You Can Always Go---Downtown

Transcription

Pocono Business Journal
Seven Bridge Road, RR# 5 Box 5198
East Stroudsburg, PA 18301
}
Celebrating
3
Years of Award-Winning Journalism at PBJ
www.pbjonline.com
POCONO
Regional Business News & Resources
THIS MONTH
• You Can Always Go--- Downtown.............p. 1
• Storage Industry Provides “Stuff”
to Keep in Mind.......................................p. 5
• How They Voted: Your Legislators
on Small Business....................................p. 6
• Professional Profile: Commercial
Explosion in Monroe County.................p. 16
• Jim Thorpe’s Architectural Gems.............p. 19
• Interview: Pennsylvania Treasurer
Robin Weissmann...................................p. 14
• Virtual Market Leads to Real Success.....p. 21
November 2008, Vol. 4, Issue 11
Retail Issue
You Can Always Go---Downtown
• PBJ Columnists:
County Commissioner’s Report/Carbon.p. 15
Eastburg Community Alliance...............p. 12
Leadership Pike.....................................p. 13
Leadership Tips........................................p. 9
Marketing Momentum.............................p. 7
Pocono Realtors.....................................p. 18
Regional Healthcare Report/Wayne.......p. 10
Residential Real Estate..........................p. 11
Sustainable is Attainable/Wayne...........p. 14
United Way............................................p. 11
QUOTE
“The challenge for the future is to stay
true to Jim Thorpe and reject over-commercialization.”
Full story on Page 8
OBSERVE
Good Nutrition Month
2
4
7
15
27
Daylight Savings Time Ends
Election Day
Magazine Day
American Enterprise Day
Thanksgiving
QUESTION
What is the fastest growing
industry in Monroe County?
Photo courtesy of GHP
- Elissa Thorne, Co-chair, Carbon
County Chamber Cultural Heritage
Tourism Committee
Go downtown-- for corn husking? The celebration of “Harvest and Heritage Days” is one example of events bringing together business and
community in downtown Honesdale. For the second year, Wayne Bank will sponsor this Greater Honesdale Partnership (GHP) event.
By Susan Jorstad
Big box malls and outlets, for all their sales and conveniences, just don’t match the historic charm of a downtown. Many
towns, recognizing their unique appeal, have worked hard to
revitalize their character – from beautifying with seasonal planters and holiday lights to strategic façade renovations and events
that bring together businesses and community. What follows is
how four local downtown destinations make it work.
Hawley
See GPCC Business Magazine ad
for the answer on page 12.
www.pbjonline.com
The Downtown Hawley Partnership offers joint business
promotions, such as First Fridays, in the quaint, little town that
sits on the north end of Lake Wallenpaupack. Other big events
are the Fourth of July Fireworks on the Lake, Arts & Craft
Fairs, concerts in Bingham Park, Harvest Hoedown (replete
with dancing in the streets), Winterfest (the second weekend in December) and the Ice Tee Golf Tournament.
The borough has 1,200 year-round residents and 27 acres of green
space. A blend of country inn resorts, streams, historical sites and
antique shops, the surrounding lake region attracts seasonal vacationers as well.
“Recently we’ve taken on a visioning plan for our downtown
center,” says Jeanne Genzlinger, president of the Downtown Hawley
Partnership and owner of The Settlers Inn. “We’re working on
branding the community with places for families.”
Focused on promoting the arts as well as shopping and tourism,
the town boasts a music conservatory with excellent private instruction, dance academy, library and the Ritz Theater – all good anchors,
says Genzlinger. “Now, we’re trying to attract good retail. The Vil-
see DOWNTOWN page 8
Professional Profile - Commercial Explosion Changing The Face of The Poconos page 16
2
Pocono Business Journal | November 2008
www.pbjonline.com
POCONO
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLES
Twin Willow Publishing Company
Seven Bridge Road
RR#5 Box 5198
East Stroudsburg, PA 18301-9209
570.421.0100 | fax 570.421.0404
www.pbjonline.com
PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Marynell Strunk
EDITOR
Debbie Burke
REPORTERS
Roxanne Beharry
Ken Clark
Susan Jorstad
Nicholas Sergi
CONTRIBUTORS
Chris Grape Garvey
Heidi Blade Hewlett
James Hockenbury
Cheryl Ann Houseman
Sylvia Lafair
William R. Lloyd
David McCorkle
William O’Gurek
Robert Muller
Dominick Sacci
Peter Wulfhorst
EDITORIAL ASSISTANT
Danielle Eberhardt
Chelsea McMahon
COPY EDITOR
Joan Groff
SALES
ads@pbjonline.com
PRODUCTION/DESIGN
Chelsea McMahon
Jason Trump
CARTOONIST
Tanya Kerkslag
CIRCULATION
circulation@pbjonline.com
COPYRIGHT: PBJ is protected under the federal Copyright Act. Reproductions of any part by
any means or facsimiles without the express written permission of the publisher are not permitted. Reprints of PBJ articles are available. For rates and information visit http://www.pbjonline.
com/reprints.html. PBJ cannot be responsible for the return of unsolicited material, manuscripts
and photographs without the inclusion of a self-addressed stamped envelope. Information
in this publication is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy and
completeness of the information cannot be guaranteed. Submission of information does not
guarantee inclusion. PBJ is published monthly from offices located at Seven Bridge Road, East
Stroudsburg, PA 18301. PBJ serves business owners, managers and professionals in the four
county Pocono region: Carbon, Monroe, Pike and Wayne. Subscriptions are available for $30
per year or $60 for two years. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Pocono Business
Journal, RR#5 Box 5198, East Stroudsburg, PA 18301
Monthly Missive
PBJ Shows Growth in
Pages and Stature
The Pocono Business
Journal is celebrating its
three year anniversary with
this issue. It was November 2005 when the paper was first published.
The fledgling publication boasted 16 pages
and handful of supportive advertisers and the
promise to serve the business community with
valuable articles, information and a forum to
connect with colleagues and competitors.
