Casey on Killing of Bin
Laden
WASHINGTON, DC— U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), Chairman of
the Near Eastern and South and Central Asian Affairs
Subcommittee of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee,
released the following statement after Osama bin Laden was
killed by U.S. forces:
"On September 11, 2001,
the United States was viciously attacked in a cowardly
terrorist plot masterminded by Osama bin Laden. Today, U.S.
forces have killed bin Laden and exacted justice for his
terrible crimes which killed thousands. I thank our troops,
the intelligence community and diplomats who have worked
today and since September 11th to bring Osama bin Laden to
justice.
"On September 11th,
Pennsylvania was directly impacted by Al Qaeda when Flight
93 was downed over Shanksville. In the nearly ten years
after September 11th, Pennsylvania has lost 68 troops in
Afghanistan and hundreds have been injured. The sacrifice
of those families who lost loved ones on September 11th and
in the following years can never be made whole, but I hope
that the death of bin Laden can help to bring some closure.
"While today's development
does not mean an end to terrorism or the need to remain
relentlessly vigilant, the death of Bin Laden has enormous
significance in American and world history."
Updated Passport
Application Requirements Information Available at RepRapp.com
In conjunction with the U.S. Department of
State and the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Rep. Kathy Rapp
(R-Warren/Forest/McKean) would like to inform residents of important changes to
passport application requirements.
The U.S. Department of State has made it
mandatory for the full names of an applicant’s parent or parents to be listed on
ALL certified birth certificates for passport applicants, regardless of age.
This is commonly referred to as the long-form birth certificate.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health is
offering a grace period for free reissuance of long-form birth certificates from
April 1 through June 30 for anyone who was issued a certificate after Jan. 14
that does not reflect the new requirements. After June 30, those requesting a
reissued certificate must pay a $10 per copy fee in the form of check, money
order, or veteran’s information.
For all other reasons why a certified copy of
a birth certificate is needed (school, Social Security, housing, employment,
etc.), the short-form birth certificate is still acceptable and a legitimate
document. The long-form birth certificate is ONLY needed for passports/travel.
The Department of Health also indicated that
the waiting period for birth certificates is now longer. Residents should
allow up to three weeks for processing.
For more information on how to obtain a
certified copy of a birth record, visit
RepRapp.com
Casey Awarded ‘BIO
Legislator of the Year’ For Commitment to Life Sciences
WASHINGTON, DC— U.S.
Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), a member of the Senate Health,
Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, today was named
Legislator of the Year for 2010-2011 by the Biotechnology
Industry Organization (BIO).
“Investments in
biosciences are critically important for Pennsylvania and
the nation because they improve people’s lives and are an
engine of economic growth,” said Senator Casey. “I am
honored to receive BIO’s Legislator of the Year award and
look forward to continuing to support biosciences for the
sake of America’s economic health as well as the health of
its citizens.”
“The Senator’s service on
the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee has been
tremendously important to this nation’s healthcare industry
and the patients we serve,” said BIO President and CEO Jim
Greenwood. “Furthermore, we are grateful for his leadership
on other issues critical to our nation’s biotech industry
such as his sponsorship of the Life Sciences Jobs and
Investment Act.”
“The Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania is among the most bio-intensive regions in the
United States. Senator Casey has been an invaluable resource
for the bioscience community within Pennsylvania and the
industry at large,” said Pennsylvania Bio President
Christopher Molineaux. “His leadership on numerous issues of
importance to the industry and commitment to meeting with
and understanding the needs of individual bioscience
companies should serve as a model to all his colleagues in
the Senate. On behalf of Pennsylvania’s bioscience industry,
we congratulate Senator Casey on receiving this award. It is
well deserved.”
Senator Casey has been a
strong supporter of funding for the National Institutes of
Health (NIH), fighting to prevent cuts to the agency to
prevent the country from falling behind on research that
stimulates the economy and promotes advances in treatments
and cures for diseases. He also continues to champion a
robust biodefense and countermeasure program to protect
Americans.
Last year, Senator Casey
introduced the Life Sciences Jobs and Investment Act (S.
4018) to promote innovation and job creation by providing
targeted tax incentives for small and mid-sized businesses
to invest in life sciences research and development. Senator
Casey will reintroduce the legislation soon.
