Gov. Ed Rendell signs
pension reform bill into law
Gov. Ed Rendell signed into law a
bill that will provide some immediate relief
to the anticipated spike in taxpayer
contributions to the state's two public pension
systems and alters the pension benefits for
incoming legislators as well as school and state
employees hired on and after Jan. 1.
It also creates an independent
fiscal office that will provides nonpartisan
budget projections to the legislative branch,
which previously was reliant on the executive
branch to provide those projections.
The bill, which essentially
rolls back the pension enhancements approved in
2001, increases from five to 10 years the time
it takes for newly hired employees to become
vested and delays the retirement age to 65 from
60 for state employees and 62 for school
employees. It rolls back the multiplier used to
calculate pension benefits to 2 percent from 2.5
percent.
It also prohibits new
employees from taking a lump-sum payment of
their contributions upon retiring. And it adds a
requirement that employees pay a higher
contribution rate if the pension fund suffers
losses.
For the state and school
district taxpayers, it buys time to fund the
increases to help fund the pension plans. What
it does is akin to taking a 15-year mortgage and
refinancing it to a 30-year mortgage, making the
monthly payments smaller, but the overall amount
paid for the mortgage much bigger.
This kicking the can down the
road approach is a primary reason why the plan
drew opposition from some conservative lawmakers
as well as the conservative-leaning
Commonwealth Foundation. But
public school and state employee advocacy
groups saw it as a compromise worth accepting to
ensure a secure retirement for current and
future public employees. Source:
Pennlive.com
Players, Performers to
merge -
PORT ALLEGANY—The Port Performers and the Potter Players will hold
a joint meeting at 3 p.m. Sunday, December 12, in the Gethsemane
Lutheran social hall on Arnold Avenue.
People interested in becoming involved in the combined group’s
dramatic and musical productions are encouraged to attend the
meeting.
Volunteers are needed for all aspects of production, from acting,
singing and dancing to makeup, costuming, lighting, set construction
and publicity.
The Potter Players have presented numerous theatrical and musical
shows in recent years. The Port Performers’ initial production was
“Moments to Remember,” a musical revue featuring music of the 1950s,
1960s and 1970s. It was sponsored by the Port Allegany High School
class of 1960, in late September, timed to coincide with Alumni
Weekend.
The two groups plan to reorganize into one unit and produce shows
to be performed in both Potter and McKean counties.
Father/Daughter Survive First Round of AMTC Album Eliminations
- Local residents Mandy Miles (Amanda Miles Cox) and her father Walt
Miles recently returned from a singer/songwriter competition in
Orlando Florida that was put on by Actors, Models, and Talent for
Christ (AMTC).
Mandy and Walt have made it through
the first round of eliminations and now they need your help to win
the opportunity to be among the 12 finalists on AMTC’s Shine album.
You can vote for Mandy’s and Walt’s songs by logging onto
www.amtcmusic.com. You can
vote once a day until December 15, 2010. Their songs may be
purchased for download at this site as well.
Shine is AMTC Music's online showcase
and competition for Singer/ Songwriters. AMTC Music’s purpose is to
call attention to many of God's talented artists. AMTC Music is part
of Actors, Models and Talent for Christ: a movement of performers
who want to example excellence and positivity in the entertainment
industry.
100% of the profits made from download
and CD purchases will be given to the non-profit organization “Stand
up for Kids”. StandUp For Kids is a not-for-profit organization
founded in 1990 to help rescue homeless and at-risk youth. With
national headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, StandUp For Kids is run
almost entirely by volunteers, and has programs in a number of
states.
For more information contact Mandy
Miles at 814-203-1369 or via email
mandymilescox@hotmail.com
Pitt-Bradford To Offer Minor In Digital Graphic Design
BRADFORD, PA – Students at the
University of Pittsburgh at Bradford can now minor in digital
graphic design, which blends artistry with business skills.
Faculty from both the Division of Communication and the Arts and
the Division of Management and Education developed the 18-credit
minor, which is expected to be popular with students in many
majors, including broadcast communications, business management,
computer information systems and technology, hospitality
management, interdisciplinary arts, and public relations.
Already students have begun signing up for the minor, which
includes courses in art appreciation, design, digital
photography and imaging, drawing, web programming, and visual
communication.
“It’s already a popular choice for the broadcast communication
students, all of whom need to have a minor as part of their
requirements,” said Jeff Guterman, associate professor of
communication, chairman of the Division of Communication and the
Arts, and director of the broadcast communications program.
“We didn’t have to build the demand for this minor. The demand
was already there.”
Guterman said he and Kong Ho, associate professor of art, had
been looking at a digital graphic design minor for a couple of
years when they were approached by Betsy Matz, chairwoman of the
Division of Management and Education, who was also interested in
providing digital design skills for business students.
“This is a great addition for our students who are interested in
careers like web design, marketing and promotion,” Matz said.
“It will provide them with a foundation in graphics and design
that was previously not available.”
Ho spearheaded the development of the minor, which required that
Pitt-Bradford add one course in Digital Photography and Imaging,
taught by Ho. The program covers the aesthetic, theoretical and
practical components of graphic design and will give students
insight into professional digital graphic design practice and a
deep understanding of how design plays an important role in the
communication and marketing processes.
Music
On Menu At Free Dinner
-
This month’s free community
dinner, sponsored by the Port Allegany, Coudersport and Emporium
Free Methodist churches, will feature music in addition to soups,
breads and desserts.
