Potter County News Blog

A Fight broke out after the Roulette Alumni Celebration this weekend.

According to Police, Brad Lannager of 3rd Street in Roulette is accused of
punching Frances Ayers of Coudersport in the mouth in the parking lot at the
Roulette Fire Hall.

The Ox Yoke Inn on Route 6 in Galeton was burglarized May 26. According to a
report from State Police, someone broke into the restaurant of Kennard
Richards Jr, damaging the basement door, and taking an undisclosed amount of
cash and booze.

State Troopers are looking into the theft of a TV and DVD-VCR from a camp in
Wharton Township.

Poice say someone busted the door of the camp belonging to Donald Berglund
as they broke in.

Anyone who may have seen suspicious activity over the past week are asked to
call State Police in Coudersport at 814-274-8690.

State Police report that a boat was sunk intentionally into a pond in Potter
County.

Troopers report that someone trespassed on the property of Lewis Crawford,
and took his aluminum boat, and put rocks into it, causing it to sink into a
pond.

The camp is located along Gazdag Road, about 5 miles east of Route 449 in
Ulysses Township.

We've been wrestling to get the podcast up and running. Time is a serious
issue, but I have been able to get audio from State Rep Martin Causer. He
does a radio report each week, and I plan to take that and post it up on the
podcast section each week.

I also apologize that some of our news updates have been sporadic. Getting
situated in the new job has been crazy, and we've had a few emergencies that
have slowed us down a bit!
Thanks for sticking with us.

State Trropers report 20 year old Jonathan Tritt of Coudersport is facing
Criminal Mischief Charges after an incident in Austin May 25.

Police say Tritt shot a BB Fun through the rear window of a camper owned by
Darwin Manning of Austin.

The damage is estimated at around 100 dollars.

State Police report 49 year old William Vanetten reported the theft of an
800 cow from his Harrison Valley farm sometime around May 10th.

Police continue to look for the rustlers.

State Troopers are looking for suspects that stole three calves from two
barns along Harrison Fox Hill Road. The theft happened sometime between May
23 and May 24.

According to the police report. Calvin McCutcheon reported two calves
stolen, with a value of 14 hundred dollars.

Thomas Kibbe reported one stolen with a value of 500 dollars.

Anyone with information on the missing holstein's is asked to call the
Coudersport Barracks at 814-274-8690.

State Police report that 51 year old Luann Matteson of Roulette has been
charged with theft, recieving stolen property, identity theft, and computer
trespass for allegedly tranfering money from the bank account of Christina
Bowser of Roulette.

Matteson was released on 25 hundred dollars bond.

Potter County Sheriff Sauley has requested the creation of the part-time
positions of Potter County Security Guard. The union has reviewed the job
description and has no problems with it at this time.

Commisioners Reviewed the Recommendation Thursday.

~ Minutes ~

POTTER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETING

May 11, 2006

CALL TO ORDER

The regular meeting of the Potter County Commissioners was called to order
at
11:05 a.m., Thursday, May 11, 2006 in the office of the Commissioners,
Potter County Courthouse, One East Second Street, Coudersport, PA 16915.

Present were Commissioners Kenneth Wingo, John Torok, and Catherine Bowers,
Chief Clerk Cora Thompson, Recording Secretary Lucinda Weakland, County
Treasurer Krista Miller, Sheriff Ken Sauley, members of the press Gerri
Miller and Terry McDowell.

MOMENT OF SILENCE

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

ROLL CALL

Commissioner Wingo gave a roll call of those present: Commissioner Bowers –
present; Commissioner Torok – present; Commissioner Wingo – present; Chief
Clerk Cora Thompson – present; Recording Secretary Lucinda Weakland –
present

PUBLIC COMMENT

There was none.

MINUTES – 04/27/06

Commissioner Bowers made a motion to accept the minutes as presented.
Commissioner Wingo seconded the motion. There was no discussion.

Roll call: Commissioner Bowers – yes; Commissioner Torok – abstain:
Commissioner Wingo – yes.

OLD BUSINESS

There was none.

NEW BUSINESS

· PROCLAMATION: Older Americans Month, May 2006

Commissioner Bowers read the proclamation into the minutes. Commissioner
Torok made a motion to approve. Commissioner Wingo seconded the motion.
There was no discussion.

Roll call: Commissioner Bowers – yes; Commissioner Torok – yes: Commissioner
Wingo – yes.

· RESOLUTION #6-2006 – Financial support for the Area Transportation
Authority for the year July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007 in an amount not
to exceed $10,000.00, to be made in quarterly cash payments.

