Controller Audit Recovers Overcharges

Fkopas

Description

A Bi-Weekly Update on Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania July 18, 2003 ♦ Volume 2 ♦ Issue 15 ♦ www.co.westmoreland.pa.us Election Changes Proposed Through “Help America Vote Act” On July 9 Westmoreland County Elections Director Paula Pedicone attended a public hearing sponsored by the Pennsylvania Department of State regarding the Commonwealth’s preliminary draft of the implementation of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) of 2002. Congress passed the legislation in an effort to address some of the election administration issues that followed the 2000 presidential election in Florida. HAVA requires the following: • The establishment of standards for all voting systems used in federal elections • Voter education • Training of officials who work at the polls • Accessible voting systems in each polling place • Alternative language availability • Provisional ballots for voters with no record of registration at the polling place • Voter identification standards for certain first-time In This Issue: voters • A statewide database of voter registration Prison Suicide • A state plan to be filed with the Federal Election Watch Policy . . . . . . . Page 2 Assistance Commission describing how the requirements of HAVA will be met. Controller Audit . . . . .Page 3 HAVA provides federal funding for state and county governments to implement these requirements. Public Safety The plan filed by each state must explain and defend Grants . . . . . . . . . ...

Informations

• Publié par: Zolot
• Nombre de lectures: 20
• Langue: English

Extrait

July 18, 2003

♦

Volume 2

♦

Issue 15

♦

www.co.westmoreland.pa.us

A Bi-Weekly Update on

Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania

Election Changes Proposed Through “Help America Vote Act”

On July 9 Westmoreland County Elections Director Paula Pedicone attended a

public hearing sponsored by the Pennsylvania Department of State regarding the

Commonwealth’s preliminary draft of the implementation of the Help America Vote Act

(HAVA) of 2002. Congress passed the legislation in an effort to address some of the

election administration issues that followed the 2000 presidential election in Florida.

HAVA requires the following:

•

The establishment of standards for all voting systems used in federal elections

•

Voter education

•

Training of officials who work at the polls

•

Accessible voting systems in each polling place

•

Alternative language availability

•

Provisional ballots for voters with no record of registration at the polling place

In This Issue:

Prison Suicide

Watch Policy . . . . . . . Page 2

Controller Audit . . . . .Page 3

Public Safety

Grants . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 3

Russian Visit . . . . . . . Page 5

Crisis Intervention. . . Page 7

BARJ Project. . . . . . . Page 8

Poker Run . . . . . . . . . Page 9

Send us your feedback

E-mail:

[e-mail]

•

Voter identification standards for certain first-time

voters

•

A statewide database of voter registration

•

A state plan to be filed with the Federal Election

Assistance

Commission

describing

how

the

requirements of HAVA will be met.

HAVA provides federal funding for state and

county governments to implement these requirements.

The plan filed by each state must explain and defend

how the state will use the federal funding to

implement HAVA. (Information is available on-line

at

www.dos.state.pa.us

-- look at “What’s Hot.”)

The Pennsylvania Department of State has

developed a Preliminary State Plan that explains how

the Commonwealth proposes to use the federal

funding to implement HAVA.

The goal of the

department in developing the plan is to modernize

voting equipment in Pennsylvania, guarantee that all

registered electors have the opportunity to vote, and

ensure that voting systems are easy to use and record

and count every vote cast.

Window to Westmoreland

July 18, 2003

- 2 -

The state plan proposes that all counties purchase HAVA-compliant direct

recording electronic voting system (DRE) that are the most technologically advanced

voting systems and also contain advantages for individuals with disabilities. The state

plan proposes that the Department of State contain intensive voter education programs,

poll-worker and county election official training. The goals of all education and training

programs will be to standardize election procedures throughout the state.

The plan

proposes to use federal funds for the purchase of voting systems that are accessible to

individuals with disabilities.

The plan also proposes the use of federal funds for the

statewide voter registration database.

For more information, contact Elections Director Paula Pedicone at 724-830-3150

or e-mail

[e-mail]

.

