Susquehanna County Blog

Did any reader attend this meeting?  If so, please share with us the pertinent details.    Thank you.

The readers and contributors of and to this blog have been great over the past year.  Yes, it has been one whole year since this blog was started.  During the year, we have covered a lot of topics, had some heated discussions and even helped others with understanding alternate positions. 

This writer has been so busy recently that the updating of this blog has suffered.  For that, I appologize.  However, there is much going on which needs to be discussed, so with your support, we will get re-started.

Appearing in today’s Binghamton Press.

http://www.pressconnects.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080906/NEWS01/809060344/1001/news

It appears the public officials aren’t thinking about the public trust any more in Upstate New York than they are here.

With the amount of money involved in this “play”, why haven’t local officials, among a hundred other items, when leasing public land, made sure they residents of the affected boroughs and school districts made sure that natural gas would be available at market prices for the residents/schools?  The argument that it would cost too much is ridiculous. 

So when will we have a public investigation of the lack of support, uninformed choices and misuse of the public trust of our local, county and state officials here?  They have effectively given away what is potentially the largest single asset they hold - other than our clean water. 

You aren’t holding your breath are you?  You may need to before it’s all over…

Your thoughts

The following was received from “Thompson”.  Thank you.

Editor’s Note: There appear to be pages missing in this document. It is reproduced here as received from the County Clerk.

Susquehanna County Commissioners
August 27, 2008 Agenda

1. Commissioner Warren called the meeting to order at AM in the Lower Conference room in the

County Office Building

2. Pledge of allegiance to the flag.

3. Present: Commissioners Warren, Allen and Giangrieco

4. Motion by Commissioner to correct/approve the minutes of the August 13, 2008 meeting.
Second Commissioner

5. Motion by Commissioner to ratify or approve the following:
-ratify the Precheck Register dated 08/14/2008 for $75,215.64 for General Expenses
-ratify the Precheck Register dated 08/20/2008 for $229,563.28 for General Expenses
-ratify the Precheck Register dated 08/26/08 for $80,584.99 for CYS Expenses
-ratify the Precheck Register dated 08/20/2008 for $156,047.19 for Payroll Expenses
-ratify the EFTPS payment dated 08/21/2008 for $56,693.17 for Federal Payroll taxes
-ratify the EFTPS payment dated 08/20/2008 for $12,948.96 for Employee Retirement
Contribution
-ratify the EFTPS payment dated 08/20/2008 for $6,893.86 for State Withholding taxes

Second Commissioner

6. Motion by Commissioner to approve the following seminar requests and/or payment for

seminar requests:
-Deanna Wasko, Children & Youth, Scranton, September 19, 2008, The Children are Watching - Violence

in the Home, total cost $158.00, cost to the County $31.60.
-Joseph Barry, Probation, State College, September 10, 2008, Reentry Issues, total cost $311.00,

cost to the County $0.00.
-Warden Phillip King, Prison, State College, September 10, 2008, Reentry Issues, cost $66.00.
-Lisa Vail, Probation, Scranton, September 19, 2008, The Children are Watching - Violence in the

Home, total cost $175.00, cost to the County $0.00.
-Richard Kamansky, Tom Button, Mary Noldy and Joan Burman, Lake Harmony, September 19, 2008,

Valuation of Pennsylvania Minerals, cost $100.00.

Second Commissioner
7. Motion by Commissioner to accept, with regret, the resignation of DeLores Davis, Children

& Youth, effective September 6, 2008.

Second Commissioner

8. Motion by Commissioner . to adopt Ordinance 2008-01, an amendment to Ordinance 2005-01,

the Susquehanna County Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance, per the request of the

Susquehanna County Planning Commission. This amendment is to add a section to the Ordinance

regulating Wind Energy Facilities.

Second Commissioner

Robert Templeton, Susquehanna County Planning Department, is on hand to answer questions.
Public Comment.

9. Motion by Commissioner to close the Commissioners’ Meeting.
Commissioner Warren declared the Commissioners’ meeting adjourned at am/Pm

————————————————————————————————
Personnel Committee: Commissioner Leon Allen Commissioner Michael J. Giangrieco

Nominating Committee: Commissioner MaryAnn Warren
Second Commissioner Allen. Ayes: Unanimous. Motion carried.

Motion by Commissioner Allen to adopt the Statement of Safety Policy, effective 01/07/2008.
Second Commissioner Giangrieco. Ayes: Unanimous. Motion carried.

Public Comment.

Motion by Commissioner Giangrieco to close the Commissioners’ Meeting. Second Commissioner Allen.

Ayes: Unanimous. Motion carried.

Commissioner Warren declared the Commissioners’ meeting adjourned at 9:1 !am.
ATTEST: APPROVED:
Sylvia Beamer, Chief Clerk Susquehanna County Commissioners

CS08-17
08-13-08

Commissioner Warren called the meeting to order at 9:OOAM in the Lower Conference room in the

County Office Building.

Pledge of allegiance to the flag.

