JULY
06 2021
Coudersport ambulance in dire need of funding
Smethport Area School District Superintendent David London is set to retire July 9.
Smethport school superintendent to retire July 9 BY FRAN DE LANCEY SMETHPORT — After serving students in Pennsylvania’s public schools for 35 years as a teacher, coach, principal and chief school school administrator, Smethport Area School District Superintendent David London will retire July 9. Following his graduation from The Pennsylvania State University in 1986, he began his teaching career as a mathematics instructor at Redbank Valley, where he also served as student
government advisor, assistant football coach and head baseball coach. His educational administrative experience includes being principal at Punxsutawney High School from 1997 to 2016, when he was named district superintendent in Smethport. In an interview with The Era, London reflected on the many changes he initiated during his five years as superintendent. His 2020 Vision for the Schools included the Support for Our Children
and Development for Our Students initiatives. Besides technological and facility upgrades, the addition of a social worker and career counselor, improved financial status, curriculum alignment, behavior management and support and leading the district through the COVID-19 pandemic are among his many achievements. “In addition to realigning the curriculum to Pennsylvania State Common Core Standards, we completed major
building renovations for energy savings in lighting, HVAC and restrooms, as well as improving the security of the entrance to the elementary school,” London said. With the updating of the district’s safety and security plan came much improved safety and security capabilities with cameras, building security and a new approach to managing visitors.
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Without more funding, Potter County residents will lose some important services. The board of directors for Coudersport Volunteer Ambulance Association and Medic 7 said if they don’t receive more support — and soon — the non-profit will be forced to close. If that happens, all of Potter County will lose Advanced Life Support (ALS) services, and Coudersport Borough and several nearby townships will lose Basic Life Support (BLS) services. The association is currently seeking an annual funding commitment from Potter County and the municipalities that receive service. The need is urgent, with the board saying it may have to close within a couple of weeks if nothing changes. Michele Mather, president of the ambulance service board, explained that the agency has been struggling since 2004, when Charles Cole Memorial Hospital disbanded the ambulance program. At that time, Coudersport took on the ALS coverage for all of Potter County. Mather talked about some of the factors that have made the struggle harder. The cost of equipment and medications “has skyrocketed.” At the same
time, “Insurance payments have gone down,” she said. Adding to the problem has been a lack of volunteerism, according to Mather. The department now has paid EMTs on staff, though there are still some volunteers. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused additional hardships. And while the ambulance did receive COVID-19 support, it was for supplies; it was not money that could be used to operate the service. Mather took over as president this past fall. “At that time it was pretty bad,” she said. “We’ve inched it through the winter; now we’re broke.” She invited anyone who has concerns about CVAA’s spending to come look at the ambulance service’s finances, explaining there is no extra money to be wasteful. “We’re an open book,” she said. Mather is hopeful the local communities will work with the association to keep it open. “None of us want to see this end,” she said. The CVAA has not been without its supporters. Mather said Coudersport borough and a couple of townships already do support the Coudersport Ambulance,
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USDA reminds producers to file crop acreage reports COUDERSPORT — Agricultural producers who have not yet completed their crop acreage reports after spring planting should make an appointment with the Potter/ McKean/Cameron County Farm Service Agency (FSA) before the applicable deadline. The following acreage reporting dates are applicable for Potter/McKean/ Cameron County: July 15 for corn, soybeans, perennial forage, CRP/CREP, hemp and all other crops and Aug. 15 for beans and cabbage. “In order to comply with USDA program
eligibility requirements, all producers must file an accurate crop acreage report by the applicable deadline,” said Megan Zylinski, FSA’s County Executive Director in Potter/ McKean/Cameron County. “Our FSA staff is available to assist producers in completing acreage reports, including providing maps.” An acreage report documents a crop grown on a farm or ranch and its intended uses. Filing an accurate and timely acreage report for all crops and land uses, including failed acreage and prevented planted acreage, can prevent the loss of benefits.
Contact the Potter/ McKean/Cameron County FSA office to set up an in-person or phone appointment. Some service centers are open to limited visitors. Staff continue to work with agricultural producers via phone or email. To file a crop acreage report, you will need to provide: Crop and crop type or variety, intended use of the crop, number of acres of the crop, map with approximate boundaries of the crop, planting date(s), planting pattern when applicable, producer shares,
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