Over the past three years, Pocono Busi-
DCED: Main Street Can Still Forge Ahead. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 8
Help Still Wanted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 24
How They Voted: Your Legislators on Small Business. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 6
Interview with PA Treasurer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 14
Jim Thorpe’s Architectural Gems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 19
If You’re Not a Fiscal Conservative, It’s Time to Start. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 14
Local Banks React to Credit and Lending Jitters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 18
Professional Profile: Commercial Explosion Changing Face of Poconos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 16
Rent Rant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 8
Retail Theft Stats Paint Grim Picture. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 3
Ribbon Cutting Welcomes ESU Science and Tech Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 13
Storage Industry Provides “Stuff” to Keep in Mind . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 5
Virtual Market Leads to Real Success . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 21
Weiler Asserts Its Space While Others Wait Out Economic Storm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 18
You Can Always Go--- Downtown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 1
DEPARTMENTS
Book Review: “How Starbucks Saved My Life”. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 13
Business Briefs – Who’s Who/ What’s What. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 22
Business Cartoon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 4
Calendar of Events. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 25
Legislative Roundup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 20
Letters to the Editor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 3
Reader’s Resource. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 4
Columnists
County Commissioner’s Report/Carbon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 15
Eastburg Community Alliance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 12
Leadership Pike . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 13
Leadership Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 9
Marketing Momentum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 7
Pocono Board of Realtors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 18
Regional Healthcare Report/Wayne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 10
Residential Real Estate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 11
Sustainable is Attainable/Wayne. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 14
United Way. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 11
Focus List – Payroll Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 25
Op Ed – Pennsylvania Food Merchants Assoc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 4
Pennsylvania Small Business Advocate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 4
Register – Bankruptcies, Deeds, Mortgage Transactions and New Corporations/Fictitious Names . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 27
Advertisers Index
Action Coach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Associated Libraries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Astraia Security Alliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania. . . . . . 6
Dani’s Cleaning Service. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
East Stroudsburg University. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
First National Bank of Palmerton. . . . . . . . . . . 19
Greater Pocono Chamber of
Commerce Business Magazine . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Holly Corcoran, CPA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Journal Newspapers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Monroe County Career Link. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Penn’s Peak Radio. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
PenTeleData . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Pocono Commuter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Pocono Medical Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Pocono Personnel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Premier Administrative Resources. . . . . . . . . . 25
Sherman Theater. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
TN Printing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
ness Journal has stayed true to its intent: to
provide the Pocono business community with a
publication containing well-researched articles,
useful information and equal coverage from all
four counties. The advertisers and the page count
grew. Subscribers, columnists, staff and distribution all grew. Depth of coverage and diversity of
articles grew. Reputation grew.
It is with this issue that PBJ can look over
the past three years and see how the support of
the business community has sustained its growth
through subscriptions, advertising, content and
loyal readers. Recently, in addition to the statewide journalism awarded to PBJ earlier this
year, the paper was recently voted ‘Best New
Business’ by the members of the Greater Pocono
Chamber of Commerce.
SUBSCRIPTION FORM
If you would like to guarantee receiving the Pocono
Business Journal monthly, please mail subscription
form along with check made payable to:
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RR#5 Box 5198
East Stroudsburg, PA 18301-9209
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Thank you, Pocono business community.
It is because of you that we continue to exist
and we will continue to serve for years to
come. Our focus has always been and will
continue to be to inform, inquire and inspire.
Marynell K. Strunk
Publisher/Editor
Contact me at mstrunk@pbjonline.com
3
NEWS
Retail Theft Stats For Big Boxes Paint Grim Picture for
Small Business; Ray of Hope in Vigilance, Education
By Debbie Burke
According to its 20th annual survey on the state of
retail theft, Jack L. Hayes International of Fruitland Park,
FL announced that shoplifters and dishonest employees
stole over $6.7 billion in 2007 from just 24 major retailers. President Mark R. Doyle says these 24 companies
(kept anonymous) are household names that make up the
department stores, mass merchants and “big boxes” and as
such are indicative of trends throughout all sectors of the
retail industry. (The total number of stores that participated
in the study totaled 19,151, located throughout the United
States.) “The reason we choose these 24 is that they have
loss prevention departments and staff focused on preventing thefts,” he explains. Unfortunately, he added, small
businesses need to be “even more worried” because they do
not typically have in-house loss prevention and their stores
are thus an easier target.
Highlights from the study include:
Over $150 million was recovered from apprehended
shoplifters and dishonest employees in 2007, a 7.69%
increase from 2006.
Total retail theft data from 2006-2007 show apprehensions increased by 10.08%.
For every $1 recovered, $37.43 is lost to retail theft.
Therefore, only 2.67% of total retail theft losses result in a
recovery.
With loss prevention a bona fide area of concern, many
experts are now focused on organized retail crime, or ORC.
These are ‘rings’ of criminals which were first noticed in
the 1980s on the East Coast. Says Paul Jones, vice president of asset protection at the Retail Industry Leaders
Association (or RILA, located in Arlington, Virginia), “We
almost see it fall right in line with losing control of our
borders and with the Internet as large and active as it is.
Letter to the Editor
Last year I remember receiving an e mail
from you congratulating us on our “much
deserved Bizzy”...well, now it’s our turn.
Congratulations! You know we look forward
to reading the journal every time it comes!
Keep up the great work!
We liken it back to after 9/11 because law enforcement was
diverted directly to terrorism.” Jones warns that retailers
should expect to see this problem rise even more in the
tight economy. The costs associated with theft prevention
programs and personnel can be high, but try to get the most
out of your budget, he advises; training your workforce to
be vigilant is a good first defense. Also, because thieves
like to go unnoticed as they travel throughout a store,
another good counterattack is to have your sales force talk
to all customers. Criminals do not want to be interacted
with nor identified, so even a quick ‘good morning, how
can we help you?’ could be deterrent enough. “If stores
are engaging the customers, then the crooks will leave,”
he says. RILA estimates that Pennsylvania alone has lost
$81 million in sales tax revenue- not in merchandise, but in
sales tax- and that all stores and all sectors are vulnerable.
Public safety is at risk because of ORCs as well.
