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2009 Note: Newest reports are listed first and continue chronologically in the order they were submitted. Any ideas can be submitted to Public Information Officer Jeff Greenburg at jgreenburg@mcc.co.mercer.pa.us.
A memorial scholarship fund has been
established in memory of former
The Mercer County Conservation District and the Munnell Run Farm Foundation, Inc. will again co-host the Fifth Annual Munnell Run Farm Day from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sept. 20. The event is being held to acquaint the community with Munnell Run Farm, the area’s rich historical and agricultural heritage, the traditional works of local artisans and craftspeople and the season’s bounty of locally produced farm products. Wagon tours of the farm, horse-drawn wagon rides and free children’s activities will also take place throughout the day. There is no admission fee, but participants are asked to bring a non-perishable food item to benefit the Community Food Warehouse of Mercer County. The
Mercer County Youth Conservation Camp will again offer a spit-roasted chicken
dinner with all the “fixins.” The Mercer County Historical Society will hold
tours of the Rural Life Museum, with an ox roast dinner available from 12:00
p.m. until 2:00 p.m. The Woodland
Place Auxiliary will provide sloppy joes, nachos, pie, coffee, soda and water.
Shenango River Watchers will be making funnel cakes.
McCullough's Ice Cream will also be on hand to provide a number of tasty
treats. Other organizations participating include: the Neshannock Chapter of Trout Unlimited; the Mercer County Spinners and Weavers Guild and the Mercer County Woodland Owners’ Association. Call 724-662-2242 for more information, or visit www.munnellrunfarm.org.
Mercer County residents can utilize Treasurer's office online service It
just got a little bit easier for “Offering
this online service to the residents of Mrs.
Richardson led the effort to offer the service that is designed to provide
additional methods of payment and collection of county revenue without
additional county expenses in order to keep the burden off of taxpayers as a
whole. Applicants
can go to the county’s Web site at www.mcc.co.mercer.pa.us
and link at left to “Buy Dog License Online.” They will be automatically
directed to a disclaimer explaining that a $1 convenience fee will be assessed
on top of the normal cost of purchasing a license. A 3 percent fee will be
applied for transactions more than $40. The
vendor, PayGOV.US, will pay for all costs of developing and maintaining the
program. PayGOV.US, which will collect all convenience fees to cover costs in
offering this service, has similar agreements with government entities in 20
states. “If
our office were to pay the discount fee and absorb the costs of accepting credit
cards, it would mean an increase in our office budget, which directly translates
into an increase in taxes and fees for residents,” Mrs. Richardson explained.
“Therefore we decided to us a third-party vendor so that people who wanted the
convenience of using a credit or debit card have that option. Should someone
choose this option, then they pay for the convenience rather than our office
passing the discount fee along to all taxpayers.” American
Express, MasterCard, Discover and Visa, along with debit cards carrying a
MasterCard or Visa, are accepted by the program. The license will be mailed from
the treasurer’s office.
Counties from around the state unanimously adopt motion Somerset
, The motion, approved unanimously by the 59
counties in attendance, came after intense discussions during a special forum on
the budget held during the Association’s Annual Business Meeting, according to
James Kennedy, president of the Association and a Kennedy said, “Sentiments by county
commissioners from around the state were similar and equally strong with most
warning that a total collapse of the human service and county delivery system
appears to be imminent. Our counties want state lawmakers to understand, to
really understand, that their lack of action is very real to the families,
children, senior citizens and all those who greatly depend upon county
government for assistance. During this time of great economic stress, the
failure to pass a budget is going to harm those who are most in need.” During the forum, county after county
expressed not only frustration with the budget impasse, but also serious concern
with the widening financial and social ramifications of the state not having a
budget. Counties are not being paid for critical services upon which thousands
of “Counties are facing great challenge. This
is very real. We need state lawmakers to take action now. As the leader of this
Association, I am proud to make a strong voice for all the counties statewide
and for the thousands of
MERCER -- The Mercer County Conservation District will host a riparian buffer and stormwater management seminar from 8 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Sept. 10 at Munnell Run Farm, one mile north of Mercer on state Route 58. Presenters from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Penn State Co-operative Extension and Ernst Conservation Seeds will instruct farmers, municipal officials, homeowners and other landowners about the benefits of riparian buffers and other stormwater management practices. The free seminar is funded by a Pennsylvania Association of Conservation District grant and lunch will be provided. Space is limited to 50 registrants, who should call 724-662-2242 no later than Sept. 3.
