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Diamonds to organizers of a “summer safety” health fair held Monday in a Nanticoke grocery store. The event, a collaboration between Weis Markets and Wilkes University’s pharmacy program, allowed pharmacy students to connect with area residents at a key location – where they make purchasing decisions about the foods and medicines they put in their bodies. Patrons received information on topics ranging from heart-healthy living to poisonous plants. And students received a valuable career lesson: Sometimes pharmacists can be most effective when they come out from behind the counter.
Coal to the former owners of the Sherman Hills housing complex in Wilkes-Barre. Sherman Hills Realty and Park Management Inc., both based in New York City, reportedly will pay $125,000 to resolve allegations that they wrongly kept federal funds intended to go to low-income and no-income tenants as utility reimbursements. We don’t know in what style living accommodations the officers of these two companies abide today, but we have a hunch where they’ll spend eternity.
Diamonds to Wilkes-Barre Council. Its five members unanimously gave preliminary approval this week to an ordinance that aims to expand legal protections to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. The law – similar to measures already in place in Pittston and Scranton – would target discrimination based on sexual orientation in matters pertaining to housing, public accommodations and employment. Beyond encouraging fair treatment, these laws signal that a community hopes to attract and retain young, diverse populations. Isn’t that what our region needs?
Coal to the Luzerne County staffer, or staffers, who flubbed by approving this week’s distribution of certain tax bills. The bills – mailed Monday to about 1,400 property owners suspected of unfairly getting multiple homestead tax breaks in prior years – were sent prematurely, before it’s known if interest and fees might be tacked onto the final tally. County council members have yet to vote on the matter. Doh! This blunder is another in a long line of miscues related to the homestead program. For six years, between 2009 and 2015, some property owners wrongly received tax breaks on properties other than their primary residences. Now the county administration hopes to recoup up to $345,300. A public hearing regarding the proposed ordinance that would add penalty fees and interest to the (already delivered) homestead bills is set for 5:30 p.m. Aug. 23 at the courthouse in Wilkes-Barre.
Diamonds to Tunkhannock-area resident Terry Martin, the recently crowned Ms. East Coast USA. Even in the pageant’s “Ms.” category, open to women age 29 and older, Martin stood out. She is 60. That’s 6-0. The message her achievement sends: Don’t allow age to be an obstacle.