When stolen goods like pharmaceuticals, baby formula
and diabetic test strips are then sold on online venues like
auctions (eBay and others) or out of the back of a vehicle
or even a storefront, customers do not have any assurances
of quality. “Criminals can have them sitting in trucks and
they can be junk,” he says- or worse, dangerous, due to
improper storage and handling. Other risks to the public are
a type of trickle-up effect, where stolen goods are fenced
to violent gangs and organized crime families, perpetuating
more criminal activity in the community. ORC’s have been
known to become violent and may be armed when perpetrating crimes.
A note of optimism. RILA has introduced three bills,
including one requesting that online auction sites should
identify and make public the high-volume sellers by posting the merchants’ names and addresses online. For more
information visit www.hayesinternational.com and www.
rila.org.
Jim Scocozza and Tracey Trenery
Chestnut Hill Nursery
Congratulations on being honored as a recipient of a Bizzy Award. You are among a
very special group of businesses and business leaders. Your significant contribution to
the business community and your continued
involvement bode well for the future of our
region. Best of luck.
Carole Ann F. Bowyer
Business Development
Marianne Chester
President / CEO
mEnterprise Solutions, LLC
Photo credit: Ken Schurman, VIP Studios.
And the Bizzys Go To…
Proudly receiving the Bizzy Award for “Best New Business” are
PBJ’s editor Debbie Burke (left) and publisher Marynell Strunk.
Pocono Business Journal won its first Bizzy
Award, for Best New Business, at the recent Greater
Pocono Chamber of Commerce/George Roberts Productions 2008 Bizzy Awards. Held at Fernwood Hotel
and Resort, the Bizzys acknowledge, by Chamber
membership vote, the top businesses in northeastern
Pennsylvania.
“I am pleased and proud to accept this award.
Everyone at PBJ strives to provide accurate and informative content to the business community. Getting
this award gives us a hint that we’re headed in the
right direction,” says Marynell K. Strunk, publisher
and editor-in-chief at Pocono Business Journal.
The other winners are:
Best Business Logo: Montana Mercantile
Best Business Web Site: Michael Baxter & Associates
Best Interior Design: Pocono Builders Association
Best Business Curbside Appeal: Fitzmaurice Community Services
Best Business Card Design: mEnterprise Solutions
Best Marketing Campaign: LTS Builders
Best Small Business: Action Coach
Best Medium Business: RGB Custom Homes
Best Large Business: Great Wolf Lodge
Best Overall Business: Sherman Theater
Look who’s reading Pocono Business Journal
Name: Michael Baxter
Company: Michael Baxter & Associates
Broker/Owner
Occupation:
Business philosophy: I handle everyone’s property as if it were my own. When you
put the client’s interest first, everything else will fall into place.
Prediction for Pocono economy: We face challenges like the rest of the nation but I truly
believe that due to our unique location and favorable quality of life that the long range
prediction for our local economy is very positive. I don’t feel that our region will take as
long to recover from the current economic problems as other parts of the country.
Why I read Pocono Business Journal: To stay current with the Commercial, Industrial, and
overall economic development news in our area that is not sufficiently covered in our local
newspaper. PBJ has been long needed in the Poconos!
Subscribe Today! $30/1 year or $60/2 year Call 570.421.0100
BUSINESS JOURNAL
POCONO
www.pbjonline.com
4
OP ED
Credit Card Fees, Like Everything
Else, Need the Benefits of Competition
PA Food Merchants
Association
David McCorkle
A cornerstone of America’s free markets is the
give and take between buyers and sellers that establishes a price acceptable to both - high enough for the
seller to make a profit, low enough for the buyer to
agree to spend money on the product or service.
Retailers know that if the price is too high, consumers won’t buy. It’s the American way.
Competition among retailers makes this work. To
keep competition strong, we have laws and regulations that prevent monopolies from emerging and
setting one “take it or leave it” price.
Somewhere along the line, the credit card
industry escaped these rules. The result is a nearmonopoly (Visa and MasterCard control 80 percent
of the market) where Big Credit sets a price for using
their cards and ignores demands that it be lower. So
Americans pay more than they should to use credit
cards.
Credit card use is never “free,” even if a consumer pays off the monthly balance and does not
have service charges. The cost of processing transactions is covered by an “interchange fee.” Levied by
Visa and MasterCard on every sale using a card, the
fee averages about 2 percent of the transaction. On a
$70 grocery purchase, $1.40 goes to the credit card
company for processing.
Consumers never “see” that charge. Their register
tape simply shows a $70 transaction and the interchange fee is not listed on their monthly credit card
statements. As merchants, you do see it on your
monthly statements covering hundreds of credit card
transactions. When Visa and MasterCard raise that as they have by 150 percent since 2001- merchants
either have to pass it on to consumers in higher prices
or “eat it.”
Sometimes they simply do the latter because of
the complications that would ensue if the higher price
had to be allocated among the many items on store
shelves (think of marking up every item a cent or
two, reprogramming the scanners, etc.). In that case,
the difference in the interchange fee comes straight
out of the retailer’s profit. With many businesses from national chains to local mom-and-pop stores operating on thin margins, a few cents per transaction
constitutes the difference between selling at a loss,
breaking even or making a slight profit.
Moreover, thanks to advances in processing
technology, only about 13 percent of the interchange
fee actually is needed to cover the cost of processing. Much of the rest helps the credit card companies,
and large card-issuing banks, fund things like the 9
billion pieces of junk mail Americans got last year
pressing them to obtain and use more credit cards!
Retailers are powerless to control interchange fee
increases that they and, in turn, consumers pay. Visa,
MasterCard and the banks set the fees unilaterally - if
a business wants to handle sales via credit cards, it
pays whatever the monopoly demands. And consumers pay the business where they make the purchase.
(If Pennsylvania banks were to offer a more competitive interchange rate, retailers would certainly
welcome it. Currently, banks offer the same schedule
of interchange rates.)
Washington is beginning to understand how that
violates free markets, and that it costs the average
family about $400 annually. The Credit Card Fair
Fee Act - now pending in Congress - would allow
merchants to say, “Yes, we want our customers to
use credit cards. But we, and our customers, will
pay a fair fee - not just what credit card companies
want to charge in order to take home a large profit.”
Merchants could negotiate with the credit industry
to bring the price down - saving consumers billions
annually.
