2007 News
February 7 , 2007
Bucks County Commissioners Highlight Public Safety Resolutions During First February Meeting
As the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) continues to reinforce its commitment to regional terrorism planning and equipment acquisition, the Bucks County Commissioners are directing millions of dollars to the county’s Emergency Services Division and the Southeastern Pennsylvania Regional Counterterrorism Task Force (SEPRCTTF).
“Our Emergency Services Division has developed a well-deserved reputation as a leader in cooperative efforts throughout the 11-county suburban Philadelphia region and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,” said Commissioner Chairman Charley Martin.
During their bi-monthly meeting in the county courthouse community room, the commissioners approved resolutions for 17 departments, including almost $22 million from the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency for additional equipment to conduct regional planning and training exercises.
“Since Sept. 11, 2001, there has been a significant shift of (DHS) funding to a threat-based model,” noted Bucks County Chief Operating Officer David M. Sanko.
While county officials consistently participate in multi-agency exercises under the direction of John Dougherty, who chairs the Southeastern Pennsylvania Regional Counterterrorism Task Force (SEPRCTTF), the focus on protecting residents starts on Bucks County soil.
To that end, the commissioners approved a Department of Corrections resolution with Mobilease Modular Space to erect a 4,000-square foot temporary housing unit that will house up to 50 “low-medium” custody inmates in a dormitory-style setting. The unit, an annex of the Bucks County Corrections Facility, will be fully operational this summer.
“This is a prudent intermediary step in addressing any population problems,” said Commissioner Jim Cawley.
“Clearly, the steps that have been taken give us some breathing room,” added Commissioner Sandy Miller, who also chairs the county Prison Oversight Board.
Also locally, the Sheriff’s Department Top 10 Wanted List and Top 10 Domestic Wanted List have been a rousing success during their first weeks of posting on the county website. According to Sanko and Sheriff Edward J. “Duke” Donnelly, the lists received more than 7,000 combined hits within the first three weeks.
Even more significantly, Donnelly noted, “So far, we have 17 apprehensions directly involved with our Top 10 lists.”
For the District Attorney’s office, the commissioners approved a $50,883 revenue match for an Older Adults Crimes Task Force. Through this Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency program, now in its second year, the DA issues more than 10,000 fraud alerts to seniors and sponsors the William Neff Symposium to heighten awareness of elder abuse.
Open Space returned to the fore for what promises to be a busy 2007 round of land preservation, as the commissioners approved the acquisition of a 30.788-acre conservation easement in Plumstead Twp. According to county Open Space Director Kris Kern, the property adds to a “critical mass of over 1,000 acres under protection” in the Tohickon Creek area.
The commissioners also approved a one-year, Parks and Recreation Department professional services contract with Dennis Bonner and Michael Brnilovich to manage the Oxford Valley Golf Course for the 2007 season, without an increase from last year’s contract. Last year, under their direction, the course hosted 29,800 rounds – or 1,000 more than 2005.
“They did an excellent job,” said Parks and Recreation Executive Director Bill Mitchell, prompting Commissioner Martin to add, “We’re expecting even better things this year.”
Sanko announced $2.85 million for work on the Delaware Canal, an area that has been ravaged by Delaware River floods over the last several years. The funding, which was requested in 2002, was released by Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell. As Sanko observed, however, the estimated cost to complete all canal repairs is $30 million.
Finally, Sanko’s report touched on the trickle-down effects of Rendell’s 2007 budget proposals.
“We are trying to assess exactly what impact the (state budget) has on the various county agencies and the stakeholders and citizens that we serve,” Sanko said. “We’re going to spend some time sorting through that with the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania and with our finance staff and, hopefully, be able to have a snapshot in upcoming meetings as to what the impact will be on the citizens of Bucks County.”