Present: Commissioners Warren, Allen and Giangrieco

Motion by Commissioner Giangrieco to approve the minutes of the July 23, 2008 meeting.
Second Commissioner Allen. Ayes: Unanimous. Motion carried.

Employee Years of Service Recognition: August - 5 Year Incremental Anniversaries.
DeLores Davis - Children & Youth -10 years
Allen Luce - Maintenance - 10 years

Motion by Commissioner Giangrieco to ratify or approve the following:
-ratify the Precheck Register dated 07/23/2008 for $281,035.11 for General Expenses
-ratify the Precheck Register dated 07/30/2008 for $122,105.39 for General Expenses
-ratify the Precheck Register dated 08/07/2008 for $60.00 for General Expenses
-ratify the Precheck Register dated 08/07/2008 for $139,020.02 for General Expenses
-ratify the Precheck Register dated 07/28/2008 for $102,160.44 for CYS Expenses
-ratify the Precheck Register dated 08/11/2008 for $63,413.46 for CYS Expenses
-ratify the Precheck Register dated 08/06/2008 for $151,725.18 for Payroll Expenses
-ratify the EFTPS payment dated 08/07/2008 for $56,672.71 for Federal Payroll taxes
-ratify the EFTPS payment dated 08/06/2008 for $12,979.25 for Employee Retirement
Contribution
-ratify the EFTPS payment dated 08/06/2008 for $6,873.39 for State Withholding taxes
-ratify the Precheck Register dated 08/12/2008 for $14,964.94 for Payroll Expenses
-ratify the EFTPS payment dated 08/13/2008 for $5,221.22 for Federal Payroll taxes
-ratify the EFTPS payment dated 08/12/2008 for $1,616.90 for Employee Retirement
Contribution
-ratify the EFTPS payment dated 08/12/2008 for $648.70 for State Withholding taxes

Second Commissioner Allen. Ayes: Unanimous. Motion carried.

Motion by Commissioner Allen to approve the following seminar requests and/or payment for seminar

requests:
-Ray Osbum, Children & Youth, Mayfield, PA, September 18,19, October 3, 17, 30, 31, 2008, Northeast

Region Legal Series: #205 Safety, Permanency & Well Being Overview, Legal Mandates in PA, The Child

Protective Service Law, The Juvenile Act and Going to Court, Liability and Risk Management in Child

Welfare Services, total cost $348.00, cost to the County $69.60.
following, extending the termination date of the 2007-2008 contracts from June 30, 2008 until
such time the rate for the Fiscal Year 2008-2009 is settled:

National Mentor Healthcare LLC dba Pennsylvania Mentor
PA Treatment and Healing Center
Children’s Home of Easton
St. Michael’s School
Loftus Vergari & Associates Inc.
House of Light, Inc.
Viaquest Behavioral Health
Devereaux
NHS Youth Services
Susquehanna House

Second Commissioner Giangrieco. Ayes: Unanimous. Motion carried.

Motion by Commissioner Giangrieco to authorize the Commissioners to sign the agreement between,

Susquehanna County, Michelle R. Graziano, a Caseworker for Children & Youth, and the University of

Pittsburgh, which will allow Michelle Graziano to participate the in Child Welfare Education for

Leadership program. This will allow Ms. Graziano to pursue a Masters Degree at no cost to herself

or the County. Ms. Graziano will be required to work for the County for a period of time to be

specified upon her graduation.

Second Commissioner Allen. Ayes: Unanimous. Motion carried.

Motion by Commissioner Giangrieco to authorize the Commissioners to sign the maintenance agreement

with Guyette Communications for repairs and routine maintenance for telephones in the Prison for a

monthly service charge of $30.00, per the recommendation of the Susquehanna County Prison Board.

Second Commissioner Warren. Ayes: Unanimous. Motion carried.

Motion by Commissioner Allen to authorize the Commissioners to sign the agreement with Northeastern

Eye Institute agreeing that Northeastern Eye Institute will provide medical services that are usual

to the Institute to the inmates at the Prison and the Institute will accept the Medicare fee

schedule as payment for services, per the recommendation of the Susquehanna County Prison Board and

Cost Management.

Second Commissioner Warren. Ayes: Commissioners Warren and Allen. Nay: Commissioner Giangrieco.

Motion by Commissioner Allen to authorize the Commissioners to sign the Mental Health Mental

Retardation Program, Mental Retardation Annual Program Plan and Budget Request for Fiscal Years

2009-2010.

Second Commissioner Giangrieco. Ayes: Unanimous. Motion carried.

Motion by Commissioner Giangrieco to hire Nathaniel Williams, Lanesboro, to the open, part-time,

non-union position of Drug/DUI Task Force County Detective, $13.00 per hour, no benefits, effective

date to be determined, per the recommendation of District Attorney Jason Legg. This position is

contingent upon receiving grant funding.

Second Commissioner Allen. Ayes: Unanimous. Motion carried.