Prison Suicide Watch Policy Revised

The Westmoreland County Prison recently implemented new suicide watch

policies to help lessen the opportunities for inmate suicides. The changes, enacted by

new Warden John Walton, were outlined at the July 7 meeting of the Prison Board and

include new safety precautions during booking and screening, as well as staff training.

Now, when new inmates are admitted to the facility, booking officers review

records for the past three years to determine if that inmate had ever been on suicide watch

during a previous incarceration at the jail. Those who have been on suicide watch will

automatically be placed on watch again. A new questionnaire, consisting of 18 questions,

is being implemented as part of the suicide screening process to prevent repeat inmates

from becoming too familiar with the questions and preventing proper analysis.

Another change involves the inmate observation forms that correction officers use

when making their cell block rounds.

The new form includes a space to detail the

prisoners’ activity when the officer observes them.

Also, prison staff is undergoing

suicide prevention training.

Other physical changes include double-bunking the suicide watch cells, under the

presumption that an inmate will be less likely to attempt suicide if there is another person

in the cell, and adding two surveillance cameras.

The most recent suicide occurred in April, when a 33-year-old inmate from

Sewickley Township hanged himself in his cell

For more information, contact Warden John Walton at 724-830-6000 or e-mail

[e-mail]

.

Coroner’s Office Introduces New Search Dog

At a July 16 news conference, the Westmoreland County Coroner’s Office

introduced the newest member of its team – “Jack,” a cadaver search dog. Jack is a 15-

week-old Belgian Malinois who is being trained by handler John Ackerman of Southwest

Greensburg.

Jack is Ackerman’s third cadaver dog and was recently purchased to replace

eight-year-old Sierra, who died May 2 following a sudden illness. Ackerman’s first

cadaver search dog, CJ, is now retired.

Ackerman’s dogs have been used by law

enforcement agencies for many years and have been successful in searches for missing

persons, and at crime scenes, drownings, accidents and fire scenes.

Window to Westmoreland

July 18, 2003

- 3 -

The Malinois is the short-coated variety of the Belgian Shepard Dog. They are

fawn colored with a black mask. Jack is expected to grow to a height of 24-26 inches at

the shoulder and weigh between 60-80 pounds. The Malinios breed is characterized as a

“high-energy” dog that does best when it has a definite purpose in life.

Ackerman expects Jack to be fully trained as a cadaver search dog by the end of

the year.

Several individuals and agencies made financial contributions to offset

Ackerman’s recent expenses with Sierra’s veterinarian bill and burial, as well as the

purchase of Jack and his training. Checks were presented to Ackerman at the event, in

which Coroner Ken Bacha served as master of ceremonies.

Among those attending the event were representatives from the Westmoreland

County Law Enforcement Officers’ Association; Sgt. Ron Hasnauer and Chief Deputy

Chuck Moore of the Westmoreland County Sheriff’s Office; District Attorney John Peck;

John Hart and Joe Frederick of the Funeral Directors’ Association; Greensburg Fire Chief

Ed Hutchinson; Joe Yencha of Mutual Aid Ambulance Service; representatives from the

Pennsylvania

State

Police;

Chief

Deputy

Coroner

Paul

Cycak;

and

County

Commissioners Tom Balya and Tom Ceraso.

For more information, contact Coroner Ken Bacha at 724-830-3644 or e-mail

[e-mail]

.

Controller Audit Recovers Overcharges

County Controller Jeffry A. Pavetti announced that a recent audit of Highmark

Blue Cross/Blue Shield claims has resulted in the identification of $27,558 in

overcharges by the vendor on Westmoreland County billings. Highmark has agreed to

credit Westmoreland County in future billings.

Pavetti noted that since 1993 the Controller’s Office has recouped a grand total of

$327,990 in health care overcharges from county vendors.

“These audits have been ground breaking – county government had never

previously audited claims activity on the part of health care providers,” Pavetti said.

