Paths to Progress - poconobusinessjournal.com

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Pocono Business Journal
Seven Bridge Road, RR# 5 Box 5198
East Stroudsburg, PA 18301
www.pbjonline.com
POCONO
Regional Business News & Resources
|
50 cents
Smart Growth
THIS MONTH
Paths to Progress
• Carbon Hosts First Business Expo . ...........p. 10
• Leadership Pocono: Discusses
Non-Profits, Fundraising .......................p. 15
• Poconos to Host Friendly, Intense
Business Competition..............................p. 16
• Scranton Bank Reaches Out To Poconos...p. 6
• Focus List:
Engineering Firms............................ p. 19-20
• Op-Ed:
Rendell’s Prescription for Pennsylvania....p. 4
• PBJ Columnists:
Ask SCORE...............................................p. 5
HR Toolbox...............................................p. 4
Leadership Tips for Today’s Leaders........p. 7
In the Commercial Zone..........................p. 7
Report on Regional Healthcare.............p. 10
Sustainable is Attainable.........................p. 5
Update on Pocono Infrastructure
QUOTE
Dominick Mitchell, vice president in charge of retail banking
for Pennstar, said the expansion
in Monroe County is designed
to meet consumer demand in an
area “which is one of the hottest
growing communities in northeastern Pennsylvania, or, quite
honestly, in the country.”
– Full Story on
Page 6
OBSERVE
Women’s History Month
2 Read Across America Day
8 Working Women’s Day
11 Daylight Savings Time
14 Albert Einstein’s Birthday
17 St. Patrick’s Day
21 First Day of Spring
QUESTION
How many working families in
Monroe County have children
under the age of 17?
See PMCC Business Magazine ad
for the answer on page 10.
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Photo Credit: Perry Hebard
March 2007, Vol. 3, Issue 3
John Woodling, Director for the Monroe County Planning Commission, standing on the Broad Street bridge in Stroudsburg above Route 80. The Interstate, a
major artery of transport in the Pocono region, is currently the subject of a corridor study in an effort to list recommendations for improvement.
By Ken Clark
Trains, planes, buses and automobiles all are on the public
agenda as the Poconos plunges headlong into the 21st century,
taking unprecedented numbers of residents along for the ride.
After two decades of unfulfilled rumor and speculation,
it appears passenger trains, traveling between Scranton and
Hoboken, N.J., along a rejuvenated Lackawanna cutoff, finally
may be coming to the Stroudsburgs, Analomink and Mount
Pocono, with 18 trains a day sometime after several layers of
bureaucracy finally clear the tracks.
After an equal stretch of promises and little action, the
Marshalls Creek cutoff, designed to break a growing traffic
gridlock on 209, finally is under construction, and plans are
being drafted to rejuvenate 18 miles of a decrepit stretch of
I-80 between Delaware Water Gap and the I-380 interchange in
Tunkhannock township.
Business is booming at Martz Trailways, the commuter bus
line, Monroe County Transit Authority’s “Pocono Pony” is
expanding service and Mount Pocono Municipal Airport is getting a facelift to meet an expected increase in demand for cargo
and charter air services.
All of this is in response to a population explosion that is
expected to see Monroe County’s estimated 165,000 residents
grow to nearly 300,000 by 2032, with a commensurate increase
in the number of automobiles to further strangle traffic and pollute the air unless these alternatives are developed.
Bob Hay, chairman of the Pennsylvania Northeast Regional Railroad Authority, retains high hopes that restored service on the rail
line, which was constructed in 1911 and abandoned in 1972, really
will come to pass, but he isn’t willing to set a date for its completion.
“It’s just a matter of when, not if,” he said. “I’ve been working on
this project for 20 years, and we’re making a lot of progress, but it’s
been kind of off and on. Fortunately, we seem to be moving again
and I hope we can keep it moving at a good pace this time. There are
so many things that can get in the way. Once we get all the approvals
ready to go, then we have to get the funding for it. There are a lot of
variables so I try to stay away from pinpointing when it’s going to be
or give a time line on it.”
Other backers of the restoration project do not seem to share
Hay’s caution.
Jeff Stile, project manager for an exhaustive study aimed at justifying a federal grant of $551 million to fund the line, has been
conducting a series of public meetings, not only to sell the concept,
but to collect citizens’ comments.
He told some 75 people at a hearing last month in Stroudsburg
that the project will require installation of 88 miles of new track
between Delaware Water Gap and Lake Hopatcong in New Jersey,
extensive rehabilitation of a crumbling railroad viaduct in Slateford
and acquisition of four private and seven public land parcels along
see TRANSPORTATION page 8
Professional Profile - Keeping Housing Affordable for All
page 12
2
Pocono Business Journal | March 2007
MONTHLY MISSIVE
www.pbjonline.com
POCONO
Twin Willow Publishing Company
Seven Bridge Road
RR#5 Box 5198
East Stroudsburg, PA 18301-9209
570.421.0100 | fax 570.421.0404
www.pbjonline.com
PUBLISHER / EDITOR
Marynell Strunk
REPORTERS
Ken Clark
Karen Dougherty, Ph.D.
Robin Gaffney
Kathy Ruff
CONTRIBUTORS
Michael Baxter
Richard J. Henley
Sylvia Lafair, Ph. D.
Victoria Mavis
SCORE
Lesley Smith
Craig Todd
The cover story, Paths to Progress, is a review of the infrastructure that allows Pocono consumers and commerce to move about in the region. I am sure it is agreed that these ‘paths’ are in a
constant state of evolution; from the first foot paths that made way for the first roads, the Poconos
has been trying to keep pace with increased traffic. Are our reactions supporting a smart growth? The
answer is layered. Rail will certainly ease the burden a bit, but tip the load in another direction.
Ken Clark and Kathy Ruff have been working overtime on the Smart Growth Report Card. This
article is a complete and easy reference to draw conclusions on the pending and explosive residential
developments slated for the region over the next few years. The research is based on preliminary
plans, but the efforts to comply with smart growth principles is very apparent and for the most part;
impressive. It’s a relief to know that efforts are in place and moving forward to protect the Poconos.
A new writer to Pocono Business Journal is Dr. Karen Dougherty. Her article on the land preservation movement in the region brings the reader up to speed on the efforts to keep farmland undeveloped, ensuring future quality of life for both residents and the business community.
As always, Pocono Business Journal remains focused on providing you with a variety of regional business news and regular monthly features. If you have story suggestions or business news,
please contact us to share your thoughts and events so we can continue to provide readers with a
newspaper that will inform, inquire and inspire.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PHOTOGRAPHER
Perry Hebard
ARTICLES
• Land Preservation Efforts Maintain Quality of Life and Cost of Living . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
• Quiz - Smart Growth 101. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
• Report Card on Smart Growth Slated for Pocono Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS
Danielle Eberhardt
Robin Gaffney
Lynn Schwarz
PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
• Pocono Healthy Communities Alliance–Keeping Housing Affordable for All . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 - 13
COPY EDITOR
DEPARTMENTS
Joan Groff
SALES
Phyllis M. Hilkert
PRODUCTION/DESIGN
Jason Trump
CIRCULATION
Robin Gaffney
COPYRIGHT: PBJ is protected under the federal Copyright Act. Reproductions of any
part by any means or facsimiles without the express written permission of the publisher
are not permitted. Reprints of PBJ articles are available. For rates and information
visit http://www.pbjonline.com/reprints.html. PBJ cannot be responsible for the
return of unsolicited material, manuscripts and photographs without the inclusion of
a self-addressed stamped envelope. Information in this publication is gathered from
sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy and completeness of the information
cannot be guaranteed. Submission of information does not guarantee inclusion. PBJ is
published monthly from offices located at Seven Bridge Road, East Stroudsburg, PA
18301. PBJ serves business owners, managers and professionals in the four county Pocono region: Carbon, Monroe, Pike and Wayne. Subscriptions are available for $30 per
year or $60 for two years. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Pocono Business
Journal, RR#5 Box 5198, East Stroudsburg, PA 18301
• Business Briefs - Who’s Who/What’s What. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18-19
• Calendar of Events. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
• Columnists
Ask SCORE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
HR Toolbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Leadership Tips for Today’s Leaders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
In the Commercial Zone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Report on Regional Healthcare. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Sustainable is Attainable. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
• Editorial: PA Chamber of Commerce: Prescription for PA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
• Focus List – Engineering Firms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 - 20
• Reader’s Resource. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
• Register – Deeds and Mortgage Transactions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 - 23
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Advertisers Index
ASSI. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Avanti Creations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Buchart Horn Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
C & M Homes, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
East Stroudsburg University of PA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Hemlock Point Lodge. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Journal Newspapers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
LTS Builders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Michael Baxter & Associates Commercial Real Estate. . . . . . . 12
Nassau Broadcasting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Pennstar Bank. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Pocono Medical Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Pocono Mountains Business Magazine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Pocono Mountains Chamber of Commerce Expo . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Pocono Personnel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Sherman Theater. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Stone, Cyphers, DeAngelo & Hornberger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Target Select. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
TN Printing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
3
NEWS
Quiz - Smart Growth 101
By Kathy Ruff
The term “smart growth” is growing
as a concept in the real estate development
sphere. Do you know what smart growth is? Take this quiz to find out, answering true or
false to the statements below. (Answers will
appear at the end of this article.)
Is this an example of smart growth?
1. A low-income residential development located in the outlying areas of a
town?
2. A 100-acre subdivision including a
residential development with a mix of
single-family homes, condominiums
and townhouses and a few commercial
or retail uses?
3. A 25-acre subdivision broken out into
25 one-acre wooded lots?
4. A development located near a corner
bus stop?
5. A strip mall on the ends of farmland
abutting roadways?
6. A center-city rehabilitation project
within walking distance of commercial
and retail establishments?
7. A high-end residential development
with minimum two-acre lot sizes?
8. A brown field redevelopment project
with a playground and biking and
walking trails nearby?
9. A new residential development that
gets rid of all wetlands and works to
prevent West Nile Virus?
10. A development that builds to guidelines designed to manage stormwater
runoff?
“Smart growth is about building communities that build the economy, protect the environment and enhance a community’s quality
of life,” says Dan Emerine, project manager
with Smart Growth Network, Washington,
D.C. “The point is to create neighborhoods that are attractive, convenient, safe
and healthy for people. We use growth to
strengthen existing communities.”
The principles for accomplishing those
goals include creating walkable neighborhoods, providing a wide variety of housing
options and preserving open space.
But what represents smart growth for
downtown Stroudsburg may not be smart
growth for the outlying rural areas of Honesdale.
“Where there is particular challenge in
rural areas is providing a variety of transportation services,” says Emerine. “Rural areas
are generally not going to have the critical
mass of people living in close proximity to
one another to make regular, frequent and
fixed route public transit services feasible.”
Walkability in a rural environment also
poses challenges under smart growth principles since most rural areas have homes
more spread out and a small hub of commercial activity to provide for daily needs such
as groceries, hardware, postage stamps and
haircuts.
“Those things are only possible in the
central villages or small towns that are the
heart of a region in a rural area,” says
Emerine. “There are fewer opportunities
for (walkable) activities, but there are
still those opportunities, and you want
to make the most of them in the core of
those small towns.”
To learn more about smart growth,
visit www.smartgrowth.org online and
download a free copy of the Smart
Growth Network’s publication, “This is
Smart Growth.”
Back to the quiz: For each oddnumbered question, give yourself 10
points if you answered no. Give yourself 10 points for each even-numbered
item where you answered yes.
Smart Growth Principles
1. Create range of housing opportunities and choices.
2. Create walkable neighborhoods.
3. Encourage community and stakeholder collaboration.
4. Foster distinctive, attractive communities with a strong sense of
place.
5. Make development decisions predictable, fair and cost effective.
6. Mix land uses.
7. Preserve open space, farmland,
natural beauty and critical environmental areas.
8. Provide a variety of transportation choices.
9. Strengthen and direct development towards existing communities.
10. Take advantage of compact building design.
Dr. Nche Zama
Source: www.smartgrowth.org
Skilled
RESULTS:
0-50: You’re not familiar with what smart
growth principles are. Check out www.
smartgrowth.org to find out more.
60-80: You know some of the attributes
of smart growth but could stand to brush
up on the fundamentals.
90-100: Congratulations! You have a
good grasp of what smart growth techniques are. Spread the word.
Physicians
ADVANCED HEART CARE
A world-class cardiac team and a world-class facility are not
a world away. Now, for the first time ever, the most advanced
cardiac care is available, right here in Monroe County. Our
recently recruited cardiac surgeon, Dr. Nche Zama, joins a
team of highly skilled, experienced cardiologists, who together,
perform a full range of the most advanced, cardiac procedures.
And, our ESSA Heart and Vascular Institute is equipped with
the latest, state-of-the-art technology available. That makes
Please visit PBJ
at the
Pocono Mountains
Chamber Expo
March 14th & 15th
Pocono Medical Center the right choice, and the best choice
Booth #110 - 111
www.poconohealthsystem.org
for cardiac care. At PMC, we take your healthcare to heart.
4
EDITORIAL
Business Seeks Details, Input in Governor’s “Prescription for Pennsylvania”
PA Chamber of
Commerce
Lesley Smith
The affordability and accessibility of health care is
a real and growing problem for both businesses and residents alike. With health-care premiums rising at a rate
faster than the rate of inflation and wages, health-care
costs have been among the top concerns for members
of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry
for the past several years. The PA Chamber supports the
administration’s efforts to increase access to health-care
coverage, improve the quality of medical care and better
control the cost of services. These goals are consistent
with the PA Chamber’s member-driven health-care policy, which supports a health-care system in the Commonwealth that provides necessary, appropriate, accessible
and effective health care to employers and employees at
a reasonable cost.
While it is too early to assess the complete impact
of the governor’s proposal on business, the PA Chamber
has developed recommendations it hopes elected officials will consider as the debate progresses.
The Rendell Administration’s approach to increasing access to coverage involves both the public and
private sectors. On behalf of purchasers and consumers
of health care, the PA Chamber believes such a proposal
should focus on a private health-care delivery system
as a means to provide all Pennsylvanians with access
to cost-effective, quality health care. As in any business, competition among health insurance companies
and health-care providers impacts the cost of healthcare premiums. With real competition, employers and
employees should have a greater choice of health plans,
enabling them to select an appropriate health plan and
provider that provide the level of coverage needed at an
affordable price.
Any health-care reform plan should empower
people to make informed health-care decisions through
the use of Health Savings Accounts in combination with
high deductible plans. Policies mandated by or offered
by the government should be HSA-type policies, with
high deductibles, co-insurance, and incentives for wellness and health lifestyles, and premiums should include
an extra amount for investment in individual HSA accounts in order to maximize these effects.
Government insurance subsidies for low-income
individuals and families should come from general
tax revenues and not from businesses in the form of a
payroll tax. A payroll tax simply raises the cost of each
employee to the business and gives it added incentive to
reduce its workforce or otherwise compensate to the detriment of workers. There is no guarantee this tax would
remain at the 3 percent rate proposed by the governor,
especially if the drivers of health-care costs are not
adequately addressed.
Relative to costs, the business community is also
interested in knowing how the Rendell administration
will address declining revenue sources (i.e. Tobacco
Settlement Fund), knowing that its plan relies heavily on
built-in revenue assumptions that may or may not materialize. Proposed cost reductions should be implemented
and proven effective before a new government insurance
entitlement program is adopted, as their effectiveness is
critical to the new program’s financial viability and success.
Along those same lines, more emphasis needs to
be placed on addressing the drivers of health-care costs.
The governor’s focus on hospital infections is a good
start, as reducing medical errors/hospital infections is a
way to improve both the quality and cost of health care.
But noticeably absent from the plan is talk of reforming our costly legal system or limiting mandated health
insurance benefits only to those in which the benefit
outweighs the costs.
As one business owner recently related, “No matter
what the plan, if costs continue to rise at the rate they
are, NO ONE will be able to afford it, personally or for
their employees.”
Recognizing that Pennsylvania faces a health-care
crisis was easy. Now lawmakers face the challenging
task of developing effective solutions to a complex problem. Key to the success of this effort will be the ability
to resist the urge to enact quick fixes that solve immediate concerns, but rather work to develop effective longterm solutions so we don’t find ourselves faced with
many of the same problems a few years down the road.
The PA Chamber welcomes the opportunity to work
with the Rendell administration on those aspects of the
proposal that address quality and patient safety activities, greater access to information, promotion of medical
innovation, improving state licensing programs, and
greater use of health information technologies, many of
which are core components of the chamber’s health-care
agenda.
Lesley Smith is the director of communications for the
Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, the
state’s largest broad-based business association, with
a membership representing more than 50 percent of the
private workforce. More information is available on the
Chamber’s Web site at www.pachamber.org.
PBJ READER’S RESOURCE
www.smartgrowth.org
Smart growth principles and practices are quickly
beginning to influence residential development trends.
Information about the smart growth initiative and
answers to questions as simple as, “What is smart
growth?”, are answered at www.smartgrowth.org.
The Web site discusses concerns about smart growth
such as how it will affect quality of life, the environment, and health. It is important to check out the
smart growth principles to understand the benefit
from the smart growth pattern. Links to information
on issues, such as how to create the best housing
opportunities for the community and how to make
the development simple and cost effective, are just
some of the ways to
understand how you
and your community
can benefit most from
the smart growth
movement.
Robin Gaffney
Growing Smart with Skilled Workers and Limited Resources
HR Toolbox
Victoria Mavis
www.pbjonline.com/blog
Smart growth in the human resources field mirrors
what has happened in the real estate sector.
In the 1990s, businesses recognized the value of
investing in computers and software as a tool to help
their businesses run more efficiently and effectively,
providing a firmer foundation for growth. At the same
time, employers needed to invest in their employees to
update the skills necessary to complement the technology.
In today’s competitive business environment,
proper training has become an essential tool in the
success and profitability of organizations.