Motion by Commissioner Giangrieco to hire James Smith, Meshoppen, to the open, part-time, non-union

position of Drug/DUI Task Force County Detective, $13.00 per hour, no benefits, effective date to

be determined, per the recommendation of District Attorney Jason Legg. This position is contingent

upon receiving grant funding
.
Second Commissioner Allen. Ayes: Unanimous. Motion carried.

Motion by Commissioner Giangrieco to hire Marcia Borosh, Montrose, to the open part-time position

of Clerk Typist in the Drug & Alcohol Department, Range 6, Rate $7.75 per hour, 19.5 hours per

week, six month probation period with no benefits, effective August 14, 2008, per the

recommendation of Robin Kaminski-Waldowski, Program Administrator.

Second Commissioner Allen. Ayes: Unanimous. Motion carried.
Motion by Commissioner Giangrieco to hire Stephen Janoski, Montrose, to the open, full-time

position of Systems Manager/Database Analyst, Range 14, Rate $12.14 per hour, 40 hours per week,

six month probation period and benefits per the Residual Bargaining Unit Contract, effective date

to be determined by 911 Coordinator, per the recommendation of Art Donato, 911 Coordinator.

Second Commissioner Warren. Ayes: Unanimous. Motion carried.

Public Comment.
Motion by Commissioner Giangrieco to close the Commissioners’ Meeting.
Second Commissioner Allen. Ayes: Unanimous. Motion carried.

Commissioner Warren declared the Commissioners’ meeting adjourned at 9:29am.

ATTEST: APPROVED:
Sylvia Beamer, Chief Clerk Susquehanna County Commissioners

Welcome to all the New Readers of SusqcoBlog.com! The purpose of this site is to provide a venue for you to voice your opinion (NO personal attacks on private individuals are allowed) for the purpose of the betterment of Susquehanna County in specific and Northeastern Pennsylvania in general. This is a classic example of using one of our greatest freedoms - The First Amendment.

You have to register to comment. This is easy, fast and FREE. No one wants you to identify yourself. Personal identities are neither necessary nor appropriate. Please go to the Meta section on the right side of this page and click on register. Welcome to SusqcoBlog.com.

=================================

Responsible comments are always welcome, whether it is this story or another. Please be prepared to support your views.

If you haven’t registered yet, go to the Meta Section (on the right side of the page) and register. It’s free, fast and important for you to be able to post responses to items on this site. Nobody wants your name however, please note, personal attacks, spamming and the like will not be tolerated. Welcome to SusqcoBlog.com!   Happy posting.

If you don’t vote, don’t complain.

Since it’s inception, Susqcoblog.com has grown in its readership nicely.  We believe this is the first site of its kind in Susquehanna County. Thank you to all who have responded to the postings.  As has been said here before, Susqcoblog is here for you to use.  Sure it’s much easier to read the various posts than it is to write, but that’s what makes this site really work.  It’s the necessary interaction to the posts and the various responses. 

In short, website statistics show you are reading.  Now it’s time to take the next step and start writing responses and suggesting new topics.  It’s simple.  On the right side of the page is a column which says “Meta”.  Under that heading, click the tab which says “register”.  No one wants your real name and registration is FREE.  registration is just a tool to keep some form of order on the site.  “Please don’t libel anyone here, as you will be permanently barred from Susqcoblog.com”.   We value your opinion and look forward to your increased participation.   Have a subject you want to discuss?  Reply to this post.  Thanks again!

According to published reports, Dr. Stephen Scher has been denied a change of venue.  The trial will begin March 3rd.  The county will be paying for Scher’s defense as the judge has ruled that he is unable to pay for counsel.

Dr. Scher was convicted in 1997 of the murder of Attorney Martin Dillon in 1976.  The state supreme court ruled there were mistakes in that trial and ordered a new trial.  Scher’s attorney argued for a change of venue, however the judge denied the request. 

At the risk (does anyone in this area really care) of offending someone by not necessarily being politically correct, I would offer the hope that the readers of this blog had a safe and joyous Christmas AND remembered the real reason we celebrate Christmas.  

Now that Christmas is past, it is time to move on and face the New Year.  This is the time to start again, with a clean slate.  With any luck, we kept Christmas in an appropriate and dignified manner, not over indulging in food, drink or succumbing to advertising to spend money we didn’t have on things we didn’t need.  Of course, I hope everyone shopped locally when possible. 

 Now, with all that said, I offer the following:

Although we live in a county with about 42,000, which is declining slightly according to the Census Bureau, there are virtually an infinite number of subjects which can be discussed.  I am looking for your suggestions.  It’s not that I have run out of topics - far from that, believe me; it’s your opportunity to raise issues which can be discussed. 

Depending on the responses (or lack thereof), I may modify this post to include your suggestions as well possibly offer a few of my own. 

So, we are coming up on the New Year, time for a clean slate, time for your suggestions.  Please respond below.   Thank you.

Sorry for the inconvenience.  It was brought to the staffs’ attention that there is a small glitch getting some of you registered and getting the ability to post a response to the various posts.  The issue was some defective code which has been fixed.  This is meant to be an interactive site, now it truly is.

Check out the other pages.  The links are on the right of this page, directly below the search box.