Gov. Rendell releases list of 1,145 bridges to be repaired under ‘Rebuild Pennsylvania’ initiative

HARRISBURG – Governor Edward G. Rendell today released a list of the 1,145 state bridges that will be repaired under his Rebuild Pennsylvania initiative and urged the General Assembly to quickly approve his plan in order to avoid disruptions when worn-out bridges have to be closed or posted with weight restrictions.

“This list represents my response to a seemingly invisible — but very real — threat to our safety, ease of travel and to the economy of Pennsylvania,” Governor Rendell said. “We must make these repairs or we will irresponsibly leave to our children crumbling bridges and roads. Right now, interest rates are extremely low and, as a result, it is an opportune time for the commonwealth to embark on these necessary repairs and ensure that we leave well maintained bridges to the next generation.

“This list includes bridges in every county. Rural, urban and suburban residents will benefit from my proposal to accelerate the repair of these bridges,” the Governor said.

“Residents rely on every bridge on this list, but there is deterioration that travelers cannot see. We are closely watching these bridges and have been addressing the problem for years, but if the kinds of repairs promised under my Rebuild Pennsylvania initiative are postponed, the state could be forced to close or post these bridges with weight restrictions.

“In the past five years we have nearly tripled our investments in bridge repair,” Governor Rendell said. “Even with our investments and increased efficiency, increased construction costs and our aging transportation systems require more strategic investments to maintain our bridges and improve our roads.

“I commend the Metropolitan Planning Organizations around the state that have worked closely with PennDOT to identify and prioritize the most critical bridge repairs needed for local residents,” the Governor said.

The Governor released the list of 1,145 bridges while standing near the 5,200-foot long George Wade Bridge, which carries Interstate 81 over the Susquehanna River at Harrisburg. The list and a county-by-county map of all the bridges are available on PennDOT’s Web site, http://www.dot.state.pa.us, under the “Accelerated Bridge Program” link.

Fayette Co. commissioners vote to push back agenda meeting starting time

The Fayette County commissioners Thursday voted to push the starting time of their monthly agenda and regular meetings back an hour, but not before hearing opposition to the request.

In a split vote, Commissioners Vincent Zapotosky and Vincent A. Vicites voted in favor of making the starting times for the remainder of the year 10 a.m., while Commissioner Angela M. Zimmerlink voted against the action.

The starting times of the meetings was set at 9 a.m. at the beginning of 2008, when the current board was seated. Prior to this year, the starting times had been 10 a.m.

Funding for sewage denied by Dept of Environmental Protection

BROWNSVILLE — The failure of roughly 40 percent of the on-lot sewage treatment systems in the Swan plan in Luzerne Township isn’t high enough for the state Department of Environmental Protection to consider it for funding for public sewerage.

That’s what engineer Bill Johnson told the Brownsville Municipal Authority on Tuesday.

Johnson said he met recently with officials from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) and Rural Utility Services (RUS), two potential funding sources for the project that would provide sewerage for 58 homes and the Patsy Hillman Park. Johnson said it was during that meeting that he learned that PENNVEST would not be a funding source for the installation new sewer lines to replace the failing septic systems.

See the full story by Christine Haines in tomorrow’s edition of the Herald-Standard.

Fayette Co.’s pension fund consultant denied salary increase

A request for an annual salary increase from $22,000 to $40,000 by Fayette County’s pension fund consultant was denied Wednesday by the Fayette County Salary Board despite assertions from the consultant that the retirement fund has grown and his workload has increased since he was hired.

Frank R. Burnette, principal and senior consultant for Morrison Fiduciary Advisors Inc. of Pittsburgh, told the board that the original contract under which he was hired covered certain services, but he is now doing more. Burnette provided the board with a list of extra work he has done in the last few months to make his case.

Burnette said nearly all his accounts include a “universal comprehensive fee,” and he doesn’t have anyone paying him less than $30,000. He said if he were granted the increase to $40,000, there would be no additional charges or fees.

For more information, see Amy Zalar’s story in tomorrow’s Herald-Standard.

Commissioners vote to use $1.7 million for future capital projects, spending accounts

The Fayette County commissioners unanimously voted Tuesday to take action to place about $1.7 million in various accounts for future capital projects and spending accounts, although they disagreed on how much should be earmarked for each account.

During Tuesday’s agenda meeting, the commissioners approved a motion initiated by Commissioner Angela M. Zimmerlink that spells out how much would be placed into each account, although Commissioner Vincent Vicites pointed out that the exact amounts could be changed prior to Thursday’s vote.