In March, Senator Casey
introduced the Creating Hope Act (S. 606) to encourage
greater investment in development of new treatments and
cures for rare and neglected diseases affecting children.
Pennsylvania DOT Work For Week Of May 9, 2012
Route 1017 sec A01 / Otto
Township / McKean Co. (May 08, 2011-May 14, 2011) Dolamite Products Co. Inc. (A.L.
Blades & Sons Inc.) KNAPP CREEK BRIDGE
This contractor will be working under road closed conditions with a detour in
place. No changes in traffic will be caused by the construction operations
scheduled for next week.
The contractor will be forming and placing concrete for abutment 1 stem next
week
SR 155 / West of Port Allegany (May 09 2011-May 13, 2011) L.C. Whitford Company,
Inc.
The contractor will start construction on the temporary road.
SR 219 / Westline to Lantz Corners (May 09, 2011 – May 13, 2011) IA Construction
IA Construction of Franklin PA. will continue paving Route 219 Westline to Lantz
Corners, eliminating the RR crossing on 219 in Lantz Corners-weather permitting.
They will be milling on Main Street, West Center Street and Clarion Road in
Johnsonburg. In St. Marys milling and patching has been scheduled on Route 120,
Theresia Street to Trout Run Road.
Please be advised traffic delays are expected in these areas to complete the
required road repairs. Schedule additional time when travel is planned through
these areas. Be aware of signs, flaggers, stopped vehicles and workers in the
construction zone. Your patience is greatly appreciated.
All work weather permitting.
Motorists can visit the PENNDOT website at www.dot.state.pa.us and by clicking
on the Statewide
Construction Map for updates concerning ongoing projects.
Citizens who want to report road concerns can call PENNDOT Maintenance at
1-800-FIX-ROAD (1-800-349-7623).
Liberty
Supervisors Insist Finances Are OK
By Martha Knight
LIBERTY VILLA—Two of Liberty
Township’s supervisors took exception to what they heard and read had been said
about current township affairs at last week’s meet-the-candidates forum in Port
Allegany. They called a press conference to set the record straight.
The two are Gary Turner, who chairs the Liberty Township Board of Supervisors,
and Charles “Chuck” Safford, vice-chairman.
Neither is running for office this year; their terms are not up. Like U.S.
Senators, township supervisors have six-year terms.
The third member of the board, Fred Ernst III, is running in the May 17 primary,
seeking the Republican nomination for election to a full term. Currently he is
serving a partial term which will end in December. His opponent is James “Jim”
Boorum, who served as roadmaster until recently. Boorum is also a former
township supervisor. He is also running for auditor and for constable.
Ernst had been invited to last week’s candidates’ forum, but did not attend. He
was not part of the press conference, either.
Safford said he and Turner wanted to correct “misinformation” stemming from
remarks made by Boorum at the forum, especially those concerning tax increases
contemplated or enacted by the supervisors, and financial management by the
current supervisors.
Turner was disturbed about Boorum’s charge that he and Safford, both longtime
employees of Saint-Gobain/Verallia, had appointed or hired fellow employees for
township positions.
“Every year I ask them who you want for auditors. Jim has no answer.
Others are not interested…We appoint the only ones that want the job…If someone
else is interested, we want to know that—we always ask who would like to do it.”
The auditor jobs are scarcely plums, the supervisors pointed out, what with the
fee for their one meeting, several hour job being $10. Anyone interested
in running may do so; if no one does, auditors must be appointed, so as to
certify wages.
Another appointee is the vacancy board member who serves with remaining
supervisors in case of the loss of one of the three. This past year Cliff
Fredericks was appointed during the reorganization meeting in January, because
he was asked and was willing. Supervisors would have appointed Sandra
Kinney but for the fact that her tax collector position made her ineligible, by
law. Serving both as an auditor and vacancy board member, as Fredericks
does, is not prohibited.
Turner and Safford have worked for Saint-Gobain for years, Turner now retired
and Safford planning to retire. But both say there is no way the company
can influence township decisions.