The legislation seems like a no-brainer. Make
the credit card industry follow free market rules
like everybody else. But that industry has become
accustomed to its huge income from the interchange
fee ($42 billion last year, more than six times what
consumers shelled out for ATM fees) and its ability
to plow much of that fee into marketing and other
endeavors that have nothing to do with processing
credit card transactions.
So, even though the bill enjoys bi-partisan support among many lawmakers, credit card lobbyists
are working overtime to derail this sensible legislation. It’s up to all of us - the people who built and
support the credit card industry with our billions of
dollars in purchases - to insist that free market rules
apply to everybody, including “Big Credit.”
With the election nearing and Congress about
to shut down for the year, the window for consider-
State Small Business Advocate:
Testimony on Higher Energy Costs
By William R. Lloyd, Jr.
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission held
a public hearing on Thursday, September 11, regarding
the impact of higher gas and electric rates in the coming
winter. …I presented testimony on behalf of the Office
of Small Business Advocate. My testimony made the
following major points.
Every dollar that a small business customer must
pay in higher utility rates is a dollar which is unavailable to expand the business, hire new employees, or
increase wages and benefits.
The Commission should open a dialogue with small
business organizations as part of the effort to promote
energy conservation.
At a time when stock prices and market returns have
declined precipitously, the Commission should reduce
utilities’ awarded returns on equity to help offset higher
commodity prices….all else equal, a significant increase
in gas or electric rates will have a greater impact on the
budgets of energy-intensive small manufacturers and
large grocery stores than on the budgets of small retail
stores. However, any increase in gas or electric rates
may be the straw that breaks the back of a small retail
store which was already struggling to stay afloat.
William R. Lloyd, Jr. is the Small Business Advocate in
the Office of Small Business Advocate in Harrisburg.
Business Humor by Stoosh
ation is closing rapidly. Americans must make clear
to Congress that the Credit Card Fair Fee Act is one
piece of business that needs to be passed to protect
American from Big Credit. David McCorkle is the President and CEO Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association Pennsylvania
Convenience Store Council, which together have
more than 1,300 corporate members who operate
more than 5,500 retail food stores in Pennsylvania
and surrounding states. PFMA’s membership represents all segments of the retail food industry, including locally-owned stores of all sizes, convenience
stores and regional and national chains.
NOTE TO READERS: Opinions expressed in any
commentary published in PBJ are not necessarily a
reflection of the opinions of PBJ. Likewise, PBJ will
not be held responsible for any suggestion or advice
published by PBJ and PBJ assumes no liability
for actions that result based on such material. The
publisher and staff welcome your opinions on issues.
Write to PBJ at the address listed on the inside front
cover or e-mail editor@pbjonline.com.
|
PBJ READER’S RESOURCE
National Retail Federation
The industry’s lobbying voice in Washington, this membership organization at www.
nrf.com is heavy in government affairs (the
economic bailout’s impact on retail, special
committees on supply chain, product safety);
and offers conferences, resources on loss prevention, and e-learning courseware on retail
management and solution selling. NRF also
produces Stores Magazine, with its own Webinars, special reports, and industry comparison data. Much of the content at NRF is free
to non-members.
Debbie Burke
5
NEWS
Storage Industry Provides “Stuff” to Keep in Mind
Photo ourtesy of Butler Storage
to store things continues to exist even in the midst of
an economic downturn. “I have a feeling they want to
always be prepared,” he said. The most basic drivers of renting space are in case of a future unanticipated need or in the event that something suddenly
becomes more valuable. Such thinking is usually
healthy and doesn’t necessarily signal a materialistic
mindset, quite different from hording. However, the
problem, says Snyder, is when people take hording too far. “If it inconveniences them, they have a
problem,” he notes, which could be an early sign of
obsessive-compulsive behavior.
Owners of self-storage facilities say more
striking than the volume of stuff is the diversity, as
witnessed by Dawn Linden at Butler Self Storage.
“We’ve had a 10’ x 10’ x 10’ unit filled solid with
twenty years of unread newspapers and catalogs,
ripped furniture with missing legs and seat cushions,
unwashed kitchen dishes, scary, stained mattresses,
cremated bodies, pounds of fish gravel dotted with
dry, dead fish and sticks of unopened butter.”
Butler Park Self Storage in Stroudsburg has
some of its original tenants from 1985.
By Nicholas Sergi
According to the Web site of the Self
Storage Association based in Alexandria,
Virginia, as of 2007, one in ten U.S.
households currently rents storage space,
a 65% increase from figures recorded
twelve years earlier. Though, according
to these statistics, this growth peaked
in 2004 when 4,000 new facilities were
opened, the industry remains a $22.1 billion dollar juggernaut.
The challenge for the owners of
self-storage units is to keep their customers. According to Dawn Linden at
Butler Park Self Storage in Stroudsburg,
the average rental time for a rental unit
is three years, although “we still have
some original tenants from 1985.” As
one of the Poconos’ first such facilities
at a time when the industry itself was in
its infancy, she says, “Our business has
been most impacted by the volume of
new facilities that have entered the area.”
Nevertheless, said Linden, business is
holding steady. “As new residents wait
for their homes to be built, there is still a
lot of movement in and out of the Poconos. In addition to a steady tenant occupancy from divorcees, college students,
aging adults living in nursing homes or
with their children, other reasons to use
storage facilities might include parents
dealing with their renegade adult children, job loss or change and businesses
storing inventory and files. There is still
a market for the luxury of stuffing your
“stuff” away while you figure out what to
do with all of it.”
What do people put in those storage
units, anyway? Linden said the contents
vary greatly from renter to renter. “We
can always rely on televisions, air conditioners, barbeques, microwaves, stereo
components, Christmas decorations, ironing boards, mountains of children’s toys,
clothing and shoes and boxes of books,
family photos, VHS and cassette tapes
and empty CD cases.”
According to Bruce Snyder, a
Stroudsburg-based psychologist, the need
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POCONO
www.pbjonline.com
East Stroudsburg University
Inventing the Future
A Member of the Pennsylvania State
System of Higher Education
EAST STROUDSBURG
UNIVERSITY
of Pennsylvania
ESU Research and Technology Park, 51,000 sq.ft. Technology and
Innovation Center, future home of the ESU Business Accelerator, ESU
Research and Economic Development, Cyber Crime and Forensic Institute,
R & D Facilities, and Anchor Tenants. Groundbreaking November 2008.
