Archive - News Article
January 4th, 2011
State Rep. Matt Gabler, R-Elk/Clearfield, was sworn in for his second term representing the 75th Legislative District in the state House at a ceremony held at the Capitol Tuesday.
Gabler, who was re-elected by a significant majority in the November election, said he will continue to focus on fiscal accountability and smart government spending as legislative priorities during his sophomore term.
"What I think is that there's an opportunity to use the money we have more efficiently," Gabler said. "It's got to be a question of priorities."
For state Rep. Matt Gabler, the past two years have been educational, interesting, and sometimes frustrating.
During his first term representing the 75th Legislative District in the state House, the 27-year-old Republican said he learned a great deal about representing the people who elected him.
"When an individual citizen speaks, you just represent yourself. When a legislator speaks, he has to do a lot more research because he represents so many people. I think that's what makes this job so fascinating," Gabler said.
The Elk County Commissioners announced during yesterday morning's meeting that they had recently attended a meeting with state Sen. Joseph Scarnati, state Rep. Matt Gabler, and the new Speaker of the House, state Rep. Sam Smith, at Scarnati's office in Brockway.
The Jay Township Supervisors voted to eliminate the township's roadmaster position during their reorganizational meeting on Monday evening. The position was previously held by supervisor Murray Lilley.
Neither of Lilley's fellow supervisors, Francis Gustafson or Jeremy Rippey, made any motion to reappoint Lilley or name another individual to the position. Rippey later made a motion to eliminate the position altogether, which was seconded by Gustafson. Lilley opposed the motion.
Fox Township Supervisor Dave Mattiuz introduced a resolution to create a draft finance and budget ordinance which will establish specific budget guidelines when allocating money from the Landfill Host Fee Fund.
The board approved Mattiuz's motion.
"I think this discussion is necessary," said Supervisor Chairman Mike Keller. "I thought it was a good idea 12 years ago. We should make sure the numbers are right before we are locked into anything. This is exactly where we ought to go."
January 3rd
During their first work session of the year on Monday evening, members of the St. Marys City Council filled vacancies on a number of the city's boards, authorities and commissions.
The Benzinger Township Golf Authority had one five-year vacancy which was filled by John H. Dippold.
The Benzinger Township Hospital Authority had one five-year vacancy which was filled by Dr. Charles Haskell.
The Parking Authority had three five-year vacancies which were filled by Robert Makufka, Warren Stewart and Jack Gabler.
The Elk/Cameron chapter of Special Olympics PA (SOPA) will be hitting the lanes once again when its bowling series begins this Saturday.
Diane Bon, bowling coach for the local chapter, has been involved with Special Olympics and the bowling program for over 30 years.
"I went there one Saturday just because I heard people talking about it, and I've been there ever since," she said of the Saturday bowling events. Bowling will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. at the coincidentally titled Olympic Lanes located off the Million Dollar Highway in St. Marys.
The Fox Township Supervisors held their annual organizational meeting Monday evening, followed by their regular monthly meeting.
Among the few changes approved during the organizational meeting was a 1.5 percent pay increase for all township employees, as already allocated for in next year's township budget.
Supervisor Randy Gradizzi introduced a motion, which was approved, in increasing sewage application fees by $10. It will now cost $162 for new sewage systems and $116 for repairs.
January 2nd
The Elk-Cameron Counties Chapter of the American Red Cross has reported its operating budget has been severely impacted by recent disasters which have occurred throughout the area.
According to Elk-Cameron Chapter Program Director Patti Micale, the local organization spent more on disaster relief in November than all of last year.
This allotment consists of $5,000 of their budget, which was used to aid residents impacted by widespread flooding in early December, as well as from house fires in Kersey and Ridgway.
While large crowds of area residents turned out to watch the action during last week's Elk County Holiday Tournament, many also took the time to contribute to the effort to raise money for the Coaches vs. Cancer program.
According to Roben Daghir, American Cancer Society outreach volunteer, a total of $766 was raised throughout the tournament. All of the money will go to the American Cancer Society and will benefit individuals within the county.