For example, a local company hired Rebekah
(not her real name) as a bookkeeper. Her bookkeeping expertise landed her the job, but her ignorance in
the use of email and word processing skills created
problems. Rebekah sought the help of co-workers, an
undertaking that created additional disruption, loss of
productivity and friction in the workplace.
Rebekah’s disconnect between her basic job skills
and the job requirements reflects an all-too-prevalent
and often overlooked occurrence in the workplace.
As technology and job responsibilities evolve, that
disconnect will create unnecessary costs and lost
productivity if employers fail to continue investing in
their people or human capital.
As the labor market tightens with the retirement
of Baby Boomers from the labor force, demand for a
skilled workforce will continue to grow. How will you
replace the loss of talent, knowledge and experience
from your organization? The customer service domain represents another
area where knowledge and experience has changed.
A new television commercial reflects the consumer
mind-set as a couple attempts to complete their
income tax form from a boxed tax program. The wife
suggests they contact the box to get the answer to their
questions and puts the box to her ear. The absurdity of
the ad points out a real value for support services with
the product.
Twenty years ago, customer service representatives required very little training for the position.
Today, that position requires people with multi-functional proficiencies including bi-lingual skills, knowledge of how to tactfully deal with difficult customers
and basic reasoning and mathematical skills.
Due to changing workforce dynamics and the
inevitability of limited people resources to meet
growing demand, I challenge employers to take more
of a strategic view in looking at where technology is
driving their business. That requires planning how to
best fill the current jobs as well as how to fill the job
requirements expected in five or ten years.
One local businessman, who designs web sites,
has incorporated an innovative and progressive
business model to meet demand for skilled workers.
He shifted his business model from the full-service
approach of ‘I’ll do it for you’ to a model that incorporates technology that allows end users to do it themselves. Customers gain more productivity, flexibility
and control over their sites while he freed up additional time to embark on more productive pursuits.
Make your pursuits more productive by giving
strategic thought to how you will invest in and make
your people and organization ready for the impending
skilled labor shortage.
Victoria Mavis is the President/CEO of Core People
Resources, LLC, a Web-based human resources expert
system which is designed to help small employers
reduce the risk of financial exposure associated with
employment issues. The company is located in Wind
Gap. Vickie has over 17 years experience and her
expertise is in providing businesses with practical
and affordable approaches to their ‘people’ problems
through the use of Internet technology. You can reach
her at [email protected]
5
EDITORIAL
Municipalities Now Required to Update Stormwater Management Ordinances
Sustainable is
Attainable
Craig Todd
The updated Act 167 Stormwater Management Plan for the Brodhead and McMichaels Creek
Watersheds was adopted by the Monroe County
Commissioners on December 6, 2006 and approved
by the Pa. Department of Environmental Protection
(DEP) on December 12, 2006. Act 167, the Stormwater Management Act of 1978, requires that,
within six months, municipalities located within the
Brodhead and McMichaels Creek watersheds must
adopt new or revised stormwater ordinances that
comply with the updated plan. The plan includes a
model stormwater ordinance to help municipalities
comply with Act 167.
In the past, stormwater management plans and
municipal stormwater ordinances were designed
as a tool to control the increased rate of stormwater discharge from impervious surfaces associated
with land development. The goal was to prevent
property damage directly downstream of development sites and flooding impacts throughout the
studied watershed. These early ordinances basically required runoff to be collected and conveyed
to structural controls like detention basins where
the rate of stormwater discharge could be controlled. Runoff was viewed not as a resource but as
a nuisance that was to be captured and discharged
off the site – out of sight, out of mind.
Since the original Brodhead and McMichaels
Creek Stormwater Management Plans were developed over 15 years ago, we have come to the
understanding that those early stormwater management strategies have contributed to the degradation
of our surface and groundwater. In response, new
federal and state requirements have required all
stormwater regulation and management to address
all impacts from stormwater runoff and non-point
source pollution.
The challenges in developing the model ordinance were many. New Delaware River Basin
Commission (DRBC) Special Protection regulations are now in effect that require municipalities
to include non-point source (NPS) pollution control
provisions in their stormwater ordinances. Federal
and state National Pollution Discharge Elimination
System permits for stormwater discharges from
construction sites require not only NPS control but
also require that increases in stormwater volume
be managed on site to recharge groundwater and
comply with state water quality standards.
The regulatory framework for stormwater
management has the potential for conflict, confusion and inconsistency throughout the state permitting and municipal approval maze. It is daunting,
expensive, and time consuming. In other words
“How do I get my permit!!!!?” Better yet, “How
do I get my permits, comply with the requirements
and protect the resource?” We all agree that regulatory consistency should
be a goal when crafting local regulation as long as
compliance is achieved. The model stormwater
ordinance was reviewed by the DEP, the DRBC
and the Department of Community and Economic
Development, and met the test. With adoption of
the model ordinance and associated technical criteria by municipalities, the opportunity for expedited
permit review, project approval, sustainable water
resource management and regulatory compliance
exists. In a parallel effort, the conservation district
has been working with all levels of government
within the regulatory framework to allow municipal and conservation district review to act as a surrogate for the existing multi-agency review. When
accomplished, imagine the possibilities!
Imagine, in the near future, an expedited permitting process. Imagine, in twenty years, a county
that has surface and groundwater supplies of the
quality and quantity necessary to sustain continued economic growth and quality of life. Imagine
the competitive edge, creeks that continue to flow
when the county is built out, and even a full creel!
Craig Todd is the district manager for the Monroe
County Conservation District. Todd will share this
column with his colleagues from Pike and Carbon
counties to discuss environmental issues and how
they relate to business development in the region.
Readers can reach Todd at [email protected]
Plan Ahead to Grow Your Business Tomorrow
Achieving steady, sustainable growth in a
small to mid-sized business is one of today’s more
difficult challenges. General economic ups and
downs get in the way, as do regional issues, government policies, tax laws—and even the weather.
But it also may be your internal approach to
generating and managing growth that’s producing slower sales than you expected, even in the
face of what seem to be bright opportunities. Your
approach to fostering growth may simply be too
hit-and-miss. Perhaps you had a detailed business
plan when you first started, but what type of plan
does your small business have now for moving
into the future?
The everyday marketplace tends to be a chaotic universe where things rarely go according to
your original design. A growth plan that acts like
an internal compass can be a helpful tool. Reevaluating this plan on an ongoing basis is critical
to business success.
Start with your day-to-day actions. If you want
your business to grow, that should be the focal
point of everything you do. Gather the financial
details about what’s happening internally. Then
put your plan in writing. It does not need to be
lengthy and ultra-detailed. Just the basic points
will do. For example, how has your business done
in fulfilling your original mission? Did you start
with a bang only to see things flatten out? Perhaps
you aren’t delivering what you first promised to
your customers. Fix any problems or shortfalls
quickly.
Keeping up with changes in your marketplace
is crucial, so you might have to conduct some
new research to stay up to date. This doesn’t
have to be formal research. You might start with a
simple customer survey, for example, or check for
available research online. Make adjustments as
needed in your approach.
Communicate your growth vision to others
involved with your business, including outside
vendors and contractors as well as partners, investors and employees. Don’t just dream—delegate
specific actions to reach those goals.
Find out what objections customers are raising
to your sales effort—why
they have purchased or
declined your product or
service. Adjust your sales
process to place greater
emphasis on closing.
Two helpful books
on small business growth
planning are Strategic
Planning for Small Business Made Easy for
$19.95, the latest in the
“Made Easy” series from
Entrepreneur Press, and
The 7 Irrefutable Rules of
Small Business Growth
for $18.95 by small business growth expert Steven
S. Little.
For more ideas on growing your business, contact
SCORE “Counselors to America’s Small Business” at 1-800-634-0245 or locally at 1-570421-4433. SCORE is a nonprofit organization of
more than 11,000 volunteer business counselors
who provide free, confidential business counseling
and low fee training workshops to small business
owners.
Online counseling services are also available at
www.score.org. For information regarding this
AskSCORE column, contact Marcy Turkington at
[email protected]
6
NEWS
Scranton Bank Reaches Out To Poconos
By Ken Clark
Scranton based Pennstar Bank, rapidly matching the explosive growth of Monroe County, has
opened its fifth branch at 107 Brown Street in East
Stroudsburg and already is planning inauguration
of a sixth branch in Bartonsville.
Dominick Mitchell, vice president in charge
of retail banking for Pennstar, said
the expansion in Monroe County is
designed to meet consumer demand
in an area “which is one of the
hottest growing communities in
northeastern Pennsylvania, or, quite
honestly, in the country.”
Pennstar, which maintains
branches in Marshalls Creek,
Tannersville, Mount Pocono and
Mountainhome, also has three
branches each in Wayne and Pike
counties. Overall, the bank operates
40 branches throughout six counties in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Mitchell said the proposed Bartonsville branch will be opened in the
Crossroads Mall on Route 611.
“The staff is already being
hired for that location,” he said.
“We like to bring them on early
enough to train them and get them
ready to hit the streets and get that
branch up and running. We really
feel it’s an opportunity to service
the community better and that (the
Bartonsville branch) kind of fills
in between the East Stroudsburg
location and Mount Pocono and
Mountainhome.”
The new East Stroudsburg
branch, which opened in January,
is housed in an 1,800-square-foot
building with four teller areas,
two drive-up windows, an ATM
and a night depository. The branch
is managed by Annette Merlino,
working with regional county
manager John Koczwara to develop
new business in the area. The new
office will feature extended banking hours for the convenience of its
customers.
But business expansion is not the bank’s only
mission. In a major “give-back,” Pennstar has
just announced that it is donating $10,000 to East
Stroudsburg University’s Business Accelerator
Program, which fosters and supports new, entrepreneurial businesses in the area.
“We want to be a good community citizen in
that area, and we felt it was certainly a worthy
cause,” Mitchell said. “It’s giving back to the community which, in return, is great for all the folks in
Monroe County. We felt it would be a recognized
community partner. We wanted to make sure it was
somebody that would spread, not to just one business, but would have a feel for where those funds
were needed in the community.”
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7
NEWS
Some Questions, Some Answers on Smart Growth
In The
Commercial Zone
Michael Baxter
Smart growth. Two of the “buzz words” of this young
century all over the country and very applicable to Monroe County. What does it mean? What can we do about it?
Smart for whom?
There are scores of organizations popping up all over
the country working to improve the ways they plan and
develop the areas they call home. The sheer number of the
issues is overwhelming. They include, but are not limited
to, lower costs and taxes, transportation, better access,
less traffic, open space, neighborhood livability, affordable housing, creating new jobs and economic development, clean air and water, and on and on.
Monroe County is already reeling from the unprecedented growth it has experienced in the last 20 years. It
seems that we have been forced into damage control to
keep up with the problems associated with rapid growth
and haven’t had the ability to do more long range planning. Our elected municipal and school board officials
have largely thankless jobs and face difficult decisions
with limited resources. So to whom do we turn for smart
growth?
As a commercial real estate professional, I have
the opportunity to work with those on all sides of these
issues. While I don’t pretend to have all of the answers, I
would like to offer a few suggestions:
• Elected officials- Try to work closer with fellow
elected officials in surrounding municipalities and
school districts. You all deal with most of the same
issues and, while it may be difficult to schedule, a
regional outlook at possible solutions may be invaluable in addressing some of these issues. Give builders
and developers some incentives, if they are willing to
implement smart growth aspects to their residential
or commercial developments, that currently may not
required by the ordinances.
• Citizens/Consumers- Get more involved! It is always
easy to sit back and lament the problems associated
with growth and blame others for them. We need more
new people with new ideas getting more involved.
Get educated on the issues and the challenges before
you criticize those who have the responsibility to
make those tough decisions. It’s not easy to balance
a budget nor adopt and enforce our local ordinances.
Give local municipalities and developers your input
on new projects early in the process instead of waiting
until approvals are nearly obtained and it is too late. I
always find it ironic when so many people call me asking about what new restaurant or store is opening and
then complain because they have to sit in too much
traffic to frequent them.
• Builders/Developers- Do your due diligence and
listen to the input from your customers as well as your
elected officials. Look at the bigger picture when planning your project and not just your individual project.
You may be planning another project in our area
someday. Right now, we have numerous retail projects
being developed along the Rt 611 corridor that are
competing for many of the same retail tenants. How
many different retailers or restaurants can our area
handle? How much is enough? Consider redeveloping
or improving some of our existing, older areas instead
of developing farmlands or forested areas when possible. I applaud restoration projects like the former
Linden Court in Hamilton Township and some of the
redevelopment efforts taking place in Stroudsburg
such as the former Hoop, 8th and Main Streets, 10th
and Sarah Streets, and the new banks and McDonalds
on Lower Main Street. The smart growth issues are
some of the reasons I have chosen to build my firm’s
new office in an existing, older commercial area on
West Main Street in Stroud Township rather than some
of the other options that were available to me. I hope
other revitalization projects follow.
We all want the same things such as convenience, good schools, controlled costs and an overall positive quality of life. That is what smart growth is all about.
We have to be more willing to be more proactive and get
more involved in making sure that happens. It’s up to all
of us!
Michael J. Baxter, CCIM is the Broker/Owner of Michael
Baxter and Associates located in Tannersville. You can
BLOG him at www.pbjonline.com/blog
Courageous and Creative Leadership for Complex Times
Leadership Tips for
Today’s Leaders
Sylvia Lafair, Ph.D.
How would the world of work change if we learned
to discover, observe and transform the patterned behaviors that drive most of our reactions, especially during
times of stress and anxiety?
While we talk about cooperation, collaboration
and accountability, work environments are still fraught
with reactive patterns – power games, polarization and
“CYA” behavior.
Most of us stay locked in a mode of reactive learning that keeps us tightly bound to our self-fulfilling
prophecies about how our interactions with bosses, peers
and direct reports will turn out. We are usually correct
because, in the world of patterned responses, we would
rather be right than happy.
This circle of predictability is at the root of most
poor work performances, misuse of sick days, lawsuits
and time wasted rumoring and gossiping.
Leaders cannot change an individual’s knee jerk
behavior. What leaders can do is create a work environment where reactive patterns have limited space to pollute and where better understanding of relationships are
taught and encouraged.
It is vital for contemporary leadership curriculums
to include three key areas:
1. How systems work in organizations
2. How the original organization-the family system-impacts present work behavior
3. How the use of dialogue focusing on open-ended
questioning can accelerate the way individuals and
teams work together effectively
Thinking systemically we comprehend how every-
thing is connected to everything else and no one wins
unless we all do. Nature is one of the great teachers
of systems thinking. If a butterfly stirring its wings in
South America can affect the weather in Central Park,
we need to ponder with more intention the impact of our
business decisions on the whole economy and on the
environment in which we all live.
Moving close to home, it is vital for leaders to observe how the beliefs and behaviors we present at work
are patterned reactions from our families where invisible loyalties and legacies sit just below our conscious
awareness.
It is in the family that we first develop skills for
mastering or succumbing to anxiety. These imbedded
patterns tend to resurface when our primal fears are
rekindled around issues such as job security, promotions,
mergers or even fluctuations in the stock market.
When an environment appears to be unsafe, unfortunately the way many employees see their workplace,
there is always a strong connection with the safety of the
childhood setting.
It takes courage for leaders to go beyond the superficial to the hidden patterns
that play out at work. After
all, leaders are not therapists
and work is not a rehab facility.
And yet, if leaders set
the stage for all employees
to have the opportunity to
grow beyond their patterned
responses and learn to be
self aware, a positive change
occurs at work that can and
does impact a strong bottom
line.
As we understand
systems thinking we learn
to suspend judgment, a high
art form that takes discipline
and promotes maturity. We
learn to ask questions of
each other based on curiosity and wondering. We enter
into dialogue.
Dialogue differs from
conversation which is polite,
superficial and meant for fact finding. Dialogue differs
from debate which is a way to strengthen our intellectual
muscles in the world of win and lose. Dialogue is the
method to explore areas of mutual concern and in so doing trustworthy relationships develop.
Those of us who are in the exciting and enviable
position of setting up leadership development programs
and organizational learning forums can design tools to
go beyond the obvious and encourage pattern aware
leadership, a commodity so vitally needed in our complex world where decisions made “there” impact here
and decisions made “here” impact there. It is time to
connect the dots at work, at home, in our whole society.
Sylvia Lafair, Ph.D. is the President of Creative Energy
Options, Inc. and the developer of Total Leadership
Connections™, an innovative leadership forum. She is
an executive coach and consultant to family firms and
global corporations. She is presently writing a book,
“The Gotcha Game: Helping Leaders Decode Office
Politics”™. For more information or comments please
email [email protected] or call 570-636-3858.
8
NEWS
TRANSPORTATION ... cont. from page 1
the route. The study estimates that 6,000 passengers will
be commuting by rail from the Poconos by 2030.
Stile said once the line is up and running, annual operations and maintenance will cost an estimated $26.2 million
a year, with operating revenues at $13.9 million, leaving a
shortfall of $12.3 million to be covered by federal subsidy.
The final report, including an environmental impact statement, will be submitted to the Federal Transit Administration for consideration before anything can move ahead.
Hay said one way or another, the train is a necessity.
“The reason we need it so badly is because we’ve
grown so much,” he said.
“You just can’t constantly be building new highways
and putting more cars on the road. Studies back as far as
1989 show the best alternative is to institute rail service.”
Highways, however, are also high on the Pocono
regional do-list, which includes a Route 80 corridor study
aimed at securing an extensive overhaul of a piece of the
nation’s oldest interstate system.
Director of the Monroe County Planning Commission,
John Woodling said the study, now “about 75 per cent
complete,” will assess needed improvements and make
recommendations.
“I’m guessing there’s going to be a fairly lengthy set
of recommendations on what needs to be done,” he said.
“With the volume of traffic today, the ramps are not long
enough. I don’t know at this point if they’re going to recommend any additional lanes or something of that nature.
That’s certainly possible.”