Project completion Fall 2009.
Building the Infrastructure
for a Global Economy.
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania serves as an
educational asset and economic engine for the region. ESU
is committed to expanding regional alliances and academic
opportunities to prepare students to serve, lead and succeed in a
global economy.
ESU remains connected to the community with the opening of
the new Science and Technology Center, the imminent groundbreaking for the ESU Research and Technology Park, and the
recent additions of the College of Business and Management as
well as the Division of Research and Economic Development. For
further information contact ESU’s Division of Research and Economic
Development at 570-422-7920.
www.esu.edu
ESU has been identified as
a ‘best practice’ model in
community and economic
development regionally
and by the Pennsylvania
State System of Higher
Education. We are proud to
operate an award-winning
Business Accelerator
program that is creating
high-tech jobs while our
sponsored programs and
research efforts have
generated in excess of
$22.5M in grant funding
over the past five years.”
– ESU President
Robert J. Dillman
6
LEGISLATION
How They Voted: Your Legislators on Small Business
By Debbie Burke
The National Federation of Independent Business
(NFIB) has compiled the voting records of state legislators
on issues of interest to small business owners. What follows is an excerpt of the NFIB’s report for 2008, with notes
on how your legislator weighed in. For more information,
visit www.nfib.com/PA.
House of Representatives
Bad Check Penalties (HB 296, Concurrence): Raises the
service charge collected from individuals con¬victed of
passing bad checks. A “Yes” vote supports the
NFIB position. Passed 198–2.
YES votes: Rep. Michael Carroll, Rep. Sandra
Major, Rep. Keith McCall, Rep. Michael Peifer, Rep. Mario Scavello, Rep. John Siptroth,
Rep. Edward Staback
No votes:
Mandate Moratorium (HB 1150, Boyd
Amendment): This amendment would impose
a moratorium on enactment of new or expanded health insurance mandated benefits and
require a study of health insurance mandates.
A “Yes” vote supports the NFIB position.
Failed 88–112.
YES votes:Rep. Sandra Major, Rep. Michael
Peifer
NO votes: Rep. Mike Carroll, Rep. Keith McCall, Rep. Mario Scavello, Rep. John Siptroth,
Rep. Edward Staback
YES votes: Sen. Lisa Baker, Sen. Lisa Boscola, Sen. Patrick Browne, Sen. James Rhoades
NO votes: Sen. Robert Mellow, Sen. Raphael Musto
Business Tax Cuts (SB 1385, Final Passage): This legislation would expand the cap on NOL carry-forwards to $5
million or 20 percent of taxable income after Dec. 31, 2008.
A “Yes” vote supports the NFIB position. Passed 31–19.
Why
Blue?
5A@K=JUPDEJC
=J@ARANUPDEJCSA
?=JPKGAALUKQN
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Independent Contractor Mandate (HB
2400, Final Passage): This legislation would
subject small business owners in the construction industry to costly litigation, intimidation
and harassment by competitors, unions and
plaintiffs lawyers. The bill prohibits independent contractors from using subcontractors,
requires construction firms to treat everyone
they do business with as an employee, and
would force construction firms into court to
prove business relationships with legitimate
independent contractors. The bill includes
jail time and civil penalties for small business owners who make a good-faith effort to
comply with the law. A “No” vote supports
the NFIB position. Passed 122–76.
YES votes: Rep. Mike Carroll, Rep. Keith
McCall, Rep. John Siptroth, Rep. Edward
Staback
NO votes: Rep. Sandra Major, Rep. Michael
Peifer, Rep. Mario Scavello
Prevailing Wage (HB 2297, McGeehan
Amendment 6860): This amendment would
require all construction and repair projects
completed in tax-free Keystone Opportunity
Zones to be subject to prevailing wage rates.
A “No” vote supports the NFIB position.
Passed 126–72.
YES votes: Rep. Mike Carroll, Rep. Keith
McCall, Rep. John Siptroth, Rep. Edward
Staback
NO votes: Rep. Sandra Major, Rep. Michael
Peifer, Rep. Mario Scavello
Senate
Bad Check Penalties (HB 296, Concurrence): Raises the service charge collected
from individuals convicted of passing bad
checks. A “Yes” vote supports the NFIB position. Passed 49–0.
YES votes: Sen. Lisa Baker, Sen. Lisa Boscola, Sen. Patrick Browne, Sen. Robert Mellow,
Sen. Raphael Musto, Sen. James Rhoades
NO votes: N/A in our region
Business Tax Cuts (SB 1387, Final Passage): This legislation would raise the state’s Section 179 expensing limit to
$50,000. This tax change gives small business owners the
advantage of expensing the cost of a piece of machinery or
other improvement in the year that the investment is made
rather than over a certain number of years. A “Yes” vote
supports the NFIB position. Passed 35–15.
J@UKQD=LLU
More than a health plan, Blue is a health partner. Everything we do at Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania
is focused on making your job easier, and your workers healthier. In fact, your company’s success and well-being
drive all we do. From the most innovative health and wellness programs for your employees…to online
reporting and employee engagement tools for you…we’re more than a health plan. We’re your health partner.
Call 800-432-8015 to learn more about the value of Blue Cross®. You + Blue. Your insurance for good health
Business Tax Cuts (SB 1388, Final Passage):
This legislation expands the corporate net
income tax rate’s sales factor calculation to 85
percent. A “Yes” vote supports the NFIB position. Passed 31–19.
fBLU-GROUP_7.40x10.53v2.indd 1
6/30/08 4:35:29 PM
7
COLUMN
Retail Marketing and Sales Promotion
Marketing Momentum
Heidi Blade Hewlett
You’ve seen them everywhere: coupons, rebates,
contests and giveaways but which works best for you
and your business? How about adding the economic
distress into the recipe? In addition to targeting consumers, sales promotion can also target an internal sales staff
and resellers. When reaching out to consumers, a sales
promotion provides an extra incentive for the target audience to choose one brand over others, usually on a shorter
timeline than other elements of the overall marketing mix.
Budget, product life, cycle stage (introduction, growth,
maturity, and decline), competition and target audience are
all considerations prior to implementing a sales promotion.
