www.pressandjournal.com; e-mail - info@pressandjournal.com
JOHN PAYNE Small games deadline is extended
T
he deadline for nonprofit organizations and charities to submit annual and semiannual reports as part of the updated Small Games of Chance Act has recently been extended for a year. The Corbett administration announced the deadline is being extended from Feb. 1, 2013, to Feb. 1, 2014, for licensees to submit the reports to the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue as required by Act 2 of 2012. Under the law, eligible organizations with proceeds in excess of $2,500 a year will be required to file the reports electronically in 2014 for the preceding calendar year. Some of the required information includes the number of W-2G forms issued, the total gross winnings reported on W-2G forms, total prizes paid and the amount of proceeds used for public interest purposes. The Small Games of Chance law was updated last session to give nonprofit organizations the ability to increase prize limits for their small games of chance. The delay in the reporting deadline applies only to the annual and semiannual reports. Licensees are required to continue to maintain other records as outlined in the law. More information regarding reporting requirements can be found by clicking on the “PA – At Your Service” icon at RepPayne. com. Questions may be directed to my office at 717-534-1323, or the Department of Revenue at 717-7878275.
Back in session
The 2013-14 legislative session began on Jan. 1, and we have already begun to discuss many key issues, including the upcoming state budget. Some of the bills were reintroduced from last session and other issues are new to the table. All of the discussions surrounding new and recurring legislation begin in one of the 24 standing House committees. When the new two-year session begins, each member of the House is assigned to serve on approximately four or five committees, with the exception of members of leadership. Committee assignments are sometimes made based on a member’s background and areas of expertise. When a bill is introduced by a member, the Speaker of the House assigns it to the appropriate committee for consideration. The assigned committee is then responsible for holding public hearings, discussing and making necessary changes to the bill before it is voted on and sent to the full House for consideration. Committees are where the real legwork is done in the legislative process. For the 2013-14 legislative session, I am pleased to report that I will continue my service on the House Tourism and Recreational Development, Liquor Control, Consumer Affairs and Commerce committees, as well as the Committee on Committees. These committee assignments will continue to give me the opportunity to have input early on in the legislative process, many of which are important to the people of the 106th District. I am looking forward to getting down to business and moving some legislation forward. John D. Payne is a Republican member of the state House of Representatives. He represents the 106th District.
Don't forget to check the batteries. Smoke Detectors Save Lives!
THE PRESS AND JOURNAL, Wednesday, February 6, 2013 - B-5
SOUNDOFF Submissions to Sound Off appear as written. The Press And Journal edits only for clarity and punctuation. Additional comments and audio versions of some Sound Off comments are available at www. pressandjournal.com. “Are the ladies on council mothers or grandmothers . . . ” (Listen online at www.pressandjournal. com) “Hey, Mr. Morgan, a big savings for the borough would be . . . ” (Listen online at www.pressandjournal.com) “I get my Press And Journal in the mail and most of the time . . . ” (Listen online at www.pressandjournal.com) “I’ve been to all the churches in the Middletown area . . . ” (Listen online at www.pressandjournal. com” “What I said didn’t seem true, but it is true . . . ” (Listen online at www.pressandjournal.com)
J“The light display at Hoffer
Park was outstanding. Thank you to everyone who contributed to making that happen! Our family drove through it five times before and after Christmas. My favorite was the little white church’s stained glass window. Again, thanks for all the effort and time put into this.”
L“Another McNamara crony
hired without going through the proper procedure of advertising, reviewing resumes and debating who has the best qualifications. If I am elected to council I will reopen for advertisement the following positions: borough manager, secretary, finance director and chief of police, This I guarantee you. This council is corrupt. God bless Middletown!”
L“Is it really true over $240,000 was spent by M-town borough for lawyers in 2012? What a windfall to that law firm.”
L“Hey, what’s the real reason
Mark Hovan resigned as chief? Wasn’t he the golden boy of the council president? And what happened about having the department certified by the state? What happened there? Plenty of questions – and, as always, council dodges
You may call the Sound Off line at 948-1531 any time day or night, or e-mail us from our Web site at: www.pressandjournal.com.
Sound Off is published as a venue for our readers to express their personal opinions and does not express the opinions of the Press And Journal. Sound Off is published in the Viewpoints sections but is not intended to be read as news reports. Sound Offs are published at the discretion of the Press And Journal.
every one.”
K“So a lot of improvements
were done to Steelton’s downtown, and what’s happening there now? Just about as much as what’s happening in downtown Highspire and Middletown. Time for downtowns to go away.”
J“The films at the Elks are good
and most everyone can afford them. It’s a gem for this area.”
K“So when will the borough
start running the Elks? They took it over, didn’t they?” (Editor’s note: The Elks Theatre is currently run by the Greater Middletown Economic Development Corp., which owns the building. Middletown Borough Council has voted to take the building by eminent domain, but a court has yet to decide the matter.)
J“Please go to local businesses. Without them there wouldn’t be nothing in this town.”
K“It would be a good thing for
Steelton and Middletown police departments to merge. Let’s do that now!”
L“I saw someone trip on one
of the tree stumps that were left in downtown Middletown. Just add that to the lawsuits the borough is facing.”
J“Thanks to all of the kids from Penn State coming to the area and helping us survive.”
