Area News Briefs

What do kids want?

RIDGWAY - Ridgway Heritage Council is surveying youth to obtain input on how the community should change. The goal is to provide activities for young people and to make the town more attractive to new families.

Main Street Manager Rick Viglione reports that the group is also conducting business retention surveys as part of its long-range planning.

In other recent business, the council elected Dawn Jardini to serve as president and welcomed two new board members, Dan Swanson and Cathy Grove. Members were also informed that renovations will soon begin at the Ridgway Welcome Center.

Tax increase likely

ST. MARYS - St. Marys residents will likely see a large increase in real estate taxes next year. The city's proposed budget for 2007 calls for almost $5.5 million in expenses, which requires a tax increase of more than 30 percent.

City Council members asked City Manager Dave Greene to reassess 2007 road maintenance expenses, but Greene said all of the projects are necessary. A $300,000 increase in the police budget, to a total of $1.4 million, is also under scrutiny.

Recycling limbo

BRADFORD - Bradford City Council faces financial

shortfalls and other problems with its recycling program. Currently, aluminum cans, glass, paper and cardboard are being recycled, but plastic is not.

A Department. of Environmental Protection grant in 2004 provided the city with almost $400,000 for a recycling center, equipment and a truck. However, proceeds from the sale of recyclables have failed to keep up with the program's cost.

City Clerk John Peterson points out that, as a city, Bradford is required by state law to recycle. Among options being considered to trim expenses is a cutback in curbside pickups.

Mall stores wanted

DuBOIS - DuBois Mall is negotiating with new retailers to locate there after the beginning of the new year.

A spokesman for Gemini Real Estate Advisors confirmed that new businesses, including women's clothing retailers, will be coming.

Gemini acquired the mall property from DuBois Mall LP for $48.8 million.

Wine cellar expands

KANE - Construction is underway on a two-story addition to the back of Flickerwood Wine Cellars in Kane.

The bottom half of the addition will be used for more wine cellars, to meet a growing demand for the business's products. The top will be a

wine lounge with a seating capacity of about 55, available for social gatherings, live music and small weddings.

Judge stresses service

J O H N S O N B U R G - President Judge Richard Masson emphasized the importance of public service during a Veterans Day ceremony for high school students from Johnsonburg and Ridgway.

After reviewing the region's history of military service, dating back to the American Revolution and the War of 1812, Masson suggested that today's teens reach out to connect with our veterans. "The bonds that tie this country together are made up of relationships between individuals," Masson said. "History books will not give you a true understanding of what it is to serve."

Masson pointed out that there are numerous ways a young adult can serve his or her country beyond joining the military.

Ridgway Area Middle/High School also held a Veterans Day assembly. State Assemblyman Dan Surra spoke of the importance of citizenship.

"Every American can serve by using a ballot, rather than a military weapon," Surra said. Citizens also perform public serve when they speak out, under their First Amendment rights, against social injustice, Surra added.