Archive - Nov 6, 2010 - News Article
Once again donations are being sought for the “Christmas in Kentucky” program, established by St. Marys resident Laura Kuntz.
For the past 15 years, Kuntz, a kindergarten teacher at St. Marys Catholic Elementary School, has been collecting Christmas gifts and making the 10-hour-trip to Beattyville, KY, in Lee County, where a local contact helps in distributing the donated gifts.
Each year, Kuntz and a Kentucky-based social worker compile wish lists for numerous needy families.
Members of the St. Marys City Council continued their discussion on the city's 2011 budget on Thursday evening, making a number of cuts in an effort to reduce the budget deficit and the resulting tax increase that would be imposed on city residents.
According to Carol Muhitch, city finance director, if the budget were to be approved as it is right now, city residents would likely be facing around a $138 increase to their real estate property tax in 2011.
St. Marys Area School District Superintendent Ann Kearney provided updates on various programs during the school board’s workshop on Thursday evening.
Next week the district will conduct field testing for the Keystone Exams. They have been requested to participate in the field testing for Algebra I.
In the spring, the district will conduct Keystone Exams in Algebra I, Biology and Literature. The tests will be given to students who have finished those corresponding courses.
“We are permitted to give these exams as low as sixth grade if they have completed the course,” explained Kearney.
The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) is a federally funded, community service and work-based training program that provides subsidized job training and employment opportunities for people age 55 and older who are unemployed or whose employment outlook is poor. Through SCSEP, older individuals can benefit by becoming more economically self-sufficient, and businesses benefit by being able to make use of qualified and reliable employees.
Free parking will once again be provided this year for shoppers throughout downtown St. Marys during the period between Thanksgiving and Christmas, as well as on Light Up Night. Depot Street will also be closed to through traffic on Light Up Night between 7:30 and 9 p.m. so that hay rides can be offered.
Dickinson Mental Health Center (DMHC) is looking for the community's support for the Second Annual Pat Work Memorial Christmas Project. The project is designed to provide Christmas gifts to less fortunate children who otherwise would not be receiving the Christmas they deserve.
In 2009, DMHC provided 117 children with gifts. This year, they have 156 referrals for children who are in need of having a better Christmas.
During Thursday evening’s St. Marys Area School District school board workshop, plans were reviewed for renovations to the front entryway of the high school.
Jerry Bankovich of KTH Architects provided details on several options for the project. He had previously met with Superintendent Ann Kearney and Cindy FinGado, business manager, on several occasions to discuss the project.
Due to several funding inadequacies due to unfavorable economic times, county commissioners voted Wednesday to redirect allocated monies for the continuation of a project for Bennetts Valley Senior Center.
