April 2009 - poconobusinessjournal.com

Transcription

April 2009 - poconobusinessjournal.com
Pocono Business Journal
Seven Bridge Road, RR# 5 Box 5198
East Stroudsburg, PA 18301
www.pbjonline.com
POCONO
Regional Business News & Resources
THIS MONTH
• PBJ Second Annual Green List...................p. 1
• Public Service With A Side Of Green.........p. 6
• Why Does Permitting Take So Long?.......p. 14
• Eco-Tourism in the Poconos....................p. 16
• New Exec Director For Pike
Chamber Sees Growth...........................p. 21
• Energy Savings Comes In A Gray
Steel Cabinet.........................................p. 22
• Kudos To The Locovore!..........................p. 25
• Merger Brings Wilkins/Coldwell
Banker Full Circle...................................p. 15
• PBJ Columnists
CareerLink................................................p. 13
Guest Columnist: EMAP.........................p. 10
Guest Columnist: Forensic Accounting....p. 5
Guest Columnist: GreenBuild EXPO.......p. 18
HR Toolbox.............................................p. 11
Leadership Tips......................................p. 15
Marketing Momentum...........................p. 14
Sustainable is Attainable.......................p. 12
Tax Facts................................................p. 10
QUOTE
“Definitions of green jobs vary remarkably. If we can’t identify green
jobs clearly, how will we track the
success of efforts to create them?”
April 2009, Vol. 5, Issue 4
Energy Consumption/Food Supply
Winners Announced!
PBJ’s Second Annual Green List
By John Shortino and Tim Sohn
Pocono Business Journal has identified the “Top 10” green
businesses in Carbon, Monroe, Pike and Wayne Counties that
demonstrate ‘savvy environmentalism’ in the workplace and in
their community. Each year we receive nominations from all
types of for-profit businesses in each of the four counties, and the
challenge is to select only ten of them. Out of multiple nominees,
we highlight this year’s winners with mini-profiles (see inside),
listed below in alphabetical order:
• Beach Lake Transfer Station, Beach Lake
• Clemleddy Construction, Hawley
• Eastern Propane, Hawley
• The French Manor, South Sterling
• Heron’s Eye Communications, Greeley
• Josie Porter Farm, Stroudsburg
• LTS Builders, East Stroudsburg
• RGB Custom Homes, East Stroudsburg
• Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort, Shawnee-on-Delaware
• Weiler Corporation, Cresco
Honorable Mention
Honorable mention goes to: Better
Homes and Gardens Real Estate/Wilkins
and Associates (Stroudsburg); Close the
Loop (Kunkletown); The Gilded Cupid (Jim
Thorpe); Riley and Company, Inc. (Mt.
Pocono); Settlers Inn (Hawley); Strunk-Albert
Engineering (East Stroudsburg); Lattimore
Construction (Milford); and Woodloch Resort
(Hawley).
Rose Baker and David Passmore,
Penn State Workforce Education &
Development Initiative
Full story on Page 7
OBSERVE
ancer Control Month
C
National Home Improvement Month
7
12 15
19
19
22 24
World Health Day
Easter Sunday
Income Taxes Due
Start of Passover (sundown)
Start of Administrative
Professionals’ Week
Earth Day
Arbor Day
Beach Lake Transfer Station
Clemleddy Construction
Eastern Propane
The French Manor
Heron’s Eye Communications
Josie Porter Farm
LTS Builders
RGB Custom Homes
Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort
Weiler Corporation
QUESTION
How many women in Monroe
County over 16 years of age are
employed?
See GPCC Business Magazine ad
for the answer on page 12.
www.pbjonline.com
see GREEN page 8
Professional Profile - Ecotourism in the Poconos page 16
2
Pocono Business Journal | April 2009
www.pbjonline.com
POCONO
Regional Business News & Resources
Twin Willow Publishing Company
Pocono Business Journal
Seven Bridge Road
RR#5 Box 5198
East Stroudsburg, PA 18301-9209
570.421.0100 | fax 570.421.0404
www.pbjonline.com
PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Marynell Strunk
EDITOR
Debbie Burke
REPORTERS
Susan Jorstad
Andrea Reiter
Sharon Rothman
Nicholas Sergi
John Shortino
Tim Sohn
Angela Tullo
CONTRIBUTORS
Lisa Alexander
Rose Baker
Amy Berridge
Holly Corcoran
Heidi Blade Hewlett
Scott E. Hutchinson
John Casella
Scott Elliott
Sylvia Lafair
Chris Lynch
Victoria Mavis
Scott Miller
Robert Muller
David Passmore
Frank Pinto
COPY EDITOR
Susan Jorstad
EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS
Danielle Eberhardt
Chelsea McMahon
CARTOONIST
Tanya Kerkslag
CIRCULATION
[email protected]
PRODUCTION/DESIGN
Jason Trump
SALES
[email protected]
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
Monthly Missive
Make Haste With Green
Solutions
There is not much more that
can be said about our growing environmental consciousness that has not already been
touched on in this issue. The
April – Green List – edition is one of Pocono Business Journal’s more popular editions. We could have
doubled the size of this issue and still not had enough
room to cover all the new programs, incentives, innovations and burgeoning ideas that center around
‘being green.’ It is a true testament to the high level
of interest in the business community to find enterprising solutions and, of course, make a buck or two
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLES
Dawn Ferrante, The Face Of Ec Dev In Carbon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 19
Eco-Tourism in the Poconos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 16
Energy Savings Comes In A Gray Steel Cabinet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 22
Gaming Revenues Go To Local Projects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 11
Greeley Summer Camp Gets Praise From EPA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 3
Kudos To The Locovore!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 25
Merger Brings Wilkins/Coldwell Banker Full Circle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 15
New Exec Director For Pike Chamber Sees Growth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 21
Not Quite Retired In The Poconos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 19
PA Shows Its Interest In 2010 Biodiesel Mandate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 3
Pace Yourself, You Need Earth’s Resources To Do Business. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 17
PBJ Second Annual Green List. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 1
Public Service With A Side Of Green . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 6
Recovery Act Divvies Up $343MM For PA Transit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 3
Region’s Economic Development Director Talks “Recovery Act” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 14
Stimulus: Small Business. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 22
Why Does Permitting Take So Long?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 14
DEPARTMENTS
Book Review: “The Three Marriages”. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 13
Business Briefs – Who’s Who/What’s What . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 23
Business Cartoon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 4
Calendar of Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 26
HR Tidbit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 11
Legislative Roundup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 20
Letter to the Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 4
Reader’s Resource . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 4
Workplace Wellness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 10
Columnists
CareerLink. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 13
Guest Columnist: EMAP. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 10
Guest Columnist: Forensic Accounting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 5
Guest Columnist: GreenBuild EXPO. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 18
HR Toolbox. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 11
Leadership Tips. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 15
Marketing Momentum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 14
Sustainable Is Attainable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 12
Tax Facts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 10
Focus List – Environmental Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 25
Op Ed – Joint Commission On Conservation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 4
PA Assn. Community Bankers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 18
Penn State Workforce Education And Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 7
Register – Bankruptcies, Deeds, Mortgage Transactions and New Corporations/Fictitious Names. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 28
Advertisers Index
Associated Libraries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Astraia Security Alliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
BC/BS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Carbon County Chamber of Commerce Expo . . . 25
Clemleddy Construction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
ESSA Bank & Trust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Express Employment Professionals. . . . . . . . . . . 26
First National Bank of Palmerton. . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
HRG Engineering. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Greater Pocono Chamber of
Commerce Business Expo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Greater Pocono Chamber of Commerce
Business Magazine. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Holly Corcoran, CPA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Keegan Tees, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Liberty Homes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Maid to Order. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Monroe County Career Link. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Penn’s Peak Radio. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Pinnacle Financial & Mortgage Solutions . . . . . . 21
Pocono Arts Council. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Pocono Medical Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Reilly Associates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Schaedler Yesco . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Sherman Theater. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Strunk-Albert Engineering. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
TN Printing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
University of Scranton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
in this new green collar industry.
Sounds like a recipe for prosperity: growing need
makes way for new industry in need of good ideas. The
only thing missing from this equation for success is
profit. Innovative, energy-saving solutions are still being
outrun by their lower cost, lower-efficiency predecessors and the pervasive mentality that cheaper is better.
Despite the infatuation with being green, in most cases,
cost is the bottom line.
Solutions for the long term are not solved quickly.
Regardless of all the hyperbole, as a society, we have not
quite overcome this beast. Even the minutest of green
gestures have not quite caught on in the mainstream. The
simple motto ‘reduce, reuse and recycle’ in some circles
is considered chic -- but only when it’s convenient. It’s
not exactly convenient when it comes at a price three or
five times the cost.
How to conquer this social and economic dilemma
with an affordable solution is at the crux of this concern.
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Seven Bridge Road
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Thank you for choosing
Pocono Business Journal
History shows that solutions to big problems happen
either too late with extreme and desperate measures,
or over a period of time with the dedication of legislators, idea-generators, entrepreneurs and citizens.
Based on all the efforts and ideas in the Pocono
region reflected in this issue, we are well on our
way to finding solutions. Let’s not wait until the last
resort of extreme measures.
Marynell K. Strunk
Publisher/Editor
Contact me at [email protected]
3
Pocono Business Journal | April 2009
NEWS
PA Shows Its Interest In 2010 Biodiesel Mandate
By Nicholas Sergi
With the passage of recent legislation, diesel fuel
companies in Pennsylvania will have no alternative
but to begin to incorporate an alternative fuel into their
manufacturing processes.
According to Douglas Wendt, a spokesperson for
the Pennsylvania Biodiesel Producers Group (Shiremanstown, Cumberland County), Governor Edward
Rendell, in conjunction with members of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection,
announced a new initiative in January to use biodiesel
fuels. The mandate states that all diesel fuel pumped in
Pennsylvania will have to contain 2% biodiesel fuel as
of January 2010.
Wendt added that the move by the Governor to
institute such a mandate is the cornerstone of his Energy Independence Strategy. “I am proud that Penn-
sylvania’s biodiesel producers are demonstrating how
America can make that happen,” said Ben Wootton,
president of Keystone BioFuels Inc., and founder of
the Pennsylvania Biodiesel Producers Group. “We’re
showing the nation that when it comes to our energy
future, Pennsylvania is indeed the Keystone State.”
According to Wendt, biodiesel fuel is a renewable and environmentally-friendly form of energy that
is derived from soybeans, yellow grease, and other
organic sources. He noted that using biodiesel in lieu of
petroleum would not only be cheaper, but cleaner, as it
would cause less air pollution. .
To create this new form of renewable energy, David
Williams, a council member of National Association of
Farm Broadcasters and member of Wayne/ Pike County
Farm Bureau, said that regular diesel fuel is often combined with soybean oil, resulting in a final product that
is not only cleaner, but also acts as a better lubrication
Greeley Summer Camp Gets Praise From EPA
By Sharon Rothman
Photo courtesy of Pine Forest Camps
Camp, for some, may evoke memories of lazy summer days and a time of youthful innocence, but behind
the scenes it is still all business. At Pine Forest Camps
in Greeley owner and grandson of the camp’s founder,
Mickey Black, explained, “Pine Forest Camps were
started by my grandparents 79 years ago, making our
camp organization one of the oldest under continuous
ownership in America.”
Pine Forest is a combination of three camps, which
have undergone some improvements for profitability,
while making less of an imprint on the environment. The
camps originally used $60,000 of electricity in 2006 and
$150,000 in propane in one year alone. About 30,000
gallons of water is used daily and cans of prepared
foods and cardboard containers used to be just tossed
out. To get advice on where to start, Black contacted the
Environmental Management Assistance Program of the
Pennsylvania. EMAP is a no-cost, confidential service
assisting small businesses with environmental compliance and improvements (see their energy tip column in
this issue).
Black continued, “These green initiatives were new
for us. We really were inspired to make these changes
by our own clientele. Today’s young people, campers,
their families and the counselors, care about the environment in a way that propelled us forward. It really
matters to them and so it mattered to us. By taking these
very simple steps (really things that any business of any
size can do) we not only saved energy but set a good
example.” The benefits, he asserts, were not only about
dollars, but about the goodwill, loyalty and enthusiasm
that it generated.
The initial changes to the camps were to use energysaving metal halide bulbs for outdoor lighting; replacing
incandescent bulbs with ENERGY STAR® compact
fluorescent lamps throughout the properties; and changing the pool covers with an energy efficient blanket
Mickey Black, Pine
Forest Camps owner
pool cover to retain heat. With these minor changes,
the camp has saved nearly $13,000 in annual energy
costs. Black says this electricity and propane savings
represents a reduction in annual greenhouse gas emissions (CO2) of over 50 tons, the equivalent of the CO2
emissions from the electricity use of six homes.
All their hard work paid off when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency had selected the Camp to
receive the 2008 Energy Star Award for Small Business for making energy efficiency improvements that
help make our nation’s air cleaner. “Pine Forest Camp
is demonstrating the environmental and financial
rewards of going green. We hope that small businesses across the country will realize that getting the
most from their energy dollars just makes sense,” said
Donald S. Welsh, mid-Atlantic regional administrator
at the DEP.
Black added, “We just received a grant to continue our green efforts. We are adding energy efficient
outdoor decorative lighting, and plan to continue
improvements by adding green roofs and solar panels.
We hope that our story may inspire other business to
be more energy efficient.”
agent compared with traditional fossil fuels. Williams
said that using it comes with an additional “fringe”
benefit: “One of the bi-products of biodiesel fuels is
glycerin, and that can be turned into ethanol, which
can be used in gasoline.” And using ethanol in gasoline
would lessen the nation’s dependence on foreign oils.
“In the U.S., if we went to 10% ethanol (in gasoline) it
would be equal to all the oil that we import from Saudi
Arabia.”
Williams believes that the Pocono region will
benefit greatly from this new mandate. “I expect (use
of biodiesel fuel) to happen quickly,” he said. “There is
a push to change gears.” For more information, visit http://pabpg.memberlodge.
org.
Add Green To The BIZZYS
Stroudsburg, PA – The 4th Annual Bizzy
Awards competition of the Greater Pocono
Chamber of Commerce is adding a new category
this year: Best Green Marketing Campaign, given
for excellence in a single marketing campaign
strategy revolving around energy efficiency or
promoting green products. The new category is
one of 12 that entrants can now choose from.
Also new is that the Chamber will take entry fees
by credit card as well as by check.
The Bizzy Awards is an academy awardsstyle contest pitting business against business. It
is a fundraising event with proceeds going to a
scholarship for Monroe County Students attending East Stroudsburg University’s College of
Business & Management. Entry forms are now
available and the deadline to enter is May 28th.
The chamber membership will receive a ballot
to vote on all entries in July. Five nominees will
be chosen for each category and announced in
August. Winners will be announced at a special
TELEVISED red-carpet black-tie awards banquet
to be held September 24th, 2009. Each winning
business will receive a specially-designed crystal
Bizzy Award. To get an entry form, go to www.
BizzyAwards.com or contact the Greater Pocono Chamber of Commerce at (570) 421-4433.
Shown below is the logo announcing PBJ’s 2008
win for Best New Business.
Recovery Act Divvies Up
$343MM For PA Transit
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act gives
$343,703,209 to mass transit projects for PA, including $80,303,844 for rail modernization projects,
$233,190,181 for transit capital and operating assistance in urbanized areas and $30,209,184 for public
transportation in areas of less than 50,000 in population. According to the PA Dept of Transportation, Rural
transit agencies are in line for $30.2 million and the rail
modernization program goes for existing rail systems.
(Source: US Sen. Bob Casey Press Office, PA Dept. of
Transportation.)
Don’t Be Without Your “Taste”
Now As Business News Happens!
In order to bring you even more business news, the staff at Pocono Business Journal has
increased the frequency of “Taste of PBJ: Business News Update.” This e-newsletter is now
available as business news occurs each month. If you don’t already receive your “Taste” of
more business news, please send your email address to [email protected].
4
Pocono Business Journal | April 2009
OP ED
Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution
Control and Conservation Committee
Rep. Scott E. Hutchinson
A state as large and naturally diverse as
Pennsylvania offers many different attractions to
visitors and residents. But, there is one constant
which should never be forgotten. We must maintain and improve Pennsylvania’s attractiveness or
we are asking for trouble.
I chair the Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee, which
has worked on issues - recycling, illegal dumping,
mandatory trash collection and roadside aesthetics - which speak to that constant. We have seen
illegal dumping’s damaging effects and know that
by recycling more, we can reduce the amount of
trash dumped illegally. The committee is examining whether mandatory trash collection is part of
the answer, and if we should re-examine Act 101
- the Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and
Waste Reduction Act.
Skeptics say that trees, bushes and landscaping might be pretty, but question if the issue is
deserving of greater state attention. The evidence
justifies investment on several levels. Pennsylvania, organizations like Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, and citizens already invest resources and sweat
equity in projects like the Great Pennsylvania
Cleanup and Adopt-A-Highway, and in anti-litter
education and enforcement. The Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau (PMVB) and the Delaware
River Bridge Commission fund a “Sponsor A
Highway” program to do cleanups along Interstate
80, and PMVB provides community grants for
plantings in public places, recognizing the aesthetic and economic benefits of dedicating resources to
beautification.
Tourism is Pennsylvania’s second largest
industry, and appearance plays a big role. Why
would people spend their hard-earned money to
visit a state whose first impression is of littered,
filthy highways and parks? According to the Pennsylvania Department of
Community and Economic Development, in 2007
about 107 million leisure visitors traveled to or
within Pennsylvania. Leisure and business travel
spending here is almost $27 billion, and Pennsylvania is the nation’s fourth most visited state.
Tourism supports more than 609,000 Pennsylvania
jobs with an $18 billion payroll, and generates $2.7
billion in tax revenue.
In a time of tight budgets and a tough economy,
we need to be creative in continuing seemingly
small but important acts like picking up after
ourselves, reducing and reusing waste and beautifying roadsides. As Fredrick Olmstead, landscape
architect and designer of Central Park stated, “It is
a scientific fact that the occasional contemplation
of natural scenes of an impressive character…is
favorable to the health and vigor of men….”
Olmstead’s conclusion was borne out by
answers to the committee’s questions in the 2006
Mansfield University Statewide Survey. Ninety
percent of 1,100 respondents said they notice
highway litter and it bothers them. Three-quarters
also notice landscaping, and a majority said better
roadside aesthetics would improve business and
tourism. Meanwhile, studies by Ohio State and
Texas A&M universities found nature-dominated
roadsides improve highway safety by reducing
driver stress and fatigue.
The point is that how Pennsylvania presents itself is important on a multitude of levels. It needs
to be considered in highway construction and improvement projects, in economic development and
job creation strategy, in tourism campaigns, and in
PBJ Sponsors Carbon EXPO
Pocono Business Journal will again sponsor the Carbon County Chamber of Commerce Expo on April 15 and
16, from 3:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Penn’s Peak in Jim Thorpe. Come meet our publisher and editor, and find
out how we can better serve the business community in the Pocono region. For more information call (610)
379-5000.
Business Humor by Stoosh
highway safety efforts.
Rep. Scott E. Hutchinson was first elected to
represent the 64th Legislative District in 1992
and is now serving his ninth term in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Hutchinson is
Republican chairman of the House Environmental
Resources and Energy Committee, and also chairs
the bipartisan House/Senate Joint Legislative Air
and Water Pollution Control and Conservation
Committee.
NOTE TO READERS: Opinions expressed in any
commentary published in PBJ are not necessarily a
reflection of the opinions of PBJ. Likewise, PBJ will
not be held responsible for any suggestion or advice
published by PBJ and PBJ assumes no liability
for actions that result based on such material. The
publisher and staff welcome your opinions on issues.
Write to PBJ at the address listed on the inside front
cover or e-mail [email protected].
|
PBJ READER’S RESOURCE
www.fmi.org
Letter To The Editor
Thanks for the interview on the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Group and our view on Pocono infrastructure
issues. I enjoyed reading the last issue of Pocono Business
Journal focused on Infrastructure. Kudos for covering the
same! Infrastructure remains critical for the region and
State.
It was encouraging to see the Monroe County townships are FINALLY working together to get the Route 611
wastewater systems built. I can only image the opportunity costs of the 5 year delay. besides the readily apparent
decision of Sanofi to move corporate offices to the Lehigh
Valley (Editor’s Note: See “What’s What” in this issue for
sanofi’s most current statement on this item). The Sanofi
announcement should act as a big a WARNING to the
Poconos.
More than ever there is a pronounced need for good,
family-sustaining jobs and Pocono streams protected by
improved wastewater systems. Sanofi goes out of their way
to be good corporate citizens, they have great jobs and good
people that work in those jobs. The Route 611 corridor and
very-soon the Route 209 corridors should have the BEST
wastewater systems to support existing and future growth.
The best: State College, PA has drinking water coming out of their sewage plant. To protect the Poconos, the
County should be moving in the same direction.
Kelly Lewis
President/CEO
Technology Council of Central PA
The food distribution industry has its own
advocacy body, the Food Marketing Industry,
that provides information on topics as diverse as
sustainability resources; a retail food price index;
animal welfare; updates on food recalls (such
as the recent one on peanut butter products);
and data like the media annual salary for drivers
of wholesale food businesses. Industry conferences, Web casts, books and links are presented
side-by-side with regulatory affairs and info on
supermarket operations.
Debbie Burke
5
Pocono Business Journal | April 2009
COLUMN
How Prevalent Is Fraud?
Guest Columnist
Scott Miller
In 2003, global tax and auditing firm KPMG released
its US Fraud Survey of 450 executives in medium and
large businesses and in state and federal government. 75%
of the companies surveyed reported that they experienced
an instance of fraud. This survey revealed that employee
fraud was most prevalent while financial reporting fraud
and insurance fraud were the most costly. In September
of 2006 the National Retail Security Survey estimated
that 47% of retail losses were due to employee theft of
inventory. The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners estimates that fraud costs an organization about 5% of
gross revenues and that the median loss per organization is
highest in organizations with fewer than 100 employees.
Locally, in Monroe County, larcenies and thefts rose 38%
in 2007 to 705 reported incidents.
While your business may not be one of these statistics, they should convince you that you need to take steps
to protect yourself from fraud.
There are many different types of fraud that employees perpetrate against their employers, including: check
tampering, skimming of cash receipts, fraudulent expense
reimbursement, corruption, cash larceny, padding payroll,
theft of non-cash items, stealing inventory, unauthorized
use of company assets, theft of equipment and supplies.
You can also be victimized by your customers, in credit
card schemes and shoplifting; or by your vendors through
overbilling for purchases or billing for non-existent services. You can also be the victim of collusion between your
vendors and employees in bribery and kickback schemes.
As a business owner, you take risks every day. You
took a risk when you decided to open your own business.
Fraud prevention programs cost money and time to implement and you have to evaluate whether the program is
worth the cost in relationship to the risk of loss. Once you
understand how fraud takes place can you begin to make
an informed determination of the true cost of fraud to your
organization.
While most employees are honest and would not steal
from their employer, they are human and some will give
in to temptation if provided the opportunity. Generally
if an employee is going to steal from you, s/he needs the
motivation and the ability to rationalize the theft before
this develops into the intent to steal from you. The motivation may be that the individual needs money to pay bills,
pay for drugs or other addictions, or to live beyond his/her
needs. There are also many ways in which the fraudster
will attempt to rationalize or depersonalize the act. They
include: It’s not criminal; It’s explainable if discovered; I
was only borrowing; I did it because…; I needed it to provide for my family; Everyone does it; I did it to get even;
They treat me unfairly; I deserve it. These are personal
characteristics of the employee, beyond the control of the
employer. That means if you are to do anything to prevent
your employees from stealing from you, you must remove
the opportunity.
Most often employees only start out intending to steal
only one time. However, once an employee starts stealing,
and gets away with it, s/he becomes addicted to the extra
income. As stealing becomes the norm, the losses tend to
get larger, more frequent, or both.
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Typically, fraud is not committed by a career criminal. In fact, when fraud occurs in a small business, it is
most often perpetrated by a long-time and trusted employee. Most employers are shocked when they discover fraud
and particularly by who committed it. Often, it is the trust
that you have in that person which provides the opportunity to steal from you.
Scott Miller, CPA, CFE, CVA, CFF, is with Riley and Company, Inc. in Stroudsburg.
