Endeavor's Neat Numbers

46

Northcentral Pennsylvania registered the lowest temperature in the continental United States this past Monday morning at 46 degrees.

Dave Martin, meteorologist at the Penn State Weather Center in State College, said the figure may have been even lower in areas where there are no thermometers, but the reading of 46 at Mount Alton, McKean County, is the official measure. The cold temperature Monday morning was in stark contrast to the heat wave of last week.

21,000

Johnsonburg Municipal Authority is attempting to settle a notice of violation brought against the borough by the Pa. Dept. of Environmental Protection (DEP) for repeated overflows at the sewage treatment plant.

Meanwhile, another 21,000 gallons of untreated sewage was discharged into the river during June. As a result, DEP fined the authority again.

34

Only 34 percent of teenagers are reading newspapers, and the figure continues to drop. A brainstorming session at the recent Newspaper Association of America Young Reader Conference resulted in several recommendations to reverse the trend.

"The alternative is an uninformed, apathetic and uninvolved population of young adults in any community," said association officer Stephanie McMullen. "The consequences of that could be severe as fewer young people take an interest in civic organizations, local government, local businesses, and other aspects of any community's foundation."

Participants concluded that if a teenager has not become a newspaper reader by the age of 18, the odds are slim that the person will later develop a reading habit. The group called on high schools to incorporate newspapers into their required curriculum. Editors were also urged to develop special sections that appeal to young people.

45

The new Sheetz store in downtown St. Marys will provide about 45 fulland parttime jobs.

Steve Sheetz, chairman of the family-owned gas station and convenience store chain, said demolition work will begin in late August. The store is expected to open in early 2007. Sheetz said traffic flow was a key component in choosing St. Marys.

The store's manager will be Mary McAninch, a native of Johnsonburg who now resides in Weedville. She has been with Sheetz for 19 years.

65

A recent poll showed that 65 percent of Americans describe members of the U. S. Congress as "greedy" and/or "selfserving."

This crisis of confidence is fueled by public perceptions that senators and representatives cast votes based on campaign contributions and other inducements, rather than on the public good. The same poll also found that only 23 percent of Americans could define the term "statesmanship," which is at the very foundation of our system of representational government.

For the record, Webster's defines a statesman as "a political leader regarded as a disinterested promoter of the public good."

Religious leaders were asked to respond to the results of the poll. The Rev. Pascal Ipolito from West Seneca, N.Y., said, "America does not have to look beyond our shores and borders to find the real terrorist enemy attacking our nation.

The real enemy can be found within our political leaders' values and the system of greed, exploitation and injustice that has been spawned . . . corruption and greed caused by our leaders' being beholden to special interests.

The cure? Unbridled generosity, justice and love, which seeks the common good for those most in need, both here and abroad."

25

A McKean County business, Werzalit of America Inc., will be adding 25 jobs as the result of an expansion being fueled by a $600,000 low-interest state loan.

The Bradford-based company recently purchased GFP Strandwood Corp. of Hancock, Mich. That equipment is being moved to Bradford to expand Werzalit's pressed-wood production. Werzalit will employ 70 people after the new equipment is in place.

The loan from the Pa. Dept. of Community and Economic Development will cover about 28 percent of the $2.2 million price tag for the acquisition and expansion. Werzalit's products are made from hardwoods, primarily black cherry and maple from the Allegheny National Forest.

78

There were 78 confirmed deaths from the Austin flood of Sept.30, 1911, but historians believe the death toll was higher. Many transients were in town that Saturday when the Bayless Pulp and Paper Company dam gave way. The Austin Dam Memorial Association has recently widened the access road at the dam ruins and is making other improvements to accommodate the Dam Show, a music festival scheduled Sept. 9-10.

10.11

Wal-Mart CEO Lee Scott surprised many people when he came out in favor of an increase in the federal minimum wage. Many states, including Pennsylvania, are increasing the minimum wage beyond the federal rate of $5.15 per hour. Scott pointed out that an increase would have little impact on the payroll at WalMart, which pays its hourly employees an average of $10.11.

However, he said the measure would help his business, since low-income families would be better able to buy products at Wal-Mart.

100

Will higher prices for gas and oil result in a mad rush on the fields of northcentral Pennsylvania? There are signs that activity will continue to increase. Dave Straub from Pennsylvania General Energy Co. points out that his company and others acquired mineral rights on many parcels in the region about 100 years ago. Drilling has been delayed over the years based on market factors, but higher prices could prompt the companies to step up production.