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ournal-herald THURSDAY, JANUARY 23, 2025 • Volume 44 – No. 22
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CONTINUING: THE WHITE HAVEN JOURNAL ESTABLISHED 1879–146th YEAR, NO. 9
CONTINUING: THE WEATHERLY HERALD ESTABLISHED 1880–145th YEAR, NO. 35
White Haven Ambulance facing financial crisis by Suzanne Winters The White Haven Ambulance board met January 15 for its monthly meeting. Routine matters were attended to, but according to board president Dave Quinn, the most pressing matter is funding, and the treasurer’s report was discussed at length. Quinn said if they do not start receiving revenue immediately, the Ambulance Service will be forced to shut down. Many other local Emergency Services have already shut their doors due to lack of revenue. Quinn said they won’t last another two months without money. Board members noted that although there is grant money available for infrastructure and equipment, there are no grants for operational costs such as fuel, supplies and payroll. The White Haven Ambulance
board is grateful for having benefitted from grants they have been awarded over the years. The latest acquisition is their new LUCAS Device, an automatic CPR machine. This piece of equipment alone had a price tag of $22,000. It was obtained through a grant from the Office of the State Fire Commissioner. White Haven Ambulance is having problems collecting fees from customers. Their current billing company only recovered $150 in 2024. They are looking into changing billing companies. There are 103 delinquent accounts totalling $70,100. It was noted that Blue Cross/Blue Shield sends reimbursement checks directly to the patients, who are then supposed to pay the ambulance company. Unfortunately, this is not happening, and the White Haven Ambulance never
WHITE HAVEN AMBULANCE HQ receives the payments. The White Haven Ambulance is owed $140,000 in fees at this time. Board members also noted they never get paid for interstate calls unless they are
JH: Ruth Isenberg
able to obtain driver insurance information. The board decided to initiate collection procedures by getting a list of customers who have
See WH AMBULANCE, page 5
Richard Giordano is new Lehigh Twp. Zoning Officer by Ruth Isenberg Most of the appointments at the January 6 reorganization meeting of Lehigh Township supervisors were routine, with the same people reappointed to
the same positions. There were three exceptions. Previous Zoning/Code Enforcement Officer Robert Selert was not reappointed to that post. Instead, supervisors named Richard Giordano
WH Mayor resigns Frederick Meier submitted his resignation as White Haven Borough’s mayor on Friday, citing personal reasons. He had served in that position for 12 years, first being elected in 2013. Borough council is accepting letters of interest in the position through this Friday, and hopes to appoint a replacement at their meeting scheduled for Monday, January 28. Letters of interest should be sent to borough manager Linda Szoke via email to lszoke@whitehavenborough.org The mayor must be a registered voter and resident of the borough.
of Weatherly. Giordano has not previously served as a zoning officer, but is an elected constable. Carbon Engineering was appointed assistant Zoning/ Code Enforcement Officer. Supervisors also reversed the positions of Planning Commission solicitor and Zoning Hearing Board solicitor. Atty. Cynthia Yurchak, who had been Planning Commission solicitor, was instead named Zoning Hearing Board solicitor, with a fee of $65 per hour. Atty. Robert Yurchak, who had been Zoning Hearing Board solicitor, was named Planning Commission solicitor, with a fee of $100 per hour. Supervisor Larry Skinner
remains chairman, and supervisor Leonard Weston remains vice-chairman. Carol Lenahan was reappointed secretary/treasurer, at a rate of $500 per month. Atty. James Nanovic was reappointed as township solicitor, at a rate of $155 per hour. Weston remains roadmaster, and he, Skinner and supervisor Pawel Fiolek were all named working supervisors, at $100 per meeting, and $20 per hour
See LEHIGH TWP, page 5