“These results are a credit to the professionalism of the Controller’s Audit Department.”

Copies of the audit are available upon request to the County Controllers Office.

For more information, contact Controller Pavetti at 724-830-3115 or via e-mail at

[e-mail]

.

County Seeking Homeland Security Funds to Enhance 800-MHz System

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is implementing a national

interoperable communications grant program during fiscal year 2003. The purpose of the

new Homeland Security Communications Interoperability Competitive Grant Program is

to improve the effectiveness of public safety communications systems and to resolve

interoperability issues. Each state and territory has been invited to nominate one of its

local jurisdictions to demonstrate projects that will explore the uses of equipment and

technologies to increase interoperability among the fire service, law enforcement and

emergency medical service communities.

Governor Ed Rendell has selected Westmoreland County as the Commonwealth’s

nominee for this national competitive grant. A total of 25 local jurisdictions will be

selected from the 54 state and territorial applicants to receive individual grants that may

Window to Westmoreland

July 18, 2003

- 4 -

total approximately $6 million. The grant submission and selection process will take

place throughout the summer months, with awards expected in September.

The successful grant awardees must demonstrate an understanding of first-

responder needs, and must propose a clear and demonstrated plan for accomplishing

improved interoperability between first responders of local, tribal, regional and state

public safety agencies or organizations.

The Department of Public Safety (DPS) is confident that Westmoreland County’s

new Motorola ASTRO 25 800-MHz trunked radio system is the perfect example of how

to achieve interoperability within the county.

It also offers an excellent vehicle for

developing an interoperability solution to allow interface with Pennsylvania’s state radio

system, allowing true multi-agency connectivity from the local level, through the regional

level, to the state level.

In addition to this new funding opportunity, DPS recently announced the receipt

of several grants to further emergency services in the county, as well as additional

funding sources for public safety enhancements.

PSFA Wireless E911 Grant

The Public Safety Foundation of America (PSFA) will award a grant of $13,333

to DPS to support and expedite the implementation of enhanced 911 or “E-911” in the

region. The PSFA was established in January 2002 by the Association of Public Safety

Communications Officials International to provide critical funding and technical support

to public safety answering points and local emergency response officials to enable the

implementation of wireless E-911. In this series of grants, the PSFA is awarding nearly

$3.1 million to 57 grantees in 27 states.

Funding for the PSFA is provided by a variety of sources, including donations

from corporations, APCO chapters and the Wireless E-911: PSAP Readiness Fund, a

non-profit organization established by Nextel Communications and dedicated to

supporting the timely implementation of wireless E-911.

Westmoreland County was one of only three counties in Pennsylvania to receive a

grant during the first round of awards.

The other two awardees were the Pike and

Lycoming counties.

USFA Firefighter Grants

Three rounds of the national United States Firefighter Association (USFA)

administered firefighter grant program have been completed to date. The Westmoreland

Homesteads VFD in Norvelt was awarded a first-round award of $25,146.

Grants Through the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency

Westmoreland County recently received three grants that must be used before the

end of the calendar year:

•

$7,719 to conduct CERT training activities within the county.

•

$1,970 to establish a Citizens Corp Council and conduct Citizens Corps

activities within the county.

•

$76,274 to revise and update the County Emergency Operations Plan, with

special emphasis on the need to plan for possible weapons of mass destruction

incidents within the county; to incorporate an Incident Command component

into the County Emergency Operations Plan; to create a Continuity of

Government Plan; and to conduct a detailed Critical Infrastructure Assessment

of the county.

Window to Westmoreland

July 18, 2003

- 5 -

For more information, contact Public Safety Director Rich Matason at 724-600-

7301 or e-mail

[e-mail]

.

County Hosts Russian Government Delegation

Westmoreland County hosted a delegation of Russian government officials on

July 10 as part of a program organized locally by Westmoreland County Community

College to promote understanding between the United States and Russia. The Open

World program brought to America Vasily Kurkin, chairman of the Sobolevo District

Legislative Assembly in Siberia’s Kamchatka region; Nikolay Devyatkin, chairman of

the Perm Regional Legislative Assembly; and Valeri Soloviev, deputy chairman of Tver

City Duma.