Zimmerlink’s motion includes creating an operating reserve fund and allocating $500,000 in that account; allocating $50,000 to the current capital project fund and placing $1,273,706 in the capital reserve fund, taking the money from the audited year ending Dec. 31, 2006 general fund unreserved balance.

See Amy Zalar’s story in tomorrow’s Herald-Standard.

Rendell plans announcement on long-term Pa. Turnpike lease

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) _ Gov. Ed Rendell is holding a news conference to reveal the highest bid submitted by firms interested in leasing the Pennsylvania Turnpike for 75 years.
Rendell’s office isn’t saying before the Monday morning news conference how many firms bid on the deal, or the size of the largest bid.
The governor’s been pursuing a privatization plan to raise billions for the state’s transportation needs. He’s said he’ll pass along the highest bid to the Legislature for its consideration.
If a turnpike deal can generate enough money, Rendell says the state will abandon plans to introduce tolls to Interstate 80.
Carl DeFebo, a spokesman for the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, says additional information federal regulators want as they consider whether to approve I-80 tolls will be probably not be ready in the coming days.
He says the timetable is more like “weeks or months.”

Copyright Associated Press 2008

East Bethlehem commissioners waiting to release tax collector’s commission

The East Bethlehem Township commissioners are waiting until they receive complete information from tax collector Cindy Bundy before they will release her commission to her.

The township has received $29,000 in property taxes so far this year, far from the $155,000 anticipated by year’s end. Chairman Paul Battaglini said surrounding municipalities have received about 80 percent of their total anticipated revenue by now.

See the full story by Christine Haines in Wednesday’s Herald-Standard.

Fayette Co. commisioners vote to allocate fund balance

The Fayette County commissioners Tuesday voted to allocate the county’s $1.7 million fund balance to specific funds instead of keeping the money in the general fund.
The commissioners voted to place on Thursday’s agenda a motion to allocate the county’s fund balance ending Dec. 31, 2006 from the general fund to the capital reserve fund, capital projects fund and operating reserve fund.
Commissioner Angela M. Zimmerlink, who initiated the request, suggested any future spending of the surplus should be approved in a form of a resolution.

For more information, see Amy Zalar’s story in tomorrow’s Herald-Standard.

Stage set for Pa. Senate vote on gay marriage, civil unions

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) _ The stage is set for the full Pennsylvania Senate to vote on a constitutional amendment that would outlaw same-sex marriage and civil unions in Pennsylvania.
The Senate Appropriations Committee approved the measure in an 18-8 vote Monday, and officials say a vote in the full Senate is likely on Wednesday.
Proponents say it will protect marriage as a union between a man and a woman, and stop a judge from opening the door to civil unions between gays and lesbians.
They also say it will not take away any rights, such as health-care benefits, that gays enjoy now.
Opponents say it will enshrine discrimination in the state Constitution and relegate gays to second-class citizens while threatening some of the rights they have now, such as adopting children.

Copyright Associated Press 2008

Linda Fullem Receives Governor’s Award of Excellence

UNIONTOWN – It is with great honor that PennDOT District 12 can announce that Linda Fullem is a recipient of the Governor’s Awards For Excellence – a prestigious award given to only 10 people out of thousands of state employees across the state of Pennsylvania.

Linda Fullem was presented this honor for her achievement in Community Service, an award that is presented to employees who have made outstanding contributions to the community in which they live or to the State as a whole through volunteer activities outside the workplace.

Linda has organized and participated in the PennDOT’s Fayette County “Relay for Life” fundraising effort for the past 10 years. Her leadership in this endeavor has ensured continued “PennDOT” Relay Team participation, raising funds in excess of $44,000 for the American Cancer Society. Linda also spearheads other fundraising activities and works closely with the “Golfers for Charities Association Golf Outing” whose proceeds benefit the “Relay for Life” fundraising effort.

“We are truly honored to be able to recognize Linda for her unselfish efforts and dedication to people in our community,” says District Executive Joseph Szczur, P.E., District 12.

During her 24 years of service with PennDOT’s District 12 Fayette County Maintenance office, Linda Fullem was a Temporary Clerk Typist, Accounting Assistant for 17 years, and is currently the Roadway Programs Technician for the PennDOT’s Fayette County Maintenance Organization.

This Governor’s Award of Excellence is presented to recognize exemplary Commonwealth employees for accomplishments that reflect initiative, leadership, and a strong commitment to service. Each accomplishment must be one that exceeds what would be expected of such an employee or group. The eight award categories include Community Service; Cost Savings, Cost Prevention, or Revenue Enhancement; Customer Service; Heroism; Humanitarianism; Initiative and Innovation; Leadership; and Safety. The program encourages excellence, provides inspiring role models for emulation, and rewards remarkable accomplishments of Commonwealth employees.