They point out that a good number of township residents are employed at
Saint-Gobain, so it is not strange that they would participate in some way in
township service, some as volunteers and some in minor appointive roles, and
some by election. “Co-workers do know each other, and we know each other’s
abilities,” the supervisors agreed. “But where you work is not why anyone
would be chosen for some appointed position.”
Turner said the supervisors have stuck to their spending plan and worked hard to
hold spending down, but “that insurance kills us.” He referred to benefit
packages for employees, but quickly added that he feels the coverage is
appropriate and deserved, and that help from one insurance professional not part
of the current carrier, and diligent efforts by township secretary Lucinda
Speeth have helped the township save some premium dollars.
Turner said he had insisted on keeping Boorum’s insurance coverage in place, not
wanting him and his wife to lose health insurance under any circumstances.
“I was advised not to keep him on (the list of insureds), and I guess that would
be one thing to cut, but I would not agree to it.”
Turning to a topic that has been the basis of much discussion at monthly
supervisor meetings, Turner said, “Road conditions could have been a lot better.
I’m guilty of some of this—I have always let the roadmaster do what he wanted to
do. But [some time ago] we took charge. Last summer he [Boorum] went
off on compensation…He has put in for his retirement, March 25.” The
retirement would take effect later but notice is made in advance of the
effective date.
Boorum’s absence last summer had been attributed to a back injury, apparently
suffered on the job. “In the second week of October, the doctor had him a full
release,” Turner said. Boorum came back to work.
Last December the supervisors voted to lay Boorum off as roadmaster, as of
January 1, as a cost cutting measure. “We were looking for ways to cut our
spending, and cutting the highest paying job saved the most,” Safford explained.
Laborers are paid about $15.55, and the roadmaster’s hourly wage is $17.55.
Before his lay-off could take effect, Boorum went back on compensation; his
status is still disabled.
The supervisors said they have been pursuing a different approach to maintaining
and improving the townships sprawling highway system. Repairing individual
trouble spots and parts of roads, without a long-range or even single
construction season plan, has left some roads with little attention or
maintenance for years at a time, Turner said. He and Safford described a “do
the whole road, finish it” approach they have been pursuing.
Some work is preventive, Turner and Safford said. Brush hogging and
removing overhang allows sunlight in and helps eliminate puddles and swampy
areas beside roads. Ditching and berming is essential, too.
Their hope is to have each road cared for comprehensively, and brought to the
best condition the township can afford and accomplish. Projects will be
prioritized and scheduled. Emergency repairs may interrupt the plan from
time to time, but “we will have a plan and try to be fair to the residents.”
“Somebody is going to be happy that their road is getting done; somebody is
going to be last,” Safford said, wryly. “But we believe they appreciate what we
are up against (in a tight budget situation) and know we are doing as much as we
can. Some have been waiting for years!”
Stretching township funds has been a major preoccupation of the supervisors,
including their protracted budget drafting late last year. As the year drew to
a close and it seemed to be a race between paying bills and finishing fiscal
2010 inside its spending limits, supervisors waived their monthly meeting
attendance fees and prioritized payments.
“But we have not overspent,” Turner insists. “We did discuss various options,
including a millage increase, depending on how insurance costs would turn out
and some other spending issues. We were trying everything we knew, to avoid
increasing taxes.”
Safford flipped through a hefty binder containing years of minutes. “December
14, 2010, Boorum said ‘You have to raise taxes,’” he read.
Both consider it misleading to speak of “doubling the per capita tax,” without
pointing out that since per capita taxes were $5 a year before, doubling them
costs an extra $5 a year, “and no one has complained about that.”
The 2011 general fund budget adopted in the final days of 2010 caps spending at
$335,393. Millage has been virtually unchanged for years, hovering around
2. Town and county taxes are billed and collected together. The
township also has about $30,000 in a CD, for emergency use. Some road work
is funded through liquid fuels tax revenues the county shares with
municipalities.
“We have balanced our budgets and we have stretched our funds to do as much as
possible,” Turner said. The township got back only $290,000 from the
bonding company after a former township secretary made off with a great deal
more over a period of several years —the full amount of the loss is not known.
Some township records, taken by the state police when irregularities came to
light, have never been returned. The current secretary had to reconstruct
the accounting system from the material available. Bank balances took a hit from
which they still are recovering.