The offices held by these men represent the various levels of Russian

government.

The delegation, accompanied by a translator and their American host, Lisa Sales

of Ligonier, began the day’s visit by attending the Commissioners’ Public Meeting where

they witnessed the business of the county and experienced firsthand one of the key

elements of county, and American, government – open meetings and public participation.

Afterwards, one of the Russians remarked about how any citizen has the opportunity to

bring matters of public concern before the Board of Commissioners.

Following the public meeting, the delegation met with Chairman Tom Balya to

discuss the similarities and differences of the American and Russian governments, and to

learn specifically about the role of county government. The hour-long meeting touched

on a number of issues such as services, programs, revenue sources and elections, and

included many questions and answers (through a translator) to facilitate a better

understanding of the functions of the various levels of American government and how

they work together.

During their weeklong stay, the Russians visited many area attractions, including

the Arts and Heritage Festival at Twin Lakes Park, and also traveled to Harrisburg and

Washington D.C. to meet with state and federal officials from Westmoreland County.

The Open World Program was developed in 1999.

Westmoreland County

Community College professor Vitaly Penkovsky served as the local coordinator for the

Russians’ visit.

For more information on the program and the Russian delegation, contact Vitaly

Penkovsky at WCCC at 724-925-4104.

2004 List of Taxable Properties Available For Viewing

Westmoreland County property owners are reminded that the proposed 2004

property tax roll is available for viewing on the public access computer terminals in the

Westmoreland County Tax Assessment and Tax Mapping offices in Rooms 403 and 406

of the Westmoreland County Courthouse Annex. The office is open Monday through

Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., except for holidays. Corrections will be made to the

proposed roll, beginning now through October 31. The various tax roll amounts will be

certified to the taxing bodies on or before November 15.

If, after viewing the tax roll, a property owner finds that the information listed for

their property is incorrect, they should inform the Tax Assessment Office, as many

problems can be resolved without filing an official appeal.

Window to Westmoreland

July 18, 2003

- 6 -

If an appeal needs to be filed with the Westmoreland County Board of

Assessment Appeals, forms and rules can be downloaded from the Assessment Office

web page

(www.co.westmoreland.pa.us/taxas/taxa.shtml

) by clicking on "Annual

Assessment Appeal Form and Rules" in the lower left side of the page. Forms and rules

are also available by calling 724-830-3409 or by visiting the office. Appeals forms must

be filed with the Board by September 1.

Upon filing an appeal, the Board will schedule a hearing between now and

October 31 and notify the property owner of the date and time by first-class mail. At the

hearing, the property owner will be required to submit evidence to show why the

information or assessed value is incorrect. Following the hearing, the Board will make its

decision and notify the property owner of its decision by first-class mail.

For more information, contact Phil Light, Director of Assessment, at 724-830-

3411 or e-mail

[e-mail]

.

Westmoreland Manor Receives Awards

Complete HealthCare Resources (CHR), the management company for

Westmoreland Manor, gave special recognition to Manor staff at its Annual Awards

Dinner on June 18.

The Facility Recognition Plaque presented to the staff states:

“For the past year, we have seen several successful projects occur at

Westmoreland Manor, including the success of the Eagle Tree Apartments, a beautiful

renovation of the lobby, work commencing on adult and child daycare programs, and

approval for yet another round of CCAP projects. Even more encouraging is that all of

these extra projects were accomplished during some of the most financially troubling

industry news to date, and continued pressure for compliance with privacy regulations

and clinical quality measure assessment. Thanks to all of the staff at Westmoreland

Manor, including the strong leadership team, that made the accomplishments of this past

year possible.”

Westmoreland Manor also received the “Special Initiative Award” given to the

one CHR facility deemed to have excelled in innovative programming.