Commissioner Wingo made a motion to approve. Commissioner Bowers seconded
the motion. There was no discussion.

Roll call: Commissioner Bowers – yes; Commissioner Torok – yes: Commissioner
Wingo – yes.

CONTRACTS AND AGREEMENTS

· AGREEMENT – between Potter County and ADT Security Services at EMA
building at an annual rate of $322.14 per year. This is a slight increase
over last year.

Commissioner Wingo made a motion to approve. Commissioner Bowers seconded
the motion. There was no discussion.

Roll call: Commissioner Bowers – yes; Commissioner Torok – yes: Commissioner
Wingo – yes.

· PCHS CONTRACTS

Children and Youth 04/05 05/06
Northwestern Human Services
Residential Treatment for Delinquent/
Dependent Youth
*Building Bridges Program N/A $225.00/day
Boot Camp N/A $138.00/day
Intensive Secure N/A $236.00/day
Intermediate Secure N/A $221.00/day
Community Based N/A $221.00/day
Sexual Offenders N/A $252.00/day

Susan Moyer
Coordinator for JUMP Grant (Mentoring)
Addendum to current contract
Mileage .33/mile .38/mile
05/01/06 – 09/30/06

Children and Youth 04/05 05/06
Sally Drake
Assistant Coordinator for JUMP Grant
Addendum to current contract
Mileage .33/mile .38/mile

Aging 05/06 06/07
LIFT
Home Modification Broker for PDA Waiver no cost no cost
Requirement by state to have a Home
Medication Broker for PDA Waiver Program

Pittsburgh Companies North
Food Service
Meals $4.28 $4.43
Blizzard Boxes $2.67 $3.63
07/01/06 – 06/30/07

Jack Hewitt, Lila Hewitt, Thelma Orsagh,
Marie Miles, Cora Roth, Vera Karhan
Senior Center Substitutes $6.50/hour $6.50/hour
07/01/06 – 06/30/07

PA Department of Aging
Addendum to Cooperative Agreement
No cost N/A N/A
07/01/06 – 06/30/11

Commissioner Bowers made a motion to approve the contracts listed above as
presented. Commissioner Torok seconded the motion. There was no discussion.

Roll call: Commissioner Bowers – yes; Commissioner Torok – yes: Commissioner
Wingo – yes.
· AGREEMENT – Inter-County Cooperative Communications Agreement between
Potter County and Tioga County.

Tioga County will provide emergency dispatch services and reception of both
wired and wireless calls for Potter County for a period of 5 years at a cost
of $70,000.00 per year, payable May 1st of each year.

Commissioner Bowers made a motion to resolve to approve this agreement as
presented. Commissioner Torok seconded the motion.

Roll call: Commissioner Bowers – yes; Commissioner Torok – yes: Commissioner
Wingo – yes.

Commissioner Bowers noted that the cost of this contract has gone down.
Commissioner Wingo explained that the original contract started at
$70,000.00 and went up in increments of $2,500.00 per year for five years
and this new contract would keep the cost at $70,000.00 per year with no
yearly increase.

TRAININGS

· Dave Lush – Waiver Information Workshop, May 3, 2006, Harrisburg, PA.
Retroactive request for meals, mileage, lodging ($90.47) and registration
($50.00) expenses.
Purpose: Mandatory training to present new changes involving the PDA Waiver
Program

· Leon Kaple – Communities That Care Mobilization Training, June 19 – 20,
2006, Shippensburg, PA. Request for meals, mileage, lodging ($140.40). There
is no registration fee. Funding provided for this training through a grant.
Purpose: Recommended training for CTC Grantors. Leon is the mobilizer for
the grant.

· Dave Lush & Susie Mainus – Apprise Annual Conference, May 17 – 19, 2006,
Harrisburg, PA. Request for meals, mileage, lodging ($167.86). There is no
registration fee.
Purpose: Mandatory Annual training for Apprise Coordinators.

· Dave Lush – Financing Long Term Care, June 27, 2006, Clarion, PA. Request
for meals and mileage. There is no registration fee.
Purpose: Required annual update on changes regarding financing long term
care.

· Winnfield Dunn – Servsafe Food Certification Workshop, May 17th and May
31st, 2006, Potter County Education Council, Coudersport, PA. Request for
registration ($180.00) expenses.
Purpose: Required training for food service employees at the jail

· Joy Glassmire – RMTS Policies and Procedures, June 20, 2006,
Mechanicsburg, PA. Request for meals, mileage and lodging ($75.60). There is
no registration fee.
Purpose: Required training for RMTS (federal funding) and its procedures.