K“Did the Middletown Police
Department move into the new electric building on Race and Emaus streets? I thought that they were working out of the old administrative office where you had gone in to pay your bills. The police cars along with the officer’s vehicles are still in the police department parking lot. I am just curious, as I would like to know where I need to go if I would need to talk to a police officer.”
Easter Eggs • PEANUT BUTTER • COCONUT CREAM • BUTTER CREAM
1
$
each
Special orders contact the church at 939-0766 or 944-6080
EBENEZER UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 890 Ebenezer Road • Middletown
Everybody’s reading the Press and Journal in Bainbridge. Buy your copy today at Gingrich’s Food Market West Hill Street Press and Journal
20 S. Union St., Middletown, PA 17057 Phone: 717-944-4628 E-mail: info@pressandjournal.com Web site: www.pressandjournal.com
V
alentine’s Day ♥ Thursday, February 14 When you want to deliver the BEST
“We Create the WOW Factor”
♥ ♥
Balloons ❧❧❧ Chocolates ❧❧❧ ra ds Plush
♥ ♥ lma s C
♥
M“Is McNamara’s new flunky able to be a police chief?”
L“I don’t like your new website,
and writing to Sound Off is hard because you can never get those stupid security letters correct! It has already taken me six times to get it through your system.” (Publisher’s note: We appreciate your comment. We have suspended the security box.)
I am on my soapbox: Why does the borough manager and borough secretary, Chris Courogen, work when they want? Last time I checked they are to be available from 8:00 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. Both don’t start until 11:00 a.m. almost every day and neither will answer their phones. This administration better wise up and start working for the people.”
L“Our illustrious borough
secretary/communications director maintains at least two websites. One for his full time job, www.middletownborough.com, and one for his part time job, www.hooptimeonline. com. Check them out, and tell me where his priorities are.”
K“What a shame that the Middle- M“I hear the reason there was town wrestling program opts to compete in AAA when it is a AA classified school. We know you’re good, but you’re not better than schools three times your size. Go to AA and win some titles!”
L“If we are paying this Mark
Morgan over $100,000 to make these horrible decisions, then he should be required to attend every council meeting to answer questions from the citizens. And while
DID YOU KNOW?
Community newspapers have a strong bond in connecting local readers with advertisers. AND Nearly one-third of all readers rely most on their community newspaper for home improvement shopping information.
errors on the water bills was ‘cause
the girl pushed the wrong button. Why should we have to pay for that? Check it out, people. Ask.” (Editor’s note: Middletown Borough has told us that the bills are accurate. Some reflect a five- to six-week period of time rather than the normal monthly period because of a problem with the system that downloads meter readings. The problem caused water bills to be delayed for one billing cycle, according to Chris Courogen, borough secretary and director of communications. We published a story about it in our Jan. 23 edition.)
K“I hope all the good people that got laid off find jobs elsewhere.”
L“Wow, Highspire Borough,
what kinda people are you letting run your fire department?”
"
WET BASEMENTS STINK !!
Mold, mildew and water leakage into your basement causes health and foundation damage. What can be done to fix the problem? Allstate American Waterproofing is an honest, hardworking local company. We will give you a FREE evaluation and estimate and a fair price. We have repaired thousands of basements in the area; we can provide local references. When your neighbors needed waterproofing, they called Allstate American. Why don’t you? Call now to receive a 20% discount with your FREE ESTIMATE. MHIC#36672
CALL 1 800 420 7783 NOW! www.dryfloor.com
Business Directory To place your business in the directory contact the Press And Journal at: 20 S.Union Street, Middletown E-mail: info@pressandjournal.com Web site: www.pressandjournal.com Phone: 717-944-4628
BARBER
HALLMARK CARDS/GIFTS
Olmsted Plaza Barber Shop
Rhoads Pharmacy & Gift Shop
Jamesway Plaza 944-9364
17 West Main Street, Hummelstown 566-2525
FLOWERS
PRINTING
Michele Hughes Lutz
Press And Journal Publications Web & Sheet Fed Full Service Printery For More Information Call 717-944-4628
Creations with You in Mind 131 Dock Street, Royalton 944-5425
Bull’s-eye! Don’t miss another issue! Get all the local community news, high school sports and advertising delivered to your home. Mail to:
Press And JournAl 20 S. Union Street Middletown, PA 17057 info@pressandjournal.com
Subscribe or renew on line:
www.pressandjournal.com or e-mail:
info@pressandjournal.com
SUBSCRIBE TODAY ❏ New (please allow 4-6 weeks for first delivery) ❏ Renew (please attach mailing label) ❏ Enclosed is $30 (local - Dauphin & Lancaster counties) $35 (in state) $45 (out of state) ❏ Check Mastercard & Visa Accepted Please call 717.944.4628 with your credit card information.
Mention this and receive ad F
REE DE E RY FEBRU ALRIV Y 13
♥♥ ’ AFlowers & Gifts 1 S. Union St., Middletown ❤ 944-3526
♥♥♥
SPECIAL VALENTINE HOURS Thurs., Feb. 14 ~ 9-7
Name ________________________________________________________ Street ________________________________________________________ Town ____________________________ State _______ Zip ____________ E-mail ________________________________________________________