2010 News
February 18, 2010
Saluting a Trio of Sisters
Commissioners Honor St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee
With our thoughts focused on the white blanket draped upon our bucolic county, a glimpse of green peeked into the Bucks County Court House at yesterday’s commissioners’ meeting. For the 22nd year, Bucks County will soon celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with its traditional parade, led by a trio of sisters serving as grand marshal. Carol Mignoni Ferguson, Rosemarie Mignoni Szczucki and Ann Mignoni Mundy were honored by Commissioners Charles H. Martin, chairman, Jim Cawley, and Diane Ellis-Marseglia, along with Committee President Suzanne Smith and former Grand Marshal and former Commissioner Sandra Miller. Miller told the sisters they will receive "Cead Mile Failte" or 100,000 welcomes as they assume their post for the day. Bucks Countians are invited to the festivities on Saturday, March 13 at 10:30 a.m., at St. Joseph the Worker Church, 9610 New Falls Road in Falls Township.
During the business portion of the meeting, a total of 15 departments and 30 contracts and agreements were approved by the board. The largest expenditure occurred within the Children and Youth Social Services Agency, with $5.3 million allocated for foster care services, in-home counseling, school-based counseling, day treatment, and community service programs. Commissioner Marseglia cast nay votes for item 4a, Bethany Christian Services of Central PA and 4d, Community Services Group, Inc., both contracts for foster care services.
Health Department Director David Damsker, MD, MPH, discussed a pair of resolutions that will reduce dental care costs for inmates, who, Damsker says, receive annual cleanings and exams if they are in the prison for more than a year. Commissioners approved a contract with a dental hygienist who will do the cleanings at $62 less per hour than the contracted dentist, translating into a savings for taxpayers.
Amplifying on the theme of savings, Neshaminy Manor residents will enjoy cable from a new company for over $200,000 less than the current provider, over a five-year period. Commissioner Martin pointed out that residents will still be able to view the Fighting Phillies in seven common areas throughout the facilities. Health & Human Services Director Joe Funk added that an in-house channel highlighting events and activities is an added value of the new service.
Following warm congratulations by his colleague, Commissioner Martin, for his recent nomination as choice for lieutenant governor, Commissioner Cawley announced that he would resign from the county Board of Elections as he seeks another public office.
For years, Bucks County has had the distinction of being the county’s largest employer, a torch Chairman Martin eagerly passed to St. Mary Medical Center’s President Greg Wozniak yesterday. Under miscellaneous items, commissioners approved the Catholic Health East facility’s plans to finance several capital projects through a bond issuance (with no financial obligation to county tax payers). Explaining that the hospital intends to take advantage of current rates by refinancing, resulting in debt service savings, Wozniak added that major improvements will occur including expansions of their emergency department and trauma center, the only one in Bucks County. That growth creates 164 new positions for physicians, bringing the tally of employees to over 2,700, the result of which is a new title for St. Mary Medical Center.
During his bi-weekly chief operating officer report, Brian Hessenthaler commended the county’s 24/7 operations and specifically Emergency Services Director John Dougherty and Director of Operations Jerry Anderson for efforts during the recent blizzard that shut down normal operations for two days. Hessenthaler also reported that he is asking staff to do a cursory review of the state’s preliminary 2010-2011 budget, which goes in to effect July 1, to evaluate any possible impact to services and operations.
The acting COO brought to everyone’s attention some evening information sessions for Bucks Countians considering becoming foster parents. He emphasized the importance of keeping children near their home neighborhoods and schools when possible. The Children and Youth Department will host the events on the following dates:
Levittown Library, 7311 New Falls Rd., Levittown
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm (Monday evenings)
February 22, March 22, April 12, May 17, June 14
Doylestown Library, Pearl Buck Room, 150 S. Pine St., Doylestown
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm (Tuesday evenings)
February 23, March 30, April 27, May 25, June 15
He also highlighted a free workshop by the Bucks County Office of Community and Business Development focusing on government purchasing and procurement methods to help businesses enter and profit in the current marketplace. It will take place on Thursday, February 25 from 8:30 a.m.to noon at the Central Bucks Chamber of Commerce. Contact Sonia Smith at 215-345-3839 or via e-mail at srsmith@co.bucks.pa.us for more details.
Drawing several parallels between current day and our storied past, acting Chief Clerk Lynn Bush revealed that she spent her snowed-in hours evenings last week reminiscing with old Intelligencer newspapers about issues we still face today. Bush cited issues with building the new (current) courthouse, reaffirmation of the then-board of commissioners to not building on the floodplain, a battle she says we still continue to fight, and most especially, opposition to the unwieldiness of the “new” lever voting machines due to their size. She also noted that the Bucks County Planning Commission annual report will soon hit the street, and shared some promising and noteworthy facts: new residential and non-residential development proposals were up in 2009. Proposals for new residential properties rose 17 percent from 2008 to 2009, while institutional non-residential – including the St. Mary Medical Center project- grew 124 percent.
The next meeting of the commissioners will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, March 3 in the Bucks County Courthouse, Doylestown.
For a full audio account of the meeting and a copy of the business agenda, please visit www.BucksCounty.org.