MERCER -- Mercer County Commissioners Brian Beader, Kenneth Ammann and John Lechner Thursday adopted a resolution that asks the Pennsylvania General Assembly to act responsibly in passing a balanced state budget. They would like that budget to spare potentially devastating cuts to core government services and avoid pushing costs to local taxpayers or be willing to be held accountable for the increases in local property taxes that could result. "Just like the state, our county must adopt a balanced budget," Ammann said. "Unlike any other unit of government, counties are solely reliant on the real property tax. When the state passes costs to counties local taxpayers suffer consequences in the form of increased property taxes. Our residents could face significant property tax increases or service cuts this year if our state leaders do not pass a responsible state budget that provides level funding for mandates, entitlements and necessary services." Ammann noted the county adopted the resolution on behalf of all county residents and would send it on to state leaders with a strong message that the House and Senate cannot be proud of a no tax increase budget that would drastically cut local services and be balanced on the backs of local property owners.
Nearly
one-third of Lechner explained that counties have been critical of state leaders in the last several state budget cycles as they have failed to uphold their statutory obligation to fund mandates such as the 65 percent share of the district attorney salary. Counties have also had to make ends meet with inadequate appropriations to offset the increased cost of providing services. Lechner is very concerned about the likelihood of the General Assembly passing a budget that slashes funding for core government services and passes costs to the local level. As a result, commissioners are requesting the assistance of local taxpayers by asking them to contact their state representatives and senators and let them know this isn't acceptable. Beader wants state leaders to consider the impacts of increased service demands resulting from the economic downturn, emphasizing counties are strongly advocating for a state budget that does not pass state responsibility and costs to the local property owner. He would like to see state lawmakers work with county government in finding real solutions to the difficult budget issues. "We understand the state faces a dire fiscal situation with its projected year-end deficit of three billion dollars," Beader said. "But state leaders must remember that not only will the budget decisions they make in the coming weeks affect the county budget mid-fiscal year, these decisions will also impact their constituents’ local tax bills."
MERCER – The Mercer County Board of Commissioners is asking county residents to come together for children with others from around the nation by proclaiming April 19-25 as Week of the Young Child in the county. As part of the national celebration, commissioners Thursday presented Frasier B. Zahniser with a proclamation during a public meeting in the courthouse. Mrs. Zahniser was joined by nearly a dozen representatives of a handful of agencies that serve children in the county. "All young children need and deserve high-quality early learning experiences that will prepare them for life and Mercer County has a great opportunity to do our part to help young children," said Mrs. Zahniser, the project director for Our Children, Our Future. "Week of the Young Child is a time to recognize the importance of early learning for all young children and to bring Mercer County together to help give all young children a great start." The week, sponsored by the National Association for Education of Young Children, is an opportunity for early childhood programs across the country, including child care and Head Start programs, preschools and elementary schools, to hold activities to bring awareness to the needs of young children. One local activity that will highlight the week is slated to run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Shenango Valley Mall in Hermitage. There more than 25 child-serving organizations will offer free learning activities for young children, as well as information for families.