The plaque

designating this honor states:

“Along with the challenges of tighter budgets and decreased revenues,

Westmoreland Manor staff has been able to improve and expand their breadth of services

through the development and opening of Eagle Tree Apartments, renovation of the main

lobby, finalizing plans and commencing work on the child daycare and adult night care

programs, as well as continuing the trend for years to come with the approval of yet

another CCAP Alternative Care Project.”

In addition, Maggie Harper, Westmoreland Manor Administrator, received the

Complete HealthCare Resources’ Administrator of the Year 2003 Award, reflecting the

accomplishments of all the staff at Westmoreland Manor throughout the past year.

For more information, contact Maggie Harper at 724-830-4000 or e-mail

[e-mail]

.

For more information on Westmoreland Manor

services, programs and projects, visit

www.co.westmoreland.pa.us/manor/wman.shtml

.

Window to Westmoreland

July 18, 2003

- 7 -

“Pennies for Pansy” Nursing Scholarship Program Underway at Manor

Westmoreland Manor has established a Nursing Scholarship Fund in memory of

beloved friend and coworker J. Carol “Pansy” Pacelli, who recently passed away. The

fund will be ongoing in honor of Carol and will benefit students pursuing a career in

nursing through the Westmoreland County Community College.

Westmoreland Manor is now asking for donations to contribute to the new

scholarship fund. Anyone wishing to honor Carol may send a contribution to CFWC

Carol Pacelli Nursing Scholarship Fund, 111 Station Place, 101 Ehalt Street, Greensburg,

PA 15601. Any and all memorial contributions are greatly appreciated.

The scholarship program is being assisted by the Community Foundation of

Westmoreland County, which administers a number of scholarship funds to benefit

graduating students from various Westmoreland County high schools.

For more information, contact Westmoreland Manor at 724-830-4000.

Crisis Intervention Services Offer Help for Mental Health Needs

Crisis intervention services are defined as “immediate, crisis-oriented services

designed to ameliorate or resolve precipitating stress, which are provided to adults,

adolescents, children and their families who exhibit an acute problem of disturbed

thought, behavior, mood or social relationship.” The services provide rapid response to

crisis situations that threaten the well being of an individual or others.

The

Westmoreland County MH/MR Program has a full array of crisis services available for

consumers.

Westmoreland Human Opportunities, Inc. is one of the providers that offers a

continuum of crisis services designed to address an individual’s need for critical attention

in a timely and effective manner. WHO provides a Crisis Hotline, Mobile Crisis and

Crisis Respite Residential Unit.

The Crisis Hotline number is 800-836-6010 and is

answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week by a trained crisis staff member. Any

Westmoreland County resident experiencing a crisis or wanting assistance for someone

else in a crisis can call and receive support and referral for further services.

There are times when talking to a crisis worker on the Crisis Hotline may require

a more intensive level of intervention. For example, a person may be experiencing acute

symptoms that have the potential to endanger that person or someone else.

In this

situation, the crisis hotline worker can engage the services of the Mobile Crisis. A

trained crisis worker or a team of two crisis workers will conduct a face-to-face

intervention with the person in the community where the crisis is occurring. The Mobile

Crisis workers provide crisis intervention, assessment, counseling, resolution and referral.

Follow-ups occur on every mobile call to see how the person is doing and if any further

intervention or referrals are needed.

The Crisis Respite Residential Unit is an eight-bed residential facility that

provides crisis stabilization and structured respite services to adults diagnosed with a

mental health disorder who are at risk of or have been hospitalized and who require 24-

hour structure and supervision to manage their psychiatric illness. Referrals can come

from the Mobile Crisis workers, mental health or human service providers and the base

service unit.

The length of stay is five days, during which time an individualized

treatment plan is developed and services are coordinated with community providers. A

Window to Westmoreland

July 18, 2003

- 8 -

discharge meeting and aftercare plan is developed to assist the person to return to their

optimum living arrangement in the community.

