 |
|
|
|
|
Please do not reply directly to this email, as it returns to an unmanned account.
You are welcome to contact me through this link. |
One Year of Community Connection Complete!
Last January, we embarked on a journey to revamp our weekly email blast into one that would focus on sharing stories that bring us together as a community and connect us to one another in ways that demonstrate there are so many more things that unite rather than divide us.
It’s hard to believe a full year has gone by, and I hope you have found the Community Connection to be both a reliable and uplifting source of information about what’s happening here at home and at the state Capitol. You can find back issues of Community Connection here.
Communication is key to my work as your state representative, and I remain committed to sharing the good news here at home and ensuring our voices are heard at the state Capitol.
Please feel free to share this email with others and encourage them to sign up for Community Connection. Thank you for being part of our community and making it the best it can be!
|
A Great Week at the PA Farm Show!
Our farmers and others in the agriculture industry work hard each day to put food on our tables and so much more. The Pennsylvania Farm Show is a fitting celebration of these dedicated men, women and children, and it is a great way to educate the public about the importance of all segments of the agriculture industry.
I had a great time at the show last Monday, meeting and talking with more than a dozen local FFA students from Southern Tioga School District and Cowanesque Valley High School! They were so excited to participate in FFA’s mid-winter convention at the Farm Show, and many were set to receive their FFA jackets and others their Keystone Degrees.
Please take a few minutes to watch these young men and women talk about their enthusiasm for agriculture and FFA. Their future – and ours – is bright!
I was back at the show on Wednesday and had a blast participating in the Celebrity Feed Scurry! With the help of my “mucker,” Tioga County Commissioner Sam VanLoon, we took second place! More importantly, we helped support the Friends of the Pennsylvania Farm Show Foundation, whose mission is to facilitate, stimulate and support education programs, incentives and events at the PA Farm Show. Thanks to the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau for sponsoring my participation.
Also on Wednesday, I had the opportunity to sit down with Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding to talk about various aspects of our agriculture industry, from hardwoods and the forest products industry to the dairy industry and more. Check it out below!
I also had the good fortune to be at the Calving Corner when a new calf was born on Wednesday. Growing up on a dairy farm, I’ve seen it happen many times before, but it never gets old! During the course of the week, 17 calves were born at the Calving Corner. This is another great opportunity for people to learn about agriculture.
Overall, it was a great week at the Farm Show. In addition to the above activities, I got to watch a calf being born at the Calving Corner, and I ran into some great local folks, including Lydia Mattison, Emily Pierce, Austin Hartranft, Tioga County Commissioner Sam VanLoon and Penn State Extension Director Craig Williams. Lydia, Emily and Austin worked so hard preparing their cows for the show, and they did a great job!
This is a truly fantastic event. And remember, if you ate today, be sure to thank a farmer!
|
Adaptive Bicycles Empower Local Children
It was a blustery cold winter day, but that did not dampen the spirits at the kid’s bike parade happening at Penn College’s Field House last Tuesday, where children received custom-fitted adaptive bicycles and radiated joy and enthusiasm.
BLaST IU17, in partnership with Variety, a Pittsburgh-based children’s charity, and BLACKBURN’s Home Medical Equipment and Supplies, has provided over $196,500 worth of adaptive equipment to children in our region since 2018. On Jan. 7, 13 children from nine school districts received18 adaptive bikes and three adaptive strollers. The spacious indoor setting of the Penn College Field House allowed students to immediately use their new equipment and celebrate with an indoor bike parade.
Meet some of our local kids who received adaptative equipment and how it is benefitting their lives:
Christopher, pictured with his mom his mom, Sarah, is a student at Wellsboro. Christopher was thrilled with his pink bike, which is his favorite color. He is looking forward to riding his bike in the back yard with friends and neighbors. He and his mom are especially looking forward to getting out on the rail trails this summer and enjoying some exercise.
Ian and his mom, Jodi, are pictured here in the bike parade. Ian is a student at Wellsboro and will be able to load the bus to school in his stroller and be easily transported back and forth to school. Ian is looking forward to being able to enjoy more family activities in his stroller, including going to sporting events and family vacations.