Woodling said funding to make recommended improvements, however, “is going to be a much more difficult
task because the cost is going to be extremely significant,
particularly between Water Gap and Bartonsville because
it’s unlikely that you could make improvements within
the existing right-of-way. Another constraint would be the
bridges across Brodhead Creek. You can’t just put another
lane on that bridge. You’d have a huge structure if you’re
proposing additional lanes.”
One entity that should be comfortable with the status
quo is Martz Trailways, which now takes 1,500 commuters round trip from the Poconos to jobs in New Jersey or
Manhattan every day at a price of $417 a month.
“Our accounts have exploded,“ said Dan Brunnner,
director of operations for the Wilkes-Barre-based bus company. “It’s unbelievable. We have 80 buses here in WilkesBarre. It’s a good problem to have. Everyone would like to
have more business than he can handle.”
Ted Patton, the company’s vice president of corporate
traffic, said he doesn’t think the advent of rail travel will
make much of a dent in that business.
“I don’t think it will be nonexistent, but I don’t think it
will be great either,” he said of the competitive impact. “The commuters want to sleep going in and sleep coming out. They don’t want to be stopping and changing, but
primarily it’s going to be the convenience. Commuters
right now have a tremendous amount of schedules they can
take if their workday changes and I don’t believe there are
going to be enough train schedules to satisfy that. I think
it’s going to be more of a sight-seeing, leisure type train.”
Martz’s only commuter service competitor, T&S Tours,
headquartered in Stanhope, New Jersey, currently hauls
from 60 to 70 passengers daily to their jobs in New Jersey
and Manhattan from a park and ride next door to the Snake
and Animal Farm on Route 209, but owner, Eddie Ioannides, said his days may be numbered.
“I’ve been told I have to give up the park and ride,” he
said. “I’m still in business and I’m looking for another site,
but without a park and ride, I’m out of business. I get no
support here; it’s Martz or nothing.”
Other buses, however, are running full schedules.
The Monroe County Transit Authority’s “Pocono Pony”
operates five routes, serving areas in the 611-square-mile
county from Delaware Water Gap all the way to Tannersville and the Tobyhanna Army Depot, and to Brodheadsville, Mount Effort and Indian Mountain Lakes in the West
End.
In addition to the big 35 to 40-foot-long buses that
ply those routes, smaller “shared ride” buses are available, upon advance reservation, to elderly or handicapped
people in rural areas who need transportation for doctor
appointments, shopping or to senior centers for recreation.
MCTA Executive Director Peggy Howarth said when
she started with the Authority in 2000, ridership was just
under 140,000 trips a year. Last year, it finished at 201,000
trips, and Howarth said more growth is on the horizon.
“We have nine more shared-ride buses on order that we
will take possession of by the end of June,” she said. “We
are, right now, in the process of putting together a transit
development plan for the next five years, based on some
of the changes in demographics that have been happening
in our county. We don’t want to respond after the fact. We
want to plan ahead of time so we can have buses purchased
and integrate them with more of a seamless ability to meet
those additional transit needs. For example, the casino at
Mount Airy. We’ve already had conversations with them
regarding transportation for their employees.”
Howarth said the MCTA already has written a grant to
mount a dozen bike racks to fixed-route buses to encourage
bikers and students to take their recreational exercise into
the county’s more rural areas.
Above it all, however, are a hoped for increase in the
number of charter jets and cargo planes using the Mount
Pocono Municipal Airport where an extension of the
runway from 4,000 feet to 5,000 feet is in the works. Greg
Christine, chairman of the Monroe County Airport Authority, said the extension is necessary if larger charter and
cargo planes are to be accommodated.
“We’ve been told by local companies in business parks
surrounding the airport that they could be bringing in a lot
more of their planes that now have to divert to Scranton or
Allentown,” Christine said. “Also, the Tobyhanna Army
Depot has told us that with a longer runway, they would be
utilizing it to bring in more parts and supplies. We’ve had
conversations over the years with certain airport delivery
companies which could be utilizing Mount Pocono as a
stopover enroute to other locations.”
Like the railroad and possible expansion of the Pocono
Pony, the Mount Pocono airport project presently is in
“the design phase,” but at least all three finally are on the
horizon of reality.
NEWS
East Stroudsburg University takes great pride in its strong and traditional ties to the
community and the Pocono Mountain region. They say location is everything. Our good
fortune, to have been founded in East Stroudsburg over a century ago, has been a key factor
in ensuring the university’s vitality, growth and success.
A member of the
Pennsylvania State System
of Higher Education
The ESU/Pocono community connection endures and with the construction of our new
multi-million dollar Science and Technology Center underway, we intend to accomodate
faculty and students with the necessary tools to succeed and excel in the new professions of
the 21st century. We look forward to another exciting century as a Proud Pocono Partner!
Did you know?
� With more than 7,000 students and 800 employees, the university’s total economic impact* on Monroe County and the
community exceeds $167 million.
� Recent new and planned construction on campus at a cost of more than $70 million is a local economic impact factor.
� With more than 35,000 alumni, a significant percentage of ESU graduates remain in Monroe County and the commonwealth
as productive citizens.
� Funds raised by the ESU Foundation create opportunities, ranging from scholarships to academic equipment and special
community events, for students, faculty and the community.
� ESU has developed the Center for Research & Economic Development, a private, non-profit 501(c)3 corporation, that serves
as the principal economic development, workforce development and research extension of the university.
� Components of ESU's Center for Research and Economic Development—the Business Accelerator and Pocono Mountains
Keystone Innovation Zone—provide opportunities for entrepreneurship, economic development, job creation, student
internships, grants, workforce training and community involvement.
� The Center for Research & Economic Development recently announced plans for a University Research and Technology
Park, including a $5 million expansion project that will be supported by $2.5 million from the Commonwealth and $1.275
million in federal funding.
* The Total Economic Impact is determined by expenditures of students,
employees, visitors and the university’s operating costs among other factors.
VISIT US TODAY AT WWW.ESU.EDU
9
10
NEWS
Prescription for Pocono Medical Center: People, Prevention & Participation
Regional Healthcare
Report
By Richard J. Henley,
FACHE, FHFMA
Governor Rendell recently announced a new healthcare proposal, “Prescription for Pennsylvania,” intended
to address a wide variety of quality, access and cost issues
that exist in the state’s hospitals and health systems.
Health insurance coverage is not affordable to all Pennsylvanians and hospitals face a strain on their resources.
Pocono Medical Center’s current and long-term strategic
plans are ahead of the curve, with many of the imperatives and improvements addressed in the Governor’s plan
already in motion.
One recommendation in his “Prescription” is to
reduce Pennsylvanians’ reliance on high-cost emergency
room visits for primary healthcare. Our Emergency
Department treats more than 70,000 patients each year
and never turns away anyone for lack of ability to pay.
Through the expansion of satellite primary care offices
and more flexible office hours, we are working to reduce
the number of patients whose only option for healthcare
is our ER. We also provide preventive health screenings
to our community, so patients can detect health problems
early and seek treatment before a condition becomes
urgent. Another strategy we are exploring is to partner
with the Pocono Healthy Community Alliance, a nonprofit
community organization, to establish a Federally Qualified Healthcare Center (FQHC) Look-Alike. The facility,
which would be funded in part by the Federal Government, would provide access for adults who are uninsured
or underinsured.
Medical care unites us all, because good health is
a necessity for all people, regardless of financial status.
For this reason, it is important to expand access to health
insurance, and to create a plan for people at various income levels. Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, health
insurance must take into account the needs of people in
all strata of society, by offering affordable plans tailored
to small business owners, college students, those who
fall below the average income for the state and those who
make much more than the poverty level, yet are uninsured.
By offering affordable coverage to all Pennsylvanians,
the state will no longer have to cover the cost of treating
people who are uninsured, which will free-up an estimated
$1.4 billion. Those funds can then be applied to helping pay the balance of insurance coverage for those with
lower incomes.
To achieve this affordable health coverage, Governor
Rendell’s plan holds hospitals more accountable for the
quality of care they provide. The plan calls for processes
that eliminate hospital-acquired infections, medical errors
and unnecessary and ineffective care. Pocono Medical
Center has already adopted many measures to ensure the
highest quality of care and has been striving to exceed
national benchmarks for quality, through participation in
the 100,000 Lives campaign last year, and the 5 Million
Lives campaign this year. Both of these are national initiatives focused on reporting quality indicators in an effort
to reduce the occurrence of preventable infection, medical
harm or death. As an active participant in these national
campaigns, PMC activated a Rapid Response Team comprised of hospitalists, respiratory therapists and critical
care nurses, who respond at the first sign that a patient’s
condition is worsening and may lead to a more serious
medical emergency. PMC uses reliable, standardized care
shown to decrease morbidity and mortality in heart attack
patients. Our Medical Center
prevents central line infections and prevents patients
who are undergoing surgery
from developing infections
by following a series of
policies and procedures that
determine specific aspects of
care, such as the timing and
duration of antibiotic use.
And, we take the specific
and recommended precautions to prevent pneumonia,
peptic ulcers and blood clots.
Being attentive to all of these
indicators demonstrates
PMC’s commitment to high
quality.
Some funding for this expansive plan will be the savings acquired from preventing these incidents. Governor
Rendell estimates that more than $6.2 billion can be saved
by preventing hospital-acquired infections and medical
harm. Fewer complications mean less expense, and less
extensive treatments for long-term, follow-up care. PMC
and many other hospitals are already taking action to prevent these incidents, and therefore their associated costs.
To improve the quality of care, the “Prescription”
calls for hospitals to implement system-wide quality management and error-reduction systems. PMC was actually a
pioneer in adopting medication safety bar coding and was
used as a national case study for our seamless use of the
technology. In addition, our staff works diligently to prevent medication errors through use of the “Five Rights”
to prevent medication errors: right patient, right medication, right dosage, right route, right time. We have already
converted our paper medical records to electronic, which
gives physicians remote access to charts and test results.
That means physicians can respond quicker to patients’
changing needs and conditions. And, we are the national
reference site for IBEX technology, which dramatically
reduces waiting time in the ER through bedside registration and more efficient triage processes.
Governor Rendell also hopes to establish uniform
criteria and specifications for the amount of “community
benefit” each nonprofit hospital must provide to maintain
tax-exempt status. At PMC, we certainly support these
measures and have consistently been committed to meeting the needs of our community by offering charity care.
One example of this is our Clementine Abeloff Community Health Center, which provides medical and dental care
to infants through age 18, and is one of the few providers
in the county that accepts Medical Assistance. Last year,
PMC absorbed the center’s operating loss of $655,000.
Other services, through our Charity Care Program and forgiveness of medical debt, totaled more than $6.3 million
for Fiscal Year 2006. We are also implementing invaluable
forms of community benefit, such as making our hospital
entirely smoke free.
I encourage all constituents to become informed on
Governor Rendell’s plan and share your opinions with
him. A combination of input from patients’ perspectives,
a willingness from healthcare systems to make modifications, and adequate funding from the government, is
needed to ensure a healthier, happier future for all Pennsylvanians.
Richard J. Henley, FACHE, FHFMA is the president
and CEO of Pocono Medical Center and Pocono Health
System. He has more than 25 years of experience in
heathcare, executive leadership, strategic planning, and
operations and finance. Henley also serves on the Board
of Governors of the American College of Healthcare
Executives, an international professional society of 30,000
healthcare executives who lead hospitals, healthcare systems and other healthcare organizations.
Carbon Hosts First Business Expo
Lehighton - Michael Heery, president of the Carbon County Chamber of Commerce
(CCCC) has announced the date of the inaugural Business Exposition. The event will
take place on Thursday, April 19, 2007 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday, April 20, 2007
from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Memorial Hall – located on East 10th Street in Jim Thorpe.
“The purpose of this event is to introduce to the public and to other businesses the
services provided by businesses and organizations in Carbon County and the surrounding
area. We anticipate a highly successful event,” says Heery.
Display booths are available on a “first come, first served” basis. Cost is $150 per
space for CCCC members and $350 per space for non-CCCC members per space. Each
space measures 8’ deep by 10’ wide. By utilizing both floors of this venue, CCCC has the
potential of offering 80 display booths to guests. Participants are encouraged to conduct
their own respective door prize drawings.
As an added bonus, interested employers who participate as a vendor at the CCCC
Business Expo will be given the opportunity to discuss job opportunities available in the
Carbon County area with high school juniors and seniors on Friday, April 20, 2007 from
4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Current CCCC Business Expo corporate partners include; A & M Hartman DJs,
All Staffing, Inc., Eckert Marketing and Communications, Edwards Business Systems,
First National Bank of Palmerton, Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network, Maple Shade
Meadows, Penn’s Peak Radio, PenTeleData, Phoenix Rehabilitation and Health Services, Inc., William G. Schwab and Associates Law Offices, Roscoe P. Snyder Insurance
Agency, Inc. and WLSH am 1410 / WMGH Magic fm 105.5!
If interested in a corporate partnership or a display booth, please contact the CCCC
Office at (610) 379-5000 or [email protected]. Check out the CCCC website at www.carboncountychamber.org.
11
NEWS
Report Card on Smart Growth for Slated Pocono Development
By Ken Clark & Kathy Ruff
For a century and a half, American “development” has
swept across the land like wild fire, ranging from rampant
confiscation of Native American lands and the mass destruction of forests in the 19th century through the mindless growth
of urban sprawl in the 20th. From the dust bowl of the1930s
through the exploding ranks of a Baby Boom population, farmlands have vanished under blacktop, with strip malls rising in
their place. Vast housing developments, spawned with little or
no concern for livability, traffic congestion or the environment,
have engulfed suburbia, and the nation’s highway system; once
the pride of a people in love with the automobile, slowly is
becoming a virtual parking lot. Finally, however, somebody
has decided to do something about it.
In 1997, a group of national organizations and environmentalists came together to form the International City County
Management Association, which launched the Smart Growth
Network, promoting a new, ecologically friendly way of looking at the land and its uses by a population of ever increasing
density. The campaign, funded by the Environmental Protec-
tion Agency, has promoted the concept of “sustainable development” for a decade now, and it finally is beginning to pay
off as developers all over the nation, and in the Poconos, have
come to realize that Smart Growth equals Smart Business.
The ICCMA has issued a 10-point check list of Smart
Growth Principles on its website www.smartgrowth.org which
the network hopes will become the holy grail of developers,
nationwide. With several major community developments now
either underway or proposed across the four counties of the
Poconos, the Pocono Business Journal has decided to use that
checklist reflecting their compliance. Since many of the developments are just getting started, the assessment will be based
upon information that has emerged in numerous public hearings, interviews and initial presentations to townships, which
must approve their applications. County by county projects for
review include: Woodale Village in Monroe, Highland Village
in Pike and Jack Frost Golf Course Planned Residential Development in Carbon.
We have been unable to uncover any real estate developments at this time in Wayne County that are being or have
been built pursuant to smart growth techniques. The county’s
predominantly rural setting creates a significant hurdle to meet
some of the standards set under the smart growth program
including creating walkable neighborhoods, providing a variety of transportation choices and strengthening and directing
development toward existing communities.
In addition, planning and zoning guidelines in municipalities also may prohibit the use of smart growth techniques
including minimum lot size requirements to allow for use of
on-lot septic and water systems since most areas do not offer
centralized utilities.
“If there is zoning in any of the municipalities, they are
still looking to have commercial separated from residential,”
says David Mitchell, resource conservationist with the Wayne
Conservation District. “Because we are more rural, people still
have the idea of driving to commercial areas. That’s still the
way zoning is thought up here.”
But Mitchell sees the beginnings of change as a few developers are beginning to incorporate townhouses or condominiums instead of the predominant single-family residential
dwellings.
REVIEW OF SMART GROWTH DEVELOPMENTS
Carbon County
Monroe County
Pike County
Jack Frost Golf Course Planned Residential
Development, Phase I
Kidder Township
Woodale Village
Middle Smithfield Township
Highland Village
Lehman Township
Developer: Blue Ridge Real Estate Company
Est. Date of Completion: Within two years for Phase
I; full completion with seven years, depending on
market conditions. Golf course is complete and will
open this spring.
Proposed # of Units: 162 units on 122 acres for Phase
I; 1,075 for entire project on over 600 acres.
School District: Weatherly Area School District
Developer: LTS Builders
Est. Date of Completion: Ground-breaking 2008,
followed by construction and a six to seven-year
sellout.
Proposed # of Units: 800 to 850.
School District: East Stroudsburg
Developer: Wolfington Group
Est. Date of Completion: 2017 to 2019
Proposed # of Units: As many as 5,000
School District: East Stroudsburg
1. Create Range of Housing Opportunities and
Choices
The project includes single-family residential dwellings situated on about three-quarters of an acre each,
single-family footprints with a building surrounded
by common, open-space land, duplex units and quad
townhouse units. The homes will range in size from
1,000 to 3,000 square feet, with possibilities of larger
sizes for single-family dwellings.
Project is designed to produce a percentage of
“workforce housing” in the $160,000 to $170,000
range.
Project will use a cluster and conservation design in
construction of single family homes and apartment/condominiums with a wide variance of purchase prices.
2. Create Walkable Neighborhoods
Lots are connected with a series of walking, biking
and cross-country skiing trails to the ski area. Some
trails will be paved while others will have a wood-chip
base. The developer is working with the Department
of Conservation and Natural Resources to construct a
hiking/biking trail it anticipates will eventually connect
with the trail system of the Lehigh Gorge State Park
in Jim Thorpe. Walkable neighborhoods in the urban
sense are not anticipated.
The community will be designed to insure that no
home will be more than a 10-minute walk from the
village center. In addition, hiking trails will be constructed throughout the area and brought in from
surrounding woodlands to the community itself.
Residential areas will be divided into neighborhoods with
“pocket parks” giving each a center. Trails and walkways
will offer access to the Highland Village commercial
center, giving residents easy access to shopping and services with entertainment available at the nearby Mountain
Laurel Center for the Arts.