· John Hetrick, Kevin Gledhill, Brandi Goulding and Saskia Cohick – Arc View
Training, June 5 – 9, 2006, Little Rock, Arkansas. Request for meals
($150.00 per person), mileage, ($78.35), parking ($47.50), airfare ($337.50
each person), car rental ($297.93 and lodging ($324.30 per person) expenses.
Purpose: To better familiarize the staff with GIS concepts especially
pertaining to the Computer Aided Dispatch System.

Commissioner Bowers made a motion to approve the training requests as
presented above. Commissioner Wingo seconded the motion. There was no
discussion.

Roll call: Commissioner Bowers – yes; Commissioner Torok – yes: Commissioner
Wingo – yes.

PERSONNEL ACTIONS

· PCHS – Voluntary Status Change for Donna Foust from Aging Care Management
Supervisor 3 to Aging Care Management Supervisor 2, effective May 15, 2006
at an annual pay rate of $43,965.00 pending Salary Board approval. Ms. Foust
will keep her position until Sherry Hoffman is trained in her new position
with the Aging Department.

Commissioner Wingo made a motion to approve pending Salary Board approval.
Commissioner Torok seconded the motion.

Discussion: Commissioner Bowers thanked Ms. Foust for her 16 years of
service as Director of Aging and noted that not too many people make a
career change “down” the ladder financially, but her heart is in this
position. She further noted that Ms. Foust has done a great job and will be
a good teacher for Ms. Hoffman.

Roll call: Commissioner Bowers – yes; Commissioner Torok – yes: Commissioner
Wingo – yes.

· PCHS – Promotion of Sherry Hoffman from MR Casework Supervisor to AAA
Deputy Administrator, effective May 15, 2006 at an annual salary rate of
$35,000.00 pending Salary Board approval.

Commissioner Torok made a motion to approve pending Salary Board approval.
Commissioner Bowers seconded the motion.

Discussion: Commissioner Bowers wished to congratulate Ms. Hoffman on her
promotion.

Roll call: Commissioner Bowers – yes; Commissioner Torok – yes: Commissioner
Wingo – yes.

· PCHS – Reclassification of Cynthia Ramage from Social Services Aide 1 to
Social Services Aide 2, effective May 1, 2006 at an annual salary rate of
$17,962.00 pending Salary Board approval.

Commissioner Bowers made a motion to approve pending Salary Board approval.
Commissioner Torok seconded the motion. There was no discussion.

Roll call: Commissioner Bowers – yes; Commissioner Torok – yes: Commissioner
Wingo – yes.

· NON-UNION MANAGERIAL PAY INCREASE 2006
Consideration of a 3.5% increase for non-union courthouse employees pending
Salary Board Approval.

Commissioner Bowers made a motion to approve pending Salary Board approval.
Commissioner Torok seconded the motion.

Discussion: Commissioner Bowers noted that this increase has been factored
into the county budget.

Roll call: Commissioner Bowers – yes; Commissioner Torok – yes: Commissioner
Wingo – yes.

· NON-UNION MANAGERIAL PAY INCREASE 2006, POTTER COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES
Consideration of a 3.5% increase for non-union Potter County Human Services
employees pending Salary Board approval.

Commissioner Bowers made a motion to approve pending Salary Board approval.
Commissioner Torok seconded the motion.

Discussion: Commissioner Bowers noted that these raises are retroactive to
the first of the year.

Roll call: Commissioner Bowers – yes; Commissioner Torok – yes: Commissioner
Wingo – yes.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE BOARD

· Joe Pagano, Potter County Housing and Redevelopment Authority requested a
letter of support from the commissioners to participate with about 10 other
counties and municipalities including to apply for funding to support the
clean up of lead-based paint in low-income households with children 6 years
of age and under. Lawrence County will be the grant applicant and PCHRA will
be a member of the consortium that will make up the board.

Mr. Pagano will keep the commissioners informed of their progress toward
obtaining these grant funds.

Commissioner Wingo responded on behalf of the commissioners that they would
provide a letter of support. Mr. Pagano will send over the background
information needed for the letter.

CHIEF CLERK REPORT

· Application for County Aid allocations from both 2005 and 2006 by
Shinglehouse Borough for their 2006 street project in the amount of
$4,155.00. The allocation approved is $2,077.50.