An obvious growth in sales promotion over the years
could be attributed to the desire for short-term, measurable results. For example, coupons expiring on a certain
posted date are scanned into the sales register at point
of purchase. The buying pattern and data created by the
transaction was measurable and the response time was
determined by the coupon expiration date. But a sales promotion is not a solution for a bad product or a poor sales
staff. Some of the basics of retail marketing and sales
promotion include:
Sample Distribution – giving a sample product to
Price Deals – effective when consumers are costthe consumer through the mail, door-to-door or special
conscious and don’t have a lot of brand loyalty.
displays.
Discounts – a reduction in price.
Make a plan when brainstorming about a new sales
Bonus pack – a special container, package, carton,
promotion for your business. Sales promotion can be
or other holder in which the consumer is given more of
an important part of developing your business but don’t
the product for the same or perhaps even lower price per
neglect quality and service. They travel hand in hand.
ounce or unit than in the regular container (American
Marketing Association [AMA]).
Heidi Blade Hewlett is the owner of BladeHewlett Mar Refunds or rebates – a return of a portion of the purketing & Development. BladeHewlett offers outsourced
chase price in the form of cash by the seller to the buyer
marketing services to companies without a full-time
(AMA).
marketing staff and especially to small- and medium-sized
Coupons – a printed certificate entitling the bearer to a
businesses. She can be reached at (570) 226-0660 or visit
stated price reduction or special value on a specific prodwww.bladehewlett.com.
uct, generally for a specified period of time. The value of
the coupon is set and redeemed by the seller (AMA).
Sweepstakes – a random drawing with a possible entry requirement;
popular due to their low administrative
costs.
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BUSINESS JOURNAL
Airlines, hotels and retailers offer
frequent-flyer clubs while credit cards
offer bonuses.
Business
&Books
POCONO
8
FEATURE STORY
DOWNTOWN... cont. from page 1
lage Bath Shop, for example, is in an 1890 house. Really
cute, great atmosphere… you can’t find things like that at
the mall.”
All-new bluestone sidewalks, street lamps and trees
have given the town a huge facelift. “We’re looking forward to a great mix of business and pleasure. It’s all going
in the right direction.”
Jim Thorpe
Located along the Lehigh River gorge, this Victorianera town was a first in the nation to strategically combine
revitalization and historic preservation. It was cited in 2005
by the Pennsylvania Downtown Center as the most successful ongoing Main Street project in eastern PA.
“In the early 1980s, we started with very elementary,
cooperative marketing tactics,” states Elissa Thorne,
vice president for Heritage Programs for the Delaware &
Lehigh National Heritage Center (D&L). She managed the
original Main St. Project in Jim Thorpe. “Early façade improvements were encouraged through financial incentives.
For every dollar spent in public funds, property owners
spent $10 of their own to improve facades and signs. The
Carbon County Redevelopment Authority led the effort to
install period light fixtures and sidewalk improvements.”
Through D&L, the Corridor Market Towns program
grew into a regional, revitalization effort, resulting in more
façade rehabilitation projects, new marketing materials,
improved visitor services and exhibits at the PMVB visitor
center in the restored RR station. The Mauch Chunk Historical Society and the Merchants of the Historic District
of Jim Thorpe also cooperate to preserve the town’s charm
and to promote business.
Jim Thorpe’s two longest-running festivals are the Fall
Foliage Festival and Old Time Christmas Celebration.
Both started as one-day events in the early 1980s and now
stretch over several weekends and include gingerbread and
window decorating contests and a gently used toy drive.
“Places like Jim Thorpe have a unique sense of place…
with its unique blend of natural beauty and historic, architectural and cultural resources,” reflects Thorne. “There
are real people living here and doing business here. It will
never be as predictable as a shopping center. This is something that malls and big box retail developments cannot
duplicate. This authenticity is a drawing card.”
Milford
Named one of the “10 Coolest Small Towns” in America last year in Arthur Frommer’s Budget Travel, the town
can thank the Milford Enhancement Committee (MEC), a
group of independent citizens, for its strategic mission to
make Milford a better place to live, visit and do business.
“For the past 11 years, they have focused on improving
the streetscape and pedestrian ambiance in the commercial
district of Milford, the downtown for all of Pike County,”
states Richard Snyder of the MEC.
Improvements include new bluestone sidewalks, verges
(decorative borders), a re-established tree line and greenscape, and the addition of period, pedestrian lights and
wooden benches. MEC has partnered with the Garden
Club, which provides seasonal plantings.
“The work has been done in six phases that include the
Community House grounds, the majority of Broad Street
and parts of Harford Street,” says Snyder. “More work is
planned on Harford Street and the western and northern
gateways to Milford.”
Projects are funded by grants, fundraisers and private
donations (no borough funds are used). To date, over $3
million has been raised. Thirty lights and benches with engraved plaques have been sponsored in honor of a notable
resident through the “Make a Memory” program. The
MEC is a sub-committee of the Historic Preservation Trust
of Pike County, a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization.
The Milford Business Council focuses on attracting
shoppers to the downtown area through promotional events
such as the annual Holiday Shopping Festival (November
27 – December 20) with stores and galleries open extended
hours and weekend roving musicians.
Stroudsburg
“Our Jacob Stroud Corporation (JSC) membership
is geared to growing and beautifying our downtown and
keeping Stroudsburg a vibrant economic community,”
states Sharon Sinkevich-Bonawitz, JSC vice president and
owner of the Apple Tree since 1981. “Banks, dry cleaners,
clothing stores, property owners, hair salons, day spas…are
all vested in our downtown. We all try to help each other.
Every week I meet visitors who are here for a golf outing
or wedding or two-night visit. They love the quaintness of
our town, and they love that we have a downtown where
we can walk, dine in and shop.”
The Mattioli Main St. Project, through a $1 million
grant from the Downtown Mattioli Foundation, provides
beautification from Fifth to Ninth Streets: baskets of flowers in the summer, lighting and wreaths in the winter.
“We’re trying to also get lights to shine from the ground
up and illuminate the trees,” says Sinkevich-Bonawitz.
“Every season we’re trying to plant something to keep our
town looking beautiful.”