Scarlett and her mom, Saphire, could not stop smiling. Previously, Scarlett received an adaptive stroller but has recently been asking to be more mobile. Scarlett is a student at Warren L. Miller Elementary School, and she will soon be racing down the halls at school. According to Scarlett’s mother, this will give Scarlett gained independence.
Families can apply through BlaST IU17 to determine eligibility. Families are also able to apply for more than one piece of equipment, based upon their needs. Upon approval, each stroller or bike is customized to meet the individual needs of the child. For further information regarding BlaST’s bike give away or to learn how to be a partner, you may click HERE.
|
2025-26 Session Officially Underway
Members of the House were sworn into office for the 2025-26 Legislative Session on Tuesday, and I am ready to get to work to address the challenges facing our Commonwealth and our communities.
A top priority again this session will be working on policies to allow for the proper maintenance of creeks and streams to stop extreme flooding disasters like the one brought on by Tropical Storm Debby in August last year. These events are a threat to lives and livelihoods here and across the state. We need to empower our local officials and property owners to do what they need to do to keep stream channels clear.
Other priorities include promoting broadband expansion, ensuring quality education for students, enacting fiscally responsible budgets, encouraging economic opportunity and growth, and simply ensuring government is functioning for the benefit of its people.
As always, you can keep up to date with all the latest news from the Capitol and here at home by following me on Facebook or Instagram and reading the weekly Community Connection emails. Tell your friends they can sign up here!
Also, all voting sessions of the House, as well as committee meetings, are streamed live at www.PAHouseGOP.com.
|
Thank You for Your Service!
It was an honor to start the year by recognizing Mr. Richard Foster’s retirement after 50 years of distinguished service as the Lawrence Township tax collector.
On Jan. 6, the Lawrence Township supervisors held a retirement reception, presenting a commemorative plaque acknowledging his five decades of service. This was complemented by a proclamation from the Tioga County commissioners and a signed citation from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
Mr. Foster’s career in public service began in January 1974. Over the last 50 years, he has cultivated strong friendships with members of the community, often welcoming taxpayers into his home. Throughout his tenure, Mr. Foster consistently demonstrated exceptional expertise, competence and integrity. His dedicated service earned him the well-deserved gratitude and respect of his colleagues and the community.
I’d like to thank Mr. Foster, not only for his service but for passing on his heart for service to his daughter, Kim, who is a spectacular member of my team in the Wellsboro office. Public service definitely runs in this family!!
|
Need Tax Help?
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, provided by the United Way of Bradford County, is now accepting appointments for the upcoming tax season. The service is being offered at nine locations across the county, including at my office in Troy.
The VITA program provides free tax help to individuals and families with a household income of $72,000 or less, veterans, people with disabilities, individuals over the age of 50, Native Americans, or individuals who speak limited English. Please note that you only need to meet one of the requirements to qualify.
Appointments are required and may be made by calling 570-602-3132 (or toll-free at 1-866-839-0442) or clicking here.
In addition to my office at 121 Canton St. in Troy, assistance is also available at the following locations:
• Sayre: The Enterprise Center and Representative Tina Pickett's office
• Towanda: Area Agency on Aging and Lackawanna College
• Canton: Canton Chamber of Commerce
• Wyalusing: Wyalusing Public Library
Additionally, there are two convenient drop-off sites in Towanda at the YMCA and United Way of Bradford County's headquarters.
|
Raising Awareness of Human Trafficking
Late last year, I shared the first in a series of conversations I had with Clint Gregory of WPEL 96.5 in Montrose about the horrors of human trafficking. If you missed hearing that segment, click here.
Over the weekend, the station aired a second segment discussing the “business” of trafficking and how teen girls are often targeted by traffickers. Listen here.
Human trafficking is the second largest criminal enterprise in the world, but many people are unaware of it or, if they are aware, believe it is something that happens only in large urban centers.
The sad reality is, human trafficking is happening everywhere, including right here in our own communities. Please take some time to familiarize yourself with this crime and be a part of the solution.
|
|
|