· Application for County Aid allocation by Ulysses Borough for widening work
on Lehman Hollow Road in the amount of $1,142.50. This amount has been
approved.

Commissioner Bowers made a motion to accept the Chief Clerks report as
presented. Commissioner Wingo seconded the motion. There was no discussion.

Roll call: Commissioner Bowers – yes; Commissioner Torok – yes: Commissioner
Wingo – yes.

BILLS

Potter County Human Services
Payroll Checks #2209 - 2218 Total: $ 4,942.89
Payroll Direct Deposit Total: $ 44,700.28
Payroll Christmas Club Deposits Total: $ 1,607.50
State Tax Witholdings Transfers Total: $ 18,146.18
Accounts Payable Checks #19640 - 19809 Total: $222,252.43
Voided Checks – none

Total: $293,955.67
Potter County Courthouse
Payroll Checks # 73791 - 73873
Accounts Payable Checks # 84346 - 84466
Manual Checks – none
Voided Checks - none Total: $248,329.09
LEPC
Voided Checks – none
Checks #1064 – 1071 Total: $ 525.33

911
Voided Checks - none
Checks #2388 – 2395 Total: $ 2,151.02

911 Wireless Funds
Voided Checks – none
Checks #1033 – 1042 Total: $ 6,599.28

DRO IV D
Voided Check - none
Check #576 Total: $ 46,005.11

Commissioner Bowers made a motion to pay the bills as presented.
Commissioner Torok seconded the motion. There was no discussion.

Roll call: Commissioner Bowers – yes; Commissioner Torok – yes: Commissioner
Wingo – yes.

ADJOURNMENT

Commissioner Wingo asked if there was any further business to come before
the board at this time. Hearing none, he entertained a motion to adjourn.

Commissioner Torok made a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Wingo seconded the
motion. The meeting was adjourned at 11:20 a.m.

Prepared by Lucinda Weakland

~ AGENDA ~

POTTER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETING

May 25, 2006

CALL TO ORDER

MOMENT OF SILENCE

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

ROLL CALL

PUBLIC COMMENT

MINUTES – 05/11/06

OLD BUSINESS

NEW BUSINESS

· BOARD RESIGNATION – Doris Mosch from the Coudersport Public Library board.
Ms. Mosch has served on the board since July 1999 and also served as their
representative to the Potter Tioga Library System Board of Directors.

· BOARD APPOINTMENT - Michael Wetzel has been recommended for appointment
to the Coudersport Public Library board by Director, Darlene Peasley

· PROCLAMATION – Implementing The National Incident Management System (NIMS)

· RECORDS IMPROVEMENT FUND RECOMMENDATION – The committee has reviewed and
recommended to the commissioners for approval a request by Joe Lewis for the
purchase of 3 new computers for the Tax Claim/Assessment Office at a total
cost of $2,535.30.

CONTRACTS AND AGREEMENTS

· AGREEMENT – Appendix to Master Natural Gas Sales Agreement with UGI Energy
Services to lock in price for gas at $7.33 per Dth for June 2006.

· AGREEMENT – Appendix to Master Natural Gas Sales Agreement with UGI Energy
Services to lock in price for gas at $7.87 per Dth for the period of July
through October 2006.

TRAININGS

· Mark Benson – HSDF Statewide Meeting, June 6, 2006, Grantville, PA.
Request for meals, mileage, lodging ($87.20) and registration ($50.00)
expenses.
Purpose: Annual meeting

· Dave Lush – Synergy User Group Conference, July 18 – 20, 2006, Burlington,
VT. Request for meals, mileage, lodging (Camping at $35.00 per night) and
registration ($390.00) expenses. Funding will come from the Area Agency on
Aging.
Purpose: Training required to use software necessary to meet PDA reporting
requirements.

· Crystal Thomas – Application for Certified Addictions Counselor
Re-certification. Request for $150.00 application fee.
Purpose: Required certification

· Amy Moshier – Register of Wills & Clerks of Orphans Courts Annual
Conference, July 24 – 28, 2006, King of Prussia, PA. Request for meals,
mileage ($560.20), lodging ($475.20) and registration ($300.00) expenses.
Purpose: Annual conference

· Amy Moshier – Prothonotary & Clerk of Courts Annual Conference, July 14,
2006, Gettysburg, PA. Request for meals, mileage ($179.44), lodging
($401.02) and registration ($300.00) expenses.
Purpose: Annual conference

PERSONNEL ACTIONS

· PCHS – Resignation of Cynthia Sullivan as van driver effective May 26,
2006.

