Pubdate: Thu, 07 Apr 2005
Source: News-Item, The (PA)
Copyright: 2005 The News Item
Contact:  http://www.newsitem.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3556
Author: Kimberly Long, Staff Writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?159 (Drug Courts)

DRUG COURT PLAN TAKES ANOTHER STEP

SUNBURY -- The Northumberland County commissioners authorized the 
submission of a concept paper to Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and 
Deliquency regarding the establishment of a drug court program.

Chief Clerk Mike Lindermuth said PCCD will review the paper to determine if 
the county is eligible to apply for a grant to fund the program.

President Judge Robert Sacavage attended a recent meeting to request the 
commissioners' permission to apply for the program, explaining that addicts 
would have a better chance at recovery, the county prison population would 
be reduced and money could be saved by implementing the program.

If the county is approved, it could receive a 100-percent funding grant in 
the amount of $193,556.

The commissioners approved an amendment to a contract with Kerry Heckman, a 
certified public accountant who was hired to assist the county with its 
2005 budget. However, Lindermuth said Heckman's assistance has exceeded 
what he was originally hired for. Changes in the contract include term 
adjustment, additional responsibilities and a mileage rate increase.

An ordinance regarding the Montour-Northumberland County Airport Commission 
was approved, a technicality that Montour County also approved. The 
ordinance will allow the commission to borrow $100,000 for improvements. 
The county is not responsible for repayment of the loan.

Contracts were awarded for two large parcels of land, one in Point Township 
and the other in West Chillisquaque Township. The contract for the Jay 
Bacon site in the northern end of the county with Robert C. Snyder Farms, 
Northumberland, is for $65 per acre.

The contract for the Four Seasons site in Point Township was awarded to 
Strouse Farms, Northumberland, for $73 per acre.

Paul Zarick, Emergency Management Agency director, said the school shooter 
program, a three-day training session that will be held this weekend at 
Shamokin Area schools, is going smoothly, with a good registered attendance.

When asked about recent flooding, Zarick said there were a few trouble 
spots, but nothing like the flooding that occurred in September. The river 
crested at 27.3 feet Monday, compared to 30.4 feet following rains from 
Hurricane Ivan last fall.

Former county and Coal Township commissioner Eleanor Kuhns asked the 
commissioners to find a representative of the Republican party to visit 
Mountain View Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Coal Township, to 
assist residents there with the completion of absentee ballots.

Kuhns, a Democrat, assisted at the manor last year with a Republican the 
commissioners had solicited.

However, Commissioner Frank Sawicki said he could not authorize that request.

Chairman Commissioner Samuel Deitrick said the election board, which 
consists of the three commissioners, will work something out with Mary 
Thew, director of elections.

Kuhns said it wouldn't be right to deny the right to vote to those 
residents who need assistance.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom