Local News...

Issue 4 — September 2, 2010
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In This Week's Dispatch

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Belle Reve Senior Living Center
Frankel Foot & Ankle
CES
Karen Ann Quinlan
Simple Kneads
Apple Valley
RIMBYS
Shawnee Mountain
Fantasy Tours and Travel
Space Farms
Women's Healthcare Associates
Mountain Dojo
 
High Cable Start-Up Fee Hurts Students, Mom Says

DINGMANS FERRY — Another taxpayer has come forward seeking Delaware Township supervisors’ help in getting Blue Ridge Cable (BRC) to provide service to her home without having to pay an exorbitant amount for installation.

This time, Dingmans Ferry resident and mother of three Jeanne Bowker came to the board of supervisors meeting last Wednesday to discuss how she can receive internet cable to her home without having to pay $2,400 for installation.

Bowker says they already have utility poles that supply phone and electricity leading to her house on her 35-acre parcel and questions why BRC is charging so much. She said as a taxpayer and county resident for the past 23 years she should not have to pay so much in installation fees when she is surrounded by neighbors who already have service through BRC.

She explained that it has become a hardship on her family. Bowker said her children cannot go online to study or do research for school work, something Delaware Valley School District has been pushing to better prepare students for the technological age.

She said she has tried other internet services, wireless and phone line internet service providers but they run slow and are not dependable. Right now, they utilize the library’s computers or a friend’s house but the traveling back and forth has become quite burdensome.

“We are asking for your help,” said Bowker. “It is simply unacceptable to charge these types of fees in addition to the fees they stand to collect on a monthly basis. Our children are entitled to the same services which all other residents so readily receive at a minimal expense...for complete story, get this week's issue.

Pinchot Family History Tour

MILFORD — A walking tour of downtown Milford that illustrates the many contributions to the community made by the prominent Pinchot family since the 1800’s is planned for Saturday, Sept. 4, beginning at 11 a.m.

Back by popular demand, the tour will illustrate how one family influenced the beginnings of the community. Participants should meet on the lawn of the Pike County Library at the intersection of Broad and Harford Streets, Milford, at 11 a.m., rain or shine. Pre-registration is suggested by calling 570-296-9630 or by email at greytowers@fs.fed.us.

The program is offered by the US Forest Service at Grey Towers, ancestral home of the Pinchot family. Tour fees are $6 for adults, $5 for seniors, $3 for students and free for youth 12 and under. Participants are encouraged to tour Grey Towers after the walking tour and can do so at half price.

For more information about Grey Towers and public programs, visit the web at www.fs.fed.us/gt.

Annual Craft Fair

BEACH LAKE — Annual craft fair at the Beach Lake Firehall, route 652, Beach Lake, PA, Saturday, September 4, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Donation $1 per adult. Sponsored by the Beach Lake Fire Company Auxiliary. Food and beverages available for purchase and there will be door prizes.

 

 

Dwarfskill Creek Bridge Will Be Wider, Safer

DINGMANS — The bridge replacement over Dwarfskill Creek on Log Tavern Road, when completed, will be about 12 feet wider, and a rock formation on a curve at the site is being removed to improve sight distance.

According to PennDOT Inspector Rick Schweizer at the site on Aug. 27, only about a third of the bridge has been removed so far and they are working on what will be about a 27-foot wide section of the new bridge.

The remaining 15 feet on the other side of the bridge allows room for a barrier that separates the actual work from traffic flow while Leeward Construction conducts the work project.

An outcropping of rock on a curve nearby that was often vandalized with graffiti in the past is being removed to improve sight distance. Schweizer explained it would be a nice slope when finished.

The portion of bridge currently under construction will have an 11-foot shoulder when finished. Traffic will then be shifted to the new part of the bridge so the other side of approximately 15 feet can be completed.

Traffic signal lights in the work zone are on a timer giving traffic in each direction enough time to pass through the area before giving the green light to traffic in the opposite direction as well as traffic exiting from Dwarfskill Court.

The lights are set to keep traffic moving and not delay people too long yet give traffic in each direction enough time to pass through the work area.

Schweizer indicated the only issues so far are people stopping to ask about directions and they must tell them to keep moving.

The bridge was previously 22 feet wide. When the new bridge construction is completed, Schweizer estimated it would be about 40 feet wide altogether including the increased shoulders with two 12-foot travel lanes...for complete story, get this week's issue.

Day Of Caring Honors Volunteers

MILFORD — Volunteerism is an essential part of society, and with ongoing federal and state funding cuts, many non-profit human service organizations would cease to exist without the help of local volunteers.

The Pike County Commissioners commended the United Way of Pike County (UWPC) on their leadership role in coordinating the Tenth Annual Day of Caring Event that provides a day of volunteer work to nonprofit organizations throughout the county.

At their last meeting, the commissioners approved adopting a resolution designating Saturday, Sept. 11 as its Day of Caring event, which benefits residents of Pike County and nonprofit organizations through free services provided by adult and teenage volunteers.

The event is designed to increase public awareness to the health and human service needs in Pike County, while providing a chance for individuals to get involved in their community and help others through free labor, blood donations or monetary contributions.

UWPC Director Catherine Capasso said it is a wonderful way to come together as a community and provide services for those in need.

To qualify, nonprofit organizations must show how their services aid the community by helping to alleviate homelessness, provide food or emergency relief, or improve a person’s physical or mental health, to name just a few.

The volunteers visit qualifying organizations and through good old-fashioned hard work, spruce up, clean out or take on physical projects that save the organizations a considerable amount of money through free labor. Another way to help is to roll up their sleeves and donate blood at the Delaware Valley Middle School Gym...for complete story, get this week's issue.

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