MERCER
– The Mercer County
Bureau of Elections is looking for a few good students. Director of Elections
Jeff Greenburg said this week he plans to continue to utilize the very
successful student poll worker program, which has provided dozens of county
students hands-on civic experience by allowing them to volunteer in voting
precincts across the county. Schools that have participated in the program in
the past include: Commodore Perry, “We
have been extremely pleased with the interest in this program that’s been
displayed by students and most of the schools in the county in the last couple
of years, but my goal remains to get students from all of the high schools in
the county participating,” Greenburg said. “Poll workers who have had the
benefit of student helpers have raved about their abilities and have come to
look forward to having those students help on Election Day.” One
of the steepest criticisms of voters in this country is the lack of interest by
many as evidenced by low voter turnouts in many election cycles. Greenburg
believes a benefit of this program might be to introduce students to the system
early in hopes they will stay involved, even if simply through casting a ballot,
as they grow older. Students
would be required to attend a regularly-scheduled two-hour training session
about two weeks before the May 19 primary. They are then sworn in on Election
Day along with the adult poll workers and can perform any election work that’s
asked of them by the precinct’s Judge of Elections. Because they aren’t
paid, students have the option of working a full or partial day. An appropriate school administrator or government teacher from each district interested in having their students participate should contact Greenburg at 724-662-7542 or by E-mail at jgreenburg@mcc.co.mercer.pa.us for more information. Please have only one representative from each school compile the list of students in order to avoid any confusion.
MERCER – A three-member panel of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania is scheduled to conduct an open session in Mercer County next month. Judge Maureen E. Lally-Green, Judge Susan P. Gantman and Senior Judge Robert E. Colville will hear arguments on March 17 and 18 in Courtroom 1 of the Mercer County Courthouse. It is believed to be the first session conducted by the appellate court in the county since 1995. The sessions, which are expected to include nearly four dozen cases, will begin at 9:30 a.m. each day and are open to the public. The appearance is a homecoming of sorts for Judge Lally-Green, who is a Sharpsville native and 1967 graduate of Kennedy Catholic High School. She also graduated from Duquesne University with a B.S. in Secondary Education, Mathematics (1971) and its School of Law (1974) (Law Review). In 1998, Judge Lally-Green was appointed by Governor Tom Ridge to the Superior Court, and confirmed by the State Senate. In 1999, Judge Lally-Green was elected for a term of 10 years.
MERCER – For the first time in many years, Mercer County Commissioners will conduct some of their regular business meetings away from the Mercer County Courthouse. Commissioners confirmed dates for four public meetings that will be held this calendar year in each quadrant of the county. The schedule is as follows: March 12 in the Farrell City Building, May 28 in the Grove City Borough Building, Sept. 24 in the McQuiston Center By The Park in Sandy Lake and Nov. 19 in the Greenville Municipal Building. All meetings will begin at 7 p.m. The meetings will serve as the commissioners' regular business meeting in place of the previously advertised morning meetings for those dates. The board - Chairman Brian Beader, John Lechner and Kenneth Ammann -- unanimously supported the idea of taking their meetings on the road on a quarterly basis in order to make it more convenient for residents who normally find it difficult to make one of their regularly scheduled weekday morning meetings in the courthouse.