• LUXURY
CUSTOM HOMES
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HOME CONVERSIONS
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570-226-2899
SERVING:
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6
Pocono Business Journal | April 2009
NEWS
Public Service With A Side Of Green
By John Shortino
Although many Pocono businesses would like
to go green, it is an unfortunate reality that the high
costs of converting to more environmentally friendly
practices make the transition difficult. The problem
is the often steep costs at the outset, making it impossible for a business to recoup their investment without a subsidy or incentive program. To make things
a bit easier, many of our area legislators support programs that reward green businesses by making state
funds available to utilize alternative energy sources
and minimize pollution. In addition, many
of these lawmakers support programs to
start new businesses in green fields, including the creation and manufacture of the
technology that will create energy solar,
wind, and geothermal systems.
The most important step taken by
lawmakers to make going green economically feasible for Pennsylvania businesses
occurred in July 2008, when Special Session Acts 1 and 2 were enacted by the state
Legislature and signed by Governor Edward Rendell. These pieces of legislation,
known as the “Alternative Energy Investment Act” and the “Alternative Fuels Incentive Act,” make $650 million available
to residents and businesses to develop and
sustain environmentally conscious practices, and support Pennsylvania businesses
in emerging green sectors (some of how
this money is divided up follows below; the
remainder of the money is for individuals
in low-income brackets, homeowners, and
others not denoted here). Many of our representatives, including Rep. Mario Scavello
(R, 176) and Rep. John Siptroth (D, 189),
were instrumental in introducing and passing these bills in the House of Representatives, and Senators Baker (R, 20), Boscola
(D, 18), Musto (D, 14), and Mellow (D, 22)
all voted to pass these pieces of legislation.
Through these acts, the state government
hopes to ensure that Pennsylvania will
directly benefit from the growing fields of
green energy and technology, creating jobs
for residents and reducing our dependence
on fossil fuels.
These bills provide, in part, $165 million to businesses and residents to spur the
development of alternative energy sources,
excluding solar. This will effectively help
to recoup up to 35% of the costs of converting to a greener business model. With this
money, businesses can begin to think of
going green as an economic benefit, rather
than a waste of money. The bills also give
$25 million to wind and geothermal energy
development, which will grant businesses
and residents greater access to these renewable sources. Solar energy, which in the
past has been economically unrealistic to
install due to the cost of parts such as solar
panels, has $100 million set aside for its
growth. For residents and businesses that
wish to convert to solar power, this is an
important step forward, as Pennsylvania
will now be one of the growing number of
states providing financial rewards to those
who wish to transition to solar power.
Additionally, the bills provide funding
for new businesses, with $80 million being
used to help grow businesses in the solar
fields, meaning those which manufacture
parts for solar panels or generators. This
could mean that startups will have opportunities to emerge in the Poconos, creating
manufacturing jobs and building a “green
economy.” There is another $40 million
that the bill provides to the Ben Franklin Technology Partners (Bethlehem) for its business incubator
programs, which help businesses by giving them the
support they need to develop working prototypes.
Monroe County is already home to one of these
facilities, the East Stroudsburg University Business
Accelerator, and this section of the bill is directly
benefitting Monroe County by adding another Business Incubator at the intersection of Brown Street and
Route 447 in East Stroudsburg. This new facility will
assist new business and help them grow in our area,
Why
which means more jobs and more opportunities in the
Poconos.
The coming-of-age of green business on a national scale can fuel the growth of the middle class
in the coming years, with Vice President Joe Biden’s
“Middle Class Task Force” that has $150 million
(part of the $650 million total as above) set aside
to continue green programs over the next ten years.
The Task Force had its first meeting in February, in
Philadelphia. For more information, visit www.whitehouse.gov/strongmiddleclass.
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7
Pocono Business Journal | April 2009
COLUMN
What Is A Green Job, Really?
Penn State
Workforce Education & Development
Rose Baker and David Passmore
Just what is a green job anyway? Nobody really
knows. Yet, the Obama administration hopes to create
a lot of them.
The designers of the Obama administration’s
economic stimulus package are banking on recapturing our leadership and innovation, stabilizing our
economy, and making up for lost manufacturing jobs
through evolution of an alternative energy economy.
The package aims to create or save 3.5 million
jobs over the next two years, many of them green
jobs. To create these green jobs, the economic stimulus will double renewable energy capacity and leverage $100 billion in private investment in renewables
through financing and tax credits.
Definitions of green jobs vary remarkably. If we
can’t identify green jobs clearly, how will we track
the success of efforts to create them?
The Apollo Alliance, a coalition of industry,
labor, and environmental groups, described a green
collar job as one that pays “decent wages and benefits
that can support a family. It has to be part of a real
career path, with upward mobility. And it needs to
reduce waste and pollution and benefit the environment.”
Carl Pope, executive director of the Sierra Club,
said, “A green job has to do something useful for
people, and it has to be helpful to, or at least not dam-
aging to, the environment” (Greenhouse, 2008).
A recent book, The Green Collar Economy: How
One Solution Can Fix Our Two Biggest Problems,
defined green collar jobs as “good local jobs that pay
well, strengthen communities, provide pathways out
of poverty, and help solve our environmental problems.”
As inspiring as these definitions might sound,
they are too vague and indistinct to guide measurement and projection of green jobs and to evaluate
potential investments leading to new job growth in an
alternative energy economy.
With such an indefinite handle on the definition
of green jobs, it is not surprising that counts of the
number and kinds of green jobs vary remarkably. For
instance, on one extreme, a report commissioned by
the American Solar Energy Society indicated that the
nation had 8.5 million jobs in renewable energy or
energy efficient industries. On the other end of the
continuum, a report for the U.S. Conference of Mayors estimated that, as of 2006, there were approximately 750,000 green jobs in the U.S. economy.
Defining and identifying green jobs in a clear,
defensible manner is important to avoid investments
based solely on good intentions—or on criminal
intentions—in the name of green job creation. What
are needed now, more than ever, are data–driven
decisions about policies and legislation for linking
energy and jobs to take us out of the policy environment in which nearly every job seems to be identified
as “green” and every interest group seems to define
green jobs within their interests.
Investments meant to affect green jobs are likely
to progress quickly no matter whether a consensus
definition of green jobs emerges. We hope we
know what we are doing.
Baker and Passmore are leaders of the Penn State
Workforce Education & Development Initiative (http://PennStateWED.notlong.com), which
conducts various types of economic and workforce
analyses for employers, industry partnerships
(groups of employers), not-for-profit organizations
(workforce development and economic development organizations), and government entities.
Their opinions are their own, not those of Penn
State. Their full report on the Pocono region’s
competitive advantage in industry jobs is available
at http://PSU-Pocono.notlong.com.
Experience Great Eating In
Monroe County
Pocono Restaurant Week, held this year from
April 23 – May 2, will include crossover
promotions, events, and other specials to
bring more of the dining public to a variety of
Pocono eateries in countywide. This promotion includes customer voting in a Zagat-syle
rating program. The week culminates in a
Restaurant Week Gala on May 2. To participate or for more information, visit www.
poconorestaurantweek.com or call Ali Schratt,
Local Flair Magazine, at (570) 839-8393.
8
Pocono Business Journal | April 2009
FEATURE STORY
GREEN... cont. from page 1
Clemleddy Construction, Hawley
Beach Lake Transfer Station, Beach Lake
Dan Card, Manager
Beach Lake Transfer Station provides a full array of waste
container, collection, transport and disposal services in
Wayne and Pike counties and in a small area of Susquehanna County.
Photo shows Beach Lake Transfer Station recycling truck.
What “green” initiatives” have you put into place for
2008, and what are the results from such efforts?
Waste Management’s Beach Lake Transfer Station in
Wayne County introduced single-stream recycling to its
commercial customers in 2008. Single-stream recycling
allows participants to place all recyclable materials – glass,
metal cans, cardboard, newsprint and plastics – in a single
container. The station processed 310 tons of recyclables in
2007 but watched its single-stream volume skyrocket to
700 tons in 2008. Results of the program included customer
savings and a healthier environment. The introduction
of single-stream recycling allowed business operators to
spend less time sorting recyclables and lowered their waste
disposal costs. Each new ton of recyclables allowed Beach
Lake’s customers to avoid paying $82 per ton to landfill
these materials as waste.
Why did your company decide to “go green”?
Green is more than one of our company’s colors; it’s in
our DNA. Waste Management each year recycles more
materials than anyone else in North America and its landfill
gas- and waste-to-energy projects create enough electricity
to power more than 1 million homes. The team at Beach
Lake knew that our customers wanted to be better recyclers
and lower their costs, and wanted to help Waste Management make progress on its goals. Introducing single-stream
recycling brought these desires together to the benefit of
our customers, community and the environment.
Craig Smyth, Owner and President
Clemleddy Construction is a builder of energy-efficient and
environmentally friendly luxury custom homes and renovations in the Lake Wallenpaupack region of Wayne and Pike
counties.
Photo shows first row, left: Mark Nilsen, Craig Smyth (owner), Ellen Chorba; middle row, Clyde Kreider, Tim McHale,
Barb Theobald; back row, Ryan Smyth, Tony Buda.
What “green” initiatives” have you put into place for
2008, and what are the results from such efforts?
We understand the significant benefits of maintaining our
region’s scenery and natural beauty. These qualities are
what attract so many people to the Pocono Mountains, in
particular to the Lake Wallenpaupack area. We use renewable products whenever possible, and our staff stays current
with the latest technologies and smart practices.
Why did your company decide to “go green”?
At Clemleddy, we have always built and renovated homes
with the best efficiencies available while keeping the
environmental impact to a minimum. There is no sacrifice
in quality when building green. In fact, benefits of the
green building include: lower operating costs, reduced
maintenance issues, increased home value, and improved
environmental quality. Our clients have worked hard to get
to where they are today, and they want a luxurious home in
a scenic natural setting. We are equipped to handle the job,
and we focus on personal service and attention to detail at
every level.
mentally friendly, propane-powered vehicles and sell,
service and install propane heating systems and appliances.
Photo shows Robert B. Nicholson III (President/CEO),
Robert B. Nicholson (Chairman), Shirley M. Nicholson,
Debra Nicholson-Marcellus, Wendi Nicholson-Hayden,
Scott E. McRoy, Linda Nicholson-McRoy.
What “green” initiatives” have you put into place for
2008, and what are the results from such efforts?
Eastern Propane works closely with builders to install
high-efficiency propane-powered appliances and heating
systems. In addition to the benefits of being high-efficiency
and reducing energy consumption, propane is a cleanburning fuel compared to other energy sources. Toward
this end, Rich Arnold, manager of business development
for the Pennsylvania district, has pursued education toward
his Certified Green Professional designation and continues
to be actively involved in the promotion of clean-burning
propane fuel. Arnold also promotes energy efficiency and
the use of clean energy sources through his participation in
local trade shows.
Why did your company decide to “go green”?
We are able to service our customers while reducing our
environmental impact by doing so in clean-burning propane
powered vehicles, and we are able to assist them in reducing their own environmental impact by becoming more
energy efficient and “clean and green” by using this type
of energy. It’s a win/win/win: good for us, good for our
customers, good for the environment.
The French Manor, South Sterling
Ron and Mary Kay Logan, Innkeepers
The French Manor is an elegant small hotel/bed and breakfast.
Eastern Propane, Hawley
Wendi Nicholson-Hayden, Vice President
What “green” initiatives” have you put into place for
We perform residential deliveries of propane in environ-
Pittston, PA
Stroudsburg, PA
see GREEN page 9
570-654-2473
570-421-7320
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9
Pocono Business Journal | April 2009
FEATURE STORY
GREEN... cont. from page 8
2008, and what are the results from such efforts?
The French Manor plans on opening Le Spa Forêtin in May
after two years of research and development on this “green”
project. Huber Engineered Woods’ ZIP system is being
used for exterior sheathing; less mature trees will be cut
down to provide lumber. Onsite trusses will eliminate waste
due to cutting of material for the roof. The spa will install
energy-efficient windows that have protective coatings and
improved frames, to help keep heat in during winter and
out during summer; they also block damaging ultraviolet
sunlight that can discolor carpets and furnishings. Each of
the faucets will use at least 20 percent less water than the
norm. Recyclable carpets will help minimize the amount of
old carpeting at landfills. Lighting fixtures will accommodate compact fluorescent lights, which use 20 percent less
electricity. The builder, Outlook Construction, is a certified
green builder, and has been instrumental in implementing
designs to incorporate green construction and sustainable
materials.
Why did your company decide to “go green”?
If we can set an example in the community, we hope that
others will feel the same and help to conserve our best
characteristic – our own backyard.
Heron’s Eye Communications, Greeley
Krista Gromalski and Sandy Long, Co-Founders
Heron’s Eye Communications is a marketing, publishing
and project management firm founded in 2006 to foster
positive change and awareness on issues related to community, the environment and how people interact with and
affect each.
Photo shows co-founders Krista Gromalski (left) and Sandy
Long.
What “green” initiatives” have you put into place for
2008, and what are the results from such efforts?
A significant part of our recent work involves projects
and initiatives that create local economic opportunities
or support existing efforts to bolster our local economy.
For example, in partnership with our local land trust, the
Delaware Highlands Conservancy, we have developed the
“Shop Local, Save Land” initiative that drives consumers
toward fresh and healthy foods produced right here in our
region. There is an antiquated misconception that being
“green” is a practice better left to tree huggers or environmental activists. But when you understand the important
economic benefits that go hand-in-hand with protecting
land or saving energy, it’s clear that good stewardship is an
essential tool in creating prosperity.
Why did your company decide to “go green”?
Our company’s guiding principles existed in our personal practices before Heron’s Eye Communications was
formed. In part, our principles drove our decision to start a
mission-driven company committed to positive change and
awareness on issues related to community, the environment
and how people interact with and affect each. For example,
even before Heron’s Eye was officially formed, we were
actively involved in regional conservation measures like
Pike County’s Scenic Rural Character Preservation bond,
which passed overwhelmingly in 2005.
Josie Porter Farm, Stroudsburg
Heidi Secord, Owner/Manager
Josie Porter Farm is a working farm that uses sustainable
growing practices to provide fresh food for local residents.
Photo shows owner Heidi Secord.
What “green” initiatives have you put into place for
2008, and what are the results from such efforts?
The Cherry Valley Community-Supported Agriculture
program, a farming program supported by local volunteers,
continued to expand in 2008, and today has a membership base of 90 families. Using environmentally friendly
farming methods, including the use of many hand-operated
tools, the farm makes fresh food available to local families,
fostering a connection to nature while educating participants in farming methods. In 2008, the farm also hosted
a statewide educational workshop through the Women
in Agriculture Network (WAgN) on how to build a hoop
house. By connecting with both the community (through
Northampton Community College and many other local
organizations) and nature, the farm has helped to teach the
most important tenet of green living: that human life is connected to the well being of the Earth.
Why did your company decide to “go green”?
The nature of the farm is green, with its entire existence
based on the rhythm of nature and on eating food when it
is in season. By using organic farming methods and hand
tools, the Josie Porter Farm demonstrates a responsible
method of farming that keeps the land healthy and able to
sustain life for the future. This farm is a model for creating
access and opportunity for emerging farmers to grow food
for our communities.
LTS Builders, East Stroudsburg
Lawrence T. Simon, Chairman/CEO
LTS is one of the largest homebuilders in the Poconos, with
over thirty years experience in building affordable, quality
homes in the area.
Photo shows Longchamp 2 home.
What “green” initiatives have you put into place for
2008, and what are the results from such efforts?
In 2008, LTS Builders committed as a company to complete, 100% ENERGYSTAR certification for every LTS
home built. This rating signifies that a home uses at least
15% less energy than the average home. Each LTS Builders home is inspected by qualified, Federal Environmental
Protection Agency third party technical agents to ensure it
meets the 100% ENERGYSTAR commitment. Each LTS
Builders home provides the customer maximum energy efficiency and reduced energy costs from day one. Additionally, the environmental impact of the home is reduced and
the long term, appreciable value of the home is increased.
Why did your company decide to “go green”?
LTS Builders has been committed to environmental initiatives since its inception – with a multitude of “green”
business practices put into practice in the company’s 33
year history. At LTS Builders environmental stewardship is
simply an everyday practice – an inherent part of our commitment to the community and our customers.
RGB Custom Home Builders, Inc.,
East Stroudsburg
Robert Brown, President
RGB is a custom home builder with a 23-year legacy of
building high-quality homes in the Pocono region.
Photo shows owner Robert Brown.
What “green” initiatives have you put into place for
2008, and what are the results from such efforts?
Being conscientious of the environment, RGB decided to
embrace the new voluntary NAHB (National Association
of Home Builders) Green Home Program. The program’s
stringent guidelines focus on energy efficiency, water efficiency, air quality, and renewable resources and recycled
materials. Bringing the NAHB Green Building Standards
to the area will encourage other area builders to join in the
efforts to provide more environmentally friendly homes
that are affordable to the average homebuyer.
Why did your company decide to “go green”?
In February 2007, RGB Custom Home Builders became the
first Certified ENERGYSTAR Partner in the area. When
the independent Energy Rater began testing RGB Homes,
he was impressed with the ratings of the homes. They
scored well above the minimum score required for labeling under the EPA’s ENERGYSTAR guidelines. Since that
time, many other builders have followed RGB’s lead.
The Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort,
Shawnee-on-Delaware
The Kirkwood Family, Owners
The Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort is a leading travel and
tourism destination located on the Delaware River, featuring many outdoor amenities, including golf and canoeing,
which allow visitors to take in the beautiful natural setting.
What “green” initiatives have you put into place for
2008, and what are the results from such efforts?
The Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort has always made its partnership with Mother Nature a major priority. 2008 brought
a series of very exciting environmental programs to the
Shawnee Inn. We established the Shawnee Green Team,
which is a group of employees that represents each department at the resort. The goal of the Shawnee Green Team is
to examine every facet of the resort’s offerings to identify
areas in which we can further green our efforts. We also
focused on greening our purchasing. The Shawnee Inn and
Golf Resort is proud to say that we are now 100% chemical
free! Everything from cleaning supplies to detergents has
been replaced with environmentally friendly alternatives.
We even replaced our laundry system to be able to accommodate the new products.
Why did your company decide to “go green”?
So much of what makes Shawnee special is our natural
surroundings. Where else in the world can a person stand
on the edge of the Appalachian Range, Delaware River and
a national park all in one location? We are blessed with a
fantastic landscape that we have made a commitment to
preserve. More than anything else, it is the right thing to
do.
Weiler Corporation, Cresco
Chris Weiler, President; Weiler family, owners
Weiler Corporation is a leading Pocono manufacturing
company, producing industrial wire brushes and abrasives.
Photo shows from left: Ed Madden, Kathy Motz-Hinton, Ed
Bankston, Esther Dieter, Zsa Zsa Clark, Linda Getz, Karl
Weiler (Chairman), Frank Slinger, Jane Fry, Joy Wright,
Caroline Puntorno, Tom Burbage, Alicia Matthews, Kathy
Titus, Heather Tintle, Robert Thomas, Patti Perardone, and
Kassi Miller.
What “green” initiatives have you put into place for
2008, and what are the results from such efforts?
The Weiler Corporation completed construction of a 21,000
sq. ft. office building in 2008, focusing on energy conservation. We began the process of installing more energyefficient lighting throughout their buildings, beginning by
improving lighting systems in the warehouse area. This
consisted of replacing outdated sodium-based lighting with
updated lighting featuring electronic ballasts and highefficiency fluorescent bulbs. We expect a minimum of 35%
savings in each area with updated light systems. In addition to continuing existing recycling programs and purchasing recycled paper products, the Weiler Corporation began
using a new model of hand dryer in 2008. The air-stream
hand dryer is expected to save 500 rolls of paper towels per
year, and will cost only $50/year to operate.
Why did your company decide to “go green”?
Weiler Corporation is not new to operating in a “green”
way, as its founder, Karl E. Weiler, was always looking for
ways to be responsible to the environment since he started
manufacturing in the U.S. in 1944. Even then, the Weiler
Corporation knew the economic benefits of encouraging
employees to keep lights off in unoccupied areas. It was in
the 1990s that we really embraced the green initiatives and
programs that we still utilize today.
10
Pocono Business Journal | April 2009
COLUMN
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Tax Benefits
Tax Facts
Holly R. Corcoran
Virtually every client I have met with during tax season
is asking “what’s in it for me?” They’re asking about the
new economic stimulus package.
For workers there is a refundable “making work pay
credit” for 2009 and 2010. This will result in a decrease in
federal withholdings at approximately $13 per week during
the year and is available for individuals who are not a dependent of another taxpayer, a nonresident alien or an estate
or trust.
Individuals who were eligible to receive social security,
SSI, railroad retirement and veterans on disability or receiving pension benefits November 2008 to January 2009 will
be receiving a $250 payment. The IRS will not be issuing
these payments and taxpayers are encouraged to contact the
agency from which they receive their benefits. For instance
the Social Security Administration’s Web site (http://www.
socialsecurity.gov/payment/) outlines when to expect the
payments and any action necessary. This $250 will reduce
the “making work pay credit” if the taxpayer receives one
of the above benefits and has earned income making them
eligible for the $400 credit.
If an individual or couple purchased a home between
April 8 to December 31, 2008 and they had not owned
a home in the prior three years, they would qualify for a
refundable credit of 10% of the purchase price of the home
up to $7500. This credit is repayable over the next 15
years. If a first-time homebuyer purchases a home between
January 1 to November 30, 2009, they will qualify for up to
$8,000 refundable credit which is not required to be repaid.
There are certain recapture rules when the home is sold that
the taxpayer can discuss with a tax professional.
Other provisions in the law in relation to individuals
are as follows: In 2009, $2,400 in unemployment benefits
will be excludable from the taxpayer’s income. The Hope
Education Credit has been expanded and renamed the
“American Opportunity Tax Credit” for 2009 and 2010,
making it better for more individuals. New higher education expenses such as Internet access and technology equipment are eligible distributions from 529 Plans without penalty. The child tax credit’s refundable portion has changed
for 2009 and 2010. Certain Earned Income Credit changes
have occurred for families with three or more children and
the EIC phase-out has increased for taxpayers filing jointly.
For businesses and self-employeds, there are changes
as well. Now businesses with net operating losses (NOL’s)
can carry-back those losses for five years instead of two
years for losses incurred starting in 2008. Carrying back
losses can free up old tax dollars and generate a refund. There is a decrease in estimated tax to 90% of the current or prior year liability for certain qualifying individuals
(there are certain limitations). Keep in mind that this will
involve some cash flow planning to make sure the taxpayer
has the funds available in April 2010 to pay any taxes
owed.
Holly R. Corcoran, CPA is the president of Holly R. Corcoran, CPA, Inc. providing quality, professional accounting
and tax services for businesses and individuals since 1991.
Visit www.hrcorcorancpa.com.
Workplace Wellness
Give Germs The Pink Slip
Computer keyboards, mice, phones, and desk
surfaces are the perfect home for germs. To
keep your office space healthy, wipe surfaces
with an anti-bacterial or sanitizing wipe at least
once a week.
The Smart Small Business Owner Is Always Looking For The Green
Environmental
Management
Assistance
Program
Chris Lynch
Today’s news is flush with stories about “toxic” mortgages and other “toxic” investments floating around. But
small business owners may not even be aware of a “toxic”
waste right in their own places of work – the wasteful
consumption of energy, a waste that is poison to the very
success of a small business. Most small business owners
can achieve 25-30% reductions in their energy consumption
and related costs by employing proven energy efficiency
strategies to wring out this waste.
In the current economy can smart business owners
continue to ignore such waste? Where else does a smart
business owner spend 25-30% more than he or she actually
needs to? The steps for ridding a small business of this
waste are fortunately easy to identify and require the adoption and installation of proven and reliable methods and
technologies.
Such waste is ubiquitous. It is in places right under everyone’s nose: those leaking windows and doors, the poor
insulation and roofing, the aged lighting, office equipment
and electronics, the old heating and cooling system, the
antiquated boilers, and the old school motors and outdated
manufacturing equipment.
There is no better time to start looking into energy
efficiency than now; electricity prices are due to increase
soon when the rate caps expire for the PPL Electric Utilities
service territory at the end of 2009. PPL’s own Web site
predicts that total monthly bills could increase by 30% or
more once those caps come off.
The Environmental Management Assistance Program
(EMAP) of the Pennsylvania Small Business Development
Centers works with hundreds of small business owners
each year to identify energy saving opportunities through
no-cost onsite assessments and helps busy business owners
sort through potential funding including grants, rebates, tax
incentives, and loans. We keep current with the various
funding incentives available from the state, the federal
government, your local utility, and others.
Our community. Our commitment.
During times of concern, we all depend on trusted relationships for support and
reassurance. For over 100 years, our family of depositors has relied on us for
safe and stable monetary guidance. To continue earning your trust, we pledge
to never relax our prudent standards when dealing with your financial assets.
Additionally, we offer you peace of mind knowing your deposits are insured by the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to the maximum level. If we can be of any
assistance during these unique times, we invite you to stop by any of our branches.
Our promise to you is our century old commitment of protecting your family’s
financial stability.
Since 2004, our clients have been approved for over $1
million in state grant funding to implement 189 different
projects that improve energy efficiency, install renewable energy systems, and cut out the waste. This includes
over $177,000 for projects at 30 small firms in the Pocono
region.
Our exceptional team is running full steam right now
to help Pennsylvania businesses take advantage of the new
Small Business Energy Efficiency Grant program which
opened in January and offers matching grants of 25%, up
to $25,000, to help firms invest in their future with energy
efficiency. To learn more about strategies for reducing your exposure to the “toxic” waste of energy at your small business,
check out www.askemap.org, or contact us toll-free at 877ASK-EMAP.
Chris Lynch is the director of the Environmental Management Assistance Program for the Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers, a statewide economic development group headquartered at The Wharton School of the
University of Pennsylvania.
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11
Pocono Business Journal | April 2009
HR
Religion In The Workplace
HR Toolbox
Victoria Mavis with
Tom Ford
A common lesson that we’ve all learned at one time
or another is to avoid talking about religion and politics,
especially in business circles. Although the workplace has
relaxed a bit and politics are often discussed, religion is still
a topic that is treated carefully by business executives and
human resource professionals.
In recent years, spirituality in the workplace has been
on the rise as evidenced by the growing numbers of prayer
breakfasts and spiritual conferences that are attended by
business executives. Additionally, the workplace has seen
a rise in religious study and prayer groups which meet
regularly.
As religion begins to have a bigger presence in the
workplace, it is important to consider the forces behind
this increase, which include the continuing globalization of
business, shifting patterns of immigration, increasing cultural diversity and a renewed spiritual awakening in some
segments of the population.
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits
employers from discriminating against individuals because
of their religious beliefs and calls for reasonable accommodation of employees’ religious practices unless doing
so would cause undue hardship for the employer. It may
be seen as a gray area of the law as “undue hardship” is
often interpreted as anything from minor inconvenience to
true hardship. However, many practical accommodations
require no more than workable schedule changes for employees to attend religious services or brief blocks of time
for observing religious practices.
If you’re sponsoring a company spiritual event,
consider that it is necessary to ensure that all employees
receive equal treatment. This means that attendance at such
events is wholly voluntary; those who attend receive no
special consideration for doing so, and those who decline
participation are not penalized in any way.
Every company should have a written policy concerning religion in the workplace. A model policy to consider
is the “Guidelines on Freedom of Religious Expression
in the Federal Workplace” issued by the White House in
1997. However, with or without a formal policy, there are
some important considerations to be observed concerning
employees’ religious practices:
Individual observances must not disrupt normal activities or impinge upon the rights of others;
No one must suffer harassment because of one’s religious beliefs or practices;
No attempt should be made to convert others to one’s
own religious beliefs;
Company officials should not sanction one set of religious beliefs over another; and
Complaints of harassment or discrimination based on
religion should be promptly investigated and resolved.
According to Tom Ford of Stroudsburg-based Smithford Business Lawyers, if an employer were to incorporate
any religious ritual or expression as part of the workplace
events/environment, it would run a serious risk of liability under Title VII. “Religious Coercion would be one
potential claim, i.e., that an employee was made to feel as
though participation (which includes passively being in
the room when it occurs) were either required as a part
of the employment, or refusal to participate would have
an impact on the employee’s conditions of employment
(promotion opportunity, raises, continuation of employment, etc.),” says Ford. Another potential claim would be
Hostile Work Environment, the unwelcome imposition of
religious views or practices on an employee, which in and
of itself can be sufficient to create a hostile work environment. “I think it is a thoroughly bad idea for an employer
to incorporate prayers or religious expression of any kind
in the workplace events/environment.”
As workplace diversity increases so might the need
to better understand this issue. Make your company a safe
place for your employees when it comes to their religious
beliefs and practices, and protect yourself, by understanding the laws.
Source: SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management Magazine) article by Charles McConnell as provided
by Victoria Mavis, CorePeople Resources LLC; and Tom
Ford of Smithford Business Lawyers.
HR Tidbit
By Victoria Mavis
Q. We’re trying to organize our employee files and
have files from people that were terminated over
10 years ago. Do we still need to keep these?
A. No. Employee records (excluding payroll
records) should be kept for a period of three years.
In order to comply with the Federal Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act (FACTA), be sure that
all documents that are disposed of are shredded.
Gaming Revenues Go To Local Projects
The first gaming fund revenues from Mount Airy
Resort and Casino will help Monroe, Lackawanna, Wayne,
Pike and Carbon counties improve roads, redevelop brownfields and enhance downtown business districts, Department of Community and Economic Development acting
Secretary George Cornelius announced last month.
“These projects will greatly enhance the lives of thousands of residents in northeast Pennsylvania while stimulating local economies suffering under the weight of a severe
recession,” Cornelius said. “They also represent further
evidence of how Pennsylvania’s efforts to generate new
revenue from the gaming industry can extend important
community development benefits to more of our citizens.”
Twenty-nine projects will share $12.3 million that was
generated by the Pennsylvania Horse Race and Gaming
Development Act, or Act 71, which set up a “local share assessment account” and required DCED to distribute money
that is generated by licensed gaming facilities to support
community and economic development projects and mitigate the impact of gaming activities.
Cornelius said the projects chosen fall in the categories
of public interest, community improvement and economic
development and noted that gaming fund revenues were
divided equally between Monroe County projects and those
in neighboring counties.
Projects receiving grants from the Monroe County
Gaming Fund follow:
Economic Development
• $1.05 million to Monroe County Industrial Development
Authority for the East Stroudsburg University Research
and Technology Park.
• $1.05 million to Monroe County Industrial Development
Authority for the Pocono Mountains Regional Airport
• $1.05 million to Monroe County Industrial Development
Authority for the Northampton County Community College’s Monroe County campus
• $631,958 to Carbon County Commissioners for Packerton Business Park
• $420,000 to Carbondale City Redevelopment Authority
for enhancements to Main and Church Streets
• $425,636 to Dingman Township for the township’s first
public park
• Green Borough for play-
What You Need To Know: New COBRA
Requirements For Employers
Under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), many employers must offer former employees group health plan continuation coverage upon certain
“qualifying” events. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 contains
changes to the COBRA rules for these employers. Under the new law, employees who
were (or are) “involuntarily terminated” between September 1, 2008 and December 31,
2009 may continue coverage under an employer’s group health plan for up to 9 months by
paying only 35% of the coverage cost. The employer or plan sponsor advances the 65%
of the insurance cost, which is then subsidized by the federal government through a credit
against the employment tax obligation of the employer (or plan sponsor, if applicable). The
COBRA provisions are effective immediately. Visit http://pna.informz.net and search for
“COBRA” for the entire article.
(Source: Teri Henning, General Counsel, Pennsylvania Newspaper Association.)
ground equipment and reconstructing the soccer field
• $1 million to Pike County Industrial and Commercial
Development Authority for Pike County Public Library
Headquarters and Dorothy E. Warner Community Center
Public Interest
• $250,000 to Hawley Borough for downtown enhancement projects
• $1 million to Wayne County Commissioners for the
Wayne County 911/Emergency Operations Center
• $293,475 to Jim Thorpe Borough for replacing a retaining wall
(Source: Dept. Community and Economic Development)
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12
Pocono Business Journal | April 2009
COLUMN
Forest Invaders Near and Far
Sustainable is
Attainable
Robert Muller
Whether you’re a tourist or full-time resident we
should be appreciating the trees around us. Trees offer many benefits, such as cooling and carbon dioxide
exchange. Remember, plants take in carbon dioxide and
release oxygen; they provide protection for soil erosion,
water runoff and wildlife benefits. Who doesn’t enjoy sitting under a nice maple tree, enjoying the surroundings?
But our forests are under threat from invaders. These
invaders aren’t loggers or developers, but insects and disease. Some of the older well-known ones include Dutch
Elm Disease, chestnut blight and our imported nemesis,
the gypsy moth.
The new threats include Hemlock Wooly Adelgid
that attacks hemlock trees, the butternut canker and one
of the newest, Emerald Ash Borer. The Emerald Ash
Borer (EAB) is a wood-boring beetle native to China and
eastern Asia. This invasive species was first detected in
the United States in July of 2002 in southern Michigan
and had spread into ten states by the end of 2008. The
beetle was first detected in Pennsylvania in the summer
of 2007 in Butler County and the following summer in
Mercer County. This discovery led to a five-county quarantine in western PA. Most recently the EAB has been
found in Mifflin County, in central Pennsylvania. EAB is
blamed for the death and decline of more than 20 million
ash trees in the United States since 2002. There is no
known practical control for EAB short of destroying
the infested trees.
It is difficult to predict the full effect of these
pests. There is ongoing research for many of the species including the American chestnut and the butternut. Dr. Keith Woeste of the USDA Forest Service at
Purdue University is working at the Hardwood Tree
Improvement and Regeneration Center (HTIRC) to
study butternut canker, which is killing most of the
butternut trees in the U.S.; to study the growth and
development of butternut in order to restore it to its
former sites; and to contribute harvested seeds to the
breeding program for introducing canker-resistant
trees to the forest.
This is an example of the work being done to
continue the species. We can only hope that through
careful monitoring and control of movement of
products, these threats are lessened. The control of
movement or translocation of pests, whether it is the
Emerald Ash Borer or the Zebra Mussel, is made
more difficult with the worldwide trade of products
and goods.
The future of species native to their geographic
area may be questionable, but possibly with good
stewardship, research and better control of product
movement we can protect the resources surrounding
us.
Robert A. Muller Jr. has served as the District Manager of the Wayne Conservation District since 1984.
The District has a full staff that provides technical
assistance and education on watershed management,
forestry, agriculture and erosion control. The District
office is located in Honesdale and can be reached at
(570) 253-0930.
Obama-Biden Administration
Announces More Than $352.4
Million in Weatherization
Funding and Energy Efficiency
Grants for Pennsylvania
Washington DC - Vice President Joe Biden and
Energy Secretary Chu recently announced Pennsylvania will receive $352,477,062 in weatherization and
energy efficiency funding, including $252,793,062
for the Weatherization Assistance Program and
$99,684,000 for the State Energy Program. This is
part of a nationwide investment announced of nearly
$8 billion under the President’s American Recovery
and Reinvestment Act, an investment that will put
approximately 87,000 Americans to work. The funding will support weatherization of homes, including
adding more insulation, sealing leaks and modernizing heating and air conditioning equipment. The
Weatherization Assistance Program will allow an average investment of up to $6,500 per home in energy
efficiency upgrades and will be available for families
making up to 200% of the federal poverty level – or
about $44,000 a year for a family of four.
The State Energy Program funding will be available for rebates to consumers for home energy audits
or other energy saving improvements; development
of renewable energy projects for clean electricity
generation and alternative fuels; promotion of Energy
Star products; efficiency upgrades for state and local
government buildings; and other innovative state
efforts to help save families money on their energy
bills.
(Source: White House Office of Media Affairs)
Calculation of Pension Payments
Private and government employers sometimes offer retirement incentives to
move highly compensated senior executives into retirement and off their payroll.
Some retirement incentive plans are designed to help employers identify their staffing needs. By rewarding employees who commit to a retirement date, the employer
can plan ahead for its upcoming staffing needs…
Many pensions are calculated based on the final several years’ salary of the
employee. But each plan differs- the definition of salary may or may not include
bonuses, overtime, and other extra compensation.
All employees are entitled to a complete copy of their pension plan documents. All
plans also offer a “summary plan description” that is a shorter and more readable
version of the comprehensive plan document. Prior to retirement, it is wise for pensioners to work directly with their employers and plan administrators to understand
the precise method of calculation of their expected monthly pension benefit.
(Source: The Fine Print, A Newsletter Of Pennsylvania Law, Jane Roach Mahghan,
P.C., Stroudsburg.)
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13
Pocono Business Journal | April 2009
BOOK REVIEW
Looking For Employees?
CareerLink
John Casella
CAREER Quest, Monroe County’s largest job fair,
will be held at Fernwood Hotel Resort Tuesday, April
14, 2009 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The PA CareerLink in
Monroe County will once again partner with the Pocono
Mountains Media Group (Pocono Record) to sponsor the
7th Annual CAREER Quest. This year we are hoping to
register 80 businesses with available job openings.
CAREER Quest is the place where regional employers come together to screen, recruit and hire. Many of
the employers will be taking applications and possibly
doing interviews right at their booth. Last year many
job seekers were hired the same day. In addition to employers, a variety of educational providers will be on site
to showcase many of their programs to help job seekers
upgrade their existing skills in order to find their perfect
career opportunity right here in the Pocono region.
This community event provides our local citizens the
resources to obtain quality employment opportunities
locally without having to commute too far from home.
Our theme once again this year is “Partnering for
Success.” With the assistance of Fernwood Hotel &
Resort staff, our county’s educational providers and employers, the Monroe County Transportation Authority,
and of course the staff of both the PA CareerLink and the
Pocono Record, we expect another great turnout.
The Monroe County Transportation Authority
provides free transportation to individuals interested in
attending CAREER Quest every hour on the hour.
Seminars that will be made available prior to the
event include How to Work a Job Fair, Building Confidence for Your Job Search, Interview Basics, and Dress
to Impress.
CAREER Quest provides employers and educational providers with one of
the best marketing tools to
advertise their job openings, programs and company exposure. The simple
equation is having the job
seekers and employers at
one event to meet and greet.
For those employers or
educational providers interested in registering, simply
contact the PA CareerLink
at (570) 620-2958 and we
will be happy to send you a
registration package. Over
the past six years, this event
has attracted over 1,000 job
seekers each and every year.
We expect even higher num-
bers this year.
John Casella is the PA CareerLink administrator in
Monroe County and the executive director of Monroe
County Job Training. A Certified Workforce Development Professional, he has over thirty years experience
administering Workforce Development programs. Casella serves on the Pocono Counties Workforce Investment Board, WIRED Executive Committee and Pennsylvania Partners.
CareerLink
At Borders
EDITOR’S PICK – BOOK REVIEW
“The Three Marriages: Reimagining
Work, Self and Relationship”
Right away, the reader is gently nudged
away from the classic quest of finding “worklife balance” and told to replace it with an
understanding that the three parts of ourselves
(the three
“marriages”)
will each,
at different
times, be
predominant
and temporarily unable to
provide said
balance.
Author David
Whyte posits
that our work
persona
(“Work”) is
the first part
of this necessarily uneven trio; the second is our relationship with our spouse or other committed, longterm partner (“Other”); and the last component
is basically everything else: “Self.” Work has
an evolutionary benefit, he says; work “comes
looking for us; tells us to get up and do something useful.” But vocational pursuits that
are not connected by a sense of purpose and
love will prove unrewarding. Satisfaction can
only be gained in this facet of “marriage” by
regarding work as something much larger than
just a series of jobs.
Sometimes we can fall in love with our work
like we fall in love with a person. At times in our
professional lives, we are invited, says Whyte,
to follow a career opportunity. Some will shrink
back in fear and live with the resulting, everlasting regrets. This is corrosive to our Self. Conversely, real work, like a real love, takes tenacity
and risk.
The story runs from theme to theme: yak
herding, JK Rowling’s inspiration as a single
parent, Joan of Arc’s courage, and the pubs of
Dublin. So this is not a hard-core, textbook-style
management tome. But while jumping from historical example to poetry and literature, and giving the book a very loose (read: unlinear) feel,
the musings throughout really do relate to one
another and have relevance to our work selves,
our (conventional) marriage, and our own inner
interests and desires. If you are open to it, go
with it. It’s a different kind of journey than that
afforded by org charts and Profit and Loss statements.
Author: David Whyte
Publisher: Riverhead Books
ISBN: 978-1-59448-860-3
Price: $25.95
Book courtesy of Rierhead Books/Penguin Group.
PBJ’s review is available at Borders Stroudsburg,
where this book may be ordered when it is released
this month.
Photo credit: PBJ
Image courtesy of Riverhead Books/Penguin Group
By Debbie Burke
John Casella (at left), administrator for the PA CareerLink/Monroe County, recently led a discussion
on “CareerLink, The Employer, and The Job Seeker”
at PBJ’s Business and Books presentation. Pictured
at right is Cherille Grate of NuSkin in East Stroudsburg. The next Business and Books presentation will
be held at Borders in Stroudsburg on April 16 at 5:30
p.m., when Michael Baxter, Realtor/Broker/Owner of
Michael Baxter & Associates, will discuss “Commercial Real Estate in the Poconos.” See our calendar of
events on page 27 for details.
please recycle this paper
14
Pocono Business Journal | April 2009
NEWS
Marketing “Green” In A Tough Economy
Marketing Momentum
Heidi Blade Hewlett
Companies strong in their commitment to making
an impact on the environment by changing their business practices and philosophy shouldn’t be discouraged
by the changing economic climate. There is still a market for your product but conscientious consumers will be
more discriminating than ever before.
In an ongoing Gallup Poll, it was shown that
people’s tendency to prioritize the environment over the
economy had declined in its ranking by the end of the
1992 recession. The latest national survey by the Pew
Research Center for the People & the Press (conducted
Jan. 7-11, 2009 with a sample size of 1,503 adults)
found that strengthening the economy was a higher
priority today than at any point over the past decade.
Protecting the environment fell the most abruptly; just
41% of the sample rated this as a top priority, down from
56% a year ago.
So what does all of this research mean to a company
trying to market their green products or services to a
customer? The answer lies in how strong that company
feels about their green philosophies and how willing
they are to incorporate those philosophies throughout
their value chain. According to an article in the Edmonton Journal, green marketing doesn’t stop with just
promoting or advertising products or services with environmental characteristics, it “incorporates a broad range
of activities, including product modification, changes
to the production process, packaging changes, as well
as modifying advertising. According to a study by the
Boston Consulting Group (www.bcg.com) in January
2009, “the green movement is about reducing waste and
minimizing our impact on the environment. Companies
that (offer) differentiated green products … have been
rewarded with higher margins and market share.”
Be transparent about your green tendencies. Companies involved in the deceptive practice of “greenwashing” (an outwardly environmentally conscientious act
with a greater, underlying purpose of profit increase)
should understand that the savvy consumer is more
Region’s Economic Development Director Talks “Recovery Act”
Interview of Willie Taylor/US Dept of Commerce
by Debbie Burke
The Economic Development Administration of the
U.S. Dept. of Commerce has six regional offices each covering several states. Willie Taylor, regional director of the
Philadelphia office, spoke to PBJ about the Recovery Act
and its potential impact upon Pennsylvania.
Pocono Business Journal: How does the Recovery Act
stand to benefit (or not) business in eastern PA?
Willie Taylor: Philadelphia has the largest area to cover,
so we typically will get the larger share, about 18-20% of
the national allocation, (but specifics) depend on Congress.
We recognize where some of those economically distressed
areas are. A lot of this is not going directly towards the
businesses, but they will be on the receiving end of the contracts. Whether it’s for road improvements, water or sewer
lines, building facilities or incubators, businesses will benefit from that end. The spillover is when I got the contract
and now, at lunchtime, I’m going to my local restaurant.
The dollar that stays in that community when the contract
comes in, you want to stop the economic leakage.
PBJ: You work at a federal agency. What’s that like?
I love my job. There’s a breadth and depth of the job, in
working in rural and urban communities. EDA is one of
few agencies (besides Commerce and HUD) that can go
anywhere, urban or rural. I try to be creative, as we are
not just a standard federal government office. We need
to adopt the same business acumen that the private
sector has.
PBJ: How does this part of the state stack up with
PA in general, as far the bill being a help to the
business owner?
We have identified what communities have the greatest
need in their unemployment rate or in their per capita
income. We have a story to tell. We have an outmigration of those working outside of the area and the
money might be requested for setting up a satellite site.
For example, when East Stroudsburg approaches the
EDA they say ‘We have an outmigration and are trying
to build a company or multi-tenant facility’ and that’s a
private sector decision. My philosophy is that those in
need will be looked at with extreme alacrity in getting
the money out the door.
PBJ: Are there sectors that will be impacted more
favorably in the Recovery Act than others?
Potentially, those that have something to do with the
energy industry and that are service-oriented (industrial parks, broadband, new green infrastructure,
healthcare, universities) but it depends on if they apply.
This is not intended for building cafeterias or dorms,
but to show workforce development, like looking at
nanotech, nuclear science, and energy efficiencies.
concerned about actual value than false values.
Learn the definition of sustainable and apply it to
your position statement. Don’t limit that sentiment to
inanimate objects, but use it in terms of your internal social responsibility and human resource pool. Treat your
employees well in a time of massive layoffs and pay cuts
and you will strengthen your brand. Another caveat:
don’t draw attention to the fact that green products cost a
little more. As indicated by the organization Sustainable
Life Media, “Conscious consumers aren’t buying your
product because you’re the cheapest – this was never
your value proposition, and never should be.”
You may now be questioning whether or not it is
worthwhile to market to the green consumer. In actuality, the focus may not be on marketing a green product
but on promoting “green lifestyles” that would result in
the purchase of facilitating products.
Heidi Blade Hewlett is the owner of BladeHewlett Marketing & Development. BladeHewlett offers outsourced
marketing services to companies without a full-time
marketing staff and especially to small- to medium-sized
businesses. BladeHewlett can be reached at (570) 2260660 or visit www.bladehewlett.com.
Why Does Permitting
Take So Long?
By Debbie Burke
DEP and PennDOT fielded audience questions,
some of them apparent with frustration, about the
permitting process that many complain are significantly
delaying construction projects in the Poconos. At the
recent “Permitting and Approval Process” sponsored
by the Greater Pocono Chamber of Commerce, James
Joseph Fondi, a Realtor/associate with Coldwell Banker
Commercial in Stroudsburg, stated, “We’re dealing with
the businesses and developer community in a very difficult situation. I’m not saying forget about our streams.
Isn’t there a way we can look at this quickly? I’m paying $12K a month while (DEP is) taking (its) full 30
days. We’re not asking (DEP) to move heaven and earth.
We have projects that have been affected by the permitting process. One particular project took 2 years. I’m
just befuddled! For future projects, we need to know the
timeframe we’re going to get stuck with.”
Another business owner, Nicholas Remy of ND
Remy Associates Civil Engineers and Land Surveyors
(Allentown), suggested that in this down economy, it
might be feasible for engineering firms to participate
in the permitting process as third-party reviewers. “We
should farm (the process) out and cut it from 30 days
to 10. Use engineering firms that need the work,” said
Remy. When there are public hearings, noted DEP
spokesperson Darryl Fritz, there are a lot of challenges
to permits. “This slows down the process considerably,”
he said.
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15
Pocono Business Journal | April 2009
COLUMN
The Four Responses to Extreme Stress
Sylvia Lafair
Economically induced stress: the term sounds ominous. It causes responses that are a cry for help, a search
for respite from a reality that is unpleasant and frightening. Extreme responses to relentless stress are usually
reserved for war zones or natural disasters. Sadly, they
are becoming commonplace in business where the fear
of losing one’s job is palpable.
Long-term employees worry that newbies are safer
because they are less expensive. Minority employees wonder if diversity is still just a buzz word. New
employees worry because they have not earned sweat
equity. Women worry because they may be perceived as
incapable of handling tough times. Males are concerned
because they should always appear strong and unwavering. For companies where there have been layoffs, the
remaining staff suffers from the guilt of survivorship,
the “why them, not me” syndrome.
When you, as a leader, observe these responses, it is to
your advantage to help your employees gain an understanding of what is actually happening. Here are the four
most common reactions in every organization dealing
with the stress:
• FLOODING is the tendency to “blow up” and repeat
a statement, getting louder with each breath. There is
a need to drown out the real reason for the upset and
the individual is often overwhelmed with anger, fear,
hurt, or sadness. The adrenaline rush provides lots
of energy and the flooding can go on for hours, even
days.
• DEFLECTING is the tendency to block the movement of a conversation or situation, force a change
in direction and prevent anything with conflict to
be discussed. During times of high stress, deflectors often become obsessive-compulsive and love
to just do ‘busy work.’ If there is a tense discussion
the deflector will make a joke, or point to a dirt spot
and make a fuss.
• INDULGING is the tendency to devote oneself
entirely to a specific situation and not come up for
air. The individual takes a deviant pleasure in wallowing and suffering without letup; s/he complains
about the effort and exhaustion, and yet is delighted
to hold others captive, being the martyr and doing
for them.
• COMPARTMENTALIZING is the tendency to only
see separate segments of a situation or only hear
fragments of a conversation. The need is to disunite
and divide. The total picture is too much to handle
so they pick and choose only what is simple and
not prone to lead to arguments. They often go to the
gym when a project is due wondering why everyone
is so annoyed.
We all need coping mechanisms to help us
through dark days. Yet this is an important time to
continue to grow, learn and prepare for brighter times.
Helping each other harness these responses can open
the way for higher level creative energy and find
solutions to present problems. It is time to think new
thoughts. This is not about survival of the fittest, it is
about how we can all survive and be fit! Sylvia Lafair, Ph.D. is the President of Creative
Energy Options, Inc. and author of “Don’t Bring It to
Work” (Jossey-Bass). She is an executive coach and
consultant to family firms and global corporations.
She can be reached at [email protected] or by
calling (570) 636-3858.
Photo credit: Ken Schurman/VIP Studios.
Merger Brings Wilkins/
Coldwell Banker Full Circle
Tom Wilkins, and Heather D’Adamo.
By Susan Jorstad
Coldwell Banker Phyllis Rubin has consolidated with
Better Homes & Gardens Wilkins Associates.
“Smart business people making smart business decisions –
that’s what this merger is about,” said Heather D’Adamo, the
former Broker/owner and president of Coldwell Banker, now
executive vice-president and partner at Wilkins. Her sentiments were echoed by Tom Wilkins, CEO, who added, “It’s
not about being the biggest, it’s about having the most talents
from two of the most prestigious companies in the Poconos,
now as one.” The merger also brings Tom Wilkins full circle in his
real estate entrepreneurship: in the 1980’s, he worked for
Phyllis Rubin and opened all five Poconos Coldwell Banker
offices before breaking away to start his own company. “Our
initial goal was to marry these two businesses 20 years ago,”
he shared with Pocono Business Journal. “I was there to rep-
resent our family in the resort
field, to learn and get into real
estate. Wilkins actually opened
as a boutique office to do commercial real estate.” The day
after opening his Mount Pocono
office on June 15, 1988, the
market plunged. He spent the
next 20 years growing from a
down market, from a three-person regional office to a national
franchise.
“Consolidating isn’t my
agenda; expanding again is what
I really want to do.” He has
new blueprints for high-tech,
900-sq. ft. offices, each with
a luxurious conference area
equipped with wide-screen TV
flanked by two smaller offices
to be time-shared. Agents will
be able to use a laptop to tie into
the Internet at any office. In the
meantime, the Phyllis Rubin office will close and all employees
will operate from the Wilkins
headquarters in Stroudsburg.
Wilkins’ was the very first
office to bear the BH&G name,
effective July 2008. Since then,
six more BH&G offices (with
1,200 agents) have opened
across the country, with another
large East coast company preparing to open this spring, said
Doug Stryker, director of transitions for BH&G.
Photo credit: Ken Schurman/VIP Studios.
Leadership Tips
PBJ Receives UW
Director’s Award
At United Way of Monroe County’s recent Community Appreciation and 2008 Campaign Awards/Appreciation Banquet held at Pocono Manor, Tim Kelly
(right, above) presented PBJ Publisher Marynell
Strunk with the United Way Director’s Award for
PBJ’s volunteer service. Strunk serves as a United
Way campaign volunteer and PBJ Editor Debbie
Burke serves on the UW Marketing Committee and
plays saxophone for United Way fundraisers. Said
Strunk: “It was an honor to be part of the United
Way efforts and work side-by-side such dedicated
volunteers. I believe in what United Way stands for
and look forward to Pocono Business Journal offering
continued support.”
16
Pocono Business Journal | April 2009
PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
Sustainability for the Environment and a Tourism-Bas
By Susan Jorstad
According to Washington,
to be more energy efficient!”
D.C.-based International
In making improvements and
Ecotourism Society (www.
restorations, the Genzlingers say
ecotourism.org), ecotourism is
they keep historic preservation
defined as “responsible travel
in mind.
to natural areas that conserves
Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort
the environment and improves
(chosen as a Green List winner
the well-being of local people.”
in this issue) was selected by
Rather than simply using the
PMVB to host this year’s Tourism
labels of ‘green’ and ‘ecoDay Conference in recognition
friendly’ as marketing tools, this
of its efforts to reduce its carbon
movement makes a conscious
footprint. The Greater Pocono
departure from the luxury- and
Chamber of Commerce also gave
consumption-focused mainstream
its Save Our Planet Award to the
in a way that doesn’t contribute to
resort in 2005 and 2006 and to
ecological degradation.
Spa Shawnee in 2008. “These
“Sustainable tourism is about
few recognitions have given us
refocusing and re-adapting,”
a green reputation which we
states Rachel Dodds, PhD,
appreciate as we cherish and
director of Sustaining Tourism,
protect the natural beauty that
a Canadian-based consulting
surrounds us,” stated Monica
firm. A balance must be found
Startari, director of marketing.
Whitewater Challengers in Weatherly and White Haven has tasked itself
between limits and usage so
Whitewater Challengers
with
being
a
steward
of
the
Lehigh
River
Gorge.
(Photo
credit:
Whitewater
that continuous changing,
(Weatherly, White Haven) is
Challengers.)
monitoring and planning ensure
a premiere whitewater rafting
tourism can be managed. This
destination in the pristine Lehigh
requires thinking long-term (10, 20+ years) and realizing that change
River Gorge running through Lehigh Gorge State Park, a narrow, 30‑mile
is often cumulative, gradual and irreversible. Economic, social and
strip of land along the western edge of the Pocono Mountains. Four
environmental aspects of sustainable development must include the
years ago, local, state and federal government agencies worked together
interests of all stakeholders including local communities, visitors,
to schedule special water releases from Francis Walter Dam (in White
industry and government.” Dodds’ web site, www.sustainabletourism.
Haven) for the benefit of downstream recreation, including whitewater
com, compares the environmental impacts of individuals worldwide.
boating and fishing. The result has been improved water quality,
One U.S. program, Travel Green Wisconsin, rates more than 200
expanded fishing opportunities and a boon in whitewater rafting trips.
tourism-related enterprises and organizations, from accommodations
Challengers has also made a mission out of its stewardship of the river
and attractions, to restaurants, convention centers and non-profits. The
gorge.
certification process examines every aspect of a participant’s organization,
“There was a time when ecotouring seemed faddish and cutting
including energy efficiency, conservation, and production with renewable
edge, but today, it’s become more and more mainstream, and is the
energy sources; sustainable purchasing practices; local community
fastest growing part of the booming travel industry,” says marketing
benefits; and wastewater management. The result, explains coauthor
director Nancy Pilecki. “WC’s four-hour rafting tour down the river
John Ivanko in ‘ECOpreneuring,’ published in the December 2008
helps you notice and appreciate the environmental qualities and
Travel magazine, is a greater transparency of the state’s tourism industry,
special value of your surroundings. But the trip includes a commitment
which has led to a boost in business for those with high marks.
to keep the resource clean and pure for visitors who come tomorrow,
The Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau, in striving to become a
next year, or a generation from now. We like to go way beyond ‘leaving
green organization, seeks to provide similar incentive and benefit
no trace.’ We take it as our responsibility to leave the river and the
to both local tourism establishments and visitors through its newly
gorge cleaner than when we arrived.” The company also:
established Green Team. The team meets every two weeks to discuss
• Recycles cans, bottles and cardboard; prints on recycled paper
‘greening’ its operations.
• Engages guests in a Pledge to Plant program
Several tourist-driven businesses that have stepped-up eco• Uses energy saving lighting
consciousness include The Settlers Inn in Hawley; Shawnee Inn & Golf. • Purchases corn-based (rather than oil-based) plastic plates and
For Settlers Inn owners Grant and Jeanne Genzlinger, being ecoutensils for its buffet service
conscious is described as a personal philosophy that they’ve carried
• Offers a matching program for the optional purchase of “carbon
through to their business for 29 years, from recycling to driving hybridcredits” for guests who want to go the extra step of offsetting the car business vehicles. (Settlers won a spot on the first annual PBJ Green
greenhouse emissions resulting from driving to the destination. Visit
List in 2008).
www.CarbonFund.org to see how these credits work.
Subtle placement of recycling wastebaskets in guest rooms, next to
Eco-friendly goals for 2009 include matching its guest and crew in
the regular wastebaskets, “makes it easy for guests and housekeeping,”
planting a minimum of 5,000 trees and in purchasing at least 1,000
says Jeanne. “We try to provide luxury, but always with a sense of
carbon offsets; and recycling at least 25,000 aluminum cans, 25,000
protecting and sustaining. It’s a challenge to re-adapt a 1927 building
plastic bottles and 10,000 lbs of cardboard.
17
Pocono Business Journal | April 2009
Pace Yourself,
You Need
Earth’s
Resources To
Do Business
sed Economy
Green Tourism Day Conference – May 13
“Turning Green into Green” is the theme for this year’s annual
Pocono Mountains Tourism Day. The conference will be presented by
the Pocono Mountains Visitor Bureau (PMVB) on Wednesday, May 13,
2009 at the Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort, from 7:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.
“We have selected Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort to be the host, as they
are one of our proudest green contributors and really have made it their
focus,” says Alicia Quinn, director of public relations, PMVB.
The keynote speaker will be Dr. Susan Cook, senior vice president
of Research U.S. Travel Association. She will explain the Sustainable
Travel Initiative which the U.S. Travel Association is implementing in
partnership with American Express. Cook’s presentation will also give
attendees a look at how the new www.travelgreen.org Web site can
assist them in being environmentally responsible.
Lisa Alexander, Green Building Consultant, will present the
session “What Does Green Mean?” and moderate a panel on “Green
Operations: What Are Tourism Businesses Doing?” In the afternoon,
she will give a workshop for Bed & Breakfasts and Country Inns on
“Greening Your Inn.”
Patrick Maher, of The Maher Group and the American Hotel &
Lodging Association’s ‘green guru’ will address the AH&LA Green
Task Force Initiative and how the AH&LA can assist lodging facilities
in being environmentally responsible. His presentation is titled “EcoFriendly Meets Economic.”
During the Pocono Mountains Tourism Achievement Awards
Luncheon, the PMVB will be honoring employees and businesses in
the following categories: Brand Hero Awards, Outstanding Tourism
Employee of the Year, Lifetime Achievement, Community Service,
Green Award, and Brand Champion.
To register online, visit: 800poconos.com/tourismday or contact
Adriane Holloway at (570) 421-5791 for more information.
By Debbie Burke
Jay Banner
Recently in an interview aired on National Public
Radio, Dr. Jay Banner of the University of Texas at Austin
went on record with Earth Sky Communications Inc. (www.
earthsky.org) about sustainable business practices. Banner
is a professor and Dave P. Carlton Centennial Fellow in
Geology. While some of his responses follow below, PBJ
asked him to delve deeper into this issue and specifically
address how, in the current economic climate, businesses
even afford to move towards sustainability.
Jay Banner: There are a couple of main reasons why
corporations should be interested in sustainability. Number
one, if they can use [fewer] materials, and that’s making
things more sustainable to create the same product, that
actually helps their bottom line dramatically. The second
main reason that corporations ought to be really interested
in sustainability is having a source of their products – the
resources that their products are made out of – far into
the future. If they’re not basically using resources in a
sustainable way to make their products, they’ll run out of
materials that their products are made out of. And that’s
not going to be good for business.
PBJ: How would you modify these comments in light of
today’s economy: can businesses afford to do this now, with
the eventual potential for ROI later?
Banner: This will vary from business to business, as some
of the gains to using more sustainable business practices
come to pass in the short-term, while others will take beyond
the time scale of a few annual reports to come to fruition.
In this economy, there may actually be some incentives for
becoming more sustainable. It will indeed be interesting
to see how the economic stimulus package will incentivize
institutions to become more energy conservation minded
and to develop alternative energy sources. Corporations
need to be visionary and not look at what’s best for the
bottom line in the next quarter or the next year, but look at
what’s best for their bottom line 10 years from now. And I
think if they do that, everyone wins.
PBJ: How does ecotourism play into this; does preserving
natural resources also help the economy especially for
those regions heavily dependent on tourism and attracting
visitors as well as companies?
Banner: Preserving natural resources certainly helps the
economy for regions that are dependent on tourism, but it
some cases it can be even more important in regions that
are not so dependent on tourism. The ecosystem service of
filtration of water is a good example of this. Without clean
water, no region can flourish economically.
PBJ: What part of the country does this well?
Banner: I don’t think any particular part of the country is
doing better than another overall, but I think some parts
have become better at some aspects of sustainability out of
necessity. Many regions in the southwest U.S., for example,
have had to deal with sustaining water resources in their
arid climate, so that the education and practice of water
conservation in those regions are ahead of the rest of the
country. As other regions may face the prospects of more
pressure on water resource sustainability as population
grows and climate changes, they may be able to learn the
best practices of the Southwest.
For more information, the audio podcast can be heard at
http://www.earthsky.org/radioshows/52785/whycorporations-should-go-green, or view his presentation on
corporations and sustainability at http://www.youtube.
com/watch?v=Gk-FFd1gnWc.
18
Pocono Business Journal | April 2009
OP ED
Community Banks In PA Are Sturdy, Healthy
Frank Pinto
Despite what you see on the morning news shows,
late-night talk shows, and every show in the middle, not
every bank in America is on the verge of failure. In fact,
there are many banks—the majority of banks even—
that are still lending and open for new business. These
banks are your community banks, and they make up
the foundation of Main Street here in Pennsylvania and
across the nation.
There are nearly 200 community banks across
Pennsylvania, and they employ 40,000 people. These
banks continue to provide mortgages, business loans,
student loans, and many other services. These banks
did not utilize sub-prime mortgages, poor investment
strategies, or deceptive lending practices. The difference between community banks and regional and
national mega-banks is like the difference between night
and day. The leadership and management of community
banks live in your communities, attend your churches,
and their kids go to school with your kids. I guarantee
there are no million dollar waste baskets in their offices. Community banks make their decisions based on the
needs of Main Street. Mega-banks are tempted and
lured by the riches of Wall Street in their decisions.
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Treasury Secretary Geithner on the other end, we must
continue to remind our customers, communities, and
elected officials that community banks remain strong,
stable, and open for business.
Frank A. Pinto is the President/CEO of the Pennsylvania Association of Community Bankers, the exclusive
voice for community banks in Pennsylvania since 1876.
Sign Announces New Hospital
Under Construction
Photo courtesy of Westfield Hospital.
PA Community
Bankers
However, the media and the government have
deemed us all guilty by association. Recall a recent
quote by Congressman Barney Frank, Chairman of the
U.S. House Banking and Services Committee, “People
really hate you, and they are starting to hate us just for
hanging out with you.” This type of mob mentality
really does a disservice to both the consumers and the
community bankers. By lumping community banks
in with the banks that actually caused our economic
meltdown, the government is hampering our ability to
pull the country out of this mess. Actions like allowing
bank holding company status to GMAC and pumping
them full of money to subsidize 0% financing, imposing
emergency FDIC premiums to all banks despite their
posed systemic risk, the insistence on mark to market
accounting, and intensified regulatory scrutiny are all
impeding forces to letting community bankers do what
they do best—make responsible loans to consumers that
will pay them back.
In order to climb out of this massive, messy hole
which the mega-banks, GSEs (Government Sponsored
Entities) such as Freddie and Fannie, investment banks,
and unscrupulous lenders have dug for us, we need the
government to recognize a few things: 1) We can no
longer allow banks to become too big to fail because
we can no longer afford to keep bailing them out; 2)
Community banks on Main Street took no part in any of
the dubious activities that caused this crisis, and should
not be penalized in the “solutions;” 3) We need honesty
and transparency in the entire industry--no more “cooking the books” or risky/exotic lending instruments that
bypass responsible lending; and 4) The solution to this
mess is not more money, it’s a series of tough policy
decisions to restore order to Wall Street while recognizing the continued stability on Main Street.
Until my phone rings with President Obama or
Westfield Hospital North, a privately owned, small
community hospital in East Stroudsburg, will open
its doors in mid-2010. The 65-bed facility will have
a 16-bed Emergency Department, 6 operating rooms,
a 10-bed Intensive Care Unit and outpatient diagnostics.
The GreenBuild Expo ’08
Another Successful Year
Lisa Alexander
Every year since 1970, we celebrate Earth Day in April. Every November
since 2000, those in the Green Building industry celebrate their Earth Day in
the form of The Annual GreenBuild Convention and Expo. Organized every
year by the U.S. Green Building Council (www.usgbc.org), Greenbuild is the
world’s largest conference and expo dedicated to the green building industry.
It’s a Green Expo in every way including the required use of local organic food,
plant-based packaging, recycling, and no free useless giveaway products that
just consume too many resources to manufacture and ship, and end up in our
landfills.
More than 28,000 attendees came to this year’s GreenBuild in Boston,
representing a 25% increase from last year. In a time when most industry trade
shows have been getting smaller, every year the Greenbuild expo grows larger
in every way.
The USGBC is a non-profit organization established in 1993 to support and
promote the design and construction of sustainable, energy efficient buildings
that are socially and environmentally responsible and healthy for both the building’s residents and the planet. It accomplishes this primarily through its Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) rating system, which applies
to all types of buildings and is comprised of five main categories: sustainable
site development, water savings, energy efficiency, green materials and resource
selection, and indoor environmental quality. It has become the most nationally recognized and trusted green building benchmark to aspire to. Building or
renovating using the LEED guidelines will amount to large long term savings in
both energy and health costs.
LEED can save business money in energy costs as well as in productivity.
The USGBC estimates that employees in environmentally friendly buildings
experience up to a 20% increase in productivity and as much as 80% fewer days
lost to illness caused by poor indoor air quality.
Lisa Alexander, LEED® AP is a Certified EcoBroker® and the CEO of Green
Life, Inc. She is based in Paupack.
19
Pocono Business Journal | April 2009
ECONOMY
Dawn Ferrante, The New Face Of Ec Dev In Carbon
Not Quite Retired In The Poconos
For many, the idea of retirement brings to mind
numerous questions, and now, retirees are wondering if
they will ever get to take that post-retirement vacation.
For early retirees, these issues are complicated by the
current economic circumstances and knowing that,
thanks to their age, health and talents, they are able to
keep working; but how? Police and fire personnel fall
into this category.
Nationwide, the average age for retirement for this
group is 50-55 years old. Additionally, as reported
by the National Center for Health Statistics and the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Americans
enjoy a longer life span of 78.1 years old. This places
them in an interesting predicament.
Due to their age, many must supplement income to
meet the needs of their young families, pay mortgages,
and tackle college bills for their children. In addition,
they have learned that those who did not plan properly
are faced with decreased pensions and limited employment options.
So now, their preferences for a secondary career
reflect a new trend, as entrepreneurship is the career of
choice. Its appeal is multi-faceted. As entrepreneurs,
they can create a business entity derived from activities
they enjoyed in the years before retirement. They can
also continue to serve their communities.
Two examples within our own community are Jack
Manuel of the Pocono Township Police Department
and John Jakobsen of the Stroud Area Regional Police
Department.
Manuel is the owner of Paradise Tanning Salon,
located on Route 611 in Tannersville. After a considerable amount of research, the salon was a perfect
solution for him. “Preparing for retirement was about
owning a business in the town I grew up in and giving
back to this town,” he says. Through his support of the
Tannersville Little League, and other volunteer activities, he is able to realize his goals.
Owning a business can be time-consuming. Delivering great customer service is the primary objective
and he credits his staff’s dependability and team spirit
as the key ingredient to fulfilling their obligations to
their customers.
In comparison, Jakobsen is facing retirement within
a few years and has researched prospective business
opportunities for years. When he stumbled upon the
scrolling advertising truck, his search was over.
“The (MA-2 multimedia) truck is very popular in
Las Vegas and with the introduction of gambling and
other Pocono vacation amenities, this was a perfect fit
for me,” explains Jakobsen. “The truck has the capability of displaying up to 30 billboards at a time and is
equipped with a GPS tracking system. This technology
allows customers to track the vehicle’s route.”
Jakobsen sees PA Mobility Advertising, Inc. as an
opportunity to take care of his family post-retirement
and perform a community service, with his decision to
offer free billboard space for local not-for-profits.
By Debbie Burke
A new Economic
Development Director has
been named in Carbon County.
Dawn Ferrante has replaced
Toni Artuso, who retired after
17 years in the role. She
brings a broad range of business and technology experience to the department as
both Economic Development
Director and also Executive
Dawn Ferrante
Director for the Carbon
County Economic Development Corporation, a private non-profit also involved in local
economic development efforts.
Commissioner William O’Gurek said, “Dawn’s background and experience will be good for the county and our
future projects. We are pleased to have her on our team.”
During her years of consulting for all types and sizes of
businesses, Ferrante assisted companies in developing software applications, business strategies, marketing plans, and
gaining operational efficiency. As a consultant, her client list
includes AT&T, Fujitsu, Clorox, Apple Computer, Qwest,
Comcast, Lucent, Level 3, Ingersoll Rand, Caterpillar,
Sephora, Xcel Energy, Verizon, BellSouth and Telus.
“I have worked on some highly complex, technically
challenging projects in a management capacity and feel
this background will serve me well tackling some of the
industrial development projects Carbon County currently
has underway.” stated Ferrante.
Carbon County has two major industrial development projects underway. Packerton Yards, which is in
the process of receiving necessary permits for access to
the future development, has received funds from state
gaming revenues to begin the first phase of construction. In addition, Carbon County recently announced a private
venture that is developing a solar park in Nesquehoning
that will bring green energy business and jobs to the area.
Ferrante added, “Our economic development strategy will be multi-pronged and include support of existing
businesses, development of entrepreneurs, industrial
development and attraction, and utilizing the existing
community partnerships and assets of Carbon County.”
Dawn Ferrante can be reached at (570) 325-2810 or by
email at [email protected].
Perspectives On The Economy – Carbon County
Dawn Ferrante
Carbon County
Director of Economic Development
“Carbon County is undergoing growth related to our
economic development activities. Packerton Yards is
the county-sponsored effort aimed at developing four to
five tracts that will have rail service in addition to all the
standard amenities for an industrial site. Groundbreaking is
scheduled for the fall of 2009. In addition, the Nesquehoning solar park is being developed by a private group which
will allow Carbon County to take a leadership role in the
development of green industry and green jobs. We see ourselves taking the lead in this area and hope to build on the
strong foundation being built by this effort. Groundbreaking for the solar park is slated for next month.
“Carbon County also has a lot of work to do around
workforce development and partnering our local educational resources with county businesses. It’s important to
support our existing businesses in these turbulent economic
times, and making programs available through workforce
training will be one way we can do that. Another area we
consider important right now as people get laid off from
larger corporate entities is supporting their efforts to
start their own businesses. Entrepreneurship is an
important aspect of a long-term economic development
strategy, and helping those that are willing to take a risk
and start their own efforts will be important to our community.
“Carbon County has tremendous resources around
local groups and organizations and we will work to
identify those via an Asset Mapping Program. The
idea would be that by combining efforts these groups
can accomplish more than by working alone. Part of
the challenge with this is that many key groups and
individuals don’t know of one another. By simply identifying disparate groups we can help create economies
of scale.
“Lastly, our area is one of the most picturesque in
the region and we will continue to grow and nurture
our tourism industry. This has been the low-hanging
fruit with respect to economic development, but there is
still much work to be done and balancing the growth of
tourism with conservation and long-term planning will
also be important.”
Pa. Anti-Discrimination Bill Advances Out Of Committee
A House committee last month approved a bill that
would protect people who live or work in Pennsylvania
from discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender
identity or expression. The bill would address discrimination in employment, housing, credit and public accommodations.
House State Government Committee Chairwoman
Babette Josephs, D-Phila., led the committee in the12-11
vote to send the bill (H.B. 300) to the full House of Representatives. The bill has more than 70 bipartisan co-sponsors
in the House, including all members of the majority
leadership.
Pennsylvania’s Human Relations Act already bans
discrimination based on race, color, religious creed,
ancestry, age, sex, national origin, a non-job related
handicap or disability, or the use of a guide or support
animal due to a person being blind, deaf or having a
physical handicap.
Source: State Rep. Dan Frankel (D, Allegheny)
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By Angela M. Tullo
Holly R. Corcoran,
CPA, Inc.
Certified Public Accountant
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businesses & individuals since 1991.
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20
Pocono Business Journal | April 2009
LEGISLATIVE ROUNDUP
Legislative Roundup
Compiled by Debbie Burke
We asked our local and regional legislators:
What “green” initiatives are you currently championing?
Sen. David Argall (R, 29)
“As a member of the House of Representatives for the
past 25 years, I have championed a number of measures to aid our environment. One such measure is my
“Living Near Your Work Community Development Tax
Credit Program.” Specifically, this legislation would
amend the current Tax Reform Act of 1972 by providing a minimum $6,000 tax credit for every $12,000 that
a business grants to employees to help them purchase
a home near their place of employment. This measure,
based on successful programs in other states, will bring
families closer to the workplace. In addition, the LNYW
program is designed to reduce pollution, save workers commuting time and decrease the advancement of
urban sprawl. As the new Senator for the 29th District
in Schuylkill, Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe and
Northampton counties, I look forward to working with
my colleagues to reach a consensus on this and other
important legislation in this session.” Sen. Lisa Baker (R, 20)
“More than 85 percent of the stockpiled scrap tires in
the United States are located in just seven states, including Pennsylvania. We need to fund the clean-up of large
scrap tire piles, which pose a threat to our health, safety
and environment. These piles are mosquito breeding
grounds that could lead to the spread of West Nile Virus.
They are also prone to fires that are very difficult to
extinguish and produce toxic air emissions and harmful
groundwater runoff. Pennsylvania currently collects a
$1 fee on every new tire sold for highway use, but that
money is not being used for the disposal of tires. This
session, I will work to see that a portion of this money is
used for this purpose.”
Sen. Lisa M. Boscola (D, 18)
Unavailable for comment
Sen. Patrick M. Browne (R, 16)
“I recently sponsored $50 million dollars of Alternative Energy Production Tax Credits that were part of the
2008 Pennsylvania Alternative Energy Investment Act.
Examples of the eligible projects for these tax credits
include ones which manufacture or produce products
that provide renewable energy, utilize alternative energy
resources or develop or enhance rail transportation
systems that deliver alternative or renewable fuel. The
Diesel-Powered Motor Vehicle Idling Act (Act 124),
which I sponsored, restricts heavy-duty diesel vehicles
from idling more than five minutes per hour. This law
will produce significant energy and air quality benefits
for Pennsylvania citizens. Its provisions went into effect
January 1, 2009.”
US Rep. Chris
Carney (D, 10)
Unavailable for
comment
US Sen. Robert
Casey (D,PA)
Unavailable for
comment
Rep. Mike Carroll (D, 118)
Unavailable for
comment
US Rep. Paul E.
Kanjorski (D,
11)
“Last summer, I cosponsored a bill which
passed in the House to
help fund public transportation, including
helping to enable transit
systems to convert to
more energy efficient
technologies while also
lowering people’s gas
costs. Additionally, the
recently passed recovery package includes
many initiatives to meet
the energy challenges
of the 21st century by
increasing renewable
energy production
and renovating public
buildings to make them
more energy efficient. The bill includes
$16.8 billion for such
initiatives which will help create good jobs, decrease
our dependence on foreign oil, and reduce our carbon
footprint.”
Rep. Sandra Major (R, 111)
“In 2008, I voted to concur with state Senate amendments to the Alternative Energy Investment Act which
provides funding, mostly in the form of bonds, for a
variety of green energy projects. As the program takes
shape, I want to make sure it is implemented properly
and fairly. Additionally, I have co-sponsored a resolution
directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee
to review the Commonwealth’s program of providing
grants for environmental protection and improvement
projects under the Growing Greener and the Community
Conservation Partnerships programs.”
Rep. Keith McCall (D, 122)
“The biggest green project in Carbon County right now
is also the biggest green project this side of Nevada: the
Nesquehoning Solar Park soon to be built at the Green
Acres Industrial Park. I was proud to work with Green
Energy Capital Partners and the Kovatch Corporation to
get this project moving and I was proud to bring home
dollars from Harrisburg to help fund site preparation
and construction. Carbon County’s anthracite powered
the industrial revolution and still powers a lot of our
nation’s homes and energy plants, and now we’re going
to take the lead with clean, green, renewable energy to
help get us off the foreign oil habit.”
Sen. Robert J. Mellow (D, 22)
“I will soon be reintroducing my four-bill energy
package that would invest over $71 million to help put
Pennsylvania at the national forefront in the development and use of cellulosic fuels. The four proposals
would provide:
• $40 million in grants and low-interest loans for the
construction of cellulosic ethanol production facilities in
Pennsylvania. Our state must step up now and position
itself to reap the economic and environmental benefits
of this new energy technology.
• $10 million in research and development tax credits
and another $10 million for production tax credits to
cellulosic ethanol production facilities.
• $5 million annually in tax credits to subsidize farmers who plant energy crops such as switchgrass for cellulosic ethanol production. The bill also offers another
$5 million in tax credits to help better control the costs
of maintaining such crops. The measure is designed to
provide an economic cushion for farmers who must nurture crops like switchgrass through two growing cycles
before they can be harvested.
• $1 million to educate farmers about the methods and
benefits of the use of crops used in the production of
cellulosic ethanol.
Sen. Raphael J. Musto (D, 14)
“In this legislative session, I am continuing to push for
the increased use of alternative energy in Pennsylvania,
strengthening our local recycling programs, and cleaning up our waterways using innovative technologies. I
am also interested in seeing more of our abandoned
mine lands reclaimed for productive uses.”
Rep. Mike Peifer (R, 139)
“I am working on legislation to encourage the development of wood pellet energy - trying to create a constant
supply and demand for this renewable, low-ash content,
energy product.”
see ROUNDUP page 21
21
Pocono Business Journal | April 2009
INTERVIEW
ROUNDUP... cont. from page 20
Rep. Mario M. Scavello (R, 176)
New Exec Director For Pike Chamber Sees
Growth, Infrastructure As Top Concerns
“I am a co-sponsor of several bills already this session that encourage the construction of high-performance buildings and authorize tax credits; require
the use of biodiesel by Commonwealth-owned
vehicles; promote the use of switchgrass and other
bioenergy crops for the revegetation of lands affected by surface mining activities; establish recycling
programs for consumer electronics; and provide a
tax credit on purchases of Energy Star rated replacement windows and other products.”
Rep. John J. Siptroth (D, 189)
“Since taking office, I have dedicated myself to
supporting green energy businesses in Pennsylvania. Energy independence and the transition to an
economy that is free from dependency on fossil
fuels will be a big challenge for the state. For several
years I have actively supported DMI Manufacturing,
a small local manufacturer of an energy conservation device. It is now poised to rapidly expand and
I anticipate many new jobs to be created locally as
a result. My office has been hard at work promoting
Monroe and Pike counties to green energy companies outside of Pennsylvania and recently initiated a
series of meetings in Monroe County between state
officials, regional economic development corporations and companies interested in building solar
panel manufacturing plants, solar farms, biodiesel
plants and other projects in the area. I am advocating
with our congressmen and senators for funding for
these projects from the energy portion of the federal
stimulus package. I intend to do everything I can to
pave the way for new jobs in the green energy sector
for Monroe and Pike county residents.”
US Sen. Arlen Specter (R, PA)
“In the 110th Congress I co-authored climate change
legislation titled ‘The Low Carbon Economy Act’.
This legislation sets forth a reasoned approach to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions within the range
called for by scientists while still protecting our
economy, spurring advanced energy technologies,
and engaging key developing countries. The bill
includes mechanisms to ensure that its effect on
energy and electricity prices is modest, and, in doing so, ensures a smooth transition to a low carbon
future. The bill responds to the urgency of the
climate change challenge with a politically viable,
economically responsible, technologically feasible,
and scientifically justifiable strategy.”
Rep. Edward G. Staback (D, 115)
Unavailable for comment
PBJ: What does Pike have to offer that will help move it
forward?
Pike County is a diversified area with many wonderful
components, such as the historic and recreation areas. The
people here are friendly, the schools are excellent, taxes
are relatively low, community involvement is high and the
county is uniquely positioned next to both New York and
New Jersey.
Danielle Jordan
PBJ: Fill in the blank: We want Pike to become the next
_____________. And, how will you work with the Pike
County Economic Development Authority (PCEDA) and
Harrisburg to make this happen?
Interview by Debbie Burke
From many years of interviewing business owners
and professionals in Monroe County, Danielle Jordan has
gained an understanding of their concerns and their hopes.
Formerly a reporter for Blue Ridge Cable TV-13 and cohost of the Greater Pocono Chamber of Commerce’s radio
show, Jordan has assumed her new responsibilities as the
head of the Pike County Chamber of Commerce in February. Pocono Business Journal got some face time with her
and talked about her plans to support and grow the business
community in Pike.
Pocono Business Journal: You’re obviously familiar
with Monroe County, having worked in TV, covering a
lot of events related to the business community. How will
that knowledge be beneficial in your new role as the Pike
County Chamber’s new executive director?
Danielle Jordan: Having had the opportunity to interview
such a wide range of businesses on many topics has given
me a unique insight into the many facets of the business
world. It also has been beneficial because I have gained an
understanding of the people behind the businesses and their
goals and challenges.
PBJ: What do you see as the top challenges that businesses
in Pike face today?
With growth comes opportunity, however, it also brings
challenges. Long term issues for Pike County are going
to include matters associated with population growth and
the stress that puts upon infrastructure and environmental
sustainability. In the short term, certainly the economy is
on the top of every business owner’s mind.
PBJ: How do you plan to overcome these challenges?
Smart, careful growth is important and staying connected
to many local agencies is imperative. Right now my job is
to listen and understand what challenges various businesses
are facing in Pike County. Ultimately, we want to help local businesses meet these challenges and thrive.
I want Pike County to be a unique region all on its own.
In conjunction with the Chamber’s Government Affairs
Committee and our relationship with the PCEDA, I am
becoming involved with both local and statewide issues in
Harrisburg.
PBJ: What is unique about your background that you will
put to use as you help business owners in the county?
At first, I answered this question by referencing my experience in business development, marketing and public
relations. But upon reconsidering, I want to convey what
I believe is truly unique about my ability to help business
owners. The answer is that I care about what happens to
this area. As a true “people person,” I enjoy interacting and
playing a part in helping people succeed in their businesses.
I also believe that communication is important and I am a
very good listener.
PBJ: What do you hope to achieve in your first year?
A lot. Foremost, I hope to create the trust and support that
is needed to become a true advocate for the business members that I represent.
PBJ: How do you plan on engaging business owners and
professionals from all corners of the county?
The chamber of commerce is at the heart of the local
economy because that is where businesses come together
and gain strength from each other. We are looking at ways
to develop unique events throughout the entire Pike County
region. Becoming a member of a chamber of commerce
is the most cost-effective marketing you can do for your
business and that is why so many well respected businesses
make it a priority in their business plan. Pike County is
growing fast and this chamber has a wonderful opportunity
to grow as well.
PBJ: Attracting and retaining business in Pike takes on a
special meaning now that we are faced with severe economic challenges. What can business owners
do to keep the economy here thriving?
When a budget plan gets tight, the first area
to be cut is usually marketing and advertising. Because this notion is detrimental on so
many levels, I would first advise owners to
think about what your business does better
than anyone else. Figure out what makes your
business unique and then advertise that service
or product. For example: A store that stays
open late once a week may be a huge benefit
to area people who commute. Advertising
that you have special commuter-friendly hours
may increase your sales. It is important to
stand out among your competition and to be as
customer-friendly as possible. In an economy
like this you need to be more creative and
effective.
Get your business straight with e-books
www.monroepl.org
remote database and business resource services
22
Pocono Business Journal | April 2009
NEWS
FOCUS
LIST
Energy Savings Comes In A Gray Steel Cabinet
Photo credit: DMI
Guy Lestician, president and CEO of
DMI Manufacturing, and a local inventor
with possibly the next big development in
energy savings.
By Nicholas Sergi
It may be about time.
The cost of electric utilities is about to increase dramatically as rate caps come off next
year. The nation is in the midst of an economic
crisis, with businesses and residents looking to
save money however they can. And the environment continues to be a widespread concern
around the nation.
With all of these factors at the forefront of
public consciousness, East Stroudsburg inventor Guy Lestician, president and CEO of DMI
Manufacturing (Stroudsburg), is certain that
circumstances are right for actively marketing
his patented Energy Bank Unit. These energysaving units which are designed to improve the
power quality while acting as a surge suppressor during lightning storms can be manufactured according to the energy requirements in
a customer’s facility, with sizes ranging from
residential to industrial “There is a guarantee
of 11% energy savings per kilowatt hour, but
it can go higher, to 20%,” says Lestician. Savings of 30% were documented last year during
product demonstrations at Wilkes University
School of Science and Engineering in WilkesBarre.
“It’s a unique product,” Lestician adds.
“You don’t need MIT graduates to build it.”
The units have been assembled by workers
with disabilities at Burnley Employment and
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Rehabilitation Center in Stroudsburg. “We are
always going to use their workers to manufacture the EBU’s.” This is a relationship that
he assures will continue even if his company
should expand and relocate. In fact, Lestician
notes the time is right for such an expansion.
He is looking for new investors and is widening his net: “I’m prepared to go global.” When
that happens, he is hopeful it will create many
jobs to meet increased demand.
At the moment, however, DMI lacks
capital. “We are sitting on a product that will
revolutionize the reduction of energy throughout the world,” he says. But the challenge now
is to meet the production demands of investors
while connecting with the new presidential
administration’s energy experts. Lestician is
banking on the fact that the EBU is precisely
the sort of U.S.-manufactured energy-saving
project that President Barack Obama’s team
is looking for, but creating the proper political
inroads is a challenge he faces. He has had the
backing of State Representative John Siptroth
and Congressman Paul E. Kanjorski, who
Lestician calls “stepping stones in the political
scheme to stay here” and to eventually obtain
support from Washington
Although he wouldn’t name names, Lestician, who continues the search for investors,
says, “There are a couple of major companies
that are watching.”
2/2/09 2:05:32 PM
According to Rep. Paul E. Kanjorski’s
guidebook on The American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act, $730 million is provided to
the Small Business Administration (www.sba.
gov) “and makes changes to the agency’s lending and investment programs so that they can
reach more small businesses that need help.”
An excerpt of these changes follows below
(visit http://kanjorski.house.gov and click on
“Learn About The Recovery Package” for more
information):
Microloans ($30 million)
Provides $30 million for expanding SBA’s
Microloan program, enough to finance up to
$50 million in new lending and $24 million in
technical assistance grants to microlenders.
Temporary Fee Reductions or Eliminations
($375 million)
$375 million for temporary fee reductions or
eliminations on SBA loans. Most fees are
reduced or eliminated through September 2010
on certain SBA loans.
Secondary Market Expansion
Authorizes SBA to establish a secondary
market for pools of “first lien” loans under
the 504 program. These “first lien” loans from
commercial lenders currently have no SBA
guarantee.
90 Percent Guarantee
Allows the SBA to raise its loan guarantee
from the current levels to up to 90 percent for
some loans. Currently, SBA can guarantee
loans up to 85 percent on loans up to $15,000
and up to 75% on loans greater than $150,000.
The 50 percent guarantee on SBA Express
loans would remain unchanged.
Surety Bonds ($15 million)
Raises the maximum contract amount that
can be covered by an SBA guaranteed surety
bond from $2 million to $5 million, and, under
certain circumstances, for contracts amounting
to $10 million, and provides additional funds to
cover the costs of expanding this program.
Business Stabilization Loans ($225 million)
Creates a new SBA loan program to provide
deferred-payment loans of up to $35,000 to
viable small businesses that need the money to
make payments on an existing, qualifying loan
for up to six months.
Refinancing
Authorizes refinancing for certain SBA loans
so borrowers can expand their businesses on
favorable terms, and help create jobs in their
communities.
Investment Program
Helps SBA-licensed Small Business Investment Companies (SBICs) and families of SBIC
funds better leverage the capital they use to
invest in small businesses.
(Source: Congressman Paul E. Kanjorski
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of
2009.)
23
Pocono Business Journal | April 2009
BUSINESS BRIEFS
WHO’s WHO
BAILEY
BANACK
SACCI
BOEHNING
SERPICO
Antonelli – James Antonelli of the Tobyhanna Army Depot
has been appointed deputy director of the Production Management Directorate. He supervises 230 people who perform
workload and operations analysis, and the supply chain management function for the mission areas.
Bailey – Deborah A. Bailey, owner and proprietor of Connections Magazine and Bailey Design and Advertising in
Honesdale, has been designated as one of the Top 25 Women
in Business in Northeast PA by the Association of Women
Business Owners and the Northeast Business Journal.
Banack – Mark Banack has joined the team of Fitzgerald
GMAC Real Estate (Stroudsburg) as an Associate Broker.
Banack holds more than five years of experience in real estate.
Bartlett – Anne Marie Bartlett of Weichert, Realtors ruffino
Real Estate in Milford has earned Realtor of the Month for
February.
Bocci – Louis Bocci has been recognized for 30 years of
service to the Tobyhanna Army Depot as an electroplater
supervisor, Refinishing Services Division, Systems Integration,
and Support Directorate.
Boehning – Coldwell Banker Commercial Pennco Real Estate
in Stroudsburg has hired Robert Boehning as a corporate services specialist. Boehning will offer consulting services in the
areas of land development, permits and entitlement approvals,
project management and asset analysis.
Briggs – Dr. Philip J. Briggs, distinguished professor emeritus
of political science at East Stroudsburg University, recently
spoke at the Corson Poley Center in Burlington, N.J., on the
role of a Continental Army amphibious unit in 1776.
Brockelman – Former president of the Pocono Mountains
Assoc. of Realtors and area broker Vickie Brockelman has
opened Commonwealth Real Estate Your Way, LLC in Mt.
Pocono. The agency provides customized solutions for each
client.
Capone – Thomas Capone has been hired as senior vice
president and regional executive at Pennstar Bank, overseeing
commercial banking and business development in Luzerne,
Monroe and Pike Counties.
Casebolt – Dr. Kevin Casebolt, chair and associate professor
of Movement Activities and Lifetime Fitness at East Stroudsburg University, delivered a presentation at the National
Association of Kinesiology and Physical Education in Higher
Education and had two manuscripts accepted for publication.
Colon – Melba Colon has been recognized for 5 years of
service at Wayne Bank. Since August 2003, Melba has been
part of the items processing department at the main branch in
Honesdale.
DiCindio – Gloria C. DiCindio of CENTURY21 Select Group
(headquartered in Hamlin) has earned her real estate broker’s
license for the State of Pennsylvania. She will continue to specialize in residential property sales in the North Pocono area.
Eagan – Bette Eagan of the Pike County Builders Association
was invited by the National Association of Home Builders
to work at the International Builders Show in Las Vegas.
Eagan was responsible for assisting customers with finding
books, working with UPS to ship them out and give additional
discounts and gifts out to members from Pike and surrounding
counties of Pennsylvania.
Esposito – Patrick Esposito, director of Production Management at the Tobyhanna Army Depot has been recognized as
one of the Ten Outstanding C4ISR Personnel of the Year for
2008. The award signifies contribution to the Depot and the
COLON
VASHLISHAN
DICINDIO
WILKLOW
FEINMAN
YAMIALKOWSKI
U.S. Army CECOM Life Cycle Management Command.
Feinman – Jason Feinman of Weichert, REALTORS® has
earned the At Home with Diversity certification from the
National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). In order to
receive this certification, Feinman completed a course to help
develop skills for working with home buyers and sellers of all
backgrounds.
Francescangeli – Dr. Vincent Francescangeli Jr. of Pocono Internal Medicine Specialists has received the first Hospice and
Palliative Medicine Certification Examination offered through
the American Board of Internal Medicine. The examination is
offered to general internists and subspecialists who care for
chronically and terminally ill patients.
Garrison – Dr. Heather Garrison, assistant professor in the
Special Education and Rehabilitation Department at East
Stroudsburg University, has recently contributed to three early
childhood education textbooks and created PowerPoint slides
and lecture notes to accompany the Special Education in Contemporary Society textbook chapters.
Green – Dr. Bonnie Green, associate professor of psychology
at East Stroudsburg University, recently co-authored a textbook titled Statistical Concepts for the Behavioral Sciences
(4th edition).
Herman – Dr. Charles K. Herman, director of Plastic and
Reconstructive Surgery at Pocono Medical Center recently
agreed to co-author an encyclopedia/textbook that will discuss
body contouring.
Hopkins-Nicosia- Diondrea Hopkins-Nicosia has joined Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, Wilkins & Associates in
Stroudsburg. She has been a REALTOR® for over two years
and has worked in the industry since 1998.
Hughes – Carolyn Hughes has been recognized for 35 years of
service to the Tobyhanna Army Depot as a business development specialist, Engineering Design, Development and Manufacturing Division, and Production Directorate.
Kovan – Kenneth E. Kovan, CEO of Chaperone Technologies,
has been invited to speak at an upcoming conference in Boston
on Combination Pharmaceutical Products. His presentation will focus on the prospective role of combination hsp70
inhibitors with existing microbials to achieve better clinical
outcomes through synergy.
Lee – Douglas Lee has been recognized for 30 years of service
to the Tobyhanna Army Depot as a materials examiner and
identifier, Material Management Division, and Production
Management Directorate.
Little – Ann Little has joined Better Homes and Gardens
Real Estate in Stroudsburg. Little was originally licensed as a
REALTOR® in 2004 in New York and acquired her PA license
in 2007. Little is a certified buyer representative.
McGee-Crotty – Dr. Patricia McGee-Crotty, chair and professor of the Political Science Department at East Stroudsburg
University, recently reviewed Robert Ellickman’s book “The
Household.” The review was published in the “Law and Politics Book Review.
Narey – Dr. Marilyn J. Narey, assistant professor in the Department of Early Childhood and Elementary Education at East
Stroudsburg University, recently published Making Meaning:
Constructing Multimodal Perspectives of Language, Literacy,
and Learning.
Pyatt - Henry D. Pyatt, has been selected as the new downtown manager for the Eastburg Community Alliance (ECA).
He graduated University of Pittsburgh with a B.A degree in
FRANCESCANGELI
ZELINSKI
Urban Studies and a concentration in Planning. Pyatt is currently seeking volunteers for a Keep PA Beautiful Litter pickup
on April 25, as well as exhibitors for Books, Brushes, and
Blooms, ECA’s showcase of local writers, visual artists, and
gardeners.
Sacci – Dominick J. Sacci was recently promoted to Senior
Vice President/General Manager of Better Homes and Gardens
Real Estate Wilkins & Associates. Sacci manages the Naomi
Pines and North Pocono offices of Better Homes and Gardens
Real Estate Wilkins & Associates.
Schmoyer – Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc. has appointed
Deanna Schmoyer the regional service group manager in
charge of land development services for northeastern Pennsylvania. Schmoyer will be responsible for overseeing the
delivery of all land development and site planning services.
Serpico – Christina A. Serpico of NEPA Management Associates has been promoted from property manager to senior
property manager. Serpico has been with the company for over
seven years.
Starrett – Robert J. Starrett, Associate Broker, CRB of Michael Baxter & Associates Commercial Real Estate & Property
Management in Stroudsburg, recently brokered the sale of
a 17,000 sq. ft. commercial trucking distribution site in Mt.
Pocono. Starrett handled both sides of the transaction to close
the deal.
Stevens – William Stevens has been recognized for 30 years
of service to the Tobyhanna Army Depot as a process improvement specialist, Process Improvement Division, Production
Engineering Directorate.
VanArsdale – Dr. Nancy VanArsdale, chair and professor of
English at East Stroudsburg University, recently co-edited a
book titled Approaches to Teaching Fitzgerald’s The Great
Gatsby. VanArsdale also presented “How Professional Writing
Programs Are Changing English Departments” at the national
conference of the Modern Language Association.
Vashlishan – Karyn Vashlishan, the vice president/regulatory
compliance officer of Wayne Bank in Honesdale, was recently
awarded the Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager designation from the Institute of Certified Bankers, a subsidiary of
the American Bankers Association, in Washington, DC.
Wilklow- Lynn Wilklow, the manager of Bushkill’s Better
Homes and Gardens Real Estate, was recently promoted to
vice president/sales manager. Wilklow holds the designations
of Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES) and Accredited Buyers
Representative (ABR) and serves on the grievance committee
for the Pike/Wayne Association of Realtors.
Yamialkowski - David Yamialkowski has been recognized for
20 years of service to the Wayne Bank.
Zatorski – Richard Zatorski has been recognized for 30 years
of service to the Tobyhanna Army Dept as an electronics
worker, Avionics Division, Command, Control, and Computers/Avionics Directorate.
Zelinksi – Jerry Zelinski of the Tobyhanna Army Depot has
been appointed chief of the Special Projects and Fabrication
Branch, Systems Integration and Support Directorate. Zelinski
supervises 31 employees who assemble and test electronic assemblies, sub-assemblies, and printed circuit boards.
Please send all press releases for
consideration to [email protected]
24
Pocono Business Journal | April 2009
BUSINESS BRIEFS
WHAT’s WHAT
Barton Heights Veterinary Hospital (Stroudsburg) is
celebrating 35 years in business and has a new owner, Dr.
Jeremy Wentz. The office has also added extended hours
on Saturday and Sunday.
The Brodhead Watershed Association (BWA) has been
selected as a recipient of the Coldwater Heritage Partnership’s 2009 Grant Awards. The Coldwater Heritage
Partnership is a cooperative initiative between Pennsylvania Trout Unlimited, the Pennsylvania Department of
Conservation and Natural Resources, the Pennsylvania
Fish and Boat Commission, and the Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds. The BWA will receive a portion of a
$35,000 grant award to be used to investigate the spatial
and temporal patterns of stream temperature, determine
causative factors, and develop a management plan for the
Paradise Creek and its tributaries.
Century 21 Select Group announced that its 2008 con-
tributions to Easter Seals totaled $6,000. Its participation
this past year marked the groups 10th year of affiliation
with this charitable foundation.
The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission
announced it has donated an estimated $33,390 worth of
used radio communications equipment to eight emergency-response agencies in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
The Commission is continuing efforts to make further
donations of radio equipment to other first-responder
agencies within its 140-mile river region jurisdiction in
the two states.
Eckman Building Components has been approved for
an investment of $12,615 from Ben Franklin Technology Partners, to optimize the manufacturing process and
reduce production costs.
The Cardiac Rehabilitation team within the ESSA Heart
and Vascular Institute of Pocono Medical Center recently celebrated its 30th anniversary of providing care to
cardiac patients, and moved into a larger space at PMC.
A grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony was recently held for Flex Appeal Nutrition Center in Honesdale. Owned by Phyllis Matechak, Flex Appeal is geared
to promoting health, fitness, and well-being.
Make Plans
To be a Part of
The Region’s
Largest Business
& Community
EXPO
Celebrating Its 22nd Year
• Build awareness of your business
• Showcase your products/services
• Meet potential customers
• Enhance your business image
• Network business to business
May 6
VIP Reception: 12 – 2 p.m.
Ribbon Cutting: 2– 2:30 p.m.
Show Hours: 2:30 – 7 p.m.
May 7
Show Hours: 12:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Koehler Fieldhouse
East Stroudsburg University of PA
Reserve Your Space Today!
Call Miriam
(570) 421-4433
A grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony was
recently held for Kathy’s License Service in Honesdale. Owned by Kathy Keegan, this business offers title
transfers, vehicle registrations, plates, renewals, duplicate
registrations and stickers and notary services. In addition
to Pennsylvania requirements, Kathy’s also handles paperwork from New York and New Jersey.
Fourteen people won $1,400 worth of prizes in The
Dime Bank’s grand opening drawing at the new Lake
Region Office in Hawley. Some of the winners met with
the Dime’s community office manager Diane Sarday to
receive gift certificates to local area businesses worth
$100 each.
Keller Williams® Realty Inc. announced recently at its
annual convention in Orlando, Fla. that it is now the thirdlargest real estate franchise in the United States. From
2006 to 2008, Keller Williams Realty increased its associate count by 52%, market share for its offices increased
83% and agent gross commission income went up 35%.
Currently, the company has 679 offices operating in the
United States including one in Stroudsburg. The company
also shared more than $30 million in profits with its associates in 2008 through its company-wide profit sharing
program.
Lehigh Carbon Community College (LCCC) has
received three advertising awards from the College and
University Public Relations Association of Pennsylvania
(CUPRAP). CUPRAP is a voluntary organization of communications professionals from colleges, universities, and
independent schools dedicated to advancing the understanding of higher education.
A Blue Ribbon Marketing grant from PPL Utilities will
enable Wayne Economic Development Corporation
(WEDCO) to better market Sterling Business Park to
prospects. The 252-acre park located in Sterling Township, Wayne County, is currently under construction. The
PPL grant is being used to create email templates and
Coming Next Month ... May 2009
develop a separate Web site for the business park.
Sanofi Pasteur had been exploring a number of options
regarding office space utilization and was considering
among other sites, the Lehigh Valley. The company has
recently announced the decision to seek office space solutions within closer proximity to the Swiftwater campus.
Please send all press releases for
consideration to [email protected]
Almost $13 Million For NEPA
Projects Will Aid 25 Local Projects
In 11th Congressional District
The 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act passed
in Congress, allocating almost $13 million in
funding for 25 local projects throughout Pennsylvania’s 11th Congressional District. A statement
issued today indicates that Congressman Paul E.
Kanjorski (PA-11), Senator Bob Casey (D-PA),
and Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA) worked closely
to ensure that the spending bill provides necessary funding for the area. The bill will now go to
President Obama for his signature. A list below includes secured funding for projects in Pennsylvania’s 11th Congressional District; noted are those
projects that fall specifically within the Pocono
region:
Financial Services and General Government
• $300,000 - Secures funding for Northampton
Community College’s Electrotechnology Application Center (Kanjorski, Casey, Dent);
Labor, Health & Human Services, Education
• $95,000 - Acquires funding for renovation and
equipment at Pocono Medical Center (Kanjorski, Casey, Specter);
• $95,000 - Grants funding for math and science
programs at East Stroudsburg University (Kanjorski, Specter);
• $95,000 - Provides funding for technology and
equipment upgrades at Northampton Community College (Kanjorski, Casey, Specter);
Transportation, Housing & Urban Development
• $475,000 - Grants funding to help revitalize
distressed neighborhoods in Carbon County
(Kanjorski).
(Source: Office of Rep. Paul E. Kanjorski)
POCONO
Regional Business News & Resources
HR Management, Workplace Wellness, Healthcare
• Does Freedom Have A Price?: The Employee Free Choice Act in the Poconos
• When An Employee Has Cancer: What employers need to know
• Your Company Cafeteria: Towards a healthy workforce
www.pbjonline.com
• Safe, Happy And Accident Free: Eliminating hazards and liability
• Professional Profile: Pocono Auction soars in down market
www.pbjonline.com
25
Pocono Business Journal | April 2009
FOCUS LIST
By
County: Carbon Monroe Pike Wayne
Wayne
Pike
Monroe
Carbon
Organization
Address
KerryClean
P.O. Box 1527
Albrightsville, PA 18210
Naturally Yours Organic Goods
103 Broadway
Jim Thorpe, PA 18229
Austin James Assoc., Inc
Route 423
Pocono Pines, PA 18350
DeCusatis Environmental Design
P.O. Box 927
Stroudsburg,PA 18360
F.X. Browne, Inc.
P.O. Box 1398
Marshalls Creek PA 18335
Strunk-Albert Engineering
RR #5 Box 5198 – Route 209East
Stroudsburg, PA 18301
Sun Spot Solar Heating, Inc.
P.O. Box 55
Delaware Water Gap, PA 18327
Green Country Homes
Nikles Office Plaza 104 Bennett Ave.
Suite 1A Milford, PA 18337
Lisa Alexander, REED AP
HC1 Box 122-A
Paupack, PA 18451
Green Demolitions
45 Brown St.
Honesdale, PA 18431
ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
Contact
Phone / Fax
Web site
Services
Kerry Dubrazski
(570) 722-0885
www.kerryclean.com
Green professional
residential/commercial
cleaning services
June Gaudreau
(570) 325-8209
Organic products and
food
www.austinjamesassociates.com
Austin James
(570) 646-5431
John DeCusatis
(570) 629-6581
Environmental design
and consultation
Paul McNemar
(570) 588-7900
www.fxbrowne.com
Full-service civil
engineering firm: lowimpact land development, wastewater
management, wetlands,
and lakes
David Strunk, P.E.
(570) 421-2025
www.strunk-albert.com
Sustainable energy design, thermal imaging
Frank Proske
(570) 422-1292
www.ssolar.com
Renewable energy
products
Ed Nikles
(570) 296-9200
www.greencountryhomes.com
Green uilding/design
Lisa Alexander
(570) 857-9490
www.livebetterlivegreen.com
Certified ECO Broker,
Green Living Expert
www.greendemolitions.
com
Sells commercial,
surplus and donated
kitchens, appliances,
and home décor from
demolished and renovated homes
John Green
(570) 253-8933
Disclaimer: If your organization is located within Carbon, Monroe, Pike and Wayne in northeastern Pennsylvania and was not included in the listing, please contact Pocono
Business Journal so we can ensure it is included in future editions of this focus list.
Kudos To The Locovore!
By Andrea B. Reiter
One of the best investments you can make is in food that is grown
locally. It is an investment in the environment, in your health, and in the
health of the area’s economy.
Registered dietitian Christina Brecht, who practices in Stroudsburg
and is on the faculty of East Stroudsburg University, said, “Buying locally
reduces your carbon footprint because you aren’t using (and paying for)
the fuel to transport the food across the country.” The commitment to eating and buying locally now enjoys its own term: “locovore.”
She explained, “When you buy locally, you create a responsible, sustainable food system that is fair to the animals, fair to the people, fair to
the workers, and fair to the environment.” She said that this system could
continue for generations without depleting the soil.
Not so with some large agribusinesses. Many have depleted the
soil from the widespread use of chemicals. “With the excessive use of
fertilizers, crops could grow too quickly, which does not give nutrients
time to develop,” Brecht said. However, government support, she says, has mainly provided to the large agribusinesses, especially for those that
grow corn, soybeans, hay, wheat, and cotton, which explains why many
fruits and vegetables have to be imported. Many of the toxins and bacteria
involved in food poisonings are imported on those foods, too.
To address some of these problems, Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and
Chuck Grassley (R-IA) have reintroduced the EAT SAFE 2009 Act. The
bill gives the FDA the resources it needs to fully monitor our food supply.
Sue Werkheiser of Werkheiser Farm in Tannersville said that the freshness
really affects the taste. She says, “I try to keep everything local and fresh.
Vegetables lose taste when they are not fresh. When you pick string beans
and potatoes and eat them the same night, there is no comparison to those
that are not fresh.” Brecht adds, “Some nutrients do not hold up well over
time, especially vitamin C.”
And how is the health of the local farm movement? Ed Pruss, Extension Educator of the Master Gardeners’ Program of Penn State, Pike
Extension, said that in the past decade, the number of dairy farms has
greatly declined because of low profitability. On the other hand, there is
a resurgence in the number of fruit and vegetable farms. The farms that
are springing up, though, are often “niche” farms, which try to capture the
specialty market.
“They add value to the raw product, such as apples, by drying them,
slicing them, or coating them,” Pruss observes. “Many people are willing
Evaluation, cleanup,
and remediation of sites
impacted by the release
of petroleum and other
hazardous material
to pay more for organic food and to have products prepared for
them.”
The Werkheiser farm on Old Mill Road in Tannersville grows
vegetables and flowers, and also jams, jellies, barn stars, corn
stalks, and other seasonal items.
Werkheiser says, “I saw a decrease last year when gas was $4 or
more a gallon. People continued to buy produce, but there was a
decline in non-edible items, such as corn stalks, hay, and pumpkins
used for decoration in the fall.” Ann Gould of Gould’s Produce in Brodheadsville is building
an addition to her market on Frable Road. She grows vegetables,
fruits, gourds, corn stalks, straw, hay, animal corn, and mums. In
the winter, she sells animal corn, jams, jellies, pancake mixes,
oatmeal, and other items. “With these hard (economic) times, a
lot of people have gone back to buying on the local level because
they feel confident that they are getting something good.” Gould
also sells her produce at the local farmers markets in Stroudsburg
on Ann Street and in East Stroudsburg at Miller Park. Brecht says
such activity develops communities. “Going to market is really a
community event.”
Businesses benefit from the trickledown effect, which brings
more people to the area. Gould says even the farmers buy things in
the local stores. In fact, farmers may be looked at as the ultimate
consumers because they go into town and help a lot of other
businesses to be successful. Gould added, “The farmers’ markets
are also good for tourism. People will come to this area for the
markets and then go to other attractions. It’s a win-win situation.” FARMERS’ MARKETS FINDS
June:
July:
August:
September:
October:
Strawberries
Peas, tomatoes, sweet corn
Peaches, apples
String beans, broccoli
Sweet corn, pumpkins, apples,
winter squash, potatoes
(Source: Ann Gould, Gould’s Produce)
26
Pocono Business Journal | April 2009
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
April 1
Applications available for PEDA (PA Energy Development Authority) Grants.
PEDA provides grants and loan guarantees for alternative energy projects and
related research referring to deployment projects, manufacturing, or research
involving various types of fuels, technologies, and alternative resource measures.
Call (717) 772-8945 or e-mail [email protected] for more information.
Applications available for Pennsylvania Energy Harvest Grant. Provides funding
for renewable energy deployment; biomass energy projects; coal-mine methane,
waste coal reclamation for energy; implementation of innovative energy efficiency
technologies; or clean distributed generation infrastructure improvements.Call
(717) 705-5400 for more information.
Applications available for Small Business Pollution Prevention Assistance Account (PPAA) Loan Program. Intended to provide low interest loans to small
PA businesses undertaking projects in the Commonwealth that reduce waste,
pollution, or energy use. Loans will be used to fund 75 percent of the total eligible
project cost, up to a maximum of $100,000. Call (717) 772-8951 or email [email protected] for more information.
LeTip of Stroudsburg, 7:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m., JR’s, Green Tree Drive, East Stroudsburg. For information call (570) 588-4113.
BNI Milford, 7:00 a.m., Mount Haven Resort, 123 Log Tavern Rd., Milford.
Contact: Carl Pallini at (570) 296-7176.
Effective Interactions, Northampton Community College, Fowler Center, 8:00
a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Gain a better understanding of the basic skills and intricacies involved to effectively interact with others. Cost: $210. Contact: ldi@northampton.
edu or (610) 861-5590.
Career Exploration, 9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Website Enrollment, 9:00 a.m. – 10:00
a.m. Held at the PA CareerLink in Tannersville. For information call (570) 6202850 or visit www.cwds.state.pa.us or www.monroecountycareerlink.org.
Give Yourself Some Credit, 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Cost: $60. Learn how to boost
FICO scores, fix mistakes on your credit report, and better manage money. Contact: Monroe Career & Technical Institute (MCTI) at (570) 629-2001, x. 1125.
April 1 and 8
Troubleshooting Your Mac, University of Scranton, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Cost:
$270, with text and lunch. For information call (570) 941-7582 or visit www.
scranton.edu.
April 1, 8, 15 and 22
MS Excel 2003 Level II, University of Scranton, Wednesdays, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00
Noon. Cost: $165, with text. For information call (570) 941-7582 or visit www.
scranton.edu.
April 1 – May 6
Microsoft Word – Intermediate, 6 Sessions, 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Cost $230. Contact: Monroe Career & Technical Institute (MCTI) at (570) 629-2001, x. 1125.
April 2
BNI Bartonsville, 7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m., Burnley Workshop, Snydersville. Contact: Jim Connor at (570) 237-5869.
Website Enrollment, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., Résumé Critique, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00
p.m. Held at the PA CareerLink in Tannersville. For information call (570) 6202850 or visit www.cwds.state.pa.us or www.monroecountycareerlink.org.
April 2 and 9
MS Excel 2007 Level II, University of Scranton, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Cost: $177
with text and lunch. For information call (570) 941-7582 or visit www.scranton.
edu.
April 2, 9 and 16
Adobe Acrobat 8 Pro, University of Scranton, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Cost: $290
with text and lunch. For information call (570) 941-7582 or visit www.scranton.
edu.
April 3
BNI Shawnee-on-Delaware, 7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m., Inn at Shawnee, River Road,
Shawnee-on-Delaware. Call (570) 420-8656 or e-mail [email protected].
Report to Business breakfast, Pocono Inne Town, 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. This
breakfast forum is sponsored by the Greater Pocono Chamber of Commerce to
bring the Monroe County Commissioners together with Chamber members to
discuss issues affecting the business community. Cost: $15. For information call
(570) 421-4433.
From Wall Street to Lehigh Valley: Our Point of View, 8:00 a.m.. Panel discussion
at Lehigh Carbon Community College about Wall Street West. Cost: Free, preregistration required. Call (610) 799-1949 for more information.
Building a Management Team, University of Scranton, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Cost:
$95 with materials and lunch. For information call (570) 941-7582 or visit www.
scranton.edu.
April
Résumé Critique, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon, Computer Basics, 9:00 a.m. – 10:00
a.m., Employer Website Assistance, 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Held at the PA CareerLink in Tannersville. For information call (570) 620-2850 or visit www.cwds.state.
pa.us or www.monroecountycareerlink.org.
April 6
How to Work a Job Fair, 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m., Building Confidence for Your Job
Search, 12:00 Noon – 1:00 p.m. For information call (570) 620-2850 or visit www.
cwds.state.pa.us or www.monroecountycareerlink.org.
Brown Bag Monday, Carbon County Chamber of Commerce, 12:00 p.m. Informal
lunch with CCCC management at CCCC Office. Reservations required. Call (610)
379-5000 for more information.
April 6, 20, 27, May 4
Personal Finance – Frugal Living, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Cost $50. Learn to stretch
your dollar. Call Monroe Career & Technical Institute at (570) 629-2001, x. 1125
for more information.
April 6 – May 4
Starting Your Business, Lehigh Carbon Community College, Schnecksville campus, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Cost: $199. For information call (610) 799-1500 or visit
www.lccc.edu.
April 7
Wayne County Builders’ Informational session, Ehrhardt’s Waterfront Restaurant, Tafton. Explains new home improvement registration law going into effect
July 1, 2009. Registration required. Call WCBA at (570) 226-4941 or visit www.
waynecountybuilders.com for more information.
Foundations of Quality for Leaders, Northampton Community College, Fowler
Center, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Learn how your role as a leader changes in a quality
environment. Cost: $420. Contact: [email protected] or (610) 861-5590.
Commercializing Your Idea, East Stroudsburg University, 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 Noon.
Conducted by the Pennsylvania Technical Assistance Program (PennTAP). Learn
the steps necessary to take an idea from concept to the marketplace. Cost: $49.
Visit www.wb.psu.edu/CE/30991.htm or call Vinelle Johnson at (570) 675-9253
for more information.
Intro to CareerLink Services, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., Interview Basics and Salary
Negotiation, 12:00 Noon – 2:00 p.m., Website Enrollment, 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Held at the PA CareerLink in Tannersville. Call (570) 620-2850 or visit www.cwds.
state.pa.us or www.monroecountycareerlink.org for more information.
April 7, 9, 14, 16 and 21
Business Writing for Results, University of Scranton, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Cost:
$225 with materials. Call (570) 941-7582 or visit www.scranton.edu for more
information.
April 7 and 14
Mail Merge, University of Scranton, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Cost: $125 with materials. For information call (570) 941-7582 or visit www.scranton.edu.
MS Access 2007 Level II, University of Scranton, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Cost: $177
with materials. For information call (570) 941-7582 or visit www.scranton.edu.
April 7 and 24
The First Step: Starting Your Business, sponsored by the University of Scranton
Small Business Development Center. Choose one session: April 7, 9:00 a.m.
– 11:00 a.m. at the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce or April 24, 10:00 a.m. –
12:00 p.m. at the University of Scranton. Covers the basics including: registrations,
licenses, business structures, taxation, assessing start-up costs, financing, etc. Cost: $10, pre-registration required. For information call (570) 941-7588.
April 7, 14, 21 and 28
Learn to Use Your Computer, University of Scranton, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon.
Cost: $150 with text. For information call (570) 941-7582 or visit www.scranton.
edu.
Computers for the Terrified, Lehigh Carbon Community College, Tamaqua
campus, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Receive hands-on training in basic computing
skills, including Windows, word processing, and Internet. Cost: $129, no text. For
information call (610) 799-1500 or visit www.lccc.edu.
April 7, 14, 16, 21 and 23
PA. State Motor Vehicle Safety Inspection, 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Cost: $185.00
(includes one endorsement) additional endorsements, $45 each. Contact: Monroe
Career & Technical Institute (MCTI) at (570) 629-2001, x. 1125.
April 8
LeTip of Stroudsburg, 7:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m., JR’s, Green Tree Drive, East Stroudsburg. Call (570) 588-4113.
BNI Milford, 7:00 a.m., Mount Haven Resort, 123 Log Tavern Rd., Milford. Contact: Carl Pallini at (570) 296-7176.
Website Enrollment, 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m., How to Work a Job Fair, 9:00 a.m. –
10:30 a.m., Resumé Critique, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., Mock Interviews, 10:30 a.m.
– 11:30 p.m. Held at the PA CareerLink in Tannersville. For information call (570)
620-2850 or visit www.cwds.state.pa.us or www.monroecountycareerlink.org.
Asphalt Roads: Common Maintenance Problems, Pike County Community
Planning, 556 Rt. 402, Suite 2, Blooming Grove, 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 Noon. For
directions call (570) 226-6293. For information contact Kurt Bauman at the NEPA
Alliance; (570) 655-5581, ext. 237 or visit www.nepa-alliance.org.
Building Your Business, Mt. Pocono Borough Building, 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Sponsored by the University of Scranton Small Business Development Center.
Covers the basics to get started in business, plus an in-depth look at the business
plan. Cost: $15, pre-registration required. For information call (570) 941-7588.
Successful Negotiations, Northampton Community College, Fowler Center, 8:00
a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Cost: $210. Contact: [email protected] or (610) 861-5590.
April 8 and 15
Upgrading to MS Office 2007 including Vista, University of Scranton, 1:00 p.m.
– 4:00 p.m. Cost: $99 with materials. For information call (570) 941-7582 or visit
www.scranton.edu.
April 8, 15 and 22
Troubleshooting Your PC, University of Scranton, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Cost:
$105 with books. For information call (570) 941-7582 or visit www.scranton.edu.
April 9
BNI Bartonsville, 7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m., Burnley Workshop, Snydersville. Contact
Jim Connor at (570) 237-5869.
Asphalt Roads: Common Maintenance Problems - Carbon County, Lehighton
Borough Annex, 110 North Third Street, Lehighton, 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 Noon.
For directions call (610) 377-4002. For information contact Kurt Bauman at the
NEPA Alliance; (570) 655-5581, ext. 237 or visit www.nepa-alliance.org.
Website Enrollment, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Held at the PA CareerLink in Tannersville. For information call (570) 620-2850 or visit www.cwds.state.pa.us or
www.monroecountycareerlink.org.
Time Management, Lehigh Carbon Community College, Donley campus, 9:00
a.m. – 12:00 Noon. Cost: $59. For information call (610) 799-1500 or visit www.
lccc.edu.
April 10
BNI Shawnee-on-Delaware, 7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m., Inn at Shawnee, River Road,
Shawnee-on-Delaware. Call (570) 420-8656 or e-mail [email protected] for more
information.
April 12 – June 7
Only Beginning Computer Course, Lehigh Carbon Community College, Main
Campus, Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 Noon. No class May 24. Cost: $229. Call
(610) 799-1500 or visit www.lccc.edu for more information.
April 13
How to Work a Job Fair, 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m., Interview Basics, 12:00 Noon
– 1:30 p.m. Call (570) 620-2850 or visit www.cwds.state.pa.us or www.monroecountycareerlink.org for more information.
Financial Fitness Seminar, Wayne County Chamber of Commerce, Honesdale,
9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Cost: free. Visit www.MetroAction.org to register or call
(570) 341-0270 for more information.
Brown Bag Monday, Carbon County Chamber of Commerce, 12:00 p.m. Informal lunch with CCCC management at CCCC Office. Reservations required. Call
(610) 379-5000.
April 14
Business LINK Seminar: The Changing Face of Marketing, Fiorelli’s, Peckville,
8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Cost: $35, includes breakfast. Visit www.MetroAction.org
to register or call (570) 341-0270 for more information.
Time Management - How to leverage your time effectively, Best Western, Bethlehem, 7:45 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Presented by ActionCOACH. Cost: $30 if chamber
members, additional fees for non-members. Call ActionCOACH at (610) 4384666 for more information.
CAREER Quest Job Fair, Fernwood Hotel, 10:00 am. – 4:00 p.m. Sponsored by
the PA CareerLink in Monroe County. For information contact the PA CareerLink
at (570) 620-2958.
Office Assistant, 20 Sessions/60 hours, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Cost: $620. Learn
the standard IT tools and knowledge that are used in today’s office environment.
Call Monroe Career & Technical Institute at (570) 629-2001, x. 1125 for more
information.
April 14 – 16
Week 2 of Green Belt Training, Manufacturers Resource Center, Bethlehem, 8:30
a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Cost: $1,950. Call Angie Bove at (610) 758-4588 or (800) 3436732 for more information.
April 14 and April 20
ServSafe Home Study/Classroom for Certification. April 14 from 9:00 a.m. –
1:00 p.m., and April 20 from 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at the Blooming Grove Fire
Hall in Lords Valley. Given by Penn State Extension Pike and Monroe. Registration deadline: April 7. Cost: Certification, $175, includes the textbook, home
study and class materials, and the examination and lunch on the second day of
class. Cost: Re-recertification, $140 (includes the textbook); or $100 for class
only. Call (570) 296-3400 in Pike County or (570) 421-6430 in Monroe County
for more information.
April 15
LeTip of Stroudsburg, 7:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m., JR’s, Green Tree Drive, East
Stroudsburg. Call (570) 588-4113.
BNI Milford, 7:00 a.m., Mount Haven Resort, 123 Log Tavern Rd., Milford.
Contact: Carl Pallini at (570) 296-7176.
Career Exploration, 9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Website Enrollment, 8:00 a.m. – 10:00
a.m. Held at the PA CareerLink in Tannersville. Call (570) 620-2850 or visit
www.cwds.state.pa.us or www.monroecountycareerlink.org for more information.
Protecting Your Property with Conservation Easements, Lackawanna College
Environmental Institute, 6:30 p.m. Cost: $3, pre-registration is required. For more
information or to register, call (570) 842-1506.
Microsoft Excel Beginning, Northampton Community College, Hartzell Hall,
8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Cost: $95 (includes text). Registration deadline: April 8.
For information call (610) 861-4550.
April 15 and 29
What Do You Mean I Have to Plan an Event? – Event Planning for the Office
Administrator, Northampton Community College, Fowler Center, : 8:30 a.m. –
12:00 noon. Cost: $65. Registration deadline: April 8. Contact: (610) 332-8660.
April 15 – May 13
Quickbooks 2008, Lehigh Carbon Community College, Donley campus, 6:00
p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Cost: $199. For information call (610) 799-1500 or visit www.
lccc.edu.
April 15-16
2009 Carbon County Expo, Penn’s Peak, 3:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Presented by the
Carbon County Chamber of Commerce. For information visit www.carboncountyexpo.org or call (610) 379-5000.
April 16
BNI Bartonsville, 7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m., Burnley Workshop, Snydersville. Contact: Jim Connor at (570) 237-5869.
Word 2007 Intermediate, Northampton Community College, Hartzell Hall,
8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Cost: $95 (includes text). Registration deadline: April 9.
Contact: (610) 861-4550.
Introduction to Project Management, Northampton Community College, Fowler
Center, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Cost: $210. Contact: [email protected] or
(610) 861-5590.
Website Enrollment, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Held at the PA CareerLink in Tannersville. For information call (570) 620-2850 or visit www.cwds.state.pa.us or
www.monroecountycareerlink.org.
see CALENDAR page 27
27
Pocono Business Journal | April 2009
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
CALENDAR... cont. from page 26
Pocono Business Journal’s Business and Books series, “Commercial Real
Estate In The Poconos,” held at Borders Shoppes at Stroud, 5:30 p.m. Cost:
free. Presented by Michael Baxter of Michael Baxter & Associates Commercial Real Estate. Call (570) 421-0100 for more information.
WEDCO’s Annual Meeting & Dinner, Bryn Mawr Conference Center, Honesdale,
6:00 p.m. Guest speaker will be Stanley G. Chapman, III, Vice President – Marketing, Development, and Asset Optimization, Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company.
Make reservations by April 2. For more information contact WEDCO at (570)
253-5334.
April 16 and 23
World Wide Web Safety, University of Scranton, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Cost: $99
with materials. For information call (570) 941-7582 or visit www.scranton.edu.
April 16 – June 4
Only Beginning Computer Course, Lehigh Carbon Community College, Donley
Center, Thursdays, 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Cost: $229. For more information call
(610) 799-1500 or visit www.lccc.edu.
April 17
Home Sweet Home Business Seminar, Milford, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Sponsored by the University of Scranton’s Small Development Center. Cost: free.
Register by April 13. Contact Lee Ann Camarero at (570) 296-8700 or email
[email protected].
BNI Shawnee-on-Delaware, 7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m., Inn at Shawnee, River Road,
Shawnee-on-Delaware. Call (570) 420-8656 or email [email protected].
Workplace Feedback: Advice -Not Criticism, University of Scranton, 9:00 a.m. –
1:00 p.m. Cost: $95 with materials. For information call (570) 941-7582 or visit
www.scranton.edu.
Website Enrollment, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., Computer Basics, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00
Noon. Held at the PA CareerLink in Tannersville. For information call (570) 6202850 or visit www.cwds.state.pa.us or www.monroecountycareerlink.org.
Home Sweet Home Business, Milford, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Sponsored by
the University of Scranton Small Business Development Center. Topics include
personal considerations, legal issues, financial implications, work/home balance,
tips and tricks, pitfalls to avoid, etc. Cost: free, pre-registration required. Call
(570) 941-7588 for details.
April 18
Writing an Effective Business Plan, four sessions. Call to confirm times. Cost:
$199. Call Monroe Career & Technical Institute (MCTI) at (570) 629-2001, x.
1125 for more information.
April 18 and 25
Dining Room Service with Style, Northampton Community College, main
campus, Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Learn dining room set-up, design and
serving techniques. Cost: $35. Register by April 11. Call (610) 332-8660 or visit
www.northampton.edu for more information.
April 18 and 25, May 2 and 9
ASE Tutoring - Tutoring for the Automotive Service Excellence, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00
Noon. Cost: $50/session. Each session will cover two test types. Contact: Monroe
Career & Technical Institute (MCTI) at (570) 629-2001, x.1125.
April 21, 23, 28 and 30
MS Word Level 2007 II, University of Scranton, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Cost: $165
with text. Call (570) 941-7582 or visit www.scranton.edu for more information.
April 22
LeTip of Stroudsburg, 7:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m., JR’s, Green Tree Drive, East Stroudsburg. Call (570) 588-4113.
BNI Milford, 7:00 a.m., Mount Haven Resort, 123 Log Tavern Rd., Milford.
Contact: Carl Pallini at (570) 296-7176.
Website Enrollment, 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m., Computerized O’Nbet Assessments,
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Held at the PA CareerLink in Tannersville. Call (570) 6202850 or visit www.cwds.state.pa.us or www.monroecountycareerlink.org for more
information.
Administrative Professionals’ Day Forum, Northampton Community College,
Fowler Center, 11:45 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. The Leadership Development Institute will
host this interactive forum which recognizes and celebrates all administrative
support staff with a luncheon, presentations, learning activities, and facilitated
discussions about issues relevant to this professional group. Cost: $50. Registration deadline: April 15. Contact: [email protected] or call (610) 861-4587 for
more information.
So You Want to be an Event Planner, Northampton Community College, Fowler
Center, 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. The Hospitality Career Institute will offer a career
exploration seminar for individuals considering a career as a wedding or corporate
events planner. Cost: $29. Registration deadline: April 15. Call (610) 332-8660 for
more information.
Jobs & Skills of the 21st Century community forum, Wayne Highlands High
School Auditorium, 7:00 p.m. Presented by Dr. Kenneth Gray, a Professor Emeritus of Education at Penn State. Sponsored and funded by Workforce Wayne. Call
Jennifer Porter, Director of Workforce Initiatives, Workforce Wayne, for more
information at (570) 253-5334 or email [email protected].
April 23
Building & Hardwoods. Sponsored by the NEPA Alliance. Pennsylvania’s Trade
Advisor Representatives are scheduled to meet with the following industry sectors: manufactured housing, green building, lumber, construction materials, construction machinery, engineering, design, and architecture. Email Mike Horvath at
[email protected], Debbie Phillips at [email protected], or
call (570) 655-5581 for more information.
BNI Bartonsville, 7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m., Burnley Workshop, Snydersville. Call
Jim Connor at (570) 237-5869 for more information.
Scranton Solar Scholars Mini-Conference, 9:00 a.m. Presentations on solar energy
applications and opportunities. McShane Executive Center, Brennan Hall, University of Scranton. Cost: Free. Call (570) 941-6210 for more information.
Website Enrollment, 9:00 – 11:00am. Held at the PA CareerLink in Tannersville.
For information call (570) 620-2850 or visit www.cwds.state.pa.us or www.
monroecountycareerlink.org.
Emissions Re-Certification, 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. This course involves classroom training and a written exam for recertification. Cost: $90. Call Monroe
Career & Technical Institute (MCTI) at (570) 629-2001, x. 1125 for more information.
April 19, 25 and May 3
Food Service Sanitation, Northampton Community College, Fowler Center, 12:00
Noon. - 5:30 p.m. Topics include receiving, storing, and preparing food safely;
holding, serving, and reheating food; applying knowledge and conducting employee training. Cost: $120. Registration deadline: April 10. Call Deborah Maurer
at (610) 332-6536 for more information.
April 23 – May 2
Pocono Restaurant Week, with crossover promotions, events, and other specials to
bring more of the dining public to a variety of Pocono eateries in Monroe County.
Includes customer voting in a Zagat-syle rating program. The week culminates in
a Restaurant Week Gala on May 2. To participate or for more information, visit
www.poconorestaurantweek.com or call Ali Schratt, Local Flair Magazine, at
(570) 839-8393.
April 20
Résumés & Cover Letters, 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Held at the PA CareerLink in
Tannersville. Call (570) 620-2850 or visit www.cwds.state.pa.us or www.monroecountycareerlink.org for more information.
April 24
BNI Shawnee-on-Delaware, 7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m., Inn at Shawnee, River Road,
Shawnee-on-Delaware. Call (570) 420-8656 or email [email protected] for more
information.
Brown Bag Monday, Carbon County Chamber of Commerce, 12:00 Noon. Informal lunch with CCCC management at CCCC Office. Reservations required. Call
(610) 379-5000 for more information.
Access: Beyond Basics, Northampton Community College, Fowler Center, 8:00
a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Expand your knowledge and learn how to customize forms and
reports, and share Access data with other applications. Cost: $210. Contact: ldi@
northampton.edu or (610) 861-5590.
Sustainable Scranton Tour of “green” businesses, sponsored by The University of
Scranton, the City of Scranton and DXDempsey. 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Cost: Free.
Call (570) 941-7401.
You Want to Run a B&B, Northampton Community College, Fowler Center, 6:00
p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Course explores daily operations and challenges of the Bed and
Breakfast Industry and the steps necessary to get started and be successful. Cost:
$29. Registration deadline: April 13. Call (610) 332-8660 for more information.
Successful Supervision, Lehigh Carbon Community College, Tamaqua campus,
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Cost: $109. For information call (610) 799-1500 or visit
www.lccc.edu.
Résumé Critiques, 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m., Employer Website Assistance, 3:00
p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Call (570) 620-2850 or visit www.cwds.state.pa.us or www.
monroecountycareerlink.org for more information.
Safeguard Your PC, 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Cost: $90. Call Monroe Career &
Technical Institute (MCTI) at (570) 629-2001, x. 1125 for more information.
Contractor Registration Seminar, Pike County Builders Assn. 4:00 p.m., Mt.
Haven Restaurant, Milford. Call (570) 296-5589 for more information.
April 20 – 21
ISO Internal Auditor Training, Manufacturers Resource Center, Bethlehem, 8:30
a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Cost: $425. Register by April 15. Call Angie Bove at (610) 7584588 or (800) 343-6732 for more information.
April 24 and 29
The Second Step: Developing Your Business Plan. Sponsored by the University
of Scranton Small Business Development
Center. Choose one session: April 24,
University of Scranton, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00
p.m. or April 29, East Stroudsburg
University, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Call
(570) 941-7588 for more information.
April 20 and 22
Navigating the Internet, Lehigh Carbon Community College, Carbon campus,
6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Cost: $59. Call (610) 799-1500 or visit www.lccc.edu for
more information.
April 20 and 27
MS Access 2003 Level II, University of Scranton, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Cost:
$177 with text and lunch. For information call (570) 941-7582 or visit www.
scranton.edu.
April 20, 27 and May 4
MS PowerPoint 2007 Level II, University of Scranton, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Cost: $125 with text. Call (570) 941-7582 or visit www.scranton.edu for more
information.
April 21
Intro to CareerLink Services, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., Mock Interviews, 1:00 p.m.
– 2:00 p.m., Website Enrollment, 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Held at the PA CareerLink
in Tannersville. For information call (570) 620-2850 or visit www.cwds.state.pa.us
or www.monroecountycareerlink.org.
Sustaining Scranton Earth Day Fair, 10:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m. Cost: Free. Sponsored
by The University of Scranton, the City of Scranton and DXDempsey. Call (570)
941-7520 for more information.
Home Improvement Contractor Registration Law Presentation, Ehrhardt’s
Waterfront Banquet Center, 5:00 p.m. Sponsored by the Wayne County Builders
Association. Call Laurie Lourie at (570) 226-4941 for more information.
April 25
Investing for Retirement, Part 1, First
Presbyterian Church, Milford, 9:30
a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Presented by the Penn
State Cooperative Extension. Cost: $7/
person/couple per session or $35/person/
couple for the seven program series. Preregistration and payment required. Call
(570) 296-3400, or e-mail PikeExt@psu.
edu for more information.
April 27
Intro to Tax for Small Businesses, Lehigh
Carbon Community College, Donley
campus, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Cost: $59.
For information call (610) 799-1500 or
visit www.lccc.edu.
Building Confidence for Your Job Search,
12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Held at the PA
CareerLink in Tannersville. Call (570)
620-2850 or visit www.cwds.state.pa.us or www.monroecountycareerlink.org for
more information.
The Immigrant Paradox: Alien Workers and Distributive Justice, presented by
Howard F. Chang, Earl Hepburn Professor of Law, University of Pennsylvania,
4:00 p.m. Ballroom, DeNaples Center. Cost: Free. Call (570) 941-7475 for more
information.
Media Technology Lab, Northampton Community College, Fowler Center, 6:00
p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Learn to use and troubleshoot some of the most common media
technologies, including LCD projectors, microphones and video conferencing
equipment. Cost: $29. Registration deadline: April 20. Call (610) 332-8660 for
more information.
Home and Office Networking, 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Cost: $90. Call Monroe
Career & Technical Institute (MCTI) at (570) 629-2001, x. 1125 for more information.
April 28
Know Your Cash Flow, Scranton Enterprise Center, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Cost:
$10, pre-registration required. Call 1-800-829-7232 or visit www.scrantonsbdc.
com.
Microsoft Access Beginning, Northampton Community College, Hartzell Hall,
8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Cost: $95 (includes text). Registration deadline: April 21.
Call (610) 861-4550 for more information.
Horticulture, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Learn all about how we can use trees in our
own yard space. Cost: $25. Call Monroe Career & Technical Institute (MCTI) at
(570) 629-2001, x. 1125 for more information.
April 29
LeTip of Stroudsburg, 7:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m., JR’s, Green Tree Drive, East Stroudsburg. Call (570) 588-4113 for more information.
BNI Milford, 7:00 a.m., Mount Haven Resort, 123 Log Tavern Rd., Milford. Call
Carl Pallini at (570) 296-7176 for more information.
How To Develop A Business Plan, East Stroudsburg University workshop. 10:30
a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Cost: $10. Call (570) 422-7920 for more information.
Building Your Business Plan, Carbondale Technology Transfer Center, 9:00 a.m. –
12:00 p.m. Sponsored by the University of Scranton Small Business Development
Center. Cost: $10, pre-registration required. Call 800-829-7232 or visit www.
scrantonsbdc.com for more information.
Microsoft Excel Intermediate, Northampton Community College, Hartzell Hall,
8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Cost: $95, includes text. Registration deadline: April 22.
Call (610) 861-4550 for more information.
Career Exploration, 9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Website Enrollment, 8:00 a.m. – 10:00
a.m. Held at the PA CareerLink in Tannersville. Call (570) 620-2850 or visit
www.cwds.state.pa.us or www.monroecountycareerlink.org for more information.
Cash, Customers, and Ads that Sell, Motivational Seminar with ActionCOACH,
Albrightsville Fire House, 7:00 p.m. Sponsored by Mountain Laurel Graphics and
the Penn-Kidder Council of the Carbon County Chamber of Commerce. Register
by April 15. Call the Penn-Kidder Area Council at www.pennkidderchamber.org
or (570) 620-9656 for more information.
April 29 and May 6
Intellectual Property: Copyright Law, Trademarks & Fair Use, University of
Scranton, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Cost: $225 with text and lunch. Call (570) 9417582 or visit www.scranton.edu for more information.
April 30
BNI Bartonsville, 7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m., Burnley Workshop, Snydersville. Call
Jim Connor at (570) 237-5869 for more information.
BNI Milford, 7:00 a.m., Mount Haven Resort, 123 Log Tavern Rd., Milford. Call
Carl Pallini at (570) 296-7176 for more information.
Greater Honesdale Partnership meeting, Community Room, Honesdale Visitor’s
Center, 6:30 p.m. Opportunity for all greater Honesdale business owners share
thoughts, successes, and network on a monthly basis. Open to all. No registration
required. Call Gail M. Tucker at (570) 253-5492 or [email protected]
for more information.
Problem Solving Techniques, Northampton Community College, Fowler Center,
8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Learn the benefits of group problem solving and the advantages of using a systematic problem solving approach. Cost: $315. Email ldi@
northampton.edu or call (610) 861-5590 for more information.
Website Enrollment, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Held at the PA CareerLink in Tannersville. Call 570-620-2850 or visit www.cwds.state.pa.us for more information. Call
(570) 620-2850 or visit www.cwds.state.pa.us or www.monroecountycareerlink.
org for more information.
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28
Pocono Business Journal | April 2009
PBJ REGISTER
BANKRUPTCIES
Carbon County
A and A Associates Inc., Lehighton. Filed
3/12/09, Chapter 7 Voluntary.
Tom Elmer Costenbader, Becky Costenbader, Hercules Hauling, Palmerton. Filed
3/6/09, Chapter 7 Voluntary.
Rodger B. Robinson, Robinson Painting
Services, Palmerton. Filed 2/25/09, Chapter
13 Voluntary.
Monroe County
Stephen Argen, Workforce Mortgage Association, North Atlantic Relocation Services,
Inc., Cresco. Filed 2/19/09, Chapter 7
Voluntary.
Walter Scott Boeman, Marlene Ann Boeman,
Scott’s Sales, Brodheadsville. Filed 2/16/09,
Chapter 7 Voluntary.
Anthony Cirranello, Joanne Cirranello,
Designs By Anthony, Inc., Brodheadsville.
Filed 2/16/09, Chapter 13 Voluntary.
Dominick S. DiStefano, Linda L. DiStefano
, Pocono Dental Studio, East Stroudsburg.
Filed 2/25/09, Chapter 7 Voluntary.
Jeffrey P. Guilherme, April M Guilherme,
A Bit of Bliss Therapy, Pocono Lake. Filed
2/13/09, Chapter 7 Voluntary.
Kenbro, LLC, Stroudsburg. Filed 2/16/09,
Chapter 7 Voluntary.
Karla F. Lynch, Romeo & Bella, Stroudsburg. Filed 2/24/09, Chapter 13 Voluntary.
Pauline Evadnie McPherson, Island’s Produce, Tobyhanna. Filed 2/20/09, Chapter 13
Voluntary.
Conrad M. Mercurius, Andrea A. DavisMercurius, Mercurius Trucking, long Pond.
Filed 2/27/09 Chapter 13 Voluntary.
Sally Ann Raia, Sally’s Babysitting Service, Tobyhanna. Filed 3/12/09, Chapter 13
Voluntary.
Joseph L. Sabatine, Run of the Mill Screenprinting, ARW Treats LLC, Hill Top Diner,
Pocono Family Buffet, Stroudsburg. Filed
3/6/09, Chapter 7 Voluntary.
Joseph H. Slinger, Deborah J. Slinger,
Slinger Enterprises, Canadensis. Filed
3/4/09, Chapter 13 Voluntary.
Smithfield Stone and Supply, Stroudsburg.
Filed 3/5/09, Chapter 7 Voluntary.
Gloria Spraguer, The Nail Artist, Menu
Master, Pocono Lake. Filed 3/13/09,Chapter
13 Voluntary.
Pike County
Helen J. Pepi, McKenna’s Pony Express,
Lords Valley. Filed 2/20/09, Chapter 13
Voluntary.
Frank F. Gorman, Jr., Susan M. Gorman,
FSG Decking & Siding, Dingmans Ferry.
Filed 2/19/09, Chapter 13 Voluntary.
Deeds
Carbon County
Kidder Township South
Thomas P Carney Inc to Edmond Giosa,
$450,000
Monroe County
Barrett Township
Dimitrios and Paraskevi Katsigiannis to
PeterAntoniou and Alex Panagos, $800,000
Coolbaugh Township
JW Cleveland and William Kirchhoff, Rob
Roy Enterprises to Cleveland Brothers
Equipment Co Inc, $825,000
East Stroudsburg Borough
Richard Merkle to Burns Holding LLC,
$350,000
Eldred Township
Philip and Gladys Marano to Mountain View
Holdings, $875,000
Hamilton Township
Richard and Mei-Chow Lee to Kathleen
Percudani, $1,200,000
Middle Smithfield Township
Perl Miller to Louis Frank, $300,000
Toll Pa IV LP to Mary Ann Boyce, $306,628
Paradise Twp
Ralph and Helen Knauf to Paradise Township, $327,000
Stroud Township
LTS Development LLC to Harold and Stacy
Cassady, $374,900
Tobyhanna Twp
Carlisle and Diane Fiers to LN House LLC,
$682,500
Diane Timpany to Daniel and Diana Evans,
$350,000
Robert Nagle to Lee and Anita Almond,
$350,000
Guiseppe and Lucia Manica to Robert Wolf
and Andree Bourgon, $300,000
Pike County
Blooming Grove Township
Joan Fadden to Gary and Nina Wand,
$475,000
Carolyn and Carl Horn to Angela Spodek,
$310,000
Dingman Township
Leonard and Victoria Metcalfe to Nan Graham and Mark Costello, $450,000
Sunnylands Inc to James and Laurie Donahoo, $335,000
Lackawaxen Township
Excell Homes Inc to Vito and Alissa DiCarlo, $450,000
Pasquale Concessi to Concessi Family LP,
$304,366
Denise Ehnat to Adam Cotumaccio,
$311,100
Delio and Angela Zozimo to Wilson and
Benedicta Gonzalez, $572,000
Milford Township
Joseph and Ronnie Biondo to Biondo Family
LLC, $389,512
Wayne County
Paupack Township
Ralph and Gail Reda to William Trust Jr,
$535,000
Thomas and Linda Gabel to Brian and Anne
Kiernan, $455,000
Sterlinig Township
John and Charlene Nicholson to Frank Koskovich, $500,000
Mortgages
Monroe County
Barrett Township
Peter Antoniou and Alex Panagos, Dimitrios
and Paraskevi Katsigiannis, $1,000,000
Coolbaugh Township
William and Joanne Yoder, Penn Business
Credit, $2,500,000
East Stroudsburg Borough
Paul Budick, North Penn Bank, $380,000
Cramers Cashway, Penn Security Bank,
$3,000,000
Eldred Township
David and Debra Marsack, PNC Bank NA,
$675,000
Joseph and Jane Parlegreco, Beneficial Homeowner Service Corporation, $318,633
Mountainview Holdings, PNC Bank NA,
$$675,000
Hamilton Township
Philip and Kelly Kelley, Pocono Community
Bank, $400,000
Stanley Petko, MERS/National Penn Bank,
$349,000
Snydersville Corp, Harry Lee, $336,000
Kathleen Percudani, Percudani Family Limited Partnership, $1,425,000
Sanjay and Annapurna Nadkarni, Wayne
Bank, $330,000
Jackson Township
George and Phyllis Vogel, Wells Fargo Bank,
$420,000
George and Phyllis Vogel, Housing and
Urban Development, $420,000
Middle Smithfield Township
Miggy Brothers LLC, Wayne Bank,
$1,000,000
Kent and Constance Matsumoto, Bank of
America, $300,000
Adeline Cheff and James Bumstead, Bank of
America, $334,000
HRP Corporation, Textron Financial,
$12,000,000
David Dobkin and Michael Voss, Wells
Fargo Bank, $319,400
$600,000
Milford Township
Alexander and Lisa McAteer, MERS/Weichert Financial Services, $311,000
Kim and James Naughton, Pennstar Bank,
$325,000
Palmyra Township
John Schmit, ESSA Bank and Trust,
$417,000
Kevin and Mary Kennedy, Honesdale National Bank, $355,000
Diane and Ronald Thiboutot, PNC Mortgage, $417,000
Mark and Kristi Turner, Wayne Bank,
$391,000
Wayne County
Berlin Township
Scott and Alice Pratcshler, Honesdale National Bank, $310,000
Buckingham Township
Kevin Schrader, Honesdale National Bank,
$500,000
Pocono Township
Stanley Eason, MERS/Gateway Funding,
$325,971
William and Jill Pensyl, MERS/Mnet Mortgage, $325,000
Randy and Lynn Halstead, Wells Fargo
Bank, $324,541
Allan and Cynthia Schmid, MERS/Quicken
Loans, $318,400
Vineen and Ellen Sciandra, Wayne Bank,
$535,450
Clinton Township
Richard Martzen, Fidelity Deposit and Discount Bank, $390,000
Polk Township
Cramers Cashway, Penn Security Bank,
$3,000,000
Honesdale Borough
Sutter Management Company, Honesdale
National Bank, $1,800,000
Ross Township
Clifford Ronalds, MERS/Quicken Loans,
$374,900
Lake Township
Samuel and Marilyn Pantiliano, M&T Bank,
$300,000
Samuel and Marilyn Pantiliano, Housing and
Urban Development, $300,000
Meghan and Christopher Farrell, National
City Mortgage, $306,000
Frank and Nola Hendry, Artisans Bank,
$500,000
Richard and Marlene Mentzer, JP Morgan
Chase Bank, $417,000
Kerrie and Matthew Fitzsimmons, PNC
Mortgage, $306,500
Matthew and Kimberly Rosensweet, Wayne
Bank, $300,000
Stroud Township
Richard Defino, 1st National Bank of Palmerton, $610,000
Karen and Rick Pendzick, Wells Fargo Bank,
$332,000
Harold and Stacy Cassady, MERS/Countrywide Bank, $356,155
Richard and Madeline Moller, MERS/Acre
Mortgage and Financial, $304,000
Tobyhanna Township
Cramers Cashway, Penn Security Bank,
$3,000,000
William and Elizabeth Finneran, MERS/Wachovia Bank, $417,000
Pike County
Blooming Grove Township
Robert and Georgia Leon, MERS/Wachovia,
$392,000
Dingman Township
Nan Graham and Mark Costello, Wells Fargo
Bank, NA, $360,000
Thomas and Gina Smith, MERS/Primary
Residential Mortgage Inc, $337,527
Richard Nachman and Sandra Gifft, Wells
Fargo Bank NA, $595,500
Richard Nachman and Sandra Gifft, Housing
and Urban Development, $595,000
Carmen Castellano, MERS/Quicken Loans
Inc, $312,000
Greene Township
Andrew and Patricia Andrejcisk, MERS/
Metlife Home Loans, $312,000
Lackawaxen Township
Jeffrey and Denise Thompson, ESSA Bank
and Trust, $380,000
Vito and Alissa DiCarlo, MERS/PHH Mortgage Corporation, $405,000
Milford Borough
Billdeb Realty LP, Sandra Mae Winchester,
Damascus Township
Scott and Alice Pratcshler, Honesdale National Bank, $310,000
Dyberry Township
Eugene and Amalia Lyle, Honesdale National Bank, $335,000
Oregon Township
Timothy Riefler, Honesdale National Bank,
$337,000
Paupack Township
Anne and Brian Kiernan, Wells Fargo Bank,
$364,000
Robert and Jule Angeli, PNC Mortgage,
$317,000
Richard Winkler, ESSA Bank and Trust,
$417,000
Eric Simons and Michael Lucci, Citadel
Federal Credit Union, $330,000
Preston Township
Kevin Schrader, Honesdale National Bank,
$500,000
Salem Township
Great Venture Inc, Fidelity Deposit and
Discount Bank, $955,000
Charles and Jennie Dantona, United Northern Mortgage Bankers Ltd, $615,000
Charles and Jennie Dantona, Housing and
Urban Development, $615,000
New Corporations /
Fictitious Names
Carbon County
All Yummies LLC, food service, 1121
29
Pocono Business Journal | April 2009
PBJ REGISTER
Mauch Chunk Road, Palmerton
Associated Broker Services, LLC, processing company, 1 Mountain Road, Albrightsville, Gail Green
Bellizia Construction, Inc., construction, 115
Dellen Lane, Weatherly
BK Williams Marketing, Corporation, real
estate, 5 Sioux Circle, Albrightsville, Kaisha
Williams
Black & Gold Enterprises, LLC, real estate
investments, 150 Chestnut Dr, Lehighton
Crazy for Closeouts, retail, 207 N 1st Street,
Lehighton, Judy Peterson
East End Market, LLC, retail deli, food,
cigarettes and lottery sales, 718 East Ridge
Street, Lansford
Formula Race Car Club of America, LLC,
races, 150 Willow Lane, Nesquehoning
Gregory Segal Ebbert Foundation, Inc.,
scholarships, 221 S 9th Street, Lehighton
JC Small Engine Service, sale and repair
of outdoor equipment, 2281 Hudson Drive,
Weatherly, Joseph Halecky
JCS Logistics, Inc., third party logistics, 179
Delaware Avenue, Palmerton
JNK Consulting Inc., business consultant, 3
Dew Drop Drive, Jim Thorpe, John Figura
Lehighton Pizzeria, Inc., retail sale of food,
401 Mahoning Street, Lehighton, Bozhidar
Buglov
Linkhorst Enterprises, Inc., wholesale of
baked goods, 33 E Ridge Street, Lansford
NEPA Sport and Social Club, sports and
recreation: sports leagues, events and tournament, 93 North Lake Drive, Lake Harmony,
David Hartnett
New Beginnings, mental health services, 21
Dogwood Lane, Nesquehoning, Professional
Counseling, Consulting and Human Services
LLC
New Day Real Estate, LLC, real estate brokerage, 41 E Railroad Street, Nesquehoning
Northeast Pennsylvania Sport and Social
Club LLC, 93 North Lake Drive PO Box
337, Lake Harmony
On Call Lube LLC, 165 Brittany Drive,
Albrightsville
Reading Business Management LLC, real
estate services, 161 Spencer Lane, Albrightsville
Rent570, LLC, real estate acquisition development and management, 41 E Railroad
Street, Nesquehoning
Rumors Beauty Salon, hair salon, 128 South
3rd Street, Lehighton, Allison White
Sarah Elizabeth Design, graphic design, fine
artwork, 227 North Street, Jim Thorpe, Sarah
Kuehner
SmartHire Services, Inc., temp employee
services, 179 Delaware Avenue, Palmerton
Sunshine Solutions & Supplies, LLC, sell
industrial packaging supplies, 600 Lonesome
Lane, Palmerton
Twin Falls Safety, consulting, 3520 Han’s
Dairy Road, Palmerton, Robert D Weller
Monroe County
Abysmal Realms Gaming, retail sales, RR 8
Box 8109, Stroudsburg, Anthony Ortiz
Abysmal Realms, Inc., RR 8 Box 8109,
Stroudsburg
All For Them Distributors, Inc., food distribution, 218 Acorn Lane, Stroudsburg, Joseph
Pino
All Remodeling Inc., construction, 73
Edelweiss Rd, East Stroudsburg, Ryszard
Rybakiewicz
Alliance TA Corp, real estate, 814 Monroe
Street Suite 107, Stroudsburg, Anthony
Saulo
Ann McGuire, retail sales clothing accessory
and manufacturing textiles, 2909 Route 390,
Cresco
Atta Boy Contracting, excavating, home
improvement, 2580 57 Route, Kunkletown,
Randolph Shipwash
BCS Transport, Inc., transportation, Lot 41
Rossmor RR8 Box 7089 A, Saylorsburg
BL Country Kitchen Incorporated, 2734
Hickory Rd, Tobyhanna
Blessings on Africa, Inc., benevolence, 103
Lilac Drive, East Stroudsburg
Blue Mountain Promotions, LLC, marketing
and promotions, 478 Blue Mountain Crossing, East Stroudsburg
C & C Performance Centers, sell motor fuels
and automobile incidentals, Rt. 940, Pocono
Summit, Bozena Gawryah
Camelback HWP LLC, hotel, Water Park,
timeshare, One Camelback Road, Tannersville
Chris Plumbing LLC, unknown, 31 Besecker
Dr, East Stroudsburg
Classic Bulk Transport, trucking, 8545
Lincoln Green Drive, Kunkletown, Anthony
Frattarelli
Doctor Nails II, nail salon, 1240 N 9th
Street, Stroudsburg, Kimberly Dinh
Eneidaly, LLC, day care center, 18 Diane
Lane, Canadensis, Lucitania DeJesus
Expedient Document Consultants, bonded
courier, notary, 2713 Starlight Terrace, Tobyhanna, Gerald Parker
Francisca’s Professional Cleaning Service,
Inc., cleaning service, 29 Mount Nebo Road,
East Stroudsburg, Francisca Rivadeneira
G & S Fabricating & Welding, Inc., RR 1
BOX 18 Merwinsburg Road, Effort
Gimblet Family Charitable Foundation,
charitable foundation, HCR 1, Box 612,
Brodheadsville
Give 2 Save, assist families with emergency
aid for food and medical expenses, 3529
Summit Drive, Tobyhanna, Cherie Willoughby
Glamor Nail Spa LLC, nail salon, Route 611
Tannersville Plaza, Tannersville
Global Medical Weight Loss, medical services, 235 East Brown Street, Suite 202, East
Stroudsburg, Harpreet Singh, MD
Golden Delight Caribbean American Restaurant, LLC, 5974 Seneca Way, Tobyhanna
Gordon Waste & Recycle Service, waste pick
up and recycling, 133 Colleen Dr, Blakeslee,
Brainard Grodon
Green Team Contractors, geothermal drilling
and HVAC, 73 Fernwood Avenue, Bartonsville, Kenneth Kerr and John Rebagliati
Heather Cleaning Service, clean house and
businesses, 5326 Ledgewood Drive, Tobyhanna, Heather Field
Helping Hands Worldwide, help people
who lost homes thru natural disaster, 1995
Milford Road, East Stroudsburg
Hemlock Mortgage Corporation, 1103 Hemlock Drive, Pocono Summit
I On Style, acquisition of antique and novelty clothing, 615 Main St., Stroudsburg, Iris
Grubler
J Diamond Used Cars, buy and sell used
cars, 309 Rose Lane, Bartonsville, Joaquin
Olmo
JB Carpentry, general carpentry, 6239 Park
Place, Tobyhanna, John Butt
KB Properties Lawn Care, lawn maintenance, 7418 Kunkletown Road, Saylorsburg,
Brandon Knapp
Kelliher’s Creative Enterprises, sell space for
business cards and brochures in my display,
33 Executive Drive, Stroudsburg, Maryann
Kelliher
La Casa Nostra, Italian restaurant, Route
611 Star Village Shops, Scotrun, Eddy Mae
Landstrom
LaAnna Chapel, LLC, real estate, 5 Krummel Lane, Mountainhome
Let Me Coordinate, LLC, 7191 Sawmill
Road, Long Pond
LilliCrafts, jewelry making and crocheted
items, 128-A Broad Street, Stroudsburg, Lilli
Johnson
Lou-Jim Home Repairs, Inc., home repairs,
9010 Idlewild Drive, Tobyhanna, Luis
Jimenez
MBAM, LLC, media- film production, 42
Bull Pine Road, East Stroudsburg
Microbe Tec LLC, sale of chemical to inhibit
bacteria growth, RR 2 Route 447, Canadensis
Mount Pocono Beauty Supply, Inc., beauty
supply store, 180 Sterling Road, Mount
Pocono
Moyer & Farnell Development Group, LP,
816 North 9th Street, Stroudsburg, DJ Holdings LLC
Mr. Big, LLC, entertainment, RR #3 74
Princess Valley Road, Kunkletown
No Kill Monroe County PA, Inc., prevention
of cruelty to animals/funding for low cost
veterinary care, 151 Mattioli Road, Bartonsville
Pavilion Enterprizes, LTD, event planner,
promotional, 689 Gap View Drive, East
Stroudsburg
Pocono Area Shooting Stars FC, Inc., youth
soccer program, Route 611 Suite 8 Merchants Plaza PO Box 536, Tannersville
Pug Rescue of Pennsylvania, rescue/medical
care for abused, abandoned pugs, RR 2 Box
2394, Cresco
Quality Propane, propane sales, 359 Lincoln
Avenue, East Stroudsburg, Titan Propane
Services Inc.
Real Estate Management, 238 Braeside Avenue, East Stroudsburg, John Gilliland and
Sable Machado
Real Living Ritter & Company, real estate,
717 Sarah Street, Stroudsburg, James W. Ritter & Co. Real Estate, Ltd
Second Chance Pet Rescue d/b/a Camp
Papillon Pet Adoption and Rescue, rescuing and adoption of animals, 205 Grey Fox
Drive, Stroudsburg, Geri Papillon
Shakti Life Force, marketing earth friendly
goods online, 3547 Williams Road, Cresco,
Kimberly Baldwin and Gary Gravatt
Shaw Maintenance, building maintenance,
93 Russell Court, Effort, Robert Shaw
Simple Construction Solutions, LLC,
marketing patent ideas, RR 4 BOX 4167A,
Stroudsburg
Standart Plus, Inc., brokering, 1001 Phillips
St., Apt C8, Stroudsburg, Kamen Mollov
Suzanne’s Treasures, Furniture, antiques,
jewelry sales, 927 North 9th Street, Stroudsburg, Susan Hussein
Swamsb, toys, hobbies, etc, 1332 Neola
Road, Stroudsburg, Michael Petrocelli
Tamer Kasal DBA Tony’s Auto Express, car
carrier company, Lot 5 Route 209 S PO Box
85, Gilbert, Tamer and Tarken Kasel
Tech1440 LLC, IT services and sales, 7124
Glade Drive South, Long Pond, Frank Nieto
The Grim Sweeper, chimney sweep and
repair, RR 2 BOX 2120, East Stroudsburg,
Gregory Milford
The Lotus Resources for Life Inc., 3117
Emerald Blvd Route 611, Long Pond
Total Balance Chiropractic, Corp, 87 Route
115, Suite 1, Effort
Unlimited Visions, LLC, sports recruiting
and player promotion, RD 6, Box 6381-A,
Stroudsburg
Warsaw Electrical LLC, 10 Hillside Court,
East Stroudsburg
WeWantDessert.com, LLC, bakery, RR1
BOX 203B, Canadensis, Jeanie Kurzrok
Willow Dane INC., RR2 Box 2175, Cresco,
Yuppy Puppy Inc., pet shop, 33 Switzgable
Drive, Brodheadsville
Pike County
307 West Harford Street Corporation, real
estate, 307 W Harford St, Milford, Darryl
Wood
American Digital Printing, digital printing,
75 At the Falls, Bushkill, Kimberly Ann
Finkel
CSB Pharmacy, Inc., pharmaceuticals, 1592
Route 739, Dingmans Ferry
EGS Imports Inc., sell home furnishings,
1111 Saw Creek, Bushkill, Grigor Tchilingarian
Frank J BonGiorno & Associates, Inc., 294
Laurel Lane, Greentown
Good Health Pharmacy, Inc., pharmaceuticals, 1592 Route 739, Dingmans Ferry, CSB
Pharmacy, Inc
Green Light Transportation, Inc., transportation, 182 West Fall Drive, Dingmans Ferry,
Igor Kamynin
Hawley Silk Mill, LLC, real estate, 106
Shook Road, Hawley
HowKat Precision Automotive, auto/truck
tow and repair, 1401 Route 6, Greeley, Howard Shankler
John Plus, handyman, 323 Ranchlands,
Bushkill, John Hutter
Korka, LLC, trading, 244 At the Falls,
Bushkill,
Le Conteur Photography, wedding photography, 133 Sagamore Rd, Shohola, Brian and
Katharene Delorenzo
Neat & Tidy, Inc., domestic cleaning service,
1146 Pine Ridge, Bushkill
Nest Bed, bed and breakfast, 1394 Route
739, Dingmans Ferry, Mark and Sally
Heiblim
North Country Feed, LLC, 126 Kitty Harkeroa, Dingmans Ferry
PikeMoms.com, LLC, internet marketing/advertisement, 126 Congress Road, Milford
SDR Ventures, LLC, real estate, 299 Sawkill
Road, Milford
Simply Stones, natural stone and silver
jewelry, 3824 Sunrise Lake, Milford, Sarah
Czajkowski
Violets R Blue LLC, retail, 128 Hemlock
Brook Trail, Greentown
Wayne County
14th Street Property, apartment rental business, 303 Tenth Street, Honesdale, Albert,
Charles, Christine and John Dodson
652 Auto, LLC, auto repair, 355 Beach Lake
Highway, Honesdale
Advance Glass & Mirror, Inc., glass repair
and design, 135 Indian Rocks, Lake Ariel,
Vladimir Berman
Animal Wellness Center of New York City,
veterinary practice and surgery, RR 1, Box
619, Hawley,
Better at Home Caregivers LLC, non-medical home care, 18 Sunset Drive, Gouldsboro
Bill Goodwin Construction, LLC, building
and remodeling, 1186 Owego Turnpike,
Honesdale
C&J Reparations, LLC, Cleaning, repair and
consulting, 3065 North Road, The Hideout,
Lake Ariel
Cherry Ridge Excavating and Equipment
Repairs Inc., 404 Spinner Road, Honesdale,
Mark Lienart
Drainz Plus, LLC, plumbing, 359 Daw Road,
Pleasant Mount
Flex Appeal, retail sale of food supplements
and vitamins, 1008 Main St Suite 102,
Honesdale, Phyllis Matechak
Gcomm, online auction sales, RR 1 Box 215,
Hawley, John Evichin
Glen Eyre Animal Hospital, PC
IntegriGuard Enterprises, LLC, program
safeguard contractor, 2292 Brookfield Rd,
Lake Ariel,
JWM Enterprises d/b/a Tanglz Hair Studio,
813 Hamlin Highway, Hamlin, Fallyn and
Sharon Mundrake
Lee’s Lawn Care, LLC, lawn care and
property maintenance, 35 Butternut Road,
Newfoundland
Mannco Realty, real estate, 298 Owego Turnpike, Waymart, Darrell and Dustin Manning
Maude Alley, retail sales, 1019-1023 Main
Street, Honesdale, Paul Ludick
Milkweed, retail sales, 1023 Main Street,
Honesdale, William Anton
Nina Footwear Corporation, shoe importer,
National Corporate Services, LLC
Norr General Partnership, provide architectural and engineering services, 719 Griswold
Street Suite 1000, Detroit, Donald Barry and
Victor Smith
Omega Designs, Inc., sales of gifts and
jewelry, 2418 Easton Turnpike, Lake Ariel,
Cecelia Klimitchev
Panther Lodging, tourism/lodging facility,
394 Route 447, Newfoundland, Bonaventura
Potts
Patty’s Checkers Diner, diner, 349 Easton
Turnpike, Lake Ariel, Patricia Carnrike
Reaper’s Revenge, Inc., seasonal hayride attraction, 16 Smith Pond Road, Honesdale
Revive, garage or barn sale of used items,
175 Rutledgedale Road, Tyler Hill, Mary
Meyer
S&O, LLC, real estate, 88 Moore Road,
Lake Ariel
Seamrog Services, contractor, RR 1 Box
216 Route 447, Newfoundland, Edward
McAnally
Sunburst Investments LLC, real estate holding company, 180 Chapman Road, Lake
Ariel
Tree CareSpecialist, landscaping, 21 Lakeland Drive, Lake Ariel, Jennifer Reeves
Waterside LLP, 205 Conklin Hill Road,
Damascus
MERS = Mortgage Electronic Registration
Systems
Disclaimer: Deeds and mortgages are recorded
as accurately as possible adhering to the cover
dates in the County Recorders’ office.
30
Pocono Business Journal | April 2009
COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE MARKETPLACE
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Pocono Business Journal | April 2009
COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE MARKETPLACE
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The Spa at Bear Creek
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FOR SALE or LEASE
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FOR LEASE
Milford Road Professional Building,
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under construction. Condominium ownership suites still available For Sale or Lease.
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235 East Brown Street Medical Building,
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11 Rental Units plus Home
Pocono Mountain Industrial Park South,
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for multiple mixed uses: industrial, commercial, warehouse, retail, etc. Great highway
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6 Residential Rental Units
Broadheadsville—Main house plus 5
apartments and a 2-car garage nestled on
2.5 streamside acres in a country setting.
Units have been restored inside and out
and are generating favorable revenue. Call
today. $625,000
6 Residential Rental Units
4 Residential Rental Units
Kunkletown—Investors Wanted!! 5 two
bedroom units and one efficiency apartment. Property has a new septic system,
adequate parking and no vacancies. Well
maintained. Revenue and expense info
available. Call today. $399,000
Broadheadsville— 4 unit multi-family
cottage property consisting of 2 two bedroom units and 2 one bedroom units. Lots
of potential with 627 feet of Route 115
frontage and 6 acres. Great rental history
call for details. $349,000
32
Pocono Business Journal | April 2009
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At Pocono Medical Center’s Heart and Vascular Institute, you place your trust—and your heart—in our
hands. I’m a cardiothoracic surgeon leading a team at the forefront of innovative heart care, achieving
excellence and offering the most complex cardiac procedures—every day. We’re one of the few
cardiac teams in the country that can perform rare surgeries like the Dor procedure, which can rebuild
the heart. Recently, my team successfully completed a minimally invasive aortic valve replacement,
leading edge cardiac surgery. At PMC’s Heart and Vascular Institute, we treat every patient, every
heartbeat, every breath with world-class, compassionate cardiac care.
www.PoconoMedicalCenter.org
I’m Dr. Nche Zama, and I am the new face of heart care.