Music will be provided by Christian musicians from Coudersport and
Emporium. Among those participating will be Pastor Pete and Pam
Tremblay of Coudersport.
The event is set for 5 p.m. Saturday, November 27, at the Free
Methodist Church Fellowship Room. The parking lot entry is off Smith
Avenue, across from the Senior Center’s side door.
Pastor Pete and Pam Tremblay of Coudersport, singing at a recent
event at Highlander Christian Camp near Kane.
Martha Knight Photo/Story
Advent Services Begin
- The Port Allegany Ministerium is once again sponsoring weekly
Advent Services on Wednesdays at 12:05 at the First Presbyterian
Church located on Church Street. The first service will be held
Wednesday, December 1. Speaking on December 1 will be Pastor
Randy Headley. Luncheon will follow the service. Host churches
for the first service will be Evangelical Covenant and
Alliance. All are welcome.
BC3 Expands Service Area
- Butler County Community College has expanded their service area.
It was announced recently that BC3 now offers classes to 11
Pennsylvania counties, including McKean and Potter Counties.
Services are offered through the PCEC Port Allegany Office at the
Seneca Highlands Area Vocational-Technical School. BC3 is also
offered at the CEC of Elk and Cameron Counties (St. Marys);
Jefferson County Career Center (Reynoldsville); Warren-Forest Higher
Ed Council (Warren) and Clarion County Career Center (Shippenville).
For further information, interested persons can contact the Student
Services Specialist Donna Kilhoffer at (814) 335-9656 or by e-mail,
donna.kilhoffer@bc3.edu.
Click here for the BC3 Flyer.
Rabies Alert -
Port Allegany resident Barb Spencer wanted to share
an alert issued by Alexis R. Snow, DAHI from the Pennsylvania
Department of Agriculture. It reads as follows: Please be advised
that a skunk found on North Brooklynside Road just west of
Port Allegany in McKean County has tested positive for rabies. This
is the second rabid skunk found within the last three months on
North Brooklynside Road. The homeowner found the skunk attacking her
dog in the middle of the day. The dog was bitten several times.
After the attack, the owner brought the dog into the house and
cleaned its wounds. The homeowner will be consulting her family
physician about rabies post exposure prophylaxis. The dog's rabies
vaccine was not current and the dog will be quarantined to the owners
home for 180 days.
Pennsylvania law requires that all
dogs and non-feral cats three months of age and older are rabies
vaccinated and that booster vaccinations are administered periodically
to maintain lifelong immunity. Rabies vaccine is also available for
other species.
As it is not possible to determine
if this skunk may have exposed other wild or domestic animals prior
to its arrival at this location, please consult your private
veterinary practitioner to determine your animals' needs. This is
of great importance, as you need to assure that your pet is not a
potential source of rabies for your family and neighbors.
(originally ran week of 11/18/10)
Veteran's Day
Service At PAHS - Matt Schwenk, PAHS Assistant Principal (left)
and Superintendent of
Schools,
Tony Flint (far right) are pictured with Sgt. Lawrence Kelley as he presents
a flag which was flown in Iraq to George Riley, PAHS History teacher.
Sgt. Kelley is a 2005 graduate of Port Allegany High School. A ceremony was
held Tuesday morning for the student body take part in the presentation of
the flag, meet local veterans and members of Charlie Co. who are PAHS
Alumni. Riley spoke about taking pride in your country, your community
and your school. The flag will be displayed at the school.
Pam Fischer photo/story
When
It Rains, She Pours -
It was rainy Sunday afternoon, but dozens of Seniors came out for the free
Thanksgiving feast served just for them by the Port Allegany and Roulette area
Girl Scout groups at the Moose Family Center. Here Kristin Hamilton offers to
top off Ronald "Satch" Amell's coffee.
Martha Knight photo/story
Training
Held - Kyle Hunt, back left, recently brought the LDI (Leadership
Development Institute) to Port Allegany. Hunt had become a leader for the LDI's
after receiving a flyer from his teacher, Fran Williams (pictured right) about
the LDI in Pittsburgh. In the LDI, youth with disabilities are taught how to
advocate for themselves, how to transition from high school to college or work,
and how to get and sustain employment. Students are also taught to share their
stories - in order to help effect changes in the government and the lives of
others. Also pictured is Josie Badger.
Pam Fischer photo/story
Shopping
Locally Pays Off - Ruth Johnson and her husband, Rod, won two VIP
Steelers tickets by purchasing their gas at J and J Service. Mrs. Johnson is
pictured here with Jason Stake from J and J Service. In addition, there were two
instant winners of Gulf Gas Cards. They were Steve Evens and JoElla Wykoff.
Pam Fischer photo/story
Neva C. Grimes, 95, of Lower Grimes Rd., passed
away Tuesday (Nov. 23, 2010) in Sena Kean Manor, Smethport. Click
here for a full
obituary.
Shane Ellsworth Lathrop, 39, of Port
Allegany, died unexpectedly Monday (November 22, 2010) in the Charles Cole
Memorial Hospital, Coudersport. Click
here for a full
obituary.
Ralph A. Culver, 82, of
Comes Creek Rd., passed away Thursday (Nov. 18, 2010) in Sweden Valley
Manor, Coudersport. Click
here for a full
obituary. Click
here for a full
obituary.
CPO, Robert S. Weimer, USN (Ret.), 74, of East
Flat Rock, NC, former Port Allegany resident, left this life Tuesday,
November 16, 2010, at the Elizabeth House. Click
here for a full
obituary.