MERCER
– In the wake of At the site is
contact information for the county’s Open Records Office, a copy of the
county’s right-to-know policy, a request form for county information and links
to
HARRISBURG –County leaders from throughout Pennsylvania have unveiled their list of nine key legislative priorities for 2009 aimed at improving tax equity for local residents, government efficiency and seeking cost savings while working to assure that funding decisions at the state level do not adversely impact local taxpayers. Jim Kennedy, Butler County Commissioner and president of the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP) said, “Counties’ legislative priorities cover a wide variety of issues, but carry a common theme: our communities’ needs are many, and cutting funding for critical services at the state level does not automatically result in cost savings. Failure to adequately fund mandates, and thus passing responsibility to local taxpayers, shifts the tax burden but does not reduce it.” Kennedy discussed the continued desire of Pennsylvanians for property tax reform at every level of local government, including a more equitable way to fund services. Counties continue to advocate options that will allow county elected officials to select fairer revenue sources, more compatible with local economic conditions, in return for a reduction in property taxes. “As in previous years, our top priority is tax fairness. We will continue to call on the General Assembly to authorize optional local tax bases such as the sales tax or the personal income tax in return for a dollar-for-dollar reduction in property taxes. But tax fairness also includes measures that affect the tax base and how services are funded, and this is why we are advocating to restore the ability to assess oil and gas interests,” Kennedy stated. Counties had the ability to assess oil and gas prior to a 2002 Pennsylvania Supreme Court decision. Currently, a majority of counties around the state are experiencing the impacts of Marcellus shale drilling and exploration. Pennsylvania remains one of the few states with significant oil and gas production that does not permit property taxes. If the state does not reverse the court decision through legislation, the property tax burden will be borne disproportionately by the remaining taxpayers. Kennedy also discussed counties’ second legislative priority encompassing commonwealth budget funding, which includes funding for human services as well as other important county-related programs such as conservation districts and cooperative extension. “In 2008, decisions were made to not fund some mandates, such as the commonwealth share of district attorney salaries, and to fund other mandates such as human services at levels less than the actual need. While we are sensitive to the state’s fiscal difficulties, county commissioners will stand together to demand that the state meet its statutory obligation to adequately fund mandated and necessary services,” Kennedy said. Also in 2008, partly due to the state’s failure to fund district attorney salaries, CCAP filed again with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to seek enforcement of a 1987 Supreme Court decision regarding funding and administration of the court system, to date largely ignored by the General Assembly. Funding for the courts, including district attorneys, is the third CCAP priority. “The court has ruled that a lower court system funded by 67 counties with disparate fiscal capacities creates an inherently unequal system of justice. The state has failed to take steps to achieve the equity required by the courts, and in fact has shifted more responsibility to the local level. Zero dollars were appropriated in the FY 2008-2009 commonwealth budget to meet the state’s district attorney salary obligation for 2008 and for each year the state shirks its responsibility, the price tag for taxpayers is more than $100,000 per county,” Kennedy said. The remaining six CCAP priorities cover a range of topics. The Association said the state must address funding for local roads, bridges and mass transit alongside state funding needs to assure reliability of the entire transportation network. Reauthorization of fees that support the 911 emergency response system is also needed. To sustain local recycling programs, the Association also seeks legislation that will allow restoration of fees to be used specifically for recycling efforts. Counties ask for quick action to clarify how special uses of land enrolled in a preferential assessment program known as Clean and Green impact eligibility. CCAP members are engaging in special task forces to take a focused look at issues related to oil and gas development in the Marcellus shale region, as well as mentally ill in jails. These groups will be developing policy recommendations to share with state leaders. “Our goals are ambitious, and we do recognize that a very difficult budget year lies ahead for everyone. However, we also believe that the tough economic times provide an opportunity for innovation. Counties are committed to doing their part to provide information and insights to these discussions and suggesting new ways of doing business. We will advance a list of mandate relief suggestions that will achieve savings at the local level. We will also be prepared to consider new revenue at the state level if it will benefit the services we provide and the constituents we serve,” Kennedy said. County leaders met with legislative leaders throughout the day to discuss their 2009 legislative priorities. More information about each of these priorities is provided below, and can also be found at www.pacounties.org, click on 2009 Legislative Priorities. As the nation’s current recession was declared official, Pennsylvania counties were already facing budget difficulties. Commonwealth budget cuts passed along to counties during FY 2008-2009 have come at the same time that residents’ requests for assistance to help meet their most basic safety needs are on a dramatic upswing. Just as in previous recessions, tough economic times, low wages and rising costs of living have led to an increase in the requests for help in meeting even basic safety needs such as rent, shelter, utilities, food, and prescriptions. Counties are in the forefront of providing necessary services, and have had to continually increase their fiscal share for these services as state and federal funds have not kept pace with state and federal mandates, the increasing need for services, and the actual costs of providing services. Counties continue to act as a safety net for those individuals most in need.