3. Encourage Community and Stakeholder
Collaboration
Blue Ridge works closely with Kidder Township and
the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
to meet or exceed its open space policies and other
environmental, planning and zoning regulations. In
2003, the township essentially doubled its open-space
requirements in an effort to help maintain the natural
wooded environment in the area. The Jack Frost project is expected to blend in seamlessly with the natural
surroundings and complement its other recreational
pursuits including hunting and fishing areas.
Though developers have worked with the township
in planning the community, the offer to donate 30
acres of land for construction of a school within
the community so far has drawn a cool response,
apparently because LTS would insist that the
school’s architecture match that of the village.
The effort is there, but collaboration on that point
remains elusive.
Several public meetings on the proposed project have
drawn fire from residents of the area who fear an increase
in property and school taxes when an estimated 12,000
new residents are added to the township. Wolfington has
tried to defuse the issue by guaranteeing that a minimum
of 40 per cent of residences proposed will be restricted
to residents over the age of 50, with no children, but
controversy remains.
4. Make Development Decisions Predictable,
Fair and Cost Effective
Developers created a well planned recreational and
residential community incorporating smart growth
components that take into consideration erosion, sedimentation and stormwater management principles to
protect the integrity of the area’s ambiance and pristine
ground water quality and minimize possibilities of pollution and flooding. Unlike many rural-based developments, the Jack Frost project incorporates central sewer
and water utilities that add to the project’s scope. But
the cost of using the best engineers, hydrologists and
other experts and infrastructure improvements to maintain the long-term integrity of the natural environment
adds about 20 percent to the price of each lot.
LTS Builders will extend Woodale infrastructure
and services well beyond its village boundaries
to serve residents in the greater community and
hold down mortgage prices to assure middle class
homeowner access.
Highland Village’s master plan calls for the handling of
sewage, traffic and storm water. Though the approval process is not yet complete, sewer and water lines already are
under construction in an effort to achieve “an economy
of scale” that relates to the entire project, rather than to
incremental services to different areas as the community
grows.
5. Foster Distinctive, Attractive Communities
with a Strong Sense of Place
The development’s unique layout with residential pods
intertwined within and around recreational activities
makes it a distinctive and attractive community in
tune with the nature of the Pocono tradition. Residents
undoubtedly will possess a strong sense of place in the
midst of the best of both worlds.
As with its sister development, Mountain Manor
(which the Business Journal already has extensively covered), Woodale Village will be designed
along architectural lines of long-standing in the
area. Plans call for a style reminiscent of the
Pennsylvania farmhouse, with “four-square”
construction.
In addition to a wide range of commercial services, the
community’s village center will offer 5,700 apartments,
900 of which will occupy upper stories of stores and
businesses. The developer enlisted the services of leading
experts in architecture, design and engineering to insure
uniformity of style throughout the community.
6. Mix Land Uses
Land uses in the development include recreational,
residential and open space. While the development
itself does not include commercial, the developer’s
future projects includes plans for some light industrial
and high-end commercial opportunities adjacent to
the Jack Frost project to provide job opportunities
nearby. Blue Ridge and Kidder Township have worked
together to create a centralized commercial hub in
the Lake Harmony area to prevent sprawl that could
destroy the area’s natural beauty and appeal.
In addition to home sites and hiking trails, Woodale will construct a small “downtown” commercial area within walking distance from every
home. Middle Smithfield township has designated
a portion of land at the intersection of Woodale and
Creek roads as the site for a hamlet. LTS Builders
is petitioning the township to move that into the
Woodale Village project to create a center for use
by residents in the greater Woodale/Marshalls
Creek area.
Homes will surround a large village center with a wide
range of commercial enterprises, including a grocery
store, dry cleaner, video store and medical clinic, as well
as specialty boutiques and top grade restaurants. Small
“pocket parks” will be scattered throughout the huge community.
Smart Growth Principles
see SMART
GROWTH DEVELOPMENTS page 17
12
Pocono Healthy Communities Alliance
By Ken Clark
In recent years, the phrase “affordable housing” has become the oxymoron of the day in the
Poconos. Short of a cardboard box under a rail
trestle, there isn’t any, but Eve Wenger and the
Pocono Healthy Communities Alliance, of which
she is executive director, is out to change that.
The Alliance, born of a grassroots welfare
Commercial
Real
reform effort in the 1990s, became an independent
non-profit advocacy group five years ago. Its mission is to work with schools, service providers and
township officials in Monroe County in a broad
range of support for low to moderate-income
families. Where housing is concerned, that means
advocating zoning changes, new ordinances and
incentives for developers designed to provide lowcost rentals and home-buying opportunities for
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people with little hope of finding shelter at current
market prices.
“What any healthy community needs to create
is a diversity of housing options to meet the needs
of the community in all its different phases from
‘I want to rent’ to ‘We’re a young couple starting
out and want a starter home’,” Wenger said. “Then
there’s elder housing and housing for people with
disabilities. If we’re not addressing those housing needs, we’re not serving all the
people who live here.”
nts
To accomplish that goal, PHCA
presses township officials for zoning reform, supplying them with
information about how neighboring
communities are handling similar
problems.
“One of the things we need to
encourage is some zoning on the
municipal level with some changes
or flexibility in the ordinances that
will permit developers to work with
municipalities and create, even in
a development that can be in the
$200,000 to $400,000 price range,
units that look just like the others,
but are smaller,” she said. “We’re
saying that instead of market rates,
we’re going to create housing within
larger developments that are targeted
to people whose income is, let’s say,
$50,000 for a family of four. The
house they will purchase will be
$140,000 to $150,000, as opposed to
their next door neighbor who might
be paying $300,000.”
Wenger said the general gauge
by which such affordable housing
is judged in other communities is
“80 per cent of the average median
income within a specific county”,
but she added that some experts say
eligible people should have to pay
only 50 to 60 per cent if a truly broad
base of home ownership opportunities are to be generated for lower
income families. Some emerging
communities already are building
those opportunities into their pricing
structures.
Wenger cites such new developments as Mountain Manor and
Woodale Village, which are being
constructed along “smart growth”
lines by LTS Builders, providing
“workforce housing” affordable by
“teachers, service workers, social service people, police officers and fire
fighters.” She admits, however, that
the mingling of class lines in upscale
developments are not always given
welcome wagon treatment.
“A lot of people somehow get
afraid that we’re talking about housing for some undesirable individuals,” she said. “In very broad terms,
this is referring to people who don’t
work or have unkempt places. I do
think people hold that picture. But
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13
we have been able to give
information to Stroud township about how other communities in Pennsylvania
have created the ordinances
that they’ve developed in
order to allow this. We’re
not reinventing the wheel.
This is done in many other
places, successfully and
well.”
Though high on the list,
affordable housing isn’t the
only concern of PHCA.
The group consists of five
committees, working on
program development and
system changes in health
and human services in
the specific interest areas
of children’s early health
care and education, health,
information and referral and
transportation, as well as
housing.
“We’ve been working
for over two years now on
developing a family health
Photo Credit: Perry Hebard
– Keeping Housing Affordable for All
Each day the staff at Pocono Healthy Communities Alliance works toward the vision of a community in which every individual has the opportunity to live a
healthy, safe and meaningful life. Seated left to right are; Susanne Wilson, PoconoInfo Co-Coordinator and Transportation Case Manager, Eve Wenger, Executive Director and Debra Coad, Administrative/Fiscal Assistant. Missing from the picture is Roxanne Powell, Children’s Early Care and Education Coordinator.
center,” Wenger said. “Progress is excellent.
We got a grant to work with a consultant,
we’re developing a business plan and we’re
in the process of doing the nonprofit paperwork. We’re developing a board (of directors), we’re looking at income sources and
we’re talking to all the different players.
We’re on the precipice of pulling something
together.”
Wenger noted that low to middle
income people are not the only ones who
suffer from the high cost of housing in the
Poconos. In some cases, even the well-to-do
are paying a personal price.
“I hear business people who say, ‘My
child is graduating from college, and he’d
like to come back to the Poconos, but he
doesn’t want to live with his parents, and he
cannot afford to come back and rent anything,’” Wenger said.
“These people are in their 20s, and they
want to have their young adult independence. We’re talking about our young adults
who are off to college and cannot come
back to live here, even if they want to.”
Watchdogs for Healthy Communities
By Ken Clark
Health and quality of life issues throughout
the Poconos all fall under the organizational banner of the State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP),
and while their missions are similar, specific goals
from county to county vary widely, according to
perceived needs of the county in question.
As reported, in Monroe County, the Pocono
Healthy Communities Alliance, under Executive
Director Eve Wenger, focuses on five very specific areas of need. But Carbon, Wayne and Pike
counties also have their initiatives, all defined and
driven by volunteers at the grassroots level where
needs are in daily evidence. For Joe Guardiani,
treasurer and a co-founder of Carbon County
Partners for Progress, economic development and
especially dental care for uninsured or underinsured children have been the key.
“To that end, we created a very ambitious
project to create a mobile dental unit,” he said.
“We raised over $350,000 over a five-year period.
The van will go out to various school districts to
perform examinations, preventative dentistry and
restorative dentistry as well. We just toured the
van this morning, and we were almost brought to
tears because it was just an idea five years ago,
and now, here it is. That’s the power of partnership. No one agency, no one organization pushed
that ball forward. It had to be a number of folks
who came together to get us to where we needed
to be.”
In Wayne and Pike counties, the SHIP partnership falls under the auspices of Wayne Memorial
Hospital, since Pike has no hospital of its own.
Donna Decker, “lead agent” for the Wayne-Pike
Prevention Initiative, said the primary focus there
is early cancer detection and treatment, as well as
access to health care, exercise, nutrition, obesity,
chronic disease, mental health, stress management, life skills and violence and safety.
“We group together people who are really
concerned about a topic, and we talk about what’s
already being done, what needs to be done, and we
all work together on getting those needs met,” she
said. “People don’t like to be told what needs to be
done, but if they can develop a plan together, they
take ownership of that plan and move forward
with it. That’s beautiful.”
Since cancer tops the emphasis list for the
Prevention Initiative, Decker said Wayne County
Memorial, where she serves as a registered nurse,
went tobacco free last October and “became the
catalyst for the community.” She said since then,
hospitals all over the region have called seeking
input for their own tobacco free programs.
If you would like Pocono Business Journal to profile your company, please
contact us at 421-0100 or [email protected].
14
NEWS
Land Preservation Efforts Maintain Quality of Life and Cost of Living
By Karen Dougherty, Ph.D.
growth. One part of the growth management solution is conservation and preservation of existing
open space. Open space plans lay out a roadmap
Since the 1990 United States census, Pike,
for publicly funded, long-term conservation of hisMonroe and Wayne counties have experienced the
toric or environmentally sensitive land, rather than
fastest growth in Pennsylvania, with the addition
piece-meal efforts based on reaction to new develof over 135,000 residents. While growth has been
opment. With proper plan implementation, land
slower in Carbon County (ranked #28), growth
purchases are paid off within several years, and the
rate there may be expected to increase as planned
costs to the community end, unlike the ongoing
development moves ahead. With such population
costs associated with residential development.
growth have come the opportunities, challenges
Since the 1996 passage of Act 153, which inand difficulties faced by most rapidly growing
creased the ability of local governments to acquire
communities.
land for preservation and open space purposes,
Among the most pressing problems we face is
local governments in the Pocono region have been
poorly planned land development and sprawl. Unpurchasing lands with public funds for conservaplanned or unmanaged sprawl can lead to destruction and public recreational purposes. The Pennsyltion of wildlife habitat and scenic views and emervania Senate last November also voted in support
gence of environmental and public safety hazards
of a measure (Act 154) that helps local governrelated to degradation of water, air and soil quality.
ments partner with nonprofit private land trusts
Such growth also takes a toll on local finances. Acallowing appropriation of money to a land trust
cording to a seminal cost analysis of preservation
for all costs related to acquiring land and also the
versus development in 2000 from Michael Frank of
transfer of preserved lands to a land trust.
the Heritage Conservancy, on average, the costs of
These initiatives have enjoyed strong public
single family home development in Pennsylvania
support in the Pocono region, with citizens votexceed the tax revenues brought into the communiing in favor of increases in local taxes on earned
ty. The added costs related to increased use of comincome to be used for acquisition of open space.
munity services (think increased road maintenance,
“Voters and officials in Monroe County are
first responders, school expansion, etc.), moreover,
leading the way in the Pocono region by approving,
are ongoing, as they never return to pre-developin 1998, a 25 million dollar Open Space bond and
ment levels. Tax hikes are the result.
in 2001, the Monroe 2020 Open Space Plan,” says
Local stake holders, including residents, elected
Diane Mathews-Gehringer, land conservation mancommunity officials and business owners, all have
ager at the Wildland’s Conservancy in Emmaus.
personal and financial interest in minimizing these
In line with the plan, Monroe County has pregrowth-related problems and responsibly managing
served approximately
6,000 acres of land,
including the recently
acquired 224 acre Glenbrook golf course along
McMichael’s Creek.
Voters in Pike County
have begun to follow
suit, approving, in 2005,
a 10 million dollar bond
for land preservation
Stone, CypherS, DeAngelo & hornberger, llp
use. Voter support for
open space plans conCertifieD publiC ACCountAntS
tinues largely unabated,
marked by overwhelm• Audit, Review & Compilation Services
ing support, (72%) in
• Tax Planning & Preparation for Business & Individuals
November 2006, of a
• Business Advisory Services • Computerized Accounting Services
0.25% increase in local
income tax to purchase
land in Paradise Township. Not all efforts to
930 N. 9th Street • Stroudsburg
421-4536
[email protected]
preserve open space
Fax: 421-4382
www.scdh.net
have enjoyed voter support.
“A low level of
public awareness of the
issues surrounding land
preservation is one reason for the recent failed
vote for an open spacerelated tax increase
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quire and turn over preserved lands to state or local
governmental agencies.
“The Conservancy has turned over thousands of
acres to the Pennsylvania State Gamelands Commission,” says Matthews-Gehringer. Aided by
governmental grants and matching programs, her
organization has acquired a number of land parcels,
including the Darling Preserve near Long Pond,
adjacent to Pennsylvania State gamelands.
“The preserve helps to prevent fragmentation of
natural habitat that occurs with development,” says
Matthews-Gehringer. Such cooperation is also apparent in the implementation of the Monroe County
2020 Plan. The county has given Open Space
grants to the Natural Land Trust to acquire Camp
Resica (4,000 acres), and to the Pocono Heritage
Land Trust for the purchase of the 400 acre Kurmes
nature preserve.
Conservation easements granted to private land
owners are a large part of the public and private
land conservation equation. Private land owners
can donate their land to a public or private land
trust organization, permanently limiting the use of
their land. The donors continue to own and use the
land and can sell it or pass it on to heirs. In exchange, the land donors can use this as a tax deduction, usually resulting in a substantial tax benefit;
this is especially helpful for small family farmers
and moderate income landowners. In August 2006,
the US Congress passed a major expansion of the
federal conservation tax incentive program for conservation easement donations. A private land owner
can now take a 50% deduction from the income in
any year for donating a conservation easement (up
from 30%). Farmers and ranchers can now deduct
up to 100% of their income. Efforts are reflected in
the approximately 5,000 acres, comprised of small,
family-owned farms in Monroe County’s West
End, that have been preserved through conservation
easements.
Land conservation efforts are well underway
throughout the Pocono region and enjoy strong
public and private support. By supporting such efforts, the business community is likely to reap the
benefits well into the future by helping to maintain
quality of life and a reasonable local cost of living.
Private Land Trust Organizations
Active in the Pocono Region
Delaware Highlands Conservancy
Hawley PA
http://www.delawarehighlands.org
Wildlands Conservancy
Emmaus PA
http://www.wildlandspa.org
Lacawac Sanctuary Foundation
Lake Ariel PA
http://www.lacawac.org
Buck Hill Conservation Foundation
Buck Hill Falls, PA
Appalachian Trail Conference Land Trust
Harper’s Ferry, WV
http://www.appalachiantrail.org
Pocono Heritage Land Trust
Pocono Pines, PA
http://www.phlt.org
15
NEWS
Photo Provided by Leadership Pocono Media Committee
Leadership Pocono Discusses Non-Profits, Fundraising
Standing (l-r) are members from Leadership Pocono, Kevin Yurko,
Peter Alasty, Eric Longenbach, Holly Corcoran,
Jodey Low and Jennifer Hall.
By Leadership Pocono Media Committee
The Leadership Pocono Program held
its most recent session on January 16th at
East Stroudsburg University. The topic was
“Non-profits: A Toolbox of Skills for Board
Leadership”. The session began with attorneys William Cramer and Deborah Huffman, of Cramer Swetz and McManus, P.C.,
located in Stroudsburg. Cramer and Huffman discussed the governance of non-profits, the responsibilities of board members,
and the ramifications of the Sarbanes Oxley
Act for both profit and non-profit organizations. Holly Corcoran, CPA, of Holly
Corcoran CPA’s, located in Stroudsburg,
discussed financial management, and how
to read and understand financial statements.
Robert Phillips, IOM, President /CEO
Pocono Mountains Chamber of Commerce,
discussed how fundraising and sponsorships are a very important board responsibility, and Gary Olson, President/CEO
ESSA Bank & Trust, discussed enabling
others to act.
“The things I learned regarding nonprofit boards and fundraising enable me to
serve the community in volunteer activities
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face-to-face
• Enhance your business image
• Network business to business
March 14 & 15
Koehler Fieldhouse
East Stroudsburg
University of Pa.
Reserve Your Space
TODAY!
Call Miriam
(570) 421-4433
such as non-profit boards,” says Jim Hendricks, project
manager from HRG Engineering, Inc.. Prior to working
with HRG, Jim was a senior engineer with Livingston Associates in New Mexico. Jim is active in his home owners
association, and volunteers, coaching youth archery and
working with the Stroudsburg Little League on their ballpark improvement project.