Crisis Walk-In services are provided by three providers strategically located

throughout Westmoreland County: Latrobe Area Hospital Mental Health Unit,

Westmoreland Regional Hospital Comprehensive Counseling Center and Family Services

of Western PA in New Kensington. During the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., anyone

who is experiencing a crisis can walk in or call these facilities and receive one-on-one

contact with a trained professional.

Crisis services provide immediate intervention to catch problems before they

escalate while offering referral information so that help can be provided on an ongoing

basis.

For more information, contact Dawn Hixson at the County MH/MR program

office at 724-830-3617.

BARJ Project Restores Jeannette Playground

In continuing its efforts to work within the Balanced and Restorative Justice

(BARJ) philosophy, the Westmoreland County Juvenile Probation Department sponsored

a Community Volunteer Clean-up Day on June 21 at the Charles Graham Memorial

Playground on South Sixth Street in Jeannette. The clean-up was the result of November

2002 neighborhood BARJ meeting, where it was determined that focus groups were

needed throughout the city of Jeannette to find out what exactly people thought about

their community, how they perceived the Juvenile Justice System, and if they were

familiar with the Developmental Assets and the Youth Commission.

In March, a focus group was conducted with Jeannette youth who were on

probation. One of the topics discussed was Community Service Work. The juveniles

were asked if they knew what community service work was, and also, if they could do a

community service work project, what would it be. They all agreed that they would like

to see the South Sixth Street Playground cleaned-up.

It all came to fruition on June 21. That Saturday morning (in the pouring rain) the

Salvation Army Canteen Truck showed up at 7:15 a.m. to provide the refreshments

provided by area business.

By 8:00 about 50 volunteers had arrived, including the

Juvenile Probation Community Service Work Program participants, juveniles from

Adelphoi McKee House, members of the Cross of Christ Church, the Jeannette Assembly

of God, and Son Raise Ministries, the Jeannette Recreation Board Director, the Juvenile

Probation Department, community members on the BARJ Team, and neighbors and

community members from throughout the city.

The grass was cut, perennials were planted around the entire perimeter of the

playground, a new basketball hoop was installed, and two new backboards were donated

(the city is working on adapting them to the current poles). Also, volunteers installed

swings, painted the swing set and sliding board, and swept and edged the basketball

court, sidewalks and parking lot. All the trees were trimmed, and sod and mulch were

used to fill in holes at the bottom of the slide and under the swings. Because of the rain

new lines will be painted on the court at a later date, using paint donated by Sherwin

Williams.

Overall, the day was a tremendous success. The community helped the young

people of the neighborhood realize that they have the power to turn their ideas into

Window to Westmoreland

July 18, 2003

- 9 -

reality. Vendors, individuals and businesses who graciously donated food, supplies and

services included: Adelphoi Village McKee House, anonymous donors, Antoniak’s

Market, C&S Market, Family Dollar, Home Depot, Jeannette Asset Builders, Jeannette

Kiwanis, Krispy Kreme, Lowes, Overly’s Country Christmas, Pepsi Cola, Scozio’s

Sparkle Market, Sheetz, Sherwin Williams Paints, Vince Mangini and the Westmoreland

County Fairgrounds.

Discussions are underway about following up on the project to keep the

playground clean and safe. The BARJ Team is studying the development of some type of

youth advisory team that can help keep watch on the playground. Jeannette Recreation

Director Nancy Peters has volunteered to work with the young people. Margie Stanislaw,

from the county’s Juvenile Probation Department, is meeting with some of the young

people from that neighborhood to discuss future plans.

For more information, contact Margie Stanislaw at 724-830-4200 or e-mail

[e-mail]

.

Sign Up On-Site for Poker Run

The fourth annual Five Star Trail Poker Run will be held on Saturday, July 26, at

Lynch Field in Greensburg. The event will start at 9:00 a.m. with on-site registration

beginning at 8:15 a.m. Registration cost is only $15, and all proceeds from the event

benefit the Five Star Trail.

