Sixty-five members of the county’s Republican committee presented Thursday a letter voicing their strong opposition to the proposed 18-percent property tax increase in the county’s $123.9 million 2022 budget.
James Mentzer
James Mentzer is a freelance writer and lifelong resident of Pennsylvania. He has spent his professional career writing about agriculture, economic development, manufacturing and the energy and real estate industries, and is the county reporter and a features writer for LebTown.
James is an outdoor enthusiast whose hobbies include hunting, Ultimate frisbee, disc golf, spikeball and pickleball, biking, traveling and attending live concerts for a number of bands, including moe., String Cheese Incident and Widespread Panic.
His published works include the books Pennsylvania Manufacturing: Alive and Well; Bucks County: A Snapshot in Time; United States Merchant Marine Academy: In Service to the Nation 1943-2018; A Century of Excellence: Spring Brook Country Club 1921-2021; Lancaster Development, Inc.: An American Story of Family and Infrastructure, and several other titles. He has also had business profiles published in Central Pennsylvania: Our Time Has Come, and an article in The Columbiad, a scholarly publication of Civil War Times Illustrated, concerning a little-known African American fort and battle along the James River in Virginia. Another book is currently in production for Morris Country Club in Morris, Illinois.
Posted inNews
County Commissioners will raise taxes to cover capital project, other rising costs
Jamie Wolgemuth, chief clerk/county administrator, said General Fund expenses are increasing by 6.63 percent to over $54 million in 2022.
Posted inNews
Commissioners expect 2022 budget to entail tax rate increase, first since 2016
Although the county’s 2022 budget has not been officially released, it appears a tax increase will hit the wallets of county taxpayers next year.
Posted inPeople & Places
Gold medalist Ryan Neiswender uses new fame to aid people with disabilities
As a gold medal winner in men’s wheelchair basketball at the Paralympic Games this past summer in Tokyo, South Lebanon Township native Ryan Neiswender is making the most of the opportunity that’s been presented to him.
Posted inNews
Renaissance Crossroads falls victim to staffing shortages
Lebanon County Commissioners were informed that the Renaissance Crossroads program will cease operations in Lebanon County at the end of 2021.
Posted inBusiness & Nonprofits
Lending a helping hand: LCCM continues to assist those in need
LCCM Executive Director Bryan Smith said a total of 366,181 pounds of food was distributed in the past year across all of the organization’s programs.
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Agency on Aging sees slight increase in annual block grant funding
The agency’s block grant funding increased from $3.38 million in 2020-21 to $3.41 million in fiscal year 2021-22, which comprises 83 percent of the agency’s overall budget of $4.10 million, according to Carol A. Davies, administrator, for Lebanon County’s AAA.
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County Commissioners shuffle funding for ongoing redevelopment projects
Lebanon County Commissioners on Thursday approved several requests from its redevelopment authority to obtain funding through the state’s Community Development Block Grant program for 2021.
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Supply issues affecting county agency face-lift
The county’s Mental Health/Intellectual Disabilities/Early Intervention offices are awaiting renovation, but shipping of some supplies has been delayed due to the ongoing pandemic.
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Newer technologies will upgrade 911 Center, enhance public safety
While county residents won’t notice any differences, the changes to Lebanon County’s 911 communications system will embrace new technologies that move the county toward future capabilities and away from outdated services and technologies.
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Commissioners direct $800k of Marcellus Shale funding to rail trail
The county commissioners approved Thursday by a 2-1 vote its portion of Phase 6C funding in the amount of $800,000 for the Lebanon Valley Rail Trail expansion project.
Posted inPeople & Places
A lifetime of service: Local youth completes Eagle Scout project at pool
As a way to give back to a place that provided countless hours of entertainment and gave him so much joy, Syryth Mitchell decided to complete his Eagle Scout project at Annville Cleona Community Pool.
Posted inCrime & Safety
Move Over Law strengthened to protect first responders
Since 2019, 136 first responders have been struck and killed while at an emergency scene or assisting the driver of a disabled vehicle.
Posted inNews
CYS budget strains as service providers see spikes in insurance, labor costs
Filling a vital role for public safety, the department of Child & Youth Services has no choice but to pay the bill for a court-ordered placement. COVID-caused spikes in provider costs are now straining the department’s budget.
Posted inNews
Here’s how to register for this year’s municipal elections
Although eligible voters have until 4:30 p.m. on October 18 to register at the county’s voter registration office or until 11:59 p.m. to register online, elections officials encourage voters not to wait until the last minute.
