2010 News
March 18 , 2010
Children and Youth Hosts Foster Parent Information Sessions As Commissioners Approve Slate Of Foster Care Contracts
With over 300 Bucks County children in foster care, yesterday’s commissioners agenda included $2.3 million in expenditures for residential and group home foster care services. At the same time, acting Chief Operating Officer (COO) Brian Hessenthaler announced opportunities for those interested in finding out more about foster parenthood. The county is aiming to, when possible and in the best interest of the child, keep those in foster care in their home communities, schools and churches. Registration is recommended:
March 22, April 12, May 17, June 14 (Monday evenings)
Levittown Library, 7311 New Falls Rd., Levittown
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
March 30, April 27, May 25, June 15 (Tuesday evenings)
Doylestown Library, Pearl Buck Room, 150 S. Pine St., Doylestown
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
In addition to providing for the county’s vulnerable foster population, Commissioners Charles H. Martin, Jim Cawley and Diane Ellis-Marseglia honored The ARC of Montgomery, Berks and Bucks Counties by proclaiming “Intellectual Disability Awareness Month” throughout the County of Bucks. Loretta Clift accepted the proclamation with a heartfelt comment, “A community is only as strong as the way we handle our most vulnerable citizens,” she told audience members, lauding the commissioners for their efforts to that end.
Emergency Management Agency Director John Dougherty and operations and training officer Harry Crohe accepted a proclamation for “Weather Emergency Preparedness Week,” which runs through this Sunday. Citizens are encouraged to prepare themselves, their families and homes for weather emergencies, and to sign up for www.ReadyNotifyPA.org for up-to-the-minute e-mail and cell phone alerts about weather and other emergencies. Go to www.BucksCounty.org\ReadyBucks for helpful preparedness tips. Mr. Crohe had his own proclamation to make: “We are going to have continuous weather,” he quipped.
Commissioners approved a slate of 37 various contracts. Commissioner Marseglia dissented on items 2 c, d, f and h. Chalfont Borough Council member and Bucks County Open Space board member Marilyn Jacobson attended to thank the county for its efforts to secure a municipal open space improvement grant, which will assist in the construction of a pedestrian trail linking Twin Streams Park and Blue Jay Park, dissected by the north branch of the Neshaminy Creek. According to Jacobson, the trail will allow school children to avoid walking along Route 202.
In addition to an update on the foster parent information sessions, the acting COO implored all residents to promptly fill out and mail in the US Census form that will come in the mail very shortly. Not only does this information dictate the number of elected representatives, but is also a driver in terms of funding the county will receive. Hessenthaler also mentioned that the Prothonotary will be sponsoring Passport Day in the USA on Saturday, March 27. This will provide passport information to U.S. citizens, and staff will be on hand to accept passport applications. Regular weekday passport processing hours (8 a.m. - 4:15 p.m.; and 1st & 3rd Wednesday of each month extended hours in the Courthouse for passports only from 8 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.) are still in effect.
Acting Chief Clerk Lynn Bush reminded us that with spring approaching, residents can look forward to the first household hazardous waste collection on May 1 in the Lower Bucks Corporate Center. Touting the success of the program, Bush noted the 700-900 cars that typically line up to pitch in and help the environment.
The next meeting of the commissioners will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 7 at the Bucks County Association for the Blind, 400 Freedom Drive, Newtown.
For a full audio account of the meeting and a copy of the business agenda, please visit www.BucksCounty.org.