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February 2012Dear Friend, The Pennsylvania Farm Show, held January 7-14 of this year, was the best on record. The eight-day show featured 6,000 animals, 10,000 competitive exhibits and 300 commercial exhibitors. Thanks in part to mild weather conditions, the event started off with all-time high Farm Show attendance on Saturday, January 7. Record attendance followed on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday of show week. Nearly 70,000 vehicles were parked in Farm Show lots throughout the week, compared to 55,000 parked last year - a 22 percent increase. If you find this e-newsletter useful, I invite you to visit my website www.senatormensch.com for more information about your state government. If you do not wish to receive these e-newsletters, please click the "unsubscribe" button at the bottom of the page. Sincerely, Bob Mensch Let Municipalities Regulate Gas Drilling in Their Communities Work continues in the General Assembly to craft a plan to tap the enormous energy and job-creating potential of Marcellus Shale natural gas while ensuring clean water and environmental protection. I recently joined eight fellow senators in writing Senate Leadership to express our concern about how local ordinances governing oil and gas operations would be affected by the leading Marcellus Shale bills: Senate Bill 1100 and House Bill 1950. Among other things, these bills establish fees on gas drillers to provide revenue to fund local and statewide initiatives for infrastructure improvement, environmental cleanups and open space. However, as currently written, the measures also remove a local municipality's ability to regulate and control all land use in their area. While I support the "ACRE" concept of allowing the state Attorney General or other entity's review to provide for the reasonable development of oil and gas, I believe the current language in these bills goes far beyond that concept and actually spells out specifically what land uses municipalities must permit. We're a large commonwealth with a wide array of local needs and priorities. I believe that land use must be decided locally, and I am hopeful that my colleagues and I can help improve this important piece of legislation before final passage. Winter Weather Travel Tips This winter has been somewhat mild so far, but we all know it's only a matter of time before we get hit with a snowstorm or two. And while veteran Pennsylvania drivers know how to handle adverse conditions, any useful tips can prove helpful. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has collected information to help you get through the winter driving months with minimal risk and stress. Have your mechanic ensure your vehicle is prepared by checking the:
While your mechanic readies your vehicle, PennDOT recommends you assemble a winter car emergency kit with items like bottled water, booster cables, and other basics in case of a break down in a blizzard. Consult the tips to avoid hazards during a blizzard, including carbon monoxide poisoning, frostbite, hypothermia, and a heart attack. For up-to-the-minute information, you may want to bookmark PennDOT's PA 511 website to help you prepare for road conditions. Fireplace and Home Heating Safety Saves Lives Heating fires annually account for 36 percent of residential home fires in rural areas, according to the PA Office of the State Fire Commissioner and the U.S. Fire Administration. In raw numbers, 3,700 are killed and more than 20,000 people are injured annually across the country. Direct property losses from fire are nearly $11 billion a year. With more than one-third of us using fireplaces, wood stoves, and other fuel-fired appliances as our primary home heating method, the USFA offers tips within each of the following principles to help you avoid a home heating fire:
Creosote buildup in chimneys and stovepipes is all too frequently the culprit in home fires. The Fire Administration offers a video describing the techniques for maintaining a clean system while building an enjoyable and safe recreational fire in your woodstove or fireplace. Shorter-Term Licenses, Photo IDs, Discount Registrations Available to Seniors The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation offers an array of special services to senior citizens, including shorter-term licenses, free photo IDs and discount registrations. All Pennsylvanians at least 65 years old and who are not under a suspension have the option of obtaining a two-year license, which is less expensive than a four-year license. The two-year license fee is $19 ($29.50 for a license with a Class M motorcycle license) as compared to the regular four-year license fee of $36 ($49.59 for a license with a Class M motorcycle license). Photo ID cards are available free to drivers ordered by PENNDOT to surrender their driver's license for medical reasons or those who voluntarily surrender their driver's license for health reasons that may affect their ability to safely operate a motor vehicle. Free photo ID cards are also issued to drivers ordered by PENNDOT to retake the driver's exam and cannot pass the driving, knowledge, or vision portion of the test. Individuals who have never held a Pennsylvania Driver's License may apply for a photo ID card at any Driver License Center. When submitting an application, you must provide your Social Security card as well as proof of identity and residency. Lower-income retired Pennsylvanians are also eligible to register their vehicles at a discount rate. Those individuals who are retired and receiving Social Security or other pension and have a total annual income from all sources of $19,200 or less qualify to register a passenger vehicle or a light truck (9,000 lbs or less) for just a $10 processing fee per year instead of the annual registration fee. An Unexpected "Gift" May Be Waiting For You Abandoned bank accounts, forgotten stocks, uncashed checks, contents of safe deposit boxes and other valuables all amounting to some $1.8 billion in unclaimed property await their rightful owners, according to the Pennsylvania Treasury. Some $99 million was returned to more than 72,000 owners during 2010. If you're curious as to whether you have assets sitting in the PA State Treasury, you can search the Unclaimed Property Database or call 1-800-222-2046. You can avoid having your property fall into the "unclaimed" category and land in the PA State Treasury with a few easy steps:
The Treasury is reminding Pennsylvanians that unclaimed property may belong to businesses, as well as individuals, and encourages a quick look at the Unclaimed Property Frequently Asked Questions to ensure you locate any unexpected "gifts." Check out MissingMoney.com to search for unclaimed property in other states. Nominations Being Accepted for Advisory Committee on Trails Members The state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is forming a new Pennsylvania Trails Advisory Committee to assist the commonwealth in efforts to build a statewide network of land and water trails. DCNR is accepting nominations for 14 appointments to the committee until Feb. 21. The new, expanded committee replaces the Pennsylvania Recreational Trails Advisory Board, in existence since 1992. The establishment of the committee also fulfills some requirements for federal funding programs. The committee's responsibilities will include advising DCNR on the use of federal trails funding in Pennsylvania, reviewing and ranking trail project applications and presenting an annual report to the secretary on the accomplishments of the preceding federal fiscal year. Nominations are now being accepted for appointees representing the following trail user organizations: mountain biking; snowmobiling; all terrain vehicle riding; water trail users; people with disabilities; trail advocates; trail builders; trail planners; an educator or trainer related to trails; trail walkers and four members at large. Appointees will serve for three consecutive years. To obtain a nomination form, please contact Pennsylvania Recreational Trails Program, PO Box 8475, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8475; call (717) 787-7672 or email roprunty@pa.gov. Understanding the Challenges Faced by Returning Military Veterans Veterans, family members, medical professionals, social workers and others can learn more about the transition challenges faced by returning military veterans at an upcoming seminar. "Sowing Hope: Hearing, Respecting, Supporting Our Veterans" will be held Tuesday, May 1 from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Peter Becker Community, Maplewood Estates in Harleysville. The cost is $40 for the general public and $55 for those wishing to receive nursing contact hours or social work Continuing Education Credits. The event is sponsored by Peaceful Living, a faith-based non-profit that provides services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Online registration or printable registration forms are available here. The registration deadline is April 24. The keynote speaker is Ann Marie Donohue, Ph.D., founder and faculty advisor of the Student Veterans Organization at Montgomery County Community College. She will discuss welcoming veterans into the faith community when they return from duty. Guest speakers will discuss the transition to civilian life from the perspective of the veteran and the spouse, and take questions from the public.
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