The
Journal of the POCONO PLATEAU ©2023, All Rights Reserved
VOLUME 28, NUMBER 14
Early December, 2023
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PMRPD budget explained to Mt. Pocono council meeting by Pat Albano
At the Mount Pocono Borough Council work session on November 22, Chief Chris Wagner and members of the Pocono Mountain Regional Police Commission were on hand to discuss the 2024 budget. Wagner stated, “The majority of the budget is contractual, and 2024 saw a 6% increase in salaries. Insurance also increased and the budget committee hopes to lower rates by 2%.” One of the higher increases
is auto repairs at $49K. A comparison was made with surrounding communities noting in some years Mt. Pocono Borough ranked highest and other years lowest in terms of hours used. Mayor Randy Altemose asked, “Does everyone understand hourly billings?” Wagner discussed the difference between patrol vs. investigative hours adding, “Policing is an expensive venture. Mount Pocono Borough has 200 service hours each week and smaller townships do not have the
resources that you do.” President Don Struckle asked, “Do you think we have enough hours?” Discussion then shifted to the several types of investigative crimes — type 1: violent crimes which have been dropping in the borough over the last 8-9 years, and type 2: retail thefts, the majority with Walmart. Wagner added “We are responding to more calls in repetitive nature which is consuming many hours within our budget.” See MT. POCONO, page 2
PMSB acknowledges support personnel and retiring school director Johnson WHITETAIL DEER are skittish this time of year, for a number of reasons. Deer season in Pennsylvania began the Saturday after Thanksgiving, and lasts until December 9, so deer are fleeing hunters from the woods, often onto highways. The late fall is also mating season for deer, which keeps them active as well. ng the road, there are likely more to follow. In many areas, the deer populations have increased, particularly in areas where hunting is prohibited, as is the case in many community developments. Whitetail deer are most active at dusk and dawn when headlights are least effective, and when most people are heading to and from work. This deer was captured on camera on the 9th hole of Split Rock Golf Club’s south golf course near Lake Harmony by Gary Fucaloro.
by Pat Albano The Pocono Mountain School Board noted National Education Support Professionals Day when they met on November 15. Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Robison acknowledged all of the school’s support staff and thanked them for their commitment to the school district. “All schools in the district celebrated activities and ceremonies during Veterans Day,” she continued, and she thanked all veterans for their
service and sacrifice. Four schools in the district were awarded a ‘Farm to School Grant’ of $800$1600. Each school receives produce from Pocono Organics Farm to cook in the school’s cafeteria. Robison then thanked board member Rusty Johnson, stating “Tonight is Johnson’s last meeting.” Robison thanked Johnson for his many years of service on the Board as both Director and former President from 2015-2021.
She added that while he was president there was no increase in property tax for ten years, and she thanked him for his work on the finance committee. Board members then took turns thanking Johnson for his mentoring and wishing him continued success. Johnson returned thanks, adding, “At times we did butt heads,” and he thanked other administrative staff “who helped in keeping me grounded.” See PMSB, page 2