THE
BOXHOLDER
JOURNAL of the POCONO PLATEAU ©2020, All Rights Reserved
VOLUME 24, NUMBER 28
May 7–20, 2020
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On-line interruptions plague Mount Pocono council meeting by Jeanine Hofbauer
Claudette Williams’ President report battled an audio disturbance of another kind, with repeated echoing of her starting statements in a loop rewind. Speculation about the cause was expressed during the meeting, though accusations were unconfirmed at the time of this report. “It was an external recorder that was causing the disrup-
tion,” alleged Williams. Though spring has arrived, Relying on technology outdoor recreation programs during COVID-19 remote have taken a nose dive amidst meetings, some municipalities COVID-19 social distancing like Mount Pocono on May directives that halted Little 4, face hiccups with all-inLeague baseball and softball access holding up business. season. Tabling field fertilizer Michael Penn’s mayor’s report and weed control bids, council was overshadowed by music discussed possible playground played by an unknown source cleanups in response to a dialed into the phone meeting. recommendation by council member Patty Bucco. Debra Fulton asked council to reconsider field maintenance, saying investments by leagues may be affected if not attended to regularly. “We have businesses that are from committees and board by Jeanine Hofbauer really hurting that are brick memberships with the Mt. and mortar,” said Zoning OfPocono Municipal Authority, Since accepting former ficer Jean Simchak regarding council woman Donna Casole’s vice-president and chairman; food truck zoning. Speaking resignation, Parks & Recreation; North of letters from Atty. Wieslaw East Search and Rescue; and Niemoczynski regarding the due to cirassumption of his client, Frank cumstances Barrett Township YMCA; to coaching Little League baseMezzasalma, that there are no affecting ball and softball, and was an permit requirements for food her ability original member of Field of truck operation in the borto “faithDreams park planners. ough, she recommended that fully fulfill He believes his background solicitor James Fareri respond duties” with details about Planning in management with Sterling on March Drug Corp. Cosmetics Division Commission review of the 2, Mount and One Source Cleaning Ser- ordinance and a “clear definiPocono tion.” In an earlier response vices at Sanofi Pasteur will be Borough council interviewed letter dated April 20 to Atty. an asset to his newly appointapplicants to fill the vacancy. Niemoczynski, she indicated ed position. Ronald Emilie was appointed “A Zoning Officer cannot inter“Due to my experience in to replace her. various fields,” he states, “[ I pret the ordinance, only apply A resident and active in am] outgoing and I work well it literally,” adding “As previthe community since 1983, with people.” ously noted, a food truck is not he lists a lineup of various organizations he has assisted, See MT. POCONO, page 2
Emilie fills Mount Pocono borough council vacancy
This collage features a special message from some of the Head Start preschoolers in the Ppocono Services for Families and Children Discovery class at its East Stroudsburg Center. Ms. MJ, one of the assistant teachers, got the children to submit their picture via email and put them all together. PSFC also hosts a Children Discovery class at The Mountain Center in Tobyhanna.
Tobyhanna Twp. sticks with PenTeleData for phones by Ruth Isenberg Choices were limited for telephone and internet service available to Tobyhanna Township. Two proposals with various options for analog
and fiber optic service were received, from current carrier PenTeleData, and from Frontier Communications. During an April 20 meeting, the Tobyhanna Township Supervisors See TOBYHANNA TWP, page 11