Galligan names expected replacement

MONTICELLO, NY — Sullivan County District Attorney Meagan Galligan appointed Brian Conaty to the rank of chief assistant district attorney. Conaty, 30, is a lifelong Sullivan County resident and has been a member of the DA’s office for several years; Galligan noted that Conaty has established himself as a talented and capable trial prosecutor with the insight and temperament to lead the county’s law enforcement community.

Galligan’s impending elevation to New York State Supreme Court justice means that, on January 1, 2023, Conaty is expected to assume the role of acting district attorney, a position Galligan herself held when Sullivan County Court Judge Jim Farrell was elected to the bench.

Draft NY Assembly redistricting plan released

ALBANY, NY — The New York State Independent Redistricting Commission has voted to release a draft Assembly plan to the public. The draft map is now available to the public on the commission’s website (at nyirc.gov/assembly-plan), along with relevant data and related information, so that the public can review, analyze and comment upon the plan. The commission will begin its statewide tour of public hearings in early 2023.

The proposed map alters Assembly District 100, which covers much of Sullivan County and is currently represented by Assemblymember Aileen Gunther. It removes Middletown from the district and expands the district north into Delaware County and the Catskill Mountains area.

PA House contested

HARRISBURG, PA — On December 7, the Pennsylvania State House Democratic caucus swore in Rep. Joanna McClinton, (D-Phila./Delaware), as the House Majority Leader for the 2023/24 legislative session. On December 12, the Republican caucus swore in Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster), claiming the Democratic swearing-in to be an “illegitimate power grab.” Reporting from the Associated Press indicates that the Democratic caucus has the majority, but that three Democratic seats are going to special elections; one incumbent died of cancer before he could take his seat, and two incumbents are resigning their seats to take state and federal offices. McClinton claimed authority to schedule those special elections, and Cutler filed a lawsuit opposing the claim.

Keeping warm in Sullivan County

LIBERTY, NY — Sullivan County has now opened its Monticello warming shelter and will keep it open every night of the winter season from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m.

The shelter is located at the Ted Stroebele Recreation Center at 10 Jefferson St., across from the government center. This is the second of two warming centers available in Sullivan County; the other is located at the Liberty United Methodist Church, 170 North Main St. in Liberty. Hours of operation are the same.

During the daytime hours, various public buildings (like the government center in Monticello), stores and libraries are available as places to get warm, and Sullivan County’s Department of Social Services can assist in more challenging circumstances. (Call 845/292-0100). In addition, the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)—which can provide funds for fuel and heating system repair/replacement—is currently taking applications. For more information, call 845/807-0142.

McGraw on leave, Farney resigned

MONTICELLO, NY — Nancy McGraw, Sullivan County public health director, has been placed on administrative leave. In seperate news, Sullivan County public safety commissioner Tom Farney has resigned.

Speaking with the River Reporter, Sullivan County Director of Communications Dan Hust confirmed both reports, and emphasized that McGraw has not been fired.

Gov. Wolf praises new LGBTQ anti-discriminatory regulations

HARRISBURG, PA — Gov. Tom Wolf praised a new regulatory change formalizing nondiscrimination protection for LGBTQ people by the state’s regulatory board. Wolf signed an executive order last year that adds sexual orientation and gender identity or expression as protected classes under the commonwealth’s sexual harassment policies. The latest final form regulation, approved on December 8, provides individuals with protections from discrimination under the PA Human Relations Act and the PA Fair Education Opportunities Act. The new regulation is  effective immediately.

Regulating nursing homes in NYS

ALBANY, NY — Gov. Kathy Hochul signed legislation that will require residential health care facilities to swiftly update residents as well as their family members and guardians when an infection is detected within the facility. Legislation (S.1785A/A.6052) will expand the existing pandemic emergency plan to improve communication by requiring nursing homes to inform residents and their loved ones of an infection. It will also require facilities to prepare a plan or procedure for accommodations for residents during an infectious disease outbreak, which will help ensure every nursing home is ready and able to effectively place residents in the event of an infection, for their safety and the safety of others.