“The information that I have received in each class
has helped me to grow in my position as a leader and has
given me the skills and vision of what is needed to grow
my organization for our members and the community as
well,” said Nicole Foleno, executive director of the Pocono
Builders Association located in Stroudsburg. They provide
professional opportunities for their members and are an
informational resource for the community.
An upcoming session at East Stroudsburg University
will focus on Economic Development. Several leaders from
the community will discuss “Leaders as Agents of Change”.
For more information on the Leadership Pocono Program, please visit their website at www.leadershippocono.
org.
“Leadership Pocono,” written by the Leadership Pocono
Media Committee, will be a monthly contribution that
will chronicle the progress of Leadership Pocono Class of
2006/2007. The members of the Leadership Pocono Media
Committee include Marianne Chester, Nicole Foleno, Jennifer Hall, and Jim Hendricks.
16
NEWS
Photo Credit: Marynell Strunk
Poconos to Host Friendly, Intense Business Competition
Standing (l-r) Lisa Browning Mitchell, Director of Sales for PMCVB, Inc., Richard Adler, General Manager, BG/US Challenge,
Candace Clark-Salloum, Communications Manager, BG North
America, Robert Uguccioni, Executive Director, PMCVB, Inc. and
Holly Thompson, Liaison, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital are
the group of people that will help bring the BG/US Challenge to the
Poconos this October.
By Robin Gaffney
The Pocono Mountains was recently chosen as the
site for a two-day, two-night intense brains and brawn
competition. The 2007 BG US Challenge, presented by
Fortune Magazine, will be held October 11-13th, 2007
at various locations around the Pocono region. The event
is the main United States stop on the Intelligent Sport
World Series, the world’s leading series of inter-business teambuilding competitions. Intelligent Sport World
Series develops events and challenges for the teams,
combining both physical challenges and mental strategic
planning, intelligence tests, commodity trading and ad-
ditional unique trials.
The primary goal for
the event is to build great
teams for the competing
businesses and for the team
mates to transfer what they
learned about one another
back to the office environment; building camaraderie,
productivity and creativity.
The Challenge is expected
to attract 300 senior level
executives from 70 companies throughout the United
States. The Pocono region
was selected based on: the
diversity and variety of terrain available, such as mountain biking, water, and great trails; easy accessibility to
major metropolitan markets and the vibrant business
community.
“The Poconos has been very welcoming,” says
Candace Clark-Solloum, communications manager for
BG North America, an interglobal natural gas company,
and sponsor for the BG/US Challenge. The BG Group
has a three year sponsorship commitment which began
in 2006. “Team spirit has been retained throughout the
workplace,” continues Clark-Solloum.
“We are thrilled to have companies from the northeast come to the area. The companies that are coming,
we are going to try and keep them here,” says Mario
Scavello, PA State Representative. “An event like this
will be great exposure for the area as a vacation destination, office location, and business conference/seminar
location.”
Teams are also encouraged to raise funds for the
event’s official charity, St. Jude Children’s Research
Hospital. St. Jude is the world’s premier pediatric cancer
center and has treated children from all 50 United States
and 70 countries. In 1962, when St. Jude opened, a child
diagnosed with cancer had a survival rate of 4%. Currently, St. Jude’s is seeing a survival rate of 94%. Daily
operating budget at St. Jude’s Hospital is $1.2 million.
Over the past two years, participating companies in the
BG/US Challenge have raised more than $850,000 for
St. Jude.
“We are excited to be a part of the effort and show
companies the region. If we can showcase the area, there
is a lot of opportunity for commercial and industrial development. There’s the business opportunity of sites for
possible expansion,” says Michelle Bisbing, director of
marketing for Pocono Mountain Industries. The process
to secure The BG/US Challenge in the Poconos included
site inspections, many meetings and conference calls,
handled by Lisa Browning Mitchell, director of sales for
Pocono Mountains Convention & Visitors Bureau.
“This is a first step in building the relationship between these companies and northeast PA. It’s the foundation for future economic success stories,” says Rachel
Hendricks, deputy director for Pike County Industrial
Development Corporation.
The natural beauty and diverse landscape of the
Pocono Mountains will be the “playing field” for participants to accomplish a variety of challenges.
“This is perfect timing. The Pocono Mountains is
entering a rebirth,” says president of Camelback, Arthur
Berry.
If your company is interested in becoming a part of
the US/BG Challenge, please contact, Lisa Browning
Mitchell at PMCVB at 570-421-5791.
Cable
Television
Advertising
YOUR MESSAGE can reach over 52,000 households in
Monroe County on these Cable Networks:
Call Us at 570-854-0355
or e-mail [email protected]
“Whatever you are, be a good one.”
Abraham Lincoln
17
NEWS
SMART GROWTH DEVELOPMENTS ... cont. from page 11
REVIEW OF SMART GROWTH DEVELOPMENTS
Carbon County
Monroe County
Pike County
7. Preserve Open Space, Farmland, Natural
Beauty & Critical Environmental Areas
Township guidelines require at least 68 acres of
open space based on the number of units proposed
for the development, but Blue Ridge plans to exceed
that requirement and has allocated 89 acres of open
space. Developers plan to plant over five acres of wild
flowers and maintain a natural wooded environment
to complement the area’s inherent country setting. A
wooded buffer will separate homes from Route 940
to further maintain the natural atmosphere of the area.
Blue Ridge works to incorporate infiltration testing and
designs to direct stormwater to infiltrate back into the
ground to recharge the water table.
LTS Builders hired a land planner, as well as an
engineer, a geologist and an ecologist to identify
sensitive areas and to devise a means of returning
storm water to the ground, rather than permitting
it to run off and pollute nearby Marshalls Creek.
The plan includes setbacks to control environment
along the creek. Planners boast of “listening to
the land” in order to preserve its natural beauty
throughout development.
The developer has promised to preserve fully half the site
as open space, with steep slopes and wetlands included,
despite an acknowledged increase of 29 per cent in
population density over current Lehman Township zoning
regulations. No decision yet has been made by the township on a requested waiver of the rule. The grade for this
principle will increase upon township approval.
8. Provide a Variety of Transportation Choices
Other than walking trails, the project does not incorporate any mass transportation alternatives
The developer plans eventually to approach Martz
bus lines with a proposition to establish pickup
points within the village for commuters who
presently must drive to park and ride facilities in
order to catch their buses. In addition, the Monroe
County Transit Association may be asked to extend
its “Pocono Pony” bus service to stops at Woodale
Village so that residents can travel to medical and
shopping destinations without driving. The grade
for this principle will increase if those two plans
come to fruition.
Internally, sidewalks and trails are extensive and welllaid-out, but at present there are no plans for public
transportation or shuttle service outside the complex.
Pike County has no mass transit. Wolfington officials say
a homeowners association may assess the situation and
establish service should a need be established.
9. Strengthen and Direct Development Towards Existing Communities
The development will complement existing recreational development in the area including Jack
Frost and Big Boulder Ski areas, Francis E. Walter
Reservoir, Hickory Run State Park and Pennsylvania
state game lands. The golf course will complement the
area’s recreational base, which includes skiing, hiking,
biking, camping, whitewater rafting and other outdoor
activities.
The developer plans to build water and waste water
systems in a residential area where none exist, with
waste water handled either by spray or drip irrigation to get water back into the ground. Brodhead
Creek Water Authority, which maintains water
lines up Airport Road, will be asked to extend the
lines the rest of the way to Woodale Village. LTS
will build utility systems to benefit the entire area.
Public water and sewer systems already are available in
the area and Wolfington will expand them, putting in a
comprehensive storm water management program. The
proposed plan, allowing efficiencies and economies of
scale relating to overall planning issues for the entire area,
is proposed as a more efficient blueprint to meet expected
population growth, as opposed to incremental “piecemeal” development.
10. Take Advantage of Compact Building
Design
The project includes construction of duplexes and
four-unit townhouses that will range in size from 1,000
to 3,000 square feet. The units will incorporate designs
that incorporate compact building principles.
Recent studies have concluded that the time-honored system of large lots actually contributes to
sprawl and is less cost-effective than smaller lots,
which cut down on the length of road construction
and cost of maintenance. The Woodale master plan
proposes smaller lots, cutting not only the extra
cost, but also the distances residents, school buses
and service agencies must drive to reach their
destinations.
Highland Village also proposes construction on footprint
lots to make road building and maintenance more cost
effective. Apartments above commercial structures in the
village center will maximize compact building design.
18
BUSINESS BRIEFS
WHO’s WHO
BURGER
CHELAK
COBURN
ERICKSON
FERREIRA
GOLDEN
GRIMM
HIGHFIELD
KOLLRA
LAWFER
LEASER
McSHANE
McVEIGH
MERRIGAN
PECORARO
PENNA
STARRETT
TARBY
WENGER
ZAVADA
Aten: Robert Aten was recently recognized for 30 years
as an employee at Tobyhanna Army Depot. Aten is a
sheet metal mechanic assigned to the Industrial Services
Division, Systems Integration and Support Directorate.
Burak: Barbara Burak was recently recognized for 30
years as an employee at Tobyhanna Army Depot. Burak
is a management assistant assigned to the Systems Integration and Support Directorate.
Burger: Tobyhanna Army Depot announces Merle
Burger as branch chief. Burger is the Command and
Control Systems Branch chief, Command, Control and
Computers Systems Division, Command, Control and
Computers/Avionics Directorate. As chief, he supervises
31 employees who perform work on all ruggedized
systems, computers, shelters and associated assets for
command control battlefield areas for field artillery, Air
Force, intelligence, and maneuver control. The branch
also performs worldwide on-site fielding’s.
Chelak: Pike County Attorney, Greg Chelak, recently
announced his candidacy for the newly allocated second
Pike County Court of Common Pleas judge’s seat.
Chelak, one of Pike County’s most active attorneys, has
been practicing law for more than 20 years and owns
his own practice with his wife Stacey Beecher Chelak.
In addition to his active law practice, he also acts as the
Township Solicitor for Westfall, Greene, Dingman and
Milford Townships.
Coburn: Pennsylvania First Settlement Services II LP,
located in Stroudsburg, announces Richard S. Coburn
was promoted to general manager. In addition to overseeing the daily operations of Pennsylvania First, he
expects to concentrate on growing the business, adding
to PA First’s existing client list of real estate professionals, mortgage brokers and local attorneys.
Domenick: William Domenick was recently recognized
for 35 years as an employee at Tobyhanna Army Depot.
Domenick is a food and beverage attendant assigned to
the Food Service Division, Community Services Directorate.
Erickson: Wayne County Chamber presented Kim
Erickson with The Community Achievement award. She
is a graduate of Leadership Wayne, Class of 2006, and
is currently working on the Tour of Honor for the World
War II Vets. Erickson is also the current President of the
Wayne County Chapter of the American Cancer Society.
Ferreira/Pecoraro: Michael Baxter, CCIM, Broker and
Owner of Michael Baxter & Associates Commercial
Real Estate and Property Management (MB&A) announced establishment of the Tammy Miller Teamwork
Award, honoring MB&A’s former Marketing Director
who passed away in 2005. The inaugural honor, chosen by a vote of MB&A staff members, was shared by
Personal Assistant Kate Ferreira & REALTOR® Robert
Pecoraro.
Forgione: Philip Forgione was recently recognized for
30 years as an employee at Tobyhanna Army Depot.
Forgione is a fabric worker assigned to the Industrial
Services Division, Systems Integration and Support
Directorate.
Gallagher: A book was written and compiled by Daisy
Gallagher, founder and CEO of Gallagher & Gallagher,
Inc., a strategic marketing, branding, and public education firm with an office in Stroudsburg, entitled The
Government Contractor’s Resource Guide, was chosen
by The United States Government as a guide for small
business contracting. The book contains all the necessary rules, regulations, guidelines, and tools to help
small businesses secure government contracts.
George: Richard George was recently recognized for 30
years as an employee at Tobyhanna Army Depot. George
is an electrician assigned to the Electronic Services Division, Systems Integration and Support Directorate.
Golden: Owner of local hotel technology company,
Hotel Connections Corporation, the technology division
of Golden Interests, Inc. based in East Stroudsburg, Rick
Golden recently gave a lecture to Hospitality Information Systems Classes at Drexel University in Philadelphia.
Grimm: Wayne County Chamber presented Rob Grimm
of Grimm Construction with the Business Person of the
Year Award. Grimm is the second generation to carry on
the business which was started by his father Chuck in
1975 with one employee. Grimm is currently owner and
vice president of the corporation.
Highfield: Wilkins & Associates Real Estate Inc., Sr. VP
Yarrow Wilkins, recently announced Jessica Highfield as
Employee of the Year for 2006. She began on the clerical support staff and in two and a half years has gone to
a management position.
Kollra, Merrigan & Tarby: Three Tobyhanna Army
Depot employees were recognized for their years of government service. Joseph Kollra, 30 years, is a criminal
investigator assigned to the Security Division, Industrial
Risk Management Directorate. Thomas Merrigan, 30
years, is a supply clerk assigned to the Administrative
Support Division, Information Management Directorate. William Tarby, 30 years, is an electronics mechanic
assigned to the Tactical Communications Division,
Communications Systems Directorate.
Leaser: Good Shepherd Outpatient Rehabilitation in
Palmerton, announces Melissa Leaser, DPT, received her
doctorate degree in physical therapy from College Misericordia, Wilkes-Barre. Leaser is a physical therapist at
Good Shepherd Outpatient Rehabilitation-Palmerton.
Martinetti: Richard W. Martinetti, MSPT, joined the
staff of Riverside Rehabilitation Centers as the manager
of their Mount Pocono Clinic. He will also serve as the
company’s CORF (Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Facility) Coordinator while maintaining a full
caseload of physical therapy patients. He is a member of
the American Physical Therapy Association’s Orthopedic and Sports Sections.
Mathiesen: Jacquelyn J. Mathiesen, CPA, has joined the
firm of Frank M.. Brown, PC, Certified Public Accountants, located in Stroudsburg. Mathiesen has 21 years
of public accounting experience and is a member of the
American Institute and Pennsylvania Institute of CPAs.
McShane: Coldwell Banker Phyllis Rubin Real Estate
announces Sue McShane has been named manager of
the company’s Brodheadsville location. McShane has
been with Coldwell Banker Phyllis Rubin Real Estate
for 14 years and most recently had served as an associate broker and manager of the Stroudsburg office. She
will add managing the Brodheadsville office to her area
of responsibility.
McVeigh: Wayne County Memorial Hospital announces, Sean McVeigh, MD, has successfully passed
rigorous board exams in pulmonary medicine. He is now
fully certified in this specialty by the American Board
of Internal Medicine until the year 2016. Dr. McVeigh,
who heads up Wayne Memorial’s new Sleep Laboratory, is already board-certified in internal medicine. Dr.
McVeigh is Wayne County’s only pulmonologist.
Miller: Salon Evol, located in Stroudsburg, announces
world renowned hairstylist Michael Miller has returned
to the area and can be booked on a limited schedule at
Salon Evol. Miller also serves as education director of
Advanced Salon Concepts. Miller is the founder of Michael Miller and Co., the largest hair salon and day spa
in the Pocono Mountain area from 1963 to1997.
continued on page 19
Please send all press releases for
consideration to [email protected]
19
BUSINESS BRIEFS
WHO’s WHO
Moraski: Alan Moraski was recently recognized for 30
years as an employee at Tobyhanna Army Depot. Moraski is a waste water treatment plant operator assigned
to the Utilities and Grounds Division, Public Works
Directorate.
Penna: Coldwell Banker Phyllis Rubin Real Estate announces the promotion of Clarice Penna, GRI, to manager with the company. Penna has been a realtor with
Coldwell Banker Phyllis Rubin Real Estate for 11 years
and most recently had served as an associate broker in
the Brodheadsville and Blakeslee offices. She will take
on the role of associate broker and manager adding the
Mt. Pocono office to her area of responsibility.
Starrett: Michael Baxter & Associates Commercial
Real Estate and Property Management (MB&A) Associate Broker Robert J. Starrett has been appointed
by Pennsylvania Association of REALTORS® (PAR)
President Dominic Cardone, ABR, CRF, GRI, to serve
a three-year term on the Commercial, Industrial and Investment Committee. The PAR’s Commercial, Industrial
& Investment Committee provides to PAR Committees
and leadership input from members who specialize in
commercial, industrial and investment properties regarding services, products and legislative activity.
Walter: Mark Walter was recently recognized for 35
years as an employee of Tobyhanna Army Depot. Walter
is a lead electronics technician assigned to the Voice
Communications Division, Communications Systems
Directorate.
Ward: Lawfer: Good Shepherd Outpatient Rehabilitation in Palmerton announces Susan Ward Lawfer, DPT,
clinical manager, received her doctorate degree in physical therapy from College Misericordia, Wilkes-Barre.
Ward-Lawfer is a physical therapist at Good Shepherd
Outpatient Rehabilitation in Palmerton.
Wenger: Pocono Healthy Communities Alliances
recently announced Eve Wenger, executive director, is
stepping down. Wenger plans to move to the Adirondacks in upstate New York and work as an independent
grant writer and social services consultant.
Zavada: Fernwood Hotel and Resort announces Cody
Zavada has been named the Resort’s new Food and
Beverage Director. Zavada joined the company in late
December. Zavada is a graduate of Johnson and Wales
University with degrees in Hospitality Sales and Meeting Management with post graduate studies in Hospitality Administration.
FOCUS LIST
ENGINEERS
Company Name
Address
Phone
Web site
# of Fulltime
Employees
Years in
Business
Services
Provided
County(s)
Serviced
Contact Name
Achterman Associates
33 Stokes Ave.
East Stroudsburg, PA
18301
570-421-7670
NA
8
1
Civil Engineering, Land Surveying Services
Monroe, Pike
William J. Greiner,
PE, PLS
Boucher & James, Inc.