“That, and not receiving the reimbursement we were promised for an expensive
planning project, set back a small government like this. We don’t know
where the fire protection cost is going to end up. But we will look for
grants and savings, and make every dollar work for us,” Turner stated. “We
have a budget and we live with it. Double taxes? Never considered it,
never would.”
Massive Sewer Plant Rebuild Not
Needed
By Martha Knight
A clearly jubilant Richard Kallenborn told a clearly relieved Port
Allegany Borough Council Monday night that the community is out from under the
gun, when it comes to an extensive, and expensive, sewage treatment plant
expansion.
The borough manager’s announcement was based on an April 27 letter
from the Meadville office of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental
Protection, received at the borough office last Friday.
John A. Holden, the Regional Manager of DEP’s Water Management
division, wrote that the agency approves the borough’s 2011 Act 537 Plan Update,
which had been submitted March 30.
The plan had been prepared by the EADS Group, with engineer David
Neill heading up the project. It was predicated on a strategy of eliminating
bypass incidents at the treatment plant, so that there would be no discharges of
untreated waste into the Allegheny River. This in turn would eliminate the need
for added treatment capacity at the plant.
The treatment plant expansion that DEP had called for in earlier
plans and in a consent agreement virtually forced on the borough in 2005 would
have cost from $5 million to $7 million, and saddled the borough with massive
debt even if the municipality and sewer authority had lined up some grants.
The plan most recently submitted, and now approved, shows that a
large source of non-contact cooling water has been removed. This refers to the
fact that local glass container manufacturer, Verallia (formerly called
Saint-Gobain) has implemented a process whereby it re-circulates large
quantities of cooling water.
Holden’s letter continues, “The systematic replacement of sanitary
sewers, bypass manhole modification, and existing drying bed rehabilitation
remain as outstanding milestones. The Department holds Port Allegany responsible
for the timely implementation of these remaining items.”
Holden also notes, “Furthermore, the Department continues to
monitor the Borough’s obligation to eliminate overflows for a minimum of 12
consecutive months as per Section 24 of the July 20, 2005 Consent Order and
Agreement.”
The borough has carried out a series of major sewer line
replacement projects, and also replaced large amounts of water service piping,
using a blend of bonds, grants and current revenues from rate payers. More
sections of the community will undergo the major construction projects as
remaining phases are accomplished.
Kallenborn also reported that the borough had begun spring clean-up
tasks such as street sweeping. Also, winter ravages of pavement are being
repaired as potholes are filled. Catch basins and sluices are being cleaned.
A water line leak survey has been conducted, and found some leaks
that will be corrected. One leak that has just been eliminated was at the base
of Laurel Lane, where footings had settled and broken a water pipe dating back
to the 1940s or 1950s. Ending that water supply loss will eliminate considerable
fruitless pumping, according to Kallenborn’s report.
A question raised last month as to the feasibility of a borough
sponsored clean-up day, similar to those conducted in other area communities,
was answered in a section of the manager’s report. He stated that waste
collection contractor SDS-Casella had provided figures indicating that costs
would total $2,025, including a roll-off, tonnage charges and labor.
Kallenborn reported that he spoke with Governor Tom Corbett while
attending the recent state association of boroughs meeting in Hershey, and “was
encouraged by the fact that he did not say no” concerning the borough’s hope for
funding for a dike project. Enlarging the flood protection works has had state
funds allocated, but the governor must act to release such funds.
Kallenborn presented the code enforcement officer’s report, noting
that there had been two building permits, one certificate of compliance and
three demolition permits issued. The demolition permits included one for
Pittsburgh Corning’s Plant 5, he said.
The resignation of Fran Williams from the Port Allegany Planning
Commission was accepted.
Work sessions with representatives of Star Hose Company, the local
volunteer fire department, will begin in June, council decided, because of
crowded schedules in May.
Setting
Record Straight - Gary Turner (left) and Chuck
Safford, Liberty Township supervisors, called a press conference Monday to
"reassure the public" concerning matters mentioned at last week's pre-primary
forum in Port Allegany. They pointed out they had not contemplated
"doubling taxes" and have not done deficit financing or overspent the budget.
