The
Journal of the POCONO PLATEAU
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VOLUME 28, NUMBER 18
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Blakeslee Community Center had a great night with a packed house at their recent Valentines-themed community dinner. Kids from 2 to 82 enjoyed food, fellowship and music. The Center is hoping to start having monthly open mic nights, game nights, and other monthly events/ activities. They are always looking for new members and volunteers who have new ideas to help build a stronger community. Next up is an arts and crafts fair on Sunday, February 18, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. See more on page 5. Photos courtesy Patrick Simonik
Many appointments at Mt. Pocono council meeting by Patrick Albano At the February 6 monthly meeting, Mt Pocono Borough Council had over a dozen motions to consider. Rich Gannon, who works with the fire department, was appointed Co-emergency Management Coordinator and Borough Manager Marrissa Duffy as Deputy Emergency Coordinator. Emergency management handles floods, snow removal and safety equipment. There
was discussion that Paradise Township is willing to share responsibilities and costs in emergency management with the borough. Council appointed Ella Santiago and Eddie Gonz to the Safety Commission and reappointed Jodi Bohdal. Gonz, a ten-year resident of the borough, works in trucking and is an Army veteran. President Don Struckle asked Gonz what he would like to see happening in the Borough with Gonz
replying, “Safety and informative signs and more visibility on traffic speeds.” A motion to reappoint Joe Simeone and Erin Melbert to the Parks and Recreation Commission also passed. Council appointed Greg Melbert to the Planning Commission and Christine Farrugia to Mt Pocono’s Municipal Authority. Mayor Randy Altemose discussed a motion regarding an amendment to the Pocono Mountain Regional
Police agreement about how Tobyhanna Township names its representatives. Altemose stated, “there is a concern that a majority on the Police Commission might not be elected officials.” The solicitor expressed concerns “that non-elected officials could be careless when spending dollars,” and a motion not to approve the amendment passed. Other motions approved included the Joseph Battisto Clean Up date, which will
coincide with Pick Up the Poconos in April. The Zoning Board downsized from five members to three primarily because of an inability in the past to reach a quorum on decisions. The board also received three bids from companies on network support with Underdog winning the bid. The final motion concerned a Newland LERTA proposal, and a retaining See MT. POCONO, page 2