Sullivan Dem candidates gather

BLOOMINGBURG, NY — Democratic candidates running for office in districts that include Sullivan County will appear together at the Eagle’s Nest, 58  Eagle’s Nest Rd., on October 21 from 5 to 8 p.m.

Antonio Delgado is running for the U.S. congressional seat now held by Republican John Faso, Jen Metzger is running for the state senate seat currently held by Republican John Bonacic and Aileen Gunther is running unopposed to retain her seat in the New York State Assembly.

Admission is free. Interested parties should RSVP to scdcsecy@gmail.com. 

Demolition to begin on historic Pond Eddy Bridge

POND EDDY, NY — The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation announced on October 16 that the historic Pond Eddy Bridge over the Delaware River will be removed between November 5 and 16. Contractor D.A. Collins Construction Co., Inc. of Wilton plans to implement removal in two phases. Phase one will begin on November 5, removing half of the bridge on the Pennsylvania side of the river; and phase two will begin on November 12, removing the remainder of the bridge on the New York side. The public is advised that phase-two activities will result in a temporary closure to water traffic on that portion of the Delaware River.

During phase one, the bridge on the Pennsylvania side of the river will be removed from the existing substructures and lowered onto the existing rock causeway, then disassembled and removed. This phase of demolition is expected to take up to one week and will not require river closure. The New York side of the river will remain navigable for river recreationalists. The public is asked to adhere to the directional signage and safety buoys that are in place in the river.

During phase two, the bridge on the New York side of the river will be removed from the existing substructures and lowered partially into the Delaware River, then disassembled and removed. This phase of demolition is expected to require up to one week for completion. At this time, the river will be completely blocked by the rock causeway on the Pennsylvania side and the bridge structure on the New York side of the river. Therefore, the Delaware River—from approximately one-quarter mile upstream of the bridge to one-quarter mile downstream from the bridge—will be closed to the public the week of November 12.

PA anti-hazing law passes Senate

HARRISBURG, PA — On September 25, on the heels of a unanimous vote from the Senate, Majority Leader Jake Corman (R-34) urged Gov. Tom Wolf to sign the Timothy J. Piazza Anti-hazing Law that emphasizes prevention, enforcement and transparency in order to end hazing.

Piazza died in February 2017 after falling down a flight of steps during a hazing event fueled by alchohol.

“This bill is one of the most significant reforms in the country when it comes to bringing an end to hazing,” Sen. Corman said. “With fall pledge season for fraternities and sororities in full swing, I urge the governor to sign this law quickly as a signal to students and families that Pennsylvania has taken a stand against hazing-related activities.”

The bill increases penalties for those involved in hazing; requires schools to have policies and reporting procedures in place to stop hazing; and ensures that parents and students are provided with information related to the issue.

Greg Goldstein to be honored by SYDA Foundation

SOUTH FALLSBURG, NY — The SYDA Foundation announced has selected Greg Goldstein of Neversink to be the recipient of the 2018 SYDA Foundation Community Service Award. The prestigious award, announced on October 16, includes a certificate of merit for outstanding service to the local community and a monetary gift of $5,000.

The SYDA Foundation Community Service Award will be presented to Goldstein on Thursday, November 15, at 10 a.m. during the monthly meeting of the Sullivan County Legislature, at the government center in Monticello. The public is invited to attend this presentation.

Since 1986 the SYDA Foundation has sponsored this annual award—one of Sullivan County’s highest distinctions—to recognize and honor local citizens for outstanding community service. A committee of past award recipients and local civic leaders selected Greg Goldstein to receive this year’s award in recognition of his many years of service to the community of Sullivan County, and particularly to its young people in need.

Goldstein is president and owner of Misner Insurance Agency, which has expanded to four locations in Sullivan and Orange counties and currently employs more than 20 people.