives attend an upcoming council meeting, presumably the December one.

Council president Judy Taylor, directing her remarks to police chief Dave Distrola, said, “I want to thank the police for the fine job done yesterday (relating to Halloween activities and extra patrolling)—it was very gratifying to see the police going up and down the streets.”

Carley said there had been good assistance with “our attempt at a parade,” and the party provided for the children by the Moose Family Center had been a success.

Council member Kate Kysor reported that the recent dinner auction had raised $19,500 for Samuel W. Smith Memorial Public Library and Bookmobile. The annual fund raiser helps support regular library and bookmobile services, augmenting scarce state funds, borough support and the lesser amounts contributed by the other municipalities in the service area.

Council member Andrew Johnson asked for an update on some matters several committees are working on. These include a possible alteration in the traffic pattern along Maple Street between Willow Street and Church Street.

Fair said that he had called a meeting of the Streets and Sidewalk Committee, and had been the only member to show up. Other committees with pending projects include Public Safety. 

Roys told council that Star Hose Company (the fire department’s organizational name) resumed bingo two weeks ago, and still is not making money. Bingo play will be offered for the rest of the year, and then Star Hose will evaluate the feasibility of continuing.

Sneak Peak - Lloyd Eastman is getting a sneak peak (or taste) from his wife, Dolores,  of one of the delicious soups to be served Saturday at the Fall Bazaar.  The bazaar will be held from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the Port Allegany United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall and will feature local vendors Janet Causer with Celebrating Home; Linda Gordon with Tastefully Simple; Melissa Hamilton with Small Town Treats; Susan Roboski with Spirit House Inventory; and Alexis Reed with Beauty Control and Party Lite Inventory.  In addition, there will be a Baked Food Sale, Bucket Auction and the soup/chili luncheon.  Lunch will be available beginning at 11:30 a.m.  The bazaar is being sponsored by the Sunday School (Preschool through Senior High) and will benefit projects such as UNSUNG HEROES and Senior Scholarships. Pam Fischer Photo/Story

Pastor Appreciation Month - October is Pastor Appreciation Month.  As has become tradition, members of the congregation of the United Methodist Church remember Pastor Randy and Barb Headley each day of the month with a special thank you.  Each Sunday, a presentation is made during the morning worship service.   On October 31, Sunday School students presented the couple with a potted mum and an unique flower pot with flowers made from the pictures of each student.  A member of the congregation said that although the month was now over, the appreciation the congregation has for the Headleys will continue. Pictured with the Headleys are (front row)   Zoe Burr, Addie Burr, Makayla Alcorn, Lillianne Reed; (middle row) Sasha Fischer, Kierra Keck, Isaac Burr, Corbin Hamilton and Shaylei Burr.  Pam Fischer Photo/Story