Local News

Hi Nate,

I for one do NOT support the continued increase in PMSD administrators' budget when we can't adequately support the bus drivers and other front line workers in the district. If I gave myself pay increases in this economy I would go out of business. Not to mention, they claim to be "saving" money by outsourcing things like transportation which will put the locals out of work. How is it that the community has no say in these matters?

I went to one of the meetings where Robinson's increase was debated, the consensus from most was we can't afford it yet the school board, with the exception of one person voted to approve. I guess we can just keep passing the buck to the taxpayers until the entire district is full of "for sale" signs and foreclosed properties. The only people who will be able to afford the school taxes will be the school administrators. They brag about the minuscule millage decrease but they close down several schools which in my opinion should have DRAMATICALLY decreased our millage. Instead they pass the money on the the admins, give us a few crumbs, and pat themselves on the back.

Original Article:

PMSD defends admin salary increases

With a unanimous vote during a board meeting earlier this month, the Pocono Mountain School Board renewed contracts for four administrators through the end of the 2023-2024 school year.

With incremental raises, those four administrators are expected to make more than $820k during that school year but Board President Rusty Johnson feels it is money well spent.

Editor's Note: This survey was conducted in April and May of 2017.  Sorry for the delay in posting the results!  I had gone to a few supervisor meetings and brought these results directly to the supervisors but nothing was done about it since.  I also noticed that they already have a PA system in the municipal building. 

Editor's Note:
This survey was conducted August 2016.  Sorry for the delay in releasing the results.  Based on the information here, I have adjusted the automatic email newsletters to start going out every week (only if there are any new posts) rather than every month.  I felt some of the posts are time sensitive and not suitable for a monthly newsletter schedule.  

Should we have a newsletter?
Yes: 13
No: 0

Total Responses: 181
Valid Surveys: 121 (Some people voted twice so only counted one of theirs - nice try!)

The Barrett Township Board of Auditors currently has an opening. Please submit a letter of interest to the Board of Supervisors by October 23 if you’re interested in the position.

Don't forget to vote! 
November 6, 2018
Sample Ballot

Precinct: Barrett One
Address: Barrett Township Municipal Building 993 Route 390 Cresco, PA 18326
Handicapped Accessible: Yes

Precinct: Barrett Two
Address: Mountainhome United Methodist Church Annex 6680 Route 191 Mountainhome PA 18342
Handicapped Accessible: Yes

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has modernized its online Customer Care Center – customercare.penndot.gov – to make it easier to report concerns on state-maintained roadways with new mapping capabilities, optional photo uploads and a mobile-friendly interface.

Public reports help PennDOT with roadway maintenance and safety responsibilities. This modernization will ensure PennDOT receives better information from our customers who drive the roadways every day.

BARRETT TOWNSHIP — After being closed for nearly a decade, the vines and plants that were once only roadside growth have started to claim the bridge on Old Canadensis Hill Road as their own.

That may not be the case for long, however, as Barrett Township recently received $689k from the state to rebuild the bridge, which has been closed since 2008.

“We need it, we need it in the worst way,” said John Seese, township supervisor and roadmaster. “At least we can have one access to get in and out with heavy equipment, wide loads, all that stuff. That one bridge is going to take care of everything.”

Survey Results Now Available: Click Here 

Background: The revised Sign ordinance was passed March 9, 2016, allowing for "Electronic Message Centers."  What do YOU think about these signs?  

Over the last month or so, with all of this rain, we noticed a bit of mold starting in our basement.  We've always had our dehumidifier running so I didn't think to check it at first, but it turns out that our dehumidifer was running but not working.  The compressor was kicking on but it wasn't actually pulling moisture out of the air.  After buying a new one, I realized that the new one actually got cold, too.  So to do a quick check on your own dehumidifier, you can put your hand in front of the grill and see if you can feel cool/cold coming off it.  (Dehumidifiers are built like air conditioners and refrigerators - they use a compressor and freon gas.)  A better test would be to actually confirm that water is actually accumulating in the tank or coming out of the hose!  

And, if you hook your dehumidifier into some sort of plumbing, you don't have to empty the tank on a regular basis.  

BARRETT TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A man is in custody after allegedly trying to abduct an 11-year-old girl from her home in the Poconos.

Police were called to a home on Naomi Lane near Cresco around 3 a.m. Monday.

Investigators say the suspect, Dudley Robinson, lives in basement of the home. 

The child’s mother says she was awakened by her daughter’s cries. She found Robinson dragging the child toward the front door and into a van.

The mother and father fought to free the girl, even getting dragged by the vehicle.

Robinson crashed the van into a tree. He then went to the porch of the home with a gun and threatened suicide.

Police were able to take him into custody safely. He is charged with attempted kidnapping and other charges.

[Original article]