JSC also sponsors numerous downtown happenings to
bring businesses and people together, including First Saturdays, holiday parades and the annual Stroudfest.
“Downtown Stroudsburg has great eclectic shops –
Dunkelberger’s, the Cigar Store, Main St. Jukebox…
character and charm you don’t find in malls,” says Rich
Berkowitz, owner of the Sherman Theater and a JSC board
member. “In fact, some malls are trying to replicate that
downtown feel! We have a unique, strong product and
continue to build on it.”
A $1.6 million Main Street Safety Project, a collaboration between PennDOT and Stroudsburg Borough, was
designed to reduce congestion and improve the streetscape.
Sidewalk bumpouts, new stone, drainage improvements,
new decorative street lighting and upgraded signs and redesigned pavement cross marks were all part of the project.
Enhanced traffic signals will include audible and visual
cues so blind and deaf pedestrians can easily navigate the
intersections.
“You can’t do it without the synergy of everybody being on the same page,” said Sinkevich-Bonawitz. “We’re
very blessed that the downtown borough manager and
street crew and downtown council are very supportive of
working with Jacob Stroud. Everybody can get involved
and have a voice.”
DCED: Main Street Can Still Forge Ahead
By Debbie Burke
How are Main Street organizations going to sustain
vitality and growth under the current circumstances?
It’s going to be a challenge, says Ken Klothen, deputy
secretary for community development at the PA Dept.
of Community and Economic Development (DCED).
But it’s doable. “I don’t expect there should be any
change in what Main Street organizations do to promote
their downtowns. They’re going to have to do it more
and better,” he notes. DCED, which evaluates funding
applications from these organizations, favors mixed-use
development because those are the projects most likely
to jumpstart additional private investment. Downtowns
that are ‘slightly distressed’ with a demographic that
does not have significant buying power (i.e., lower
income families) can still thrive, he says, if the area is
growing in population, regardless of income level.
One program under which a downtown organization can apply for funding is Community Development
Block Grants (CDBG), which are discretionary pool
funds for water, sewer and other infrastructure. Seventy
percent of each grant must be used for activities that
benefit low- and moderate-income persons. There are
two components: Entitlement funding which provides
annual funding to designated municipalities, which is set
by formula; and the Competitive Program, available to
all non-federal entitlement municipalities, which has a
$500,000 maximum.
Says Klothen: “We recognize these are going to
be very challenging times for business, particularly for
retail business. In this administration we have increasingly focused on bringing more resources [to] projects
that will be transformational in downtown locations.”
Downtowns Thumb Nose
at Southbound Economy
Despite the weekly, unfolding saga of a
turbulent national economy, downtowns in
the Poconos’ region have a few advantages.
Word has it this has been an excellent year for
businesses in Jim Thorpe, says Elissa Thorne,
also a resident and co-chair of the Carbon
County Chamber Cultural Heritage Tourism
committee. “The high cost of gas has kept
visitors from traveling to faraway destinations. I believe it helps that Jim Thorpe now
has a number of places to stay, eat, tour, be
entertained and recreate. The challenge for the
future is to stay true to Jim Thorpe and reject
over-commercialization.”
Cooperative promotions and a vibrant
downtown aesthetic are also helping to keep
many businesses afloat. “Strong businesses, no
matter where they’re located, will weather the
economics,” predicts Rich Berkowitz, owner
of the Sherman Theater and chairman of the
Jacob Stroud Corp. economic development
committee. The revamped Sherman Theater
brought over 40,000 people downtown just
to come to shows, he adds. In addition, land
parcels for buildings lost in recent months to
fire have been sold and plans for rebuilding are
anticipated.
Rent Rant
By Nicholas Sergi
If a store closes or moves to a different location, is
it a sign that the national economic crisis has filtered its
way down to very our own neighborhoods?
Not necessarily.
A storeowner might choose to move to a different
location, possibly away from Main Street, for different
reasons. “There are a lot of factors, and visibility is one
of them,” says Rachel Hendricks, Deputy Director for
Economic Development at Pike County Industrial and
Commercial Development Authority. It’s hard to anticipate how well a store will do when it first starts out.
Foot traffic, for example, can fall short of hopes and
expectations. Other reasons for a re-lo include a change
in market demand for a particular product, proximity
of competitors and the age and overall condition of a
building, which includes energy efficiency and consumption (and therefore, everyday considerations like
the electricity bills).
Then there’s the issue of rent. In some cases, storeowners are offered attractively low introductory lease
rates, but once that rate expires, the store’s owner is out
of there. At The Music Store in Stroudsburg, the rent
took a sharp turn upwards at the Main Street building
it occupied, forcing a relocation less than a mile away.
The new site has no parking meters, a definite plus for
customers, and the staff has received many compliments on its new location and layout.
In Milford, business owner Sean Strub, developer,
co-owner of Hotel Fauchere and publisher of Milford
Magazine, chooses tenants by attempting to give shoppers a mix of offerings. “We look for a certain level
of sophistication (in our client’s) business plan,” he
says. “What we have tried to do in Milford is to have
diversity in the types of businesses in order to bring in
a store that contributes to the community.” The three
qualities that make a good business tenant, he says, are
ones that have resources, patience and the expertise to
sustain a business in the long-term, as opposed to hobbyists who will be out in a few years.
9
NEWS
The Business of Fear
Leadership Tips
Sylvia Lafair
Do you remember Chicken Little? Most of us
heard the story when we were kids. An acorn fell on
Chicken Little’s head and ran around telling everyone
the sky was falling. Great example of faulty information
sprinkled with fear.
Now, think about how you react to news alerts. Do
you stop in your tracks, heart beating wildly waiting for
the sky to fall or just shrug it off as “no big deal”? Some
of us panic, some of us ignore. Reminds me of the story
I heard about a man listening to the radio decades ago.
When the announcer tensely said, “The Japanese have
just bombed Pearl Harbor and war is imminent” he
turned to his son and said emphatically, “Let’s not tell
your mother!” Here was real information clouded with
fear.
So what do these stories have to do with your
business, your life? We are all living through uncertain
financial times and fear has a way of getting us to the
extreme edges of the pendulum. Somewhere between
the drama of “the sky is falling” and the denial of “what
problem?” we all need to look our personal fears square
in the face and find the better way.
