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CONTINUING: THE WHITE HAVEN JOURNAL ESTABLISHED 1879–145th YEAR, NO. 43

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CONTINUING: THE WEATHERLY HERALD ESTABLISHED 1880–145th YEAR, NO. 17

Penn Lake does not take on WH Police Department coverage by Suzanne Winters

The late Jack Danko of Laurel Run was inducted into the Weatherly Hillclimb’s Hill of Fame at the 2024 Fall Event of the Hillclimb this past weekend. Shown from left are Danko Racing Team members George Willis, Brandon Usloski and Mike Larnerd; Weatherly Hillclimb Association President Joe Cyburt, who made the presentation; seated, team member Barry Griffith, Darryl Danko, Jack’s son who is also a driver, Darryl’s wife, Chrissy, and Danko Racing Team member Bob Tulay. Jack Danko passed away this past March. For more on the Hillclimb, see page 14. JH: Jim Dino

Police equipment, cameras in WH grant application by Ruth Isenberg White Haven borough is applying for $43,120.99 worth of police equipment through an LSA grant. At a special meeting on September 11, council voted to submit the application. Among the equipment that would be purchased is a $24,000 license plate reader, and three Flock cameras which would be located at three of the five ways in and out of the borough. The Flock cameras provide electronic images of vehicles that pass, and their license plates. Because the system links to other neighboring law enforcement agencies, the police

department is alerted when a stolen vehicle or vehicle of interest enters its jurisdiction. The cameras carry a hefty annaul fee of $3,000 each for software, which is why the borough is only going for three at this time. Also approved at the meeting were an application for a $275,000 community development block grant to pave sections of Chemung Street, and application for a $401,353 LSA grant for the White Haven Area Community Library’s second floor. Council also gave its okay to the White Haven Lions Club for the annual Halloween Parade on October 20.

Initial audience comments on this month’s Penn Lake Borough Council meeting agenda items addressed a proposed agreement to spend $18,200 per year for White Haven Police Department (WHPD) coverage in the borough. Tim Lenahan said he is not anti-police, but he feels the borough should do the dam repairs before hiring police. Shaun Kuter said the police need to show him how they plan to slow the traffic in the borough, but since they can’t do this, he also believes the borough should spend the money elsewhere. Mayor Tom Carter said the contract negotiations included 7 hours of weekly patrol in the borough during the summer months, and he proposed only 4 hours of weekly patrol during the winter months. WHPD refused to consider reducing winter hours to 4 per week. Councilmember Dan Eustice did not want to spend the money on police protection, also stating there are other things the borough can spend the money on. The general consensus seemed to be that the State Police response has been adequate, another reason noted for not needing WHPD coverage in the borough. There was no motion made to endorse the proposed agreement and the issue was closed. Councilman John Burden has been researching the possibility of regionalization of police and emergency management services with other local municipalities,

and said a TEAMS conference can be set up for council to discuss these issues with the members of this working group. Councilman Paul Rogan directed Burden to get that on the next meeting agenda for consideration. Councilman Corey Beltz is looking into attending a Traffic Calming Webinar, which may provide some solutions to the borough’s traffic problems.

Dam Issues

The Phillips’ property dam easement was discussed during both the work session and the meeting. Solicitor Kristyn Jeckell said she would contact family member and representative Attorney Dave Phillips, to discuss the issue of the borough exercising its option to purchase the Phillips property. The family has filed a Right to Know (RTK) request with DEP, wanting to know why the property is needed for the dam repair project. Dam Advisory Group (DAG) member Dan George was present. He was not sure what additional documentation DEP might possess. He said the flowage easement currently in question would make the property undevelopable, and it is believed that purchasing the entire parcel is the fairest way to move forward. This would relieve the Phillips family

See PENN LAKE, page 6 of having to continue paying property taxes on an unusable portion of land.