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2017 Year in Review
ESU’s 19th Legislative Fellow
I was selected to serve as East Stroudsburg University’s legislative fellow for the 2017-18 school year. This fall, I spoke with a State and Local Government class, hosted a forum with students about tackling the partisan divide in Harrisburg, and met with students, staff, administration, and the new chancellor of the Pennsylvania State System. I look forward continuing to serve as the legislative fellow for the spring semester.
Bringing Business to the Poconos
We have been fortunate to welcome many businesses to Monroe County this year. I have worked with the township supervisors in my district and the Pocono Mountains Economic Development Corporation to make this area more attractive to businesses. Here are just a few of the new businesses in the 176th District:
This spring, I attended a groundbreaking ceremony for the Village Gateway project in Blakeslee.
After the success of their first location in East Stroudsburg, Access Cornerstone owners Attikis and Kellie Davis opened a second location in Pocono Summit.
In September, Pocono Brewing Company reopened under new management
Honoring Those Who Served
On the first National Vietnam War Veterans Day, March 29, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was unveiled and dedicated at Courthouse Square in Stroudsburg. The memorial is dedicated to all those who served from Monroe County, and the 10 residents from the county who did not return home from Vietnam.
Over the summer, U.S. Senator Pat Toomey organized a veterans pinning ceremony to honor area veterans.
In the Community
This year I had the privilege to meet many new Eagle Scouts, take part in charity events and support this beautiful community in which we live.
It was my pleasure to attend James Lambert’s Eagle Scout Court of Honor. For his Eagle Scout project, James restored the decking and landscaping of his township’s one-room schoolhouse which is over 100 years old.
In November, I took part in the annual Big Brothers Big Sisters of Monroe County telethon. This year I joined Monroe County Commissioner John Christy and retired Commissioner Suzanne McCool at the host desk.
At the Capitol
This year’s legislative accomplishments included passing comprehensive pension reform, liquor privatization and a budget without broad-based tax increases.
In May, I joined hundreds of Second Amendment supporters, including many from our area, and dozens of my colleagues in reaffirming our constitutional right to keep and bear arms and opposing attempts that seek to diminish these rights.
Earlier this month, Rep. Rosemary Brown, Rep. Maureen Madden, Speaker Mike Turzai and I recognized the Northeast Wildlife DNA Lab at East Stroudsburg University as a leader in tick testing and the prevention of Lyme disease. We are pictured with Northeast Wildlife DNA Laboratory Director Nicole Chinnici.
Just a reminder: If you are encountering an issue with state government, please feel free to contact my district offices. You can reach us in Pocono Pines by calling 570-643-7683 or in Effort by calling 570-620-4341. We are here to help you with the following services:
- Driver’s license and vehicle registration applications and renewals.
- Assistance with PennDOT paperwork (lost cards, changes, corrections, special registration plates, vanity plates, and temporary placards for disabled persons).
- PACE and PACENET applications for seniors.
- State Motor Vehicle and Driver Licensing Work.
- Voter registration forms and absentee ballot applications.
- State tax forms.
- Student aid applications.
- Free state maps, state park information, and PA Vacation Guides.
- Copies of legislation and tours of the State Capitol.
- Referrals to agencies to resolve state-related matters.
Our offices will be closed on Monday, Jan. 1, and will reopen at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 2.
From my family to yours, I would like to wish you a Happy New Year. I am very grateful for the opportunity to represent you in the state House and I look forward to working together in 2018 to ensure Pennsylvania remains a great place to live, work and raise a family.
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