Commissioner Rich Fink will serve the position of liaison/advocate between the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP) Human Service Committee and the Pennsylvania Association of County Affiliated Homes (PACAH). Commissioner Fink was requested by the Kelly Andrisano, Executive Director of Pennsylvania Association of County Human Services Administrators because of his experience in human services areas.

This position requires working closely with Mike Wilt, Director of the PACAH, giving additional comments during meetings, and providing feedback from the perspective of a county commissioner during meetings and reporting back to fellow commissioners during the CCAP Conference.

This position, held by one or two sitting commissioners, will have no additional costs or travel. These meetings will take place during CCAP conferences and during regularly scheduled Human Services Committee Meetings.

Commissioner Fink said, "It is an honor to be representing CCAP. I feel my experience as a commissioner and being on the Human Services Committee will be helpful in this role."

Kittanning – As Hurricane Sandy approaches, everyone needs to be as prepared as possible.  With a storm of this magnitude, we need to anticipate power outages due to high winds, flooding to roads, streets, bridges, private homes and businesses due to the excessive rains Hurricane Sandy may provide.  Road closures, community public safety delays, property damage, and other issues may arise.   When a roadway is flooded do not drive through the flooded roadway, turn around.  If there is a power outage and the traffic lights do not work, treat it as a 4 way stop sign. 

Armstrong county residents should call 911 in an emergency such as sparking wires, water getting into an electricity supply box, anyone who is ventilator dependent with no power, and all other non-storm related emergencies.   Situations and concerns such as basement flooding that is not life threating should be referred to your local fire department.  Power outages should be reported to the local power company unless it is life threatening.  All other resources that you many need, roof leaking or repairs, need of emergency heating oil, hot water and furnace issues and shelter information should be directed to call Armstrong County Community Action at 724-548-3408.  If you are in doubt, call 911.

There are many things you can do now to be prepared in an emergency situations. 

• If you are using a generator make sure it is not in a garage connected to your house where the carbon monoxide fumes may be hazardous.  Gas stations may not have back up generators and gas pumps may be inoperable. 
  
• Phones that are internet based may not work so make sure the battery back up is working and make sure your cell phone in fully charged. 
  
• Make sure you have key access to your house if your electric garage door opener is inoperable.
• In case of a flooding situation, safeguard all important documents and uncover your sewer drains.
• Freeze gallon jugs and when the power goes out place them in the fridge, when they thaw, you can use them as drinking water.
• Set solar lights outside during the day and bring them in after sunset for safer lighting than candles.
• Clear gutters and exterior drains from debris and leaves.
• Remove window air conditioners.
• Remove all valuable items from your basement, if it is not practical to move some items, elevate them on pallets or concrete blocks.
• Secure all outdoor objects.
• Review how to shut off your utilities in case the need arises.
• Power off and unplug all electronics and appliances.

Families should prepare for two scenarios in the event of severe weather: to remain in their homes during the duration of a storm, or to evacuate if it is recommended or ordered by local authorities.

Residents should always have enough provisions in their homes to last at least 72 hours because help from emergency responders may not be immediately available when severe weather strikes.

Other disaster preparedness supplies to have at the ready include:

• Flashlights and extra batteries;
• Portable, battery-operated radio and extra batteries;
• First said kit and manual;
• Emergency food and water;
• Non-electric can opener;
• Essential medicines/prescriptions;
• Cash, credit cards and important legal documents; and
• Sturdy shoes.
• Diapers and baby formula for anyone with small children
• Food and supplies for any animals you care for

If residents are ordered by local officials to evacuate, they should do so without hesitating and should take important documents with them, including:

• Checkbooks;
• Driver's license;
• Credit card information;
• Birth certificates;
• Social Security cards; and
• Other forms and documents proving ownership/identity.

For more information on how to make a disaster supply kit and how to prepare for all kinds of emergencies, visit www.readypa.org or call 1-888-9-READYPA (1-888-973-2397).

If you are prepared make sure your animals are ready and as comfortable for this storm as well.   Shelters do not accept animals at their facilities.  And if you can, safely check on your neighbor if they would need anything.

If you have planned on using any non-essential service at the courthouse please reconsider doing so at another time when this emergency situation subsides.  The Armstrong County Courthouse wants to service as many people as we can but during an emergency this may become difficult. 

Brenda George, of the Armstrong County Prothonotary and Court of Clerk’s Office, has assumed the office of President of the Pennsylvania State Association of Prothonotaries and Clerks of Courts. She will serve a one-year term from July 2012 to July 2013.