In order to receive potentially allowable homestead or farmstead benefits, a
limited number of property owners will be required to file new applications for
such benefits before March 1, 2009 with the Mercer County Homestead/Farmstead
Office at the Mercer County Courthouse. All properties and mobile homes that have
had ownership changes between 2004 through 2008 should receive an application
from their school district to apply for homestead or farmstead benefits. In
addition, any property for which the office has received an inquiry from an
elected or appointed public official questioning the homestead or farmstead
eligibility of the property owner should receive a new application for homestead
or farmstead benefits. Farmstead applicants should use the
property, or an adjoining property, as their primary residence.
Farmstead applicants should provide proof of “commercial agricultural
production” by including a copy of “Schedule F” from the most recent
federal tax return.
Property owners who do not qualify for benefits are not required to respond to
the application. Property owners who believe they are qualified, but don’t
receive an application in the mail from their school, can simply call the
Homestead/Farmstead Office or download an application from the county’s Web
site at www.mcc.co.mercer.pa.us.
Please link to
( Historically, and in current practice, all personnel,
capital and operating expenses of the lower judiciary, except judicial and court
administrator salaries and part of the district attorney salaries, are
shouldered by county government. In the 1987 decision County of Allegheny v.
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that a
lower court system funded by 67 counties with disparate fiscal capacities
created an inherently unequal system of justice. The Court allowed the existing
system of funding to remain in place until the legislature had reasonable time
to act. After five years of legislative inaction, CCAP filed a petition for
mandamus with the Court in December 1992 to enforce the original decision. The Court found in favor of the Association and appointed
retired justice Frank Montemuro as master to develop a set of recommendations on
how the decision could be implemented. The Montemuro report was issued and
adopted by the Court in 1996, and provided for four phases to transfer funding
and administrative responsibility to the commonwealth. Only the first phase of
the Montemuro report, which involved the transfer of approximately 200 court
employees to the state – chiefly court administrators and deputy
administrators -- was accomplished in 1999. Transfer and funding of other
judicial functions such as support staff for common pleas judges and magisterial
district justices, court-related row offices, domestic relations and juvenile
and adult probation and parole are among those issues yet to be addressed. CCAP President and Greene County Commissioner Dave Coder
explained, “For twenty-one years, the state has failed to take steps to
implement the rulings of the court, and this has been to the detriment of local
taxpayers. The motion we are filing today is intended to require further action
by the state to address court funding and administration.”
“In spite of the Allegheny decision and the Montemuro report, county
responsibility for court funding has actually increased,” according to Coder.
“CCAP can note several examples of increased county responsibility, including
Act 57 of 2005 which makes district attorneys full-time (prior to the law more
than half were part time), and requires the commonwealth to fund 65 percent of
the cost of those salaries. Zero dollars were appropriated for this purpose in
the 2008-2009 commonwealth budget.” The state currently reimburses counties $70,000 per
judicial position for court costs. This amount has not been increased since 1981
and, if adjusted for inflation, the state would need to reimburse counties
$166,000 to have the same purchasing power as the reimbursement had when it was
first enacted in 1981. “As the Court has already pointed out, the existing
county-driven funding system is unfair not only to local taxpayers, but also to
plaintiffs and defendants, because differences in local conditions can impact
equality in the justice system from county to county,” Coder said. “The
Supreme Court has issued a ruling with which the state has failed to comply.
This failure to act impacts every citizen in the commonwealth, and it is our
hope that the Court will take further action to compel the state to achieve the
constitutional equity it has required in the court system,” Coder concluded. CCAP is a statewide, nonprofit, nonpartisan association
representing the commissioners, chief clerks, administrators, their equivalents
in home rule counties and solicitors of
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