My own observation, working with executives and
teams, is that fear is a mighty force. As youngsters we
looked to parents or caregivers for guidance in how to
behave. If our families hid from difficulty that is what
we mirrored, if they came unglued, we learned to do the
same. Positive as well as negative behavior is “mirrored.” Some of us were lucky enough to have adults in
our lives able to stay strong during troubled times. No
wonder the saying persists “The apple doesn’t fall far
from the tree.” It actually exists in our nervous system.
So now the big question is “Do we have to continue to repeat the past or can we choose a more balanced
way?” The answer is a resounding “There is a better
way.” We can develop our social circuitry and change
patterns that no longer support us or those around us.
Here are some tips: first, find a quiet place and ask
yourself the following questions: What were you taught
about the importance of money for your happiness?
Was money talked about openly? Was there talk about
loosing a home or a job? Who was blamed if there were
financial difficulties?
Next, begin to look for the patterns and similarities
with today’s financial situation. You will know you are
on to something by trusting your gut. If you feel a knot
in your stomach you are connecting the past with the
present. Then you have to do the hard work of deciding
how to do it differently.
If you are inclined to write, do so. Tell the story of
your past fears and make up a new, successful ending. If
you are willing talk with your family about the trials of
the past do so and listen attentively. Take time to talk to
others who have weathered tough times and have successfully landed on their feet.
The newest research in brain development gives
us cause to cheer. With good, strong determination to
change, it is possible. Then Chicken Little will stay just
an old story that doesn’t have to be repeated.
Sylvia Lafair, Ph.D. is the president of Creative Energy
Options, Inc. and the developer of Total Leadership
Connections™, an innovative leadership forum. She
can be reached at Sylvia@ceoptions.com or (570) 6363858.
PNC Survey: U.S. Business Owners’ Pessimism At All-Time High
The PNC Economic Outlook survey was conducted between late July and mid-August by telephone
within the United States among nearly 1,000 owners
or senior decision-makers of small and mid-sized
businesses. The results below are based on interviews with 507 businesses nationally; the remaining
399 interviews were conducted among businesses in
Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Energy prices, recession and credit availability are
among the biggest concerns for U.S. business owners,
whose pessimism is at an all-time high in the history
of the PNC Economic Outlook survey. Highlights of
the findings include:
Weaker Sales, Profits and Hiring: Fewer business
owners expect sales to grow in this weak business environment. Only 43% (compared to 53% in the spring
and 63% last fall) expect an increase in their company’s sales over the next six months. 26% expect
profits will decrease in the near term, a record high
for the survey. 10% (same as spring) expect to reduce
the number of full-time employees. 17% plan to hire
new employees.
Growing Cost Pressures: With higher energy prices
and a weak economy, businesses are getting squeezed
between the prices they pay and those they can charge
customers. Nearly 65% expect an increase in suppliers’ prices during the next six months. 47% plan to
increase the prices they charge their customers (up
from 43% in the spring).
Tighter Credit Availability: Consistent with reports
of credit market tightening, 25%, compared to 18%
in the spring, say it is more difficult now to obtain
credit. Conversely, 7% say it is easier to get credit
now, down significantly from 14% in the spring.
Policy Advice: Economy, Energy
With 76% of business owners reporting “little to
no benefit” from the federal Fiscal Stimulus Plan,
there appears to be little support for a second such
package by the next presidential administration and
Congress. Prior to the presidential election, PNC
asked business owners how they would advise the
next president on policy matters:
Energy Policy: 36% recommend the next
president pursue drilling for oil in the Arctic
National Wildlife Refuge, offshore or other
areas. 23% want to increase spending and
incentives for alternative energy development.
15% recommend more emphasis on incentives
and requirements for conservation of energy
by consumers and businesses, and another 15%
endorse greater use of nuclear power.
Economic Policy: 38% recommend the next
president not interfere and let the Federal
Reserve manage interest rates. 17% support aid
to more homeowners facing foreclosure, 14%
endorse a second economic stimulus package
and 12% favor a repeal of the 2001 and 2003
tax cuts. This survey was conducted prior to
the credit market turmoil in September.
For complete details of the national and regional findings, visit www.pnc.com/eos.
please recycle this paper
Carbon Announces
Comm“UNITY” leaders
In celebration of Chamber of Commerce Month,
Carbon County Chamber of Commerce recently honored its “CommUNITY” leaders at the Annual Dinner
and Awards Presentation. According to CCCC President
Michael Heery, “Our CCCC service theme is ‘We help
to make the Carbon County area a better place to live,
learn, work, and play.’ Obviously, it takes many people
throughout the area working together to help us accomplish this goal. One evening a year, we take time to
thank and honor those commUNITY leaders who help
us create a better world – by starting right here in our
own backyard.”
The six Regional Councils of CCCC acknowledged
the following CommUNITY leaders:
Jim Thorpe Area: John Drury - “Community
Service” Award; and Betty Lou McBride - “Historic
Preservation” Award
Lehighton Area: Care Net of Carbon County “Volunteer Group of the Year” Award; DeMatte Chiropractic - “Business of the Year” Award; and John
Hanosek - “Citizen of the Year” Award
Palmerton Area: Concourse Club - “Citizen of the
Year” Award
Penn-Kidder Area: Maureen Kennedy - “Volunteer
of the Year” Award
Panther Valley Area: Renee Slakoper - “Business
Person of the Year” Award
Weatherly Area: Tom McBrien - “Citizen of the
Year” Award
10
HEALTHCARE
Retail Element Adds Seamless Care and Revenue
Regional
Healthcare Report
James Hockenbury,
BS, MHA
Wayne Memorial Health System is a non-profit
community healthcare organization with a for-profit
retail arm called Wayne Health Services. We like to
call Wayne Health Services the “missing branch” that
allowed Wayne Memorial to round out its continuum of
care to patients in Wayne and Pike Counties—and generate a new source of income to help support the system.
Wayne Health Services, which is owned by the
System’s non-profit fundraising arm, Wayne Memorial Health Foundation, sells and rents durable medical
equipment (DME) out of its store in the Stourbridge
Mall Complex in Honesdale—everything from wheelchairs and portable oxygen to feeding supplies, alert systems and post-mