DRUG COURT PLAN TAKES ANOTHER STEP

SUNBURY -- The Northumberland County commissioners authorized the
submission of a concept paper to Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and
Deliquency regarding the establishment of a drug court program.

Chief Clerk Mike Lindermuth said PCCD will review the paper to determine if
the county is eligible to apply for a grant to fund the program.

President Judge Robert Sacavage attended a recent meeting to request the
commissioners' permission to apply for the program, explaining that addicts
would have a better chance at recovery, the county prison population would
be reduced and money could be saved by implementing the program.

If the county is approved, it could receive a 100-percent funding grant in
the amount of $193,556.

The commissioners approved an amendment to a contract with Kerry Heckman, a
certified public accountant who was hired to assist the county with its
2005 budget. However, Lindermuth said Heckman's assistance has exceeded
what he was originally hired for. Changes in the contract include term
adjustment, additional responsibilities and a mileage rate increase.

An ordinance regarding the Montour-Northumberland County Airport Commission
was approved, a technicality that Montour County also approved. The
ordinance will allow the commission to borrow $100,000 for improvements.
The county is not responsible for repayment of the loan.

Contracts were awarded for two large parcels of land, one in Point Township
and the other in West Chillisquaque Township. The contract for the Jay
Bacon site in the northern end of the county with Robert C. Snyder Farms,
Northumberland, is for $65 per acre.

The contract for the Four Seasons site in Point Township was awarded to
Strouse Farms, Northumberland, for $73 per acre.

Paul Zarick, Emergency Management Agency director, said the school shooter
program, a three-day training session that will be held this weekend at
Shamokin Area schools, is going smoothly, with a good registered attendance.

When asked about recent flooding, Zarick said there were a few trouble
spots, but nothing like the flooding that occurred in September. The river
crested at 27.3 feet Monday, compared to 30.4 feet following rains from
Hurricane Ivan last fall.

Former county and Coal Township commissioner Eleanor Kuhns asked the
commissioners to find a representative of the Republican party to visit
Mountain View Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Coal Township, to
assist residents there with the completion of absentee ballots.

Kuhns, a Democrat, assisted at the manor last year with a Republican the
commissioners had solicited.

However, Commissioner Frank Sawicki said he could not authorize that request.

Chairman Commissioner Samuel Deitrick said the election board, which
consists of the three commissioners, will work something out with Mary
Thew, director of elections.

Kuhns said it wouldn't be right to deny the right to vote to those
residents who need assistance.