Budget and Hallock win big​ in Eldred vote

ELDRED, NY — Five weeks from the date of the original vote, the voters finally had their say, and they threw their support behind Scott Hallock and the Eldred Central School District budget.

About 50 people were on hand to hear the results of the election, including all of the district administrators and board members Carol Bliefernich and Allyson Wagner. Linda Bohs was also on hand to learn who would take her place at the table.

The results were Hallock-449, Pete Carmeci-267, John Tice-62. After the vote was announced, the three men shook hands.

The vote was 521 in favor of the $16,848,150 budget, which represents a 3.04% increase in property taxes, and 234 against. The budget decreased $300,000 from the prior year budget after $800,000 of cuts were incorporated. These cuts were more than offset by $500,000 in additional costs, primarily in the area of salaries and benefits.

Hallock was elated at the outcome of the vote but quickly noted that there is a lot of work to be done in the district. “We have to save the district; we can’t be shipping our kids out,” he said. His term is for five years and becomes effective July 1.

Another film festival for Catskills

ANDES, NY — The first ever Great Western Catskills International Film Festival has been announced for the town of Andes, in Delaware County, for one weekend this fall. Screening times will be announced as the films are chosen for the festival.

The organizers are now seeking submissions. Great Western Catskills International Film Festival currently accepts entries via FilmFreeway and Withoutabox. Screenings are scheduled for Wayside Cider, Andes Hotel and Streamside Yoga Studio.

The organizers posted on their website (www.gwciff.com), “We chose Andes for this festival because it’s got everything you need, places to stay, places to eat and places to drink. Visit the Andes website to find everything in the town and check out GreatWestern Catskills.com to find a list of the other restaurants in the surrounding areas.”

Also in the Catskills, the Big Eddy Film Festival is scheduled for September 12 to 14 in Narrowsburg, and the Catskill International Film Festival is scheduled for September 8 to 11 in Callicoon.

Pennsylvania cracks down on litter

HARRISBURG, PA — Legislation sponsored by Sen. Mario Scavello (R-40) to reduce littering across Pennsylvania by requiring offenders to pick up trash received final legislative approval and will be sent to the governor for enactment.

“When you look at all of the trash along our roads, it’s clear that fines alone are not enough to deter this crime,” said Scavello. “Littering is like graffiti and other acts of vandalism—when people engage in it without fear of punishment, it sends the message that no one cares and leads to more litter.”

Under the bill, first offenders are required to pick up litter or illegally dumped trash for between five and 30 hours within six months, in addition to the existing fine of $50 to $300. For a second or subsequent offense, the offender may also be required to pick up litter or illegally dumped trash for 30 to 100 hours over one year, in addition to the existing fine of $300 to $1,000.

“The Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau wholeheartedly supports SB 431 and is grateful for the Senator’s leadership,” said PMVB President/CEO Christopher Barrett. “This new law will be important for our ‘Pick up the Poconos’ anti-litter initiative.”

Clean Slate bill passes PA Senate

HARRISBURG, PA — A bill that would give people with low-level, nonviolent criminal records an opportunity to have their record sealed from public view is now awaiting Gov. Tom Wolf’s signature after passing in the Senate, said state Rep. Jordan Harris (D-Phila.)

The Senate voted 49-0 in favor of House Bill 1419, which Harris introduced with Rep. Sheryl Delozier (R-Cumberland) last year.

“This legislation will help fix many inefficiencies and inequities of the criminal justice system in our commonwealth, by clearing the darkness, shining a light and creating a path to do what is right for our people,” Harris said. “There’s still work to do, but we’re moving in the right direction. I look forward to the governor’s signature in the upcoming weeks.”

The legislation proposes the following structure for sealing records: for non-violent misdemeanor convictions, sealing would occur after a person has remained crime-free for 10 years; for non-conviction records, sealing would be done as a matter of course, given that the presumption of innocence is one of the bedrocks of the American criminal justice system.