Local News-Saturday Jan. 6, 2007

FARM SHOW…Listen for live reports from the 91st Pennsylvania Farm Show during WPPA News' 5 O'Clock Report, on AM-1360, WPPA, Your News and Sports Leader.

PADCO Business Plan Competition

The Pottsville Area Downtown Business Plan Competition is underway. The third edition of the program is intended to attract new business to Pottsville. All viable business concepts will be accepted as part of this competition, including retail, food service and professional. Phase One includes a preliminary questionnaire, which must be completed by February 9th. Those accepted into Phase Two, must have a completed business plan submitted by April 6th. Finalists will make their presentations by May 18th. The philosophy behind the competition is to attract and retain new business in the city. The winner of the competition will be provided with a comprehensive prize package to provide immediate and long term benefits to the business owner and the community. To receive an application for the competition, call PADCO at 628-4647.

Elder Abuse & Financial Exploitation

How to recognize elder abuse and financial exploitation was the topic of a Friday morning training seminar for members of the Schuylkill County financial community held in the Wall Auditorium at the Good Samaritan Hospital. Dr. Ronald Costen of the Temple University Institute of Protective Services said the top three types of abuse and exploitation are theft of assets, assault by care givers and failure to provide adequate care by care givers. He said most elders are not even aware they are being stolen from by a family member or care giver. Dr. Costen said suspected cases of elder abuse and financial exploitation can be reported to the local office of Area Agency on Aging. Eric Mika of the Schuylkill County Elder Abuse Task Force, co-sponsors of the event along with Temple University, said 70% of the wealth in the Country is owned by those 60-years and older. He also said that in many cases, the financial community is the first line of defense against abuse and exploitation. Mantura Gallagher, one of the founding members of the Elder Task Force said that in Schuylkill County the problem is primarily financial abuse, sometimes by people misusing a power of attorney. Mrs. Gallagher said a program involving the general community will be held in April.

Sewer authority rates rise

It's a new year, and newly increased rates for customers of the Greater Pottsville Sewer Authority. The Board of Directors approved a residential increase of $7.50 per month, to $37.50. Commercial customers see their rates rise 25 percent. According to acting Executive Director Tim Yingling, the planned increases stem from two recent system upgrades. The system was required to separate storm water from sanitary waste under a consent order from PA DEP, and thus, had to undertake significant upgrades. Yingling said that the work is about 97 percent complete. The gradual rate increases were started in 2003 to avoid imposing a large increase at one time.