Persist persisting

HONESDALE, PA — On December 6, Alert Hook & Ladder Co. #2 with the Honesdale Fire Department responded to a structure fire at 736 Main St. at 4:09 p.m. A caller reported heavy smoke and fire coming out the front of the building. A quick fire department response and attack contained the heavy fire and heat to the first floor, which was occupied by the boutique Persist. The second floor (the site of the former VFW) had smoke throughout. Company #2 gave thanks to the Honesdale Police Department, Cottage Ambulance and Seeleyville Fire for standing by, and said that the Pennsylvania State Police and the Honesdale Fire Department Fire Marshals are conducting the investigation.

Persist owner Mayra Rogers and cat Jabba are both OK. A GoFundMe page has been set up at bit.ly/persist-fire to help Rogers recover from the fire.

Persist billed itself as spreading the word of female empowerment to the community through its merchandise, and as providing a welcoming atmosphere for all genders, cultures, races, ages and social beliefs.

“Although we’re all relieved that Mayra and her cat Jabba are okay, this is an incredible loss for her and our entire community, especially on her birthday and during the holiday season,” wrote Emily Nacchio, who organized the GoFundMe. “Local young artists would gather at PERSIST to present their art, professional artists would hang their commissions, and Mayra always had some of the best clothing for all sorts of needs.”

‘Share the Love’

MILFORD, PA — The Pike County Area Agency on Aging (AAA) is partnering with Subaru World for its 15th annual “Share the Love” event. Through Tuesday, January 3, 2023, for every new vehicle purchased or leased, Subaru will donate $250 to the buyer’s selected charity.

Individuals have the option to choose from four national or over 1,700 hometown charities, including Pike County’s Meals on Wheels program, which deliverers nutritious meals to eligible senior citizens.

If you are not in the market for a new vehicle, but would still like to help this holiday season, the AAA accepts donations to the Meals on Wheels program. Each donation enables seniors to age with independence and dignity in their own homes. Donations can be made on the Pike County Area Agency on Aging website, www.pikepa.org/aaa.

Enshrining marriage equality

WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright (PA-08) voted to send the Respect for Marriage Act to President Biden’s desk. This legislation takes several steps to defend marriage equality, according to a press release from Cartwright’s office. The steps include officially repealing the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), upholding couples’ rights to equal protection under federal law, and requiring states to recognize valid out-of-state marriages regardless of sex, race, ethnicity or national origin.

In other news, Cartwright has been elected to serve on the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee, representing Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia and Kentucky, according to a press release from his office. This will be Cartwright’s fourth consecutive, two-year term on the committee, which shapes and implements the party’s agenda, advises the caucus on important issues, and assigns members to committees.

Running low on gas?

ALBANY, NY — Gov. Kathy Hochul signed legislation to allow homeowners who lease liquified petroleum gas tanks to receive emergency deliveries from any supplier during times of a qualifying emergency. Legislation (A.1451A/S.8426) amends the agriculture and markets law to allow, during a qualified emergency, a customer running low on propane who reasonably believes their supply is insufficient to meet their heating needs, to purchase liquid petroleum gas (LPG) from any temporary emergency supplier if their good-faith effort to purchase the LPG from their regular supplier does not materialize.

NYSP warns of phone scam

CANANDAIGUA, NY — The New York State Police (NYSP) remind everyone this holiday season that the NYSP does not solicit citizens for donations.

Troopers have received several calls and complaints from residents in Western NY that individuals claiming to be affiliated with the state police and/or state troopers are calling and asking for donations. Troopers say that if you receive a call from an organization claiming to be affiliated with the NYSP, know that the person on the other end of the phone is not a member of the NYSP, nor does the caller represent the NYSP.