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Make Your Voices Heard on Proposed Verizon/Frontier Merger
The fight to ensure reliable telephone and internet service in our region continues!
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission has announced it will hold both in-person and telephonic public input hearings on the proposed merger between Frontier and Verizon Communications.
An in-person hearing is planned in Wellsboro on Thursday, Feb. 13, at 6 p.m. at the Fire Company Annex, 21 East Ave.
I encourage you to consider testifying at this hearing. After years of dealing with poor service from Frontier, it is important to specifically outline our expectations from Verizon for things like services provided, maintenance and enhancement of our communications infrastructure, timelines for repairs, and overall customer service accessibility and responsiveness. Together, we fought for improvements in these areas with Frontier and we do not want to lose that progress!
If you’re unable to participate in the in-person hearing, two telephonic public input hearings will be held on Thursday, Feb. 20, at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Participants can call in, toll free, at 866-759-6860 and use PIN Number: 71568747. An additional hearing may be held in Bradford County or Wyoming County as well in March.
Registration to speak at the hearings is encouraged but not required. For information about how to register, click here.
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I recently submitted, and the newspaper published, the following op-ed about steps we can take to prevent extreme flooding and wildfires.
The devastating footage coming out of California creates lasting images in my mind, as I’m sure it does in yours. The loss of life, homes, businesses and schools, and the environmental effects, are staggering. At the same time, I’m equally impacted by the images of people coming together to help in a time of need. It reminded me of how our community pulled together after the devastating floods in our region back in August.
After every natural disaster there must be a concerted effort to reevaluate the decisions leading up to the event. While the magnitude of floods, hurricanes and wildfires may make us feel nothing can be done, I personally reject that notion.
Click here to read the full op-ed.
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Just Keep on Breathing
I had the opportunity to visit with Jim and Shirley McGee last week to help honor two milestone occasions! The couple celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on Jan. 14, and one week later, on Jan. 21, Jim marked his 90th birthday.
When I asked Jim the secret to 90 years, he said with a smirk, “Just keep on breathing.” I could see his wit and sense of humor have contributed to 70 years of an amazing marriage for the couple. The family celebrated together recently in Eagles Mere, which is a special place for the family. You can see from the picture that the McGee family loves to have fun together.
Jim was born to Joseph and Edith (Kehrer) McGee in Towanda. He attended St. Agnes School and served as an altar boy. As a teenager, Jim spent time in Eagles Mere working various jobs at the General Store, Sweet Shop, and Country Club, as well as for his grandfather, Raymond D. Kehrer, who was a prominent entrepreneur in the area. Jim’s fondest memory is sitting with his grandparents near the pot belly stove, playing checkers as the snow piled up in front of the Eagles Mere General Store, which is now the Eagles Mere Museum. It is clear Jim has a strong work ethic, and when he returned to Towanda, he continued to work as a caddy, at the Desoto dealership, and then 10 years at the silk mill.
On Jan. 14, 1955, Jim married his sweetheart, Shirley Lewis. They raised four children together, and they are blessed with four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Jim and Shirley loved looking back on their vacations in upstate New York and down at the Outer Banks. Jim was known for his exquisite Porter House Pool, a frequent site for entertaining family and friends.
Jim dedicated 35 years at GTP Sylvania and together they ran “The Sub Shop” on Main Street and the Plank Road Laundromat, with friends. Shirley enjoyed working various retail jobs, while maintaining an active social life. Even in their retirement, the couple has remained active. Jim began working for Enterprise, while Shirley stayed active doing yoga, garage sales, and enjoying time with friends. The couple settled down in Towanda Township, and they are enjoying retirement.
I wish you both many more years of happiness and laughter!
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Infrastructure Funding Awarded in Elkland, Towanda
I’m pleased to report the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) last week approved grants for two area communities to upgrade their wastewater treatment plants.
The agency awarded a $1.86 million grant to the Elkland Borough Authority to install two new influent pump stations, new blowers, a new generator and a new control system. Additionally, the project includes aeration, effluent monitoring and dewatering upgrades, as well as several safety improvements to the facility.
The agency awarded $7.7 million to the Towanda Municipal Authority to construct a new headworks building with new fine screening units and grit removal equipment. The project will also include the demolition of the existing building and the rehabilitation of the existing ultraviolet disinfection system, as well as the repair or replacement of air supply piping, tank piping and pumps. Other improvements include upgrades to the communication and electrical systems.
These important investments recognize that ensuring the proper handling and treatment of wastewater is vital to providing a clean and healthy environment for the residents in these communities.
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Recreation Grant Awarded in Elkland
The borough of Elkland has also been awarded a $125,000 grant through the Commonwealth Financing Authority’s (CFA) Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program.
The grant will be used to acquire land and conduct preliminary engineering toward creating a swimming and recreating facility. The site is planned to have an ADA-accessible swimming pool, kid safe pool, bathhouse, park office, meeting room, Little League fields and an ADA-accessible playground.
Our region has so much to offer in the great outdoors, and this project will provide even more opportunities for the people of Elkland and the surrounding areas to enjoy some fun and fresh air. I was happy to work with Sen. Yaw in support of this investment in our residents’ quality of life.
The grant program is supported by the Marcellus Legacy Fund, established under Act 13 of 2012.
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New Permit Tracking Tool Available
On the heels of permitting reforms approved by the General Assembly last year, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Commonwealth Office of Digital Experience (CODE PA) have launched a new tool to track the progress of permt applications submitted to DEP.
The Permit Status Tracker can:
• Search by authorization ID or keyword.
• Filter by county, program area, permit type, application type, status and submission date.
• View application status, details and estimated processing time.
• Find contact information for your reviewer.
The tracking system was one of three initiatives aimed at improving the state’s permitting process adopted last year as part of the 2024-25 state budget. Act 54 of 2024 also allows applicants to use third-party entities approved by the state to expedite the review process for air, land and water permits issued by DEP and county conservation districts. It also holds DEP accountable for permit delays.
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Does Your Home Contain Radon?
January is National Radon Action Month. An estimated 40% of Pennsylvania homes have higher levels of radon than national safety standards, due to the state’s geology. However, residents can perform a simple test to detect this gas, which is considered the second leading cause of lung cancer.
Radon is a colorless, odorless, radioactive gas that occurs naturally from the breakdown of uranium in soil and rocks and enters homes through cracks in the foundation or other openings. High levels of radon tend to be found in basements, but the gas can be found anywhere in the home.
Winter is a good time to test for radon, because doors and windows are generally closed, providing more accurate results. Simple radon test kits are inexpensive and available at home improvement and hardware stores.
Click here for additional information.
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PGC Seeks Help for Winter Turkey Survey
The Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) is asking for the public’s help finding turkey flocks to trap for ongoing projects. Pennsylvanians are encouraged to report the location of any turkey flocks they see across the state. Information is being colleted online here through March 15.
Among other things, visitors to that webpage are asked to provide the date of the sighting, the location and the type of land (public, private or unknown) where birds are seen.
Trapping turkeys during winter is part of the commission's ongoing population monitoring, and it provides information for large-scale turkey studies.
Read more here.
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