39 N. 7th St., Suite 101
Stroudsburg, PA 18360
570-424-9221
www.bjengineers.com
DND
DND
DND
DND
Ross Boucher
Buchart Horn/BASCO
Associates
600 Main St., Suite 110
570-213-0082
www.bh-ba.com
5
60
Architecture,
Engineering
DND
Joseph Manda
Hanover Engineering
Associates, Inc.
RR3, Box 3089, Suite 1
570-688-9550
www.hanovereng.com
677
37
Engineering, Surveying, Planning
Monroe, Carbon,
Northampton, Lehigh,
Schuylkill, Pike
Charles Unangst,
PE
DND
Jamie Keener
DND
Gary Burcher
Herbert, Rowland, &
Grubic Inc.
104 Route 611, Suite 1
Bartonsville, PA 18321
570-629-7140
www.hrg-inc.com
DND
43
Land Development, Water/
Waste Water
Systems, Transportation
Keystone Consulting &
Associates, LLC
34 Brown St.
Honesdale, PA 18431
570-251-8315
DND
DND
DND
DND
see ENGINEERS page 20
Disclaimer: The companies listed above are located in the four counties that serve the Pocono region; Carbon, Monroe, Pike and Wayne. If you know of a company that offers this product
or service and was not included on the list, please contact Pocono Business Journal to be included in future Focus Lists. DND= Did not disclose.
• Architecture
• Mechanical Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Water/Wastewater
• Stormwater
"A Leader In Staffing"
Your Best Solution For A Qualified Workforce
OFFICE, MANUFACTURING,
HOSPITALITY, SKILLED LABOR, WAREHOUSE,
GENERAL LABOR, MAINTENANCE
Competitive rates, skill testing, 24/7 service, on-site coordinators,
background checks, substance testing, payroll services.
FREE Consultation
429B N. Courtland St., E. Stroudsburg, PA 18301 P: 570.424.1800 · F:570.424.3732
E: [email protected] · www.poconopersonnel.com
• Airports Design
600 Main Street
Suite 110
• Bridges/Roadways
• Municipal Buildings
• Telecommunications
• Aerial Mapping/GIS
• Parks
800-274-2224
570-213-0082
www.bh-ba.com
20
FOCUS LIST
ENGINEERS ... cont. from page 19
Company Name
ENGINEERS
Address
Phone
Web site
# of Fulltime
Employees
Years in
Business
Services
Provided
County(s)
Serviced
Contact Name
Civil, Mechanical, Electrical
& Structural
Engineering
DND
Richard McGoey,
P.E., William
Hauser, P.E.
McGoey, Hauser, & Edsall
Consulting Engineers PC
111 Weatfield Dr., Suite 1
Milford, PA 18337
570-296-2765
www.whepc.com
DND
29
Niclaus Engineering Corp.
804 Sarah St.
570-422-1240
www.niclausengineering.
com
DND
10
Civil Engineering, Surveying,
Environmental
Consulting
DND
DND
Reilly Associates
PO Box 667
570-421-7320
www.reillyengineering.com
4
76
Engineering,
Environmental,
Surveying
Monroe, Carbon,
Wayne. Pike, Lackawanna, Luzerne
Christopher P.
McDermott, PE
R.K.R. Hess Associates
112 N. Courtland St.
E. Stroudsburg, PA 18301
570-421-1550
www.rkrhess.com
DND
80
Civil & Environmental Engineering, Surveying
DND
Susan Desantis
Shoenagel Surveying &
Engineering
RR 3 Box 13
Greentown, PA 18426
570-857-0256
DND
DND
DND
DND
DND
DND
Sincavage Associates
149 E. Broad St.
570-421-5382
DND
DND
DND
DND
DND
DND
16
Design & Evaluation Engineering, HVAC
& Electrical
Systems
All PA, NJ, NY, DE,
MD, OH, IL, MA
(Not limited to)
Russell C. Albert II
David B. Strunk,PE
Strunk-Albert Engineering
RD 5, Box 5198, Rt. 209
570-421-2025
www.strunk-albert.com
15
Disclaimer: The companies listed above are located in the four counties that serve the Pocono region; Carbon, Monroe, Pike and Wayne. If you know of a company that offers this
product or service and was not included on the list, please contact Pocono Business Journal to be included in future Focus Lists. DND= Did not disclose.
Sky’S the limit
I
© 2007 Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc.
t’s your vision. And we’re with you all the way. That’s why HRG continues to be
one of Pennsylvania’s most trusted engineering leaders. Our professionals are
committed to helping you avoid or overcome obstacles. From innovative design,
to cost-effective consulting, to responsive project management, HRG delivers
full-service capabilities that produce exceptional results time after time.
At HRG, we help you see what’s possible.
LAND DEVELOPMENT • SURVEYING • GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS
WATER & WASTEWATER SYSTEMS • FINANCIAL • ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
TRANSPORTATION • WATER RESOURCES / ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES & DESIGN
570.629.7140 [phone] • www.hrg-inc.com
Offices Statewide
21
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
March 1
APIC/CPIM Certificate Program-Master planning of Resources. University of Scranton,
Center for Professional Training and Development. 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Cost: $490 (with
text). APIC Members fee: $400. To register call (570) 941-7582.
March 1
BNI (Business Network International), Bartonsville, 7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Howard Johnson, Rt. 611 & I-80 Exit 302B, Bartonsville. Contact Karen Sherrill, (570) 895-4242.
March 1
MS Access-Level I, University of Scranton, Center for Professional Training and Development. 6:00 p.m-9:00 p.m. Cost: $150 (with text). To register call (570) 941-7582.
March 1
MS Access-Level II, University of Scranton, Center for Professional Training and Development. 1:00 p.m-4:00 p.m. Cost: $165 (with text). To register call (570) 941-7582.
March 1
Pennsylvania Export Finance Program-WEDCO Breakfast meeting on , 9:00 a.m.-10:30
a.m., Wayne County Visitors Center, Honesdale. No cost/light continental breakfast
provided. To register call Mindy Petriello, Wayne Economic Development Corporation,
(570) 253-5334, or [email protected]
March 1
Quickbooks 2006, University of Scranton, Center for Professional Training and Development. 6:00 p.m-9:00 p.m. Cost: $165 (with text). To register call (570) 941-7582.
March 1
Website Enrollment, 9:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Upgrade your Careerlink resume using Microsoft Word, 2:00 p.m-4:00 pm. Monroe County Career Link, Tannersville. Call (570)
620-2850 or visit www.pacareerlink.state.pa.us.
March 2
BNI (Business Network International), The Shawnee Inn, Shawnee-on-Delaware, 7:00
a.m. – 8:30 a.m., breakfast. Fee $10. Contact Michael Gillenkirk, Kitchen Tune-Up, (570)
619-8228.
March 2
Computer Basics, 9:00 a.m-10:00 a.m. Employer Website Assistance, 3:00 p.m-4:00
p.m. Monroe County Career Link, Tannersville. Call (570) 620-2850 or visit www.
pacareerlink.state.pa.us.
March 2
Real Estate Fundamentals and Practice-University of Scranton, Center for Professional
Training and Development. 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Cost: $385 (with texts). To register call
(570) 941-7582.
March 5
JAVA Programming and the Internet-University of Scranton, Center for Professional
(570) 941-7582.
March 5
(570) 941-7582.
March 5
Why Can’t I Find a Job in the Poconos? 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Computer Basics, 2:00
p.m.-3:30 p.m. Monroe County Career Link, Tannersville. Call (570) 620-2850 or visit
www.pacareerlink.state.pa.us.
March 6
March 6
Interview Prep: Job Applications, Dress to Impress, Why Should I Hire You? 1:00
p.m.-3:00 p.m. Website Enrollment, 3:00 p.m-4:00 p.m Monroe County Career Link, Tannersville. Call (570) 620-2850 or visit www.pacareerlink.state.pa.us.
March 7
LeTip of Stroudsburg, 7:01 a.m.-8:31 a.m. A wonderful opportunity to expand your
business. Each chapter has individual business categories -so there are no conflicts of
interest - ever! Your chapter becomes your sales force without increasing staff. Contact
Louise Bach (570) 588-4113 or Carole Miller (570) 426-1676.
March 7
President of NAIFA (National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors) Jeff
Fleming will discuss what NAIFA has meant to him. For more information call (570)
595-9640 or (570) 722-3291 or email [email protected].
March 7
The Pike County Conservation District and the Pike County Builders Association
workshop for builders, earthmoving contractors, landscapers and others who conduct
earthmoving activities within the Pike County region. 8:00 a.m. Delaware Township
Municipal Building. Cost: $20 includes a hot buffet lunch and all handout materials. To
register call (570) 226-8220 or visit www.pikeconservation.org.
March 7
Website Enrollment, 8:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. Career Exploration, 9:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m Monroe County Career Link, Tannersville. Call (570) 620-2850 or visit www.pacareerlink.
state.pa.us.
March 8
March 8
March 8
The First Step: Starting Your Business, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 noon, University of Scranton
Small Business Development Center. Course held at Mount Pocono Municipal (Borough)
Building, 303 Pocono Boulevard, Mount Pocono. Designed for individuals with an
interest in small business entrepreneurship or the basic business start-up process. Topics
include common start-up registration, licenses, business structure, taxation, research tools,
the business plan, and local resources. Cost: $10, pre-registration. Contact 1-800-8297232 or visit www.scrantonsbdc.com.
March 8
Website Enrollment, 9:00 a.m-10:30 a.m. Monroe County Career Link, Tannersville. Call
(570) 620-2850 or visit www.pacareerlink.state.pa.us.
March 9
619-8228.
March 9
Financial Strategies to Protect & Grow Your Business, Strategic Professional Partnership
Committee of Pocono Mountains Chamber of Commerce, Stroudsburg, 3:00-5:00 p.m.
Learn how to use insurance & benefit programs to manage business risk & help build
loyalty. Call (570) 421-4433 for reservations.
March 9
(570) 941-7582.
March 9
Resume Critique, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. By appt. only, must have attended resume
seminar. Monroe County Career Link, Tannersville. Call (570) 620-2850 or visit www.
March 12
Find a Job You’ll Love! 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Monroe County Career Link, Tannersville.
March
Call (570) 620-2850 or visit www.pacareerlink.state.pa.us.
March 12
JAVA Programming and the Internet-University of Scranton, Center for Professional
(570) 941-7582.
March 12
Pocono Mountain Association of Realtors, discussion on State Education Funding and
Property Tax Inequities, featuring Ron Cowell, President of EPLC. 7:00 p.m., Abeloff Auditorium at East Stroudsburg University. Contact CherylAnn Houseman, (570) 424-8846.
March 12
Pocono Mountains Chamber of Commerce, Business Card Exchange, 5:00 p.m-7:00 p.m.,
Legendary Tannersville Inn, Tannersville. Hot and cold hors d’oeuvres and networking.
Advanced registration $10 chamber members, $20 non-members. At the door, $15 Chamber members, $25 non-members. Call (570) 421-4433.
March 12
(570) 941-7582.
March 13
March 13
Building a Better Team & Priority Management, Stroudsburg Action Coaching, Stroudsburg. This 90minute workshop will show you 6 Keys to a winning team. We will show
you in depth how to incorporate those steps into your business. Call (570) 517-7100.
March 13
Interview Basics, 1:00 p.m-2:00 p.m. Salary Negotiation, 2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. Website
Enrollment, 3:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Monroe County Career Link, Tannersville. Call (570)
March 13
Northampton Community College Leadership Development Institute Workshop. Topic:
“Managing the Performance of Others,” NCC Main Campus, Bethlehem. For times, fees,
and registration email [email protected] or call (610) 861-5590.
March 13
Pocono Mountains Chamber of Commerce, Women In Business, Best Western Pocono
Inn, Stroudsburg, 12:00 Noon. Topic: Alternatives to the Gym: “Meditation & Martial
Arts: Break the Stress and Learn to Defend Yourself.” Presented by Jason Cronin of 4 Corners Fitness, Sponsored by Michelle Fiore of Chateau Resort & Conference Center. Cost$13 Chamber members in advance, $16 non-members & walk-ins. Call (570) 421-4433.
March 14
LeTip of Stroudsburg, 7:01 a.m.-8:31 a.m. A wonderful opportunity to expand your business. Each chapter has individual business categories -so there are no conflicts of interest
- ever! Your chapter becomes your sales force without increasing staff. Contact Louise
Bach (570) 588-4113 or Carole Miller (570) 426-1676.
March 14
Website Enrollment, 8:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. Resumes & Cover Letters, 9:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m.
E-Resumes, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.Monroe County Career Link, Tannersville. Call (570)
620-2850 or visit www.pacareerlink.state.pa.us
March 15
March 15
March 15
Website Enrollment, 9:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Upgrade your Careerlink resume using Microsoft Word, 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Monroe County Career Link, Tannersville. Call (570)
March 16
BA 101, Business Success Academy, Stroudsburg Action Coaching, Stroudsburg. A one
day, 9 hour, intensive business course that covers Sales, Selling Techniques, Marketing,
Systems, Team Building, Priority Management and more. The cost of this workshop is
$595.00/pp and includes course materials. Contact (570) 517-7100.
March 16
619-8228.
March 16
Computer Basics, 9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. Employer Website Assistance,3:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
Monroe County Career Link, Tannersville. Call (570) 620-2850 or visit www.pacareerlink.
state.pa.us.
March 16
Penn State Cooperative Extension in Pike County-Leadership Pike. Participants will be
introduced to the major challenges and issues facing Pike County. For registration call
(570) 296-3400 or email: [email protected].
March 16
Pocono Mountains Chamber of Commerce, Monthly Breakfast, 7:30 a.m., Best Western
Pocono Inn, Stroudsburg. Sponsor: A Sound Strategy, Inc., Special Program: Pocono
Environmental Education Center. Advance Registration: $10 Chamber members, $14 nonmembers. At the door, $12 Chamber members, $18 non-members. Call (570) 421-4433.
March 16
(570) 941-7582.
March 19
(570) 941-7582.
March 19
Why Can’t I Find a Job in the Poconos? 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Computer Basics, 2:00 p.m3:30 p.m. Monroe County Career Link, Tannersville. Call (570) 620-2850 or visit www.
pacareerlink.state.pa.us
March 20
March 20
Interview Prep: Job Applications, Dress to Impress, Why Should I Hire You? 1:00 p.m.3:00 p.m., Website 3:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Monroe County Career Link, Tannersville. Call
(570) 620-2850 or visit www.pacareerlink.state.pa.us.
March 21
Board Meeting, NAIFA-Poconos (National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors). For more information call (570) 595-9640 or email [email protected]
March 21
March 21-23
“Practices of Successful Leaders,” NCC Main Campus, Bethlehem. For times, fees, and
registration email [email protected] or call (610) 861-5590.
March 21
Website Enrollment, 8:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m., Mock Interview (you must have attended
Interview Basics & Preparation seminars) 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Monroe County Career
Link, Tannersville. Call (570) 620-2850 or visit www.pacareerlink.state.pa.us.
March 22
Center for Professional Training and Development. 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Cost: $490
(with text). APIC Members fee: $400. To register call (570) 941-7582.
March 22
March 22
Michael Baxter and Associates Commercial Real Estate Seminar-7:00 p.m. Best Western
Pocono Inn Stroudsburg. Topics include: Is your property located in a growth area,
Forecast of commercial & investment property values, Current market conditions and
trends, Valuable information for buyers and sellers. No cost, RSVP suggested. Call (570)
629-1900.
March 22
Pike County Conservation District, Conservation Workshop for Realtors, 8:00 a.m.12:00 p.m., PPL Environmental Learning Center, Hawley. To register call, (570) 2268220 or email [email protected] before March 19th.
March 22
Website Enrollment, 9:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Monroe County Career Link, Tannersville.
March 23
90 Day Massive Action Planning Session, Stroudsburg Action Coaching, Stroudsburg.
This $199.95/pp half day workshop covers how to create a 90 day action plan for your
business that will lead you to success. Great business plans lead to business success!
Contact (570) 517-7100.
March 23
a.m. – 8:30 a.m., breakfast. Fee $10. Contact Michael Gillenkirk, Kitchen Tune-Up,
(570) 619-8228.
March 23
(570) 941-7582.
March 23
Resume Critique (By appt. only. Must have attended resume seminar). 9:00 a.m-12:00
March 26
Find a Job You’ll Love, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Monroe County Career Link, Tannersville.
March 26
(570) 941-7582.
March 27
Interview Basics, 1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m., Salary Negotiation 2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m., Website
Enrollment 3:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Monroe County Career Link, Tannersville. Call (570)
March 27
“Basic Finance & Accounting for Business,” NCC Main Campus, Bethlehem. For times,
fees, and registration email [email protected] or call (610) 861-5590.
March 28
March 28
Website Enrollment 8:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m., Career Exploration 9:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Monroe County Career Link, Tannersville. Call (570) 620-2850 or visit www.pacareerlink.
state.pa.us.
March 29
March 29
“Exceptional Customer Service,” NCC Main Campus, Bethlehem. For times, fees, and
March 29
Website Enrollment 9:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m., Upgrade your Careerlink resume using Microsoft Word 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Monroe County Career Link, Tannersville. Call (570)
March 30
a.m. – 8:30 a.m., breakfast. Fee $10. Contact Michael Gillenkirk, Kitchen Tune-Up,
(570) 619-8228.
March 30
Computer Basics 9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m., Employer Website Assistance 3:00 p.m.-4:00
March 30
“Effective Selection Interviewing,” NCC Main Campus, Bethlehem. For times, fees, and
March 30
(570) 941-7582.
March 31
Penn State Cooperative Extension in Pike County-Pond and Lake Management Workshop. 9:00 A.M.-3:00 P.M. PPL Environmental Learning Center. Cost is $20 per person,
including lunch. Pre-registration required. To register call (570) 296-3400 or email:
[email protected].
If you would like to have your business event
listed in the PBJ Calendar of Events, please
submit information to [email protected].
22
PBJ REGISTER
NEW CORPORATIONS
The Corporation Bureau at The Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania, Department of State has informed the
Pocono Business Journal that it is in the process of
revising the database access for this information.
Therefore New Incorporation listings will not be
available until further notice.
FICTITIOUS NAMES
The Corporation Bureau at The Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania, Department of State has informed the
Pocono Business Journal that it is in the process of
revising the database access for this information.
Therefore New Incorporation listings will not be
available until further notice.
DEEDS
(January 2007 - Over $250,000)
Carbon County
East Penn Township
Curtis Bowman to Robert Zehnder, $525,000.
Franklin Township
Saucon Valley Holding Company to Joseph McGinley, $380,000.
Kidder Township North
PS Enterprise LLC to KRSNA Enterprise Inc,
$875,000. KLMR Corp to Hement Sai, $620,000.
Kidder Township South
William Emerson to Harvey Lisgar, $280,000.
Laurewood Homes Inc to Igor Zaitchikov, $339,000.
Thomas P Carney Inc to Carole Cirucci, $260,910.
Thomas Lathbury to Charles Skrip, $250,000. Jeanne
Nowak to Michael Watson, $303,000.
Penn Forest Township
Debbie Horne to Aivars Lancers, $370,000.
Monroe County
Barrett Township
Northern Region Developers LLC to Virna and
Ramon Rivera, $355,100. Barbara Smith to Kal-Tac
Inc, $1,864,304. Hosik and Dosoon Min to Fairbanks
Motel and Marina, $1,265,000. Joseph Blaney to
Theodore and Christine Auman, $1,700,000.
Chestnuthill Township
Fabio Villaquiran to Felicita Carino, $330,000. James
and Marlene Mulvaney to Adranna Rondinella,
$290,000. Ramon and Lisa Davila to Ricardo and
Deysy Sanchez, $257,000. Timothy Moll to Jung
Kim, $345,000. Joseph and Salvatore Modica to
Jose Jimenez, $254,500. Daniel Altman to Matthew
Prevost, $275,000. Lionel Saunders to Andre Royo,
$320,000. Dale McFarland to Gerald and Dawn
Squier, $280,000.
Coolbaugh Township
Thomas and Francine Lane to George and Sally Mytrowitz, $410,000. Pocono Mounmtains Industries Inc
to Arcadia North Associates No 1 LLC, $1,997,359.
Jacob and Michelle Rybner to Cordelia Farier,
$289,000. Mitchell and Melanie Gochnauer to Anne
McLain, $252,500.
East Stroudsburg Borough
Kathleen Cortellini to Guillermo and Gloria Giraldo,
$258,000. King Court Realty to King Court Investments, $890,000. LTS Development to Victor Parnell,
$330,800. Barth and Susan Rubin to Donald and
Caryn Messing, $250,000.
Eldred Township
William and Susan Smiley to Yaple Properties,
$299,900.
Hamilton Township
Leroy James to Naji Almontaser, $450,000. Thomas
and Dianne Keeley to Joseph and Marilyn Martuge,
$515,000. Fannie Mae to Andre Muntianov, $345,000.
Jackson Township
Michael and Sarah Gallagher to Michael Amend,
$315,000. Clara Kraft to Ruth Dalton, $339,185.
Wieslaw Nowak to Nche Zama, $725,000. Jimmy
Schlier to MSD Land Holdings LLC, $825,000.
Stephen Grundmann to Todd and Corrie Singer,
$371,000. Hermann Vollmer to 8149 Mountain Road
LLC, $265,000.
William Frazetta to Jeffrey Davis, $350,000. Toll
PA IV to Mauricio and Gloria Alvarado, $437,297.
Toll PA IV to Nikki McGann, $302,034. Anthony
and Mary Galante to Lynne Pollak, $382,500. Toll
PA IX to Harley and Ariadne Williams, $549,693.
Anil Kumar to Lawrence Weinberger, $290,000.
Raymond Burok to Angela Colasuonno, $279,000.
Toll PA III to Robert Peterson, $693,665. Toll PA IV
to Cuthbert and Carol Robinson, $430,201. Toll PA
IV to Jacek Chyla, $261,975. Toll PA IV to David and
Joanna Stoner, $341,834. Toll PA IV to Brian Graime,
$283,958. Kathy Detweiler to Renata Monasterska,
$250,000. Curtis Hickman to Lawrence Biunno and
James Hammesfahr, $336,000. Toll PA IV to Nicholas
and Anne Fasano, $306,366. Toll PA IX to Marcel
Pekar, $548,194.
Mount Pocono Borough
Kaplan Berisha to Sunrise Breakfast and Lunch Café,
$350,000.
Paradise Township
George and Lydia Dargoltz to Michael O’Shea,
$400,000. Thomas and Robin Britton to Stephen and
Sheryl Grundman, $395,000.
Pocono Township
Irving Braunstein to Timothy Nugent, $400,000.
Henry and Teresa Veliz to Luis Amanzar, $284,000.
Theodore Korkidas to Robert and Marcella Muir,
$250,000. Ronald and Jenette Sarajian to Mitchel
Garfinkel, $776,000. Trevor Fleege to Herminio and
Dawn Gonzalez, $254,000. Jeffrey and Lauren Schweitzer to Nazim Hassan, $349,900. Robert and Jill
Baker to Paragon Relocation Resources, $395,000.
Dominick Sacci to Theodore and Margaret Korkidas,
$260,000. Michael and Shirley Kelly to Jimmy
Schlier, $862,500.
Polk Township
John and Theresa Livia to Vincent and Cynthia Foxworth, $365,000.
Ross Township
Kathy Kean to Frank and Anne Supsic, $275,000.
Smithfield Township
Stroud Township to Peter, Abigail, Emily and
Robert Ahnert, $410,000. Mountain Manor Estates
Inc to Mountain Manor Development Company,
$14,750,000. Margaret Naumann to Anthony Hayes,
$440,000. C&C land Holdings to Jardeen Sargeant,
$355,000. Anita Custodio to Benjamin Hayer,
$302,000.
Stroud Township
Robert and Antoinette Linda and Alexander Kearn,
$273,000. Charles and Mary Knox to Lawrence and
Jonnie Jackson, $335,000. Hilarion Gunpot to Javier
Ferrer, $300,000. Emanuel Vito to Stroud Commons
LLC, $2,650,000. Hartwig Dietze to Stroud Commons, $500,000. Akshaya Patel to Cendant Mobility
Financial Corp, $299,000. BML at Mountain View
LP to Herberton Maulaz, $353,990. Mark Kosinski
to Jerry Parris, $314,000. Joseph Dimartino to Sadie
Bostick, $290,000. Francesca Carollo to Joshua
Delamata, $535,000. Thomas and Jean Schatzman
to Joanie and Miles Comfort, $550,000. Thomas and
Candace Brigaitis to Leonardo and Marisel Bullaro,
$370,000. NVR Inc to Christina and James Woo,
$391,000. George and Maryann Oddo to Thomas and
Angeline Murphy, $265,000. Romec Inc to Sean and
Thomas Guiffre, $472,396. Thomas Kemmerer to
Christopher and Lucinda Hurst, $250,000.
Stroudsburg Borough
722 Thomas Street LLP to Kevin Frey, $325,000.
Marjorie Fizette to Kansas Properties LLC, $625,000.
Tobyhanna Township
Christopher and Nicollette Conway to Thomas and
Leslie Sodano, $949,000. Novastar Mortgage Inc
to John Chelbus, $344,500. Paul and Diane Clark
to Emanuel and Traci Joseph, $275,000. Maurice
Mondati to Aurelius Irving, $452,170. Ollie Wigfall
to Mary Kearney, $305,000. Jules and Esther Hermele
to William and Patricia Cahill, $441,700. Thomas and
Christine Seamon to Michael and Shelley Jarzyna,
$440,000. Robert and Rebecca Krell to Connie
Dawes, $337,500. John O’Donnell to Robert and
Dianne Townsend, $290,000. Michael and Patricia
Feeney to Alan and Denise Yogoda, $271,000. John
and Heather Iocono to Tchedly and Judith Victor,
$328,000.
Tunkhannock Township
Kal-Tac Inc to Anthony Burton, $304,400. William
Evans to Civolene Bernard, $315,000.
Pike County
Blooming Grove Township
Irving and Selma Spielman to Neftali and Marcella
Diaz, $257,500. Gallagher Building Inc to Alan and
Lillian Hubbs, $315,000. Glenn Strys to Peter and
Joan Policastro, $385,000. carl and Carolyn Horn to
Bruce Terry, $275,000. James and Rosemary Coughlin to Carolyn Horn, $359,000.
Delaware Township
William Goodwin to Stephen McKean, $422,900.
Agilent Technologies to Township of Delaware,
$1,070,000. Vicki Wells to Susan Hines, $270,000.
Dingman Township
David and Mary Ann Ruby to George and Carol
Hill, $450,000. Donal Kroener to Jennifer Sciano,
$275,000. Steven Wechsler to Thomas Ostrand,
$357,000. Jay Kalish to Rickan Inc, $260,000.
Richard Caraluzzo to Natalie and Thomas Hartey,
$304,900. James Merriman to Marc Bessler,
$370,000. Donna Triano to Louis Tripido, $325,000.
Sunnylands Inc to Charles and Barbara Chapman,
$298,000. John and Dianne Righi to Mikhail Slutsky,
$350,000. vannatta Realty & Builders to Joseph
Murison, $265,000.
Greene Township
Mary and John Kennedy to Jean and Robert Luedtke,
$319,000. David and Thelma Brown to John Jakobs,
$259,756. David Yohe to Alice and John Gavey,
$390,000.
Lackawaxen Township
Gary and Joyce Eckert to Robert and Mona Miracola, $255,000. Brian Gilroy to Salvatore Focella,
$480,000. George Boudman to Thomas Martinolich,
$425,000. Eleanor Hess to Jeffrey Sammak, $385,000.
John and Patricia McKay to Mark and Tina Hughes,
$335,000. Excell Homes Inc to Anthony and Marianne Antolino, $285,000. Wilton Moore to Christian
Girts, $360,000.
Lehman Township
Joseph and Erin Sterenczak to Herminio and Mag-
dalena Lopez, $260,000. Kalian at Poconos LLC to
Heriberto Pizzaro, $293,266. $333,500. Kalian at
Poconos LLC to Tanya Durant, $324,138.
Milford Township
Salvatore and Josephine Baratto to Richard Gotti,
$500,000. Richard mcGoey to Mist enterprises
Inc, $345,000. Deborah Gubiotti to Walter Kresse,
$800,000.
Palmyra Township
Joan Brown to Mark Fenkner, $320,000. Krisnik
Associates Inc to Robert and Anne Brehm, $316,500.
Keith Lutz to Sandra Costanzo, $370,000. Richard
and Bonnie Keely to John Dixon, $257,000. Thomas
Becker to Paul and Linda Kiss, $385,000.
Shohola Township
Thomas Lasorsa to Integrity Development LLC,
$250,000. John Derrick to Michael and Renae Calvario, $305,000.
Westfall Township
Delaware Highlands Properties LLC to Steven
Owens, $263,880. Jerry Crandall to George Billeci,
$775,000.
Wayne County
Berlin Township
Robert Borkowski to Erica Brown, $640,000.
Damascus Township
Elaine Feller to Patrick McGowan, $385,000. William
Klaber to Marlena Demenus, $1,200,000. Donald
Knothe to Evgueni Sosunov, $250,000.
Lake Township
John Richard Goldsby to George Boudman Jr.,
$350,000. Joseph Funk to James Bagby, $250,000.
Lehigh Township
Donald Carnell to John Schroeder, $570,000.
Mount Pleasant Township
LTS Holdings to Joseph Baran, $350,000.
Palmyra Township
Valentina Klerman to Ivetta Atayan, $352,000.
Paupack Township
Elizabeth Crowgey Harmon Trust to Michael Iovine,
$299,000. Marilyn Diefenbach to Kristian Nistad,
$330,000. Tri County Realty Agency to Ramon
Hernandez, $492,622. Heather O’Donnell to Richard
Loevner, $275,000.
Texas Township
Steven John Siegmund to James Campo, $265,000.
Lynn Henderson to Ira Weinstein, $380,000.
Waymart Borough
TNE Holding Corp to Alfred Senofonte, $475,000.
MORTGAGES
(January 2007 – Over $250,000)
Carbon County
East Penn Township
Robert Zehnder, MERS, $417,000.
Franklin Township
Henry Faust, New Century Bank, $250,000. David
Krause, Keystone Nazareth Bank & Trust, $346,060.
Joseph McGinley, Keystone Nazareth Bank & Trust,
$292,000.
Kidder Township North
KRSNA Enterprise Inc, Commerce Bank, $995,000.
Aqua Pennsylvania Inc, JP Morgan Trust Co,
$23,915,000. Hement Sai, Skylands Community
Bank, $485,000.
Kidder Township South
Igor Zaitchikov, MERS, $271,900. Carole Cirucci,
MERS, $260,910. Joseph Nolasco, MERS, 296,800.
Sonia Harmony, MERS, $278,000. John Modestine,
MERS, $259,132. Michael Watson, Wells Fargo
Bank, $287,850.
Lehighton Borough
George Hahn, New Tripoli Bank, $370,000.
Lower Towamensing Township
Powels Abraham, Bank of America, $250,000. Mark
Stemler, Wells Fargo Bank, $266,400.
Mahoning Township
Lehighton Commercial Ventures Inc, Heritage Funding LLC, $1,250,000. George Monteiro, Keystone
Nazareth Bank & Trust, $260,000.
Palmerton Borough
Jaime Mendes, Harleysville National Bank & Trust,
$253,000.
Penn Forest Township
David Greenfield, MERS, $276,300. Aivars Lancers,
Washington Mutual, $333,000. Cherokee Valley Homes Inc, MERS, $336,000. Esther Davis,
MERS, $348,000. Redco Group, Communitybanks,
$4,300,000. Patrick Jones, Suntrust Mortgage,
$265,150.
Towamensing Township
Jeffrey Reinhard, Harelysville National Bank & Trust,
$293,744. Timothy Moll, Beth Beranbaum, $250,000.
Monroe County
Barrett Township
Virna and Ramon Rivera, MERS/WMC Mortgage,
$280,880. Kematico Development Co, Provident
Bank, $500,000. Kal-Tac Inc, First National Bank of
Palmerton, $1,500,000. Fairbanks Motel and Marina,
BNB Bank National Assn, $1,660,000. Michael and
Roseanne Walters, Bank of America, $500,000. Brian
and Diane Murray, Community Bank and Trust Co,
$458,920. Theodore and Christine Auman, Wachovia
Bank NA, $1,360,000. Barrett Friendly Library, ESSA
Bank & Trust, $1,200,000.
Chestnuthill Township
Felicita Carino, MERS/Garden State Mortgage,
$264,000. James and Cheryl Matlock, MERS/
Rose Mortgage, $275,000. Adrianna Rondinella,
MERS/Cendant Mortggae, $290,000. Ricardo and
Deysy Sanchez, Option One Mortgage, $257,000.
Jung Kim, MERS/Century 21 Mortgage, $276,000.
The Redco Group, Communitybanks, $4,300,000.
Michael Cullen and Elba Lazart, MERS/Decision
One Mortgage, $268,000. Andre Royo and Mercer
Demonde, MERS, $320,000. Michael and Margaret Nelson, Argent Mortgage, $338,600. John and
Pamela Joseph, MERS, $283,800. Bobby and Hester
Barkeley, MERS, $268,800. Gerald and Dawn Squier,
Washington Mutual Bank, $280,000.
Coolbaugh Toiwnship
Aimee Colon and Gabriel Garcia, MERS, $257,349.
George and Sally Mytrowitz, ABN Amro Mortgage,
$250,000. Cordelia Farter, MERS, $289,000. Arcadia
North Associates, Wachovia Bank, $800,000. Arcadia
North Associates, Wachovia Bank, $4,145,327. Claudio Almonte, MERS, $250,200. Sylvia and Zbigniew
Poplawski, MERS, $250,000. Kenneth Bell, Penn
Security Bank & Trust, $350,000.
East Stroudsburg Borough
King Court Investments, Public Savings Bank,
$800,000. College Hill Associates/Alan Westheim/
Michael Spence/David Duron/Samer Alkhuja,
Citizens Bank, $400,000. Roseana Garcia, MERS,
$306,000. Victor Parnell and Kevin Ferraro, MERS,
$318,250. Green Valley Apartments, Capmark Bank,
$7,132,449. Parktowne Townhomes Apartment Association, $4,660,501.
Eldred Township
Kenneth and Linda Starner, Midatlantic Farm Credit,
$710,000. Randy and Danielle Serfass, MERS,
$251,000. Timothy and Karen Bowers, MERS,
$332,000.
Hamilton Township
Luz Larranaga, MERS, $272,000. R. Troy and Mary
Nauman, ESSA Bank & Trust, $1,040,000. Nicholas
Sorreati, Option One Mortgage, $280,000. Carlos
and Rosemarie Hidalgo, MERS, $262,000. Naji and
Dhabah Almontaser, Wells Fargo Bank, $360,000.
Joseph and Marilyn Martuge, Wells Fargo, $300,000.
Nicholas Potochnick, Peoples National Bank,
$250,000. David and Laura Turner, MERS, $280,000.
Richard and Elissa Vetland, ESSA Bank & Trust,
$278,000. Dennis and Betania Jeter, ESSA Bank &
Trust, $280,000. Andre Muntianov, PHH Mortgage
Services, $258,750. John and Meredith Quinn,
MERS, $252,000.
Jackson Township
Steven Bordi, MERS, $259,000. MRZ Family
and Country Manor Adult Community, Graystone
Bank, $900,000. Joseph and Crystal Evans, Wells
Fargo Bank, $250,600. Nche Zama, ESSA Bank
& Trust, $500,000. MSD Land Holdings, Jimmy
Schlier, $825,000. Todd and Corrie Singer, MERS,
$296,800. Anil and Shashi Johari, Saxon Mortgage,
$344,000. Conrado and Sheenly Perez, ESSA Bank
& Trust, $300,000. Robert and Brendan Hoff, MERS,
$280,000. Clementina and Docosta Smith, Chase
Bnak, $261,000.
Paul and Jennifer VAlenti, JP Morgan Chase Bank,
$392,000. Jeffrey Davis, MERS, $350,000. Mauricio
and Gloria Alvarado, MERS, $349,837. Donatus
Anamege, Argent Mortgage, $279,000. Alfred
and Christine Fernandez, MERS, $302,068. Nikki
McGann, Quorom Federal Credit Union, $275,000.
Ariadne and Harley Williams, National City Bank,
$417,000. Hardene Etienne, Carver Federal Savings Bank, $275,000. David Pezzullo and Marsha
Cheese, MERS, $275,500. Robert Peterson, MERS,
$554,932. Jeff and Cathy Mason, ABN AMro
Mortgage, $271,800. Cuthbert and Carol Robinson,
MERS< $387,000. David and Joanna Stoner, MERS,
$307,650. Franz Paul, MERS, $352,000. Isabel
Venegas, Citicorp Trust Bank, $268,516. Route 209
Partnership and William, Abigail, Robert and Emily
Ahnert, Sussex Bank, $1,000,000. William Machale,
MERS, $315,000. Lawrence Biunno and James Hammesfahr, MERS, $397,500. Alan Glynn and Paula
Fitzpatrick, Option One Mortgage, $405,000. Marcel
Pekar, MERS, $417,000.
Paradise Township
Michael O’Shea, MERS, $320,000. Rahnisha Mayes,
MERS, $257,045. Stephen and Sheryl Grundman,
MERS, $316,000.
Pocono Township
Timothy and Karen Nugent, Business Loan Center,
$495,000. Jeffrey and Bonnie Martinell, MERS,
$336,900. Salvatore and Dierdre Furino, MERS,
$292,000. Mitchel Garfinkel, The Dime Bank,
$620,000. Marie Bertrand, MERS, $265,000. Susan
and Alan Luckner, Citibank, $300,000. Nazim Hassam, MERS, $279,900. Thomas and Hulya Hartley,
MERS, $316,000. Jimmy Schlier, PNC Bank NA,
$690,000.
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PBJ REGISTER
Polk Township
Dariusz and Ana Fimiarz, MERS, $330,000. Vincent
and Cynthia Foxworth, MERS, $328,500. William
and Bryan Baumgartner, First National Bank of
Palmerton, $252,494.
Ross Township
William and Tracey Wiersma, MERS, $264,000.
Gregory Depaoli, MERS, $297,000. Eric and June
Roberts, Wells Fargo Bank, $282,600. Daniel and Pamela Buleje, Webster Bnak NA, $289,931. Concezio
and C aterina Giammarco, Keystone Nazareth Bank
& Trust, $273,650.
Smithfield Township
Veronica Wilkinson, Wells Fargo Bank, $343,495.
W. Peter, Abigail, Emily and Robert Ahnert, Lester
Abeloff, $370,000. Mountain Manor Development
Co, Mountain Manor Inn/Mountain Manor/Mountain
Manor Estates/Holjak III Co, $8,678,000. Anthony
Hayes, Wells Fargo Bank, $418,000. The Redco
Group, Communitybanks, $4,300,000. John and
Helene Flath, MERS, $337,500. Jardeen Sargeant,
MERS, $318,250.
Stroud Township
Joseph and Donna Volpe, MERS, $355,400. Barbara
Mayes, MERS, $396,000. Paulino and Patricia
Bautista, ESSA Bank and Trust, $322,800. Robert
and Dawn Mydosh, MERS, $252,000. Anthony and
Theresa Mink, MERS, $312,000. Stroud Commons,
National City Bank, $24,778,349. Paul and Kathleen
Beckett, MERS, $255,000. Danilo and Adela Esteban,
Wells Fargo Bank, $329,500. Jasper and Shital Christie, MERS, $270,000. Herberton Maulaz, MERS,
$353,990. Jerry Parris, Wells Fargo Bank, $298,300.
Jason and Esmerelda Zavala, MERS, $266,000.
Sadie Bostiak, MERS, $250,000. Joshua Delamata,
MERS, $417,000. Jeffrey and Mary Montgomery,
MERS, $287,200. Diana Marin, National City Bank,
$408,400. Sarah and Abdul Idris, MERS, $288,000.
Collin and Sharay West, MERS, $364,000. Norman
Bowden, MERS, $310,500. Ronnie and Rosemarie Lazrovitch, MERS, $284,000. Joanie Comfort,
MERS, $440,000. John and Patricia Dais, MERS,
$555,750. Willie and Rosemarie Mitchell, MERS,
$252,000. Donald and Yvette Haughton, MERS,
$472,000. Antonio and Irene Pasquariello, MERS,
$430,000. Donna Zlocki, PNC Bank NA, $965,416.
Daniel and Antoniette Henning, MERS, $546,400.
Frank Rivera, MERS, $311,400. Christina and James
Woo, MERS, $312,800. Sean and Thomas Guiffre,
MERS, $377,916. Carienne Nevin, MERS, $311,216.
Kimberly Hamilton, Wells Fargo Bank, $319,000.
Stroudsburg Borough
Kevin Frey, MERS, $260,000.
Tobyhanna Township
Thomas and Leslie Sodano, Penn Security Bank,
$759,000. John Chelbus, National City Bank,
$275,600. Marianne and Joseph Pancerella, Wells
Fargo Bank, $320,000. James and Nancy Hill, MERS,
$270,000. Yokasta and Aurelius Irving, Wells Fargo
Bank, $429,562. Frederick and Debra McIlvenny,
Wachovia Bank, $266,575. Mary Kearney, MERS,
$274,500. Michael and Shelley Jarzyna, ABN Amro
Mortgage, $352,000. Brian and Nancy Temples,
MERS, $295,000. Steven and Lori Molin, Wachovia
Bank NA, $250,000. William Washington, MERS,
$273,253. Givi and Irma Lauren, Bank of America,
$271,600. John and Nancy Power, Wells Fargo Bank,
$370,500.
Tunkhannock Township
Cherokee Valley Homes, MERS, $336,000. Mark and
Maria Riley, Beneficial Mortgage, $314,808. Karen
Rostant, National City Bank, $331,450. Civolene
Bernard, Option One mOrtgage, $299,250. Andrew
and Chris Brown, MERS, $273,900.
Pike County
Jeffrey and Arlene Smith, Luzerne Bank, $275,000.
Dagoberto Rodriguez, MERS, $366,400. Roberto
Hernandez, MERS, $369,750. Richard Valente,
Eugene Murray, $300,000. Peter Policastro, MERS,
$250,000. James Klepak, Helen Klepak, $290,000.
John and Claudia Barry, Household Finance Consumer Discount Co, $267,500.
Delaware Township
Philip Bjork, MERS, $267,750. Delaware Township,
Dime Bank, $1,070,000. Anthony and Janice Palma,
Indymac Bank, $335,000.
Dingman Township
Neil Dauria, MERS, $280,500. George Hill,
McGraw-Hill Employees Federal Credit Union,
$360,000. Michael and Heather Simmons, MERS,
$260,800. Walter Kresse, Wachovia Bank, $250,000.
Stephen McKean, MERS, $880,000. Frank Garcia,
MERS, $267,750. Mark and Abrah Bessler, MERS,
$296,000. William Marshall, Gaffken & Barriger
Fund, $360,000. Russell Reed, Walter Financial,
$276,800. John Melchior, MERS, $417,000. Karen
and Jonathan Sibalich, MERS, $348,000. Vilma
Martin, HSBC Mortgage, $274,000. Kevin Grimstead,
Amerisave mortgage, $297,000. William Adagio,
JP Morgan Chase Bank, $258,400. John Actisdano,
MERS, $348,000. Rosendo and Miriam Ferran, Bank
of America, $300,000. James and Gabriella Vellani,
MERS, $385,000. Lawrence Miller, National City
Bank, $500,000. David Termine, HSBC Mortgage,
$264,000.
Cherry Ridge Township
Kevin and Lori Krol, Bank of America, $320,000.
Clinton Township
Jeffery and Judy Beveridge, Wachovia Bank,
$250,000.
Damascus Township
Adam Curtis, MERS, $656,000. Barry McCord,
MERS, $393,000. Sheryl and Patrick McGowan,
MERS, $365,750. Michael and Caryn Decker,
Beneficial Mortgage, $268,418. William Donnelly,
Wachovia Bank, $250,000. Wayne Redmond, Orange
County Trust Co, $500,000.
Hawley Borough
Akorn Properties, Dime Bank, $250,000.
Lake Township
Joellen Bellman, MERS, $325,000. Richard and Roberta Barone, MERS, $260,000. Barbara Burlingame,
ABN Amro Mortgage, $312,000. Robert and Anita
Sibello, Silver Hill Financial, $1,000,000.
Greene Township
John and Alice Gvaey, ABN Amro Mortgage,
$292,800. Tracy Timmons, MERS, $417,000.
Lebanon Township
Joseph and Stacey Cassase, Wells Fargo Bank,
$360,000.
Lackawaxen Township
John McKay, Citibank, $300,000. Frank Kosmolsick, MERS, $318,750. Salvatore and Mary Focella,
Polonia Bank, $300,000. Jeffrey Sammak, MERS,
$308,000. Mark and Tina Hughes, Countrywide
Bank, $268,000. Woodloch Pines Inc, M&T Trust
Co, $800,000. Nicholas and Barbara Dandrea, Dime
Bank, $400,000. Christian Girts, First Republic Bank,
$250,000.
Lehigh Township
John and Cristine Schroeder, MERS, $456,000.
Lehman Township
Jordan Love, MERS, $268,000. Patrick Oliver,
National City Mortgage, $364,000. Tanya Durant,
MERS, $291,724. Asha and Judy Laloo, GMAC
Mortgage, $313,215. Walter and Tesha McDonald, MERS, $261,000. Meadow Run Builders Inc,
Community Bank & Trust, $500,000. Meadow Run
Builders Inc, Community Bank & Trust, $500,000.
Meadow Run Builders Inc, Community Bank & Trust,
$500,000. Michael Wright, National City Mortgage,
$304,000.
Matamoras Borough
Adam and Melissa Frye, MERS, $285,300.
Milford Borough
Thomas Mitchell, Wayne Bank, $282,100. No 109
Broad Street LLC, Wayne Bank, $261,000.
Milford Township
Michael and Mary Jo Murray, Wachovia Bank,
$250,000. Walter and Linda Kresse, MERS, $540,000.
Palmyra Township
Alfred Ramirez, MERS, $253,000. Nemanie Lot 2
LLC, Harleysville National Bank & Trust, $787,500.
Danny Bakker, Countrywide Home Loans, $271,800.
Mark Fenkner, Dime Bank, $256,000. Douglas and
Jane Kline, Wachovia Bank, $250,000. Robert and
Anne Brehm, PHH Mortgage, $253,200. Sandra
Costanzo, Wells Fargo Bank, $296,000. Matthew
Hartigan, ABN Amro Mortgage, $375,000. Joseph
Rapine III, Bryn Mawr Trust Co, $323,000. Paul and
Linda Kiss, MERS, $308,000.
Porter Township
Alfred Crawford, GMAC Mortgage, $345,800.
Shohola Township
Andrzej Krzystanek, Washington Mutual, $400,000.
Philip and Estelle Polizotto, H&R Block Mortgage
Corp, $297,500. David Spelman, MERS, $320,000.
Caesar Valle, MERS, $292,500. David Weiner,
MERS, $252,044.
Westfall Township
No 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue LLC, Neptune Issue
Inc, $350,000. Justina Krasinski, Countrywide Home
Loans, $300,000. George Billeci, MERS, $697,500.
Wayne County
Berlin Township
Erica Brown, Dime Bank, $512,000.
Coming Next Month ... April 2007
Mount Pleasant Township
Thomas Alessi, Honesdale National Bank, $550,000.
Palmyra Township
Ivetta Atayan, Chase Bank, $292,600. William and
Elsa Accisano, Financial Freedom Senior Funding,
$300,240. William and Elsa Accisano, Housing and
Urban development, $300,240. Vito and Barbara
Manzione, Chase Bank, $310,800.
Paupack Township
Kevin Ochis, Bryn Mawr Trust Co, $400,000. Vernon
Perry, MERS, $383,000. Kristian Nistad, ABN Amro
Mortgage, $297,000. Ramon and Gina Hernandez,
MERS, $394,097. Robert Aronson, MERS, $327,750.
John and Barbara Leber, Commerce Bank, $480,000.
Robert and Anita Sibello, Silver Hill Financial,
$1,000,000. Raymond and Paula Aris, MERS,
$268,500.
Salem Township
Walter Burke, First Mariner Bank, $365,750. David
and Susan Jones, MERS, $351,600. Patricia Arrigan,
Merrill Lynch Credit Corp, $470,000.
South Canaan Township
Bruce and Karen Warninger, MERS, $1,260,000.
Starrucca Borough
Jack and Kathryn Downton, Dime Bank, $379,200.
Jack and Kathryn Downton, Dime Bank, $379,200.
Sterling Township
Aaron and Catherine Henneforth, Honesdale national
Bank, $552,000.
Texas Township
Ira Weinstein, Bank of America, $300,000. Francis
and Heather Bannan, Wayne Bank, $325,000.
Waymart Borough
Alfred Senofonte, Fidelity Deposit & Discount Bank,
$475,000.
Jeffrey and Arlene Smith, Luzerne Bank, $275,000.
Dagoberto Rodriguez, MERS, $366,400. Roberto
Hernandez, MERS, $369,750. Richard Valente,
Eugene Murray, $300,000. Peter Policastro, MERS,
$250,000. James Klepak, Helen Klepak, $290,000.
John and Claudia Barry, Household Finance Consumer Discount Co, $267,500.
Delaware Township
Philip Bjork, MERS, $267,750. Delaware Township,
Dime Bank, $1,070,000. Anthony and Janice Palma,
Indymac Bank, $335,000.
Dingman Township
Neil Dauria, MERS, $280,500. George Hill,
McGraw-Hill Employees Federal Credit Union,
$360,000. Michael and Heather Simmons, MERS,
$260,800. Walter Kresse, Wachovia Bank, $250,000.
Stephen McKean, MERS, $880,000. Frank Garcia,
MERS, $267,750. Mark and Abrah Bessler, MERS,
$296,000. William Marshall, Gaffken & Barriger
Fund, $360,000. Russell Reed, Walter Financial,
$276,800. John Melchior, MERS, $417,000. Karen
and Jonathan Sibalich, MERS, $348,000. Vilma
Martin, HSBC Mortgage, $274,000. Kevin Grimstead,
Amerisave mortgage, $297,000. William Adagio,
JP Morgan Chase Bank, $258,400. John Actisdano,
MERS, $348,000. Rosendo and Miriam Ferran, Bank
of America, $300,000. James and Gabriella Vellani,
MERS, $385,000. Lawrence Miller, National City
Bank, $500,000. David Termine, HSBC Mortgage,
$264,000.
Greene Township
John and Alice Gvaey, ABN Amro Mortgage,
$292,800. Tracy Timmons, MERS, $417,000.
Lackawaxen Township
John McKay, Citibank, $300,000. Frank Kosmolsick, MERS, $318,750. Salvatore and Mary Focella,
Polonia Bank, $300,000. Jeffrey Sammak, MERS,
$308,000. Mark and Tina Hughes, Countrywide
Bank, $268,000. Woodloch Pines Inc, M&T Trust
Co, $800,000. Nicholas and Barbara Dandrea, Dime
Bank, $400,000. Christian Girts, First Republic Bank,
$250,000.
Lehman Township
Jordan Love, MERS, $268,000. Patrick Oliver,
National City Mortgage, $364,000. Tanya Durant,
MERS, $291,724. Asha and Judy Laloo, GMAC
Mortgage, $313,215. Walter and Tesha McDonald, MERS, $261,000. Meadow Run Builders Inc,
Community Bank & Trust, $500,000. Meadow Run
Builders Inc, Community Bank & Trust, $500,000.
Meadow Run Builders Inc, Community Bank & Trust,
$500,000. Michael Wright, National City Mortgage,
$304,000.
Matamoras Borough
Adam and Melissa Frye, MERS, $285,300.
Milford Borough
Thomas Mitchell, Wayne Bank, $282,100. No 109
Broad Street LLC, Wayne Bank, $261,000.
Milford Township
Michael and Mary Jo Murray, Wachovia Bank,
$250,000. Walter and Linda Kresse, MERS, $540,000.
Palmyra Township
Alfred Ramirez, MERS, $253,000. Nemanie Lot 2
LLC, Harleysville National Bank & Trust, $787,500.
Danny Bakker, Countrywide Home Loans, $271,800.
Mark Fenkner, Dime Bank, $256,000. Douglas and
Jane Kline, Wachovia Bank, $250,000. Robert and
Anne Brehm, PHH Mortgage, $253,200. Sandra
Costanzo, Wells Fargo Bank, $296,000. Matthew
Hartigan, ABN Amro Mortgage, $375,000. Joseph
Rapine III, Bryn Mawr Trust Co, $323,000. Paul and
Linda Kiss, MERS, $308,000.
Porter Township
Alfred Crawford, GMAC Mortgage, $345,800.
Shohola Township
Andrzej Krzystanek, Washington Mutual, $400,000.
Philip and Estelle Polizotto, H&R Block Mortgage
Corp, $297,500. David Spelman, MERS, $320,000.
Caesar Valle, MERS, $292,500. David Weiner,
MERS, $252,044.
Westfall Township
No 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue LLC, Neptune Issue
Inc, $350,000. Justina Krasinski, Countrywide Home
Loans, $300,000. George Billeci, MERS, $697,500.
MERS = Mortgage Electronic Registration
Systems
Disclaimer: Deeds and mortgages recorded as
accurately as possible adhering to the cover dates
in the County Recorders office.
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