· SHERIFF – Sheriff Sauley has requested the creation of the part-time
positions of Potter County Security Guard pending Salary Board approval. The
union has reviewed the job description and has no problems with it at this
time.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE BOARD

· Potter County Hazardous Material Emergency Response Preparedness
Assessment Update for 2005

· Application by Potter County Department of Emergency Services for grant
from PEMA – Hazardous Material Response Fund

CHIEF CLERK REPORT

· Application for County Aid by Bingham Township in the amount of $2,310.00.

BILLS

Potter County Human Services
Payroll Checks #2219 -2230 Total: $ 6,169.57
Payroll Direct Deposit Total: $ 49,591.12
Payroll Christmas Club Deposits Total: $ 1,607.50
Payroll Tax Transfers Total: $ 21,332.74
State Tax Withholdings Transfers Total: $ 2,603.75
Accounts Payable Checks #19810 -19962 Total: $ 150,042.60
Voided Checks – none
Total: $231,347.28
Potter County Courthouse
Payroll Checks #73874 - 73948
Accounts Payable Checks #84467 - 84554 Total: $172,344.59
Manual Checks – none
Voided Checks - none
1st of the month Checks # 84739 –84754 Total: $ 54,371.72

Total: $226,716.31

LEPC
Voided Checks – none
Checks #1072 - 1081 Total: $ 1,833.96
911
Voided Check # 2394
Checks #2396 - 2407 Total: $ 36,571.96

911 Wireless Funds
Voided Checks – none
Check #1043 Total: $ 7,266.02

ADJOURNMENT

Prepared by Lucinda Weakland

Police report that a Port Allegany Man was injured in a crash at the Charles
Cole Memorial Hospital Parking Lot on May 23.

Ronald Gooley was riding his 1998 Suzuki Marauder when his glove got stuck,
causing the throttle to stay engaged. He struck the curb and then the
hospital itself.
The building and the bike were damaged slightly.

Gooley suffered minor injuries to his leg.

Edward Stevens of Ulysses is facing charges after an incident May 23.

According to the State police Report, Stevens was approached by 43 year old
Manny Senna of Coudersport about purchasing a windshield off a boat.
According to Police, Stevens became angry and grabbed Senna by the throat.

Harassment Charges have been filed.

State Troopers report that someone tipped over a small wood shed and shoved
it over an embankment at the Galeton School Campus, sometime between May 19
and 20th.

No suspects have been named. Anyone with information is asked to contact
State Troopers at the Denton Hill Barracks.

Rep. Martin T. Causer (R-Turtlepoint) says he is cosponsoring legislation
designed to consolidate the 14 state-run prescription benefit plans into one
program.

"By managing all of Pennsylvania's prescription drug assistance programs
through one program, the state will help save taxpayer money by making
government more efficient," Causer said. "While maintaining the high quality
service of these programs, this legislation would also reduce administrative
cost burdens and increase their efficiency."

Specifically, House Bill 2263 would establish a pharmacy benefits
consolidation program within the Department of Aging, the agency overseeing
the state's premier programs, PACE and PACENET.

The consolidation of these programs would allow the state to collect more
best-price rebates from pharmaceutical companies and enjoy a consumer price
index cap on increases in drug prices, among other things.

In addition to PACE and PACENET, the new program would administer the
following plans:

· Medical Assistance.

· Special Pharmaceutical Benefit Program in the Department of Public
Welfare.

· End Stage Renal Program in the Department of Health.

· Any other state-run pharmacy programs recognized by the Centers for
Medicaid and Medicare Services as a state pharmaceutical assistance program

· Public School Employees' Retirement System prescription drug plan.

· State Employees' Retirement System prescription drug plan.

· State Employees' Benefit Trust Fund prescription drug plan.

· Any program that uses state funds, including money from the Lottery
Fund, to provide prescription drug assistance to Medicare recipients.

· Programs where the state purchases or reimburses affiliates or
designees for a pharmacy benefit, such as the Children's Health Insurance
Program (CHIP), workers' compensation programs and any program administered
by the Department of Corrections.

"This 'One Pennsylvania' initiative would put the Commonwealth in a better
position to offer our residents the best prices available for a wide range
of pharmaceuticals," Causer said. "Furthermore, it would institute a fair
compensation system for pharmacy providers."

The legislation which is being sponsored by Rep. Fred McIlhattan
(R-Clarion/Armstrong) is still under review by the House Aging and Older
Adult Services Committee.