Turner's and Safford's terms are not up and they are not candidates this year.
Martha Knight Photo
Rotary
Cleans Up - The Port Allegany Rotary Club did the first of two road
clean ups Thursday evening on Route 6. Rotarians Christa Schott and Debby
Campbell are pictured doing their part. Following the clean up, the club
enjoyed their evening meal at the Moose Family Center. Club assembly will be
held Thursday, May 5 at the Moose Family Center.
Pam Fischer Photo
Building
Fun(d) Run - The Building Fun(d) 5K Run/Walk will be held May 7
beginning promptly at 9 a.m. Registration will be held from 8 - 8:45 a.m. on
the Port Allegany Town Square. Registration fee is $20. Participants can pick
up and drop off registration forms at the library
or register online at
www.huenix.com/fundrun. Race day
registration is available. Free t-shirts will be given to all who pre-register.
Proceeds will go to the Building Fund for the new library. Leigha Nelson and
Mikya Stake pose for the R-A camera to remind readers of Saturday's event.
Pam Fischer Photo
Sons Clean Up - Sons of Legion #258 are
pictured prior to their April 30th clean up
of
Route 6. Participating in Saturday's activity were (left to right) Bob
Schaffer, Sam Triplett, Tyler Triplett, Roy Kio, Dax Hobbs, Dave Hobbs, Eric
Dunkle, Wayne Thomas, Brian Bells, Jordan Bells and Brianna Bells. The
group has a two-mile stretch of road side to clean up through the
Adopt-A-Highway Litter Control Program. They do this service in memory of
long-time member of the Sons of the Legion, Fran Fabish. Photo
submitted
Into The Woods Crew - The Port Allegany High School Music Department
and Drama
Club will present Into the Woods with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and
book by James Lapine, Friday, May 13 and Saturday, May 14 at the school.
Tickets are on sale now at the PASD Office and will be available at the door at
a general admission price of $5 and $4 for students. Curtain time is 8 p.m.
Pictured working on the sets are James Coxen, Jefferson Stehle and Tyler Smith.
Pam Fischer Photo
Mystery
Victim - Who is this woman? Is she dead, or has she collapsed? Is she
the victim of a particularly ruthless rehearsal conducted by Jared Empson? Did
the camera capture her slayer or--? Find out when you attend the Potter-McKean
Players' upcoming dinner theater, where diners will enjoy a delicious dinner,
about a dozen musical numbers and a one-act mystery farce, "Who Murdered Who?"
Performances will be at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 14 at the Coudersport Consistory
and May 21 at the Veterans Memorial Hall south of Port Allegany on Route 155.
Proceeds will benefit Meals On Wheels. Players members and local businesses have
tickets available. Martha Knight Photo
New
Business - Port Allegany's newest business is Michele's Beauty Salon,
l
ocated at 70 Two Mile Road. Owner, Michele Rittberg has 23 years of experience
including the past 16 years at Holiday Hair in Bradford. Her clients include
men, women and children and she offers haircuts, perms, colors, highlights,
waxing and tanning. Michele's Beauty Salon is open Monday through Friday from 8
a.m. to 6 p.m. Call 642-7040 for an appointment. Walk-ins are welcome. First
customer in the new salon was Gary Caulkins, pictured here getting a haircut.
Pam Fischer Photo
Disney
Bound - Ninety-three students and 11 chaperones
headed to Orlando, Florida for the PASD Music Department spring trip to Disney
World. The Port Allegany Marching Gator Band participated in the parade down
Main Street USA. The Senior High Concert Choir and Senior High Show Choir
performed at the Waterside Stage in Downtown Disney. The
performances were held in the Magic Kingdom on Thursday. Friday, the
students took in Animal Kingdom and Epcot.
Hollywood
Studios was on the itinerary for Saturday. It was reported that the travelers
enjoyed "fantastic" weather, the students performed to enthusiastic audiences,
and that the fireworks and light parade were "great"! Seth Lowery, Garrett Kio
(kneeling); Charlie Buchanan, Garret Homell and Bradley Goodreau (back) pose for
the R-A camera after loading up the bus. Pictured on the bus are Rachel
Taylor and Ashley Woodruff. Pam Fischer
Photos