She was first nominated at the Republican Caucus and then elected by a bi-partisan vote of her peers at the conference on July 11, 2012.  She was sworn in on July 12th at the Ramada Inn, Altoona (Blair County). 

Ms. George will represent the Pennsylvania State Association of Prothonotaries and Clerk of Courts with other associations and entities throughout the state and attend legislative area meetings. 

Her additional duties include: appointing of chairpersons and committee members, conferring with executive board and legislative chair on a regular basis as to any legislation affecting the Association and it current status, in addition to scheduling and negotiating the contract for the 2013 conference. 

The Pennsylvania State Association of Prothonotaries and Clerks of Court mission statement is “The objects of the association are for the purpose of securing more uniformity and cooperation in the conduct of their offices and improving their service to the public.”

Armstrong County will host the 2013 conference at the Hilton Garden Inn Southpointe/Pittsburgh in Canonsburg (Washington County) from July 9 through July 12, 2013.

Brenda was first elected to the Armstrong County Prothonotary/Court of Clerks back in 1999.  She was successfully elected in 2011 to a fourth term of office, while having worked in the Prothonotary and Court of Clerk’s office for 28 years.

Marianne Hileman, Armstrong County Register of Wills/Recorder of Deeds, has been elected president of the Pennsylvania Recorder of Deeds Association. Hileman, who is in her first year of a second term as Register of Wills, Recorder of Deeds and Clerk of Orphans’ Court was elected during the Pennsylvania Recorder of Deeds Association’s (PRODA) conference held this year in Reading, Berks County, Pennsylvania during the week of June 11-14. Hileman was honored at a Presidential Dinner in Sunny Brook Ballroom in Pottstown, Pennsylvania on Wednesday, June 13.

 The Armstrong County Treasurer’s Office wants to remind Armstrong County residents that we sell hunting and fishing licenses through the Treasurer’s Office.  Hunting and furtaker licenses will start going on sale Monday June 11th from 8:00am – 4:30pm for the 2012-2013 hunting season at the Armstrong County Treasurer’s Office in the Armstrong County Courthouse Annex, 450 E. Market Street, Kittanning.  If you purchase your hunting and fishing license through the Armstrong County Treasurer’s Office, our staff has the experience to correct problems with issuing your license through the Pennsylvania Game Commission Harrisburg Office.
 An adult resident hunting license is $20.70 issued to a PA resident ages 17 through 64.  A junior resident hunting license is $6.70 issued to a PA resident 12 through 16.  The senior resident hunting license is $13.70 issued to a PA resident 65 years old and older. 
 Senior lifetime hunting and furtaker license holders, and senior combination license holders must renew their licenses at this time.  Senior lifetime license holders do not have to pay a license or a transaction fee, but they must obtain the current year’s license and harvest tag.
Landowner antlerless deer licenses MUST be issued prior to the start of the regular application period, which begins July 9th 2012.   The last day to apply for a landowner antlerless deer license is July 6th.
The 2012 antlerless deer license application schedule is as follows.  The first day a PA resident application is accepted is Monday July 9th through the Armstrong County Treasurer’s Office by mail only.  The first day a non-PA resident application is accepted is Monday July 30th by the Armstrong County Treasurer’s Office by mail only.  And on August 6th, if there are antlerless deer licenses still available, the Armstrong County Treasurer will accept antlerless deer license applications from residents and non-residents for unsold tags by mail only for the first round, and one unsold tag per applicant.
 There are an unlimited number of unsold tags for WMUs 2B, 5C, and 5D only, by mail only, with a limit of 3 applications per envelope.  On Monday, August 20th, if there are still antlerless deer licenses available, the Armstrong County Treasurer’s Office will accept applications by mail only from residents and non-residents for a second unsold tag.
   On August 27th unlimited over-the-counter sales begins for applicants who want antlerless deer licenses in WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D.  Applicants will be receiving their regular and first round licenses after Monday, September 10th when they are scheduled to be mailed out.  Applicants will be receiving their second round licenses after Monday, September 24th when they are scheduled to be mailed out.  On Monday, October 1st the Armstrong County Treasurer’s Office will be accepting over- the-counter antlerless deer licenses applications if the applicant did not exceed his/her limit.  The total deer harvest for the 2011-2012 season according to the PA Game Commission website was 336,220. and 30,400 of those deer harvest were in the WMU 2D area, which includes all of Armstrong County.
The consequence if caught hunting or fishing without a license is a fine from the Pennsylvania Game Commission or the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission. 
 For more information contact Amanda Hiles, 724-548-3260, 450 E. Market Street, Kittanning, PA 16201 or log onto www.pgc.state.pa.us or www.fishandboat.com.