The Poker Run is two events in one. Participants can choose a four-mile walk or

a 12-mile bike ride, but it is not a race to decide who finishes first. Those participating

will choose a playing card from a deck of cards at each of five checkpoints along the trail.

Upon finishing the event, each participant will have assembled a full poker hand.

The top three poker hands for each event will receive a trophy and a special prize

package. In addition, at the conclusion of the event, there will be a huge door prize

giveaway.

The Poker Run is a Five Star Trail Chapter and Westmoreland County Bureau of

Parks and Recreation event. It is sponsored by numerous local businesses including 1480

WCNS.

For more information, contact the Westmoreland County Bureau of Parks and

Recreation at 724-830-3950 or visit

www.InWestmoreland.com/CountyParks

.

Reminder: County Parks Close at Dusk

Westmoreland County Park Police officers assigned to the parks report that it has

been a very busy summer thus far. The entire county park system is busy with visitors

picnicking and plenty of outdoor activities. But there has also been an increase in visitors

violating the park hour ordinance. Hours at all parks are 9:00 a.m. to dusk. Police have

been finding a lot of activity in the parks after they officially close. Violators will be

cited according to the proper ordinance. Several citations have already been issued in

recent weeks for violations. The problem will be closely monitored at all county parks.

The Arts and Heritage Festival at Twin Lakes Parks during the Independence Day

weekend – the busiest event of the season – went very smoothly from a law enforcement

standpoint. The festival was very busy with heavy traffic and park patrons. However,

there were no major incidents. Park Police are currently preparing for the next major

event on August 10 at Cedar Creek Park.

Window to Westmoreland

July 18, 2003

- 10 -

Park Police investigated a total of 99 incidents and 52 police enforcements on

County properties during the month of May. Officers assigned to the Westmoreland

County Courthouse Complex confiscated 600 potentially dangerous weapons during the

month.

Park Police encourage visitors to be familiar with the county ordinances, rules and

regulations before visiting any county-owned properties. For questions regarding rules

and

regulations,

contact

Captain

Nick

Caesar

at

724-853-4672

or

e-mail

[e-mail]

Help Protect Seniors: Donate Your Old Cell Phone

Since its inception in May 2002, the “Phones for Seniors” program has collected

2,400 cell phones and approximately 1,700 seniors have been given phones to use in

emergencies. But phones are still needed to keep the program running and help keep

seniors safe.

A joint collaboration between the Westmoreland County Sheriff’s Department

and the Westmoreland County Area Agency on Aging, the program distributes cell

phones to traveling seniors to use in an emergency. The phones are only capable of

dialing 911 and cannot receive incoming calls.

Any working cell phone can be donated. It is not necessary that the phone be on a

current service plan to call 911.

The following criteria have been established for seniors to receive a phone:

•

Individuals must be age 60 or older.

•

Individuals must live in Westmoreland County.

•

Individuals must be capable of operating a cell phone and responsible for

recharging it when needed.

•

Seniors who travel in their own vehicle or the vehicle of others are the

primary focus of the program.

Phones are being collected at all 13 senior centers in Westmoreland County.

Those interested in receiving a phone should contact the Westmoreland County Area

Agency on Aging at 724-830-4444 or toll free at 800-442-8000.

Window to Westmoreland

July 18, 2003

- 11 -

Window to Westmoreland

Volume 2

♦

Issue 15

♦

July 18, 2003

A bi-weekly update on Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania

Westmoreland County Courthouse

2 North Main Street, Suite 101

Greensburg, Pennsylvania 15601

800-442-6926

Editor:

Ted Kopas

Contributors:

Ken Bacha, Nick Caesar, Ray DuCoeur, Maggie Harper,

Chandra Heilman, Dawn Hixson, Phil Light, Rich Matason,

Jeff Pavetti, Paula Pedicone, Marjorie Bing Stanislaw

We welcome your feedback.

Please send comments or suggestions to

Ted Kopas, Chief of Staff for Chairman Tom Balya,

via e

-

mail at

[e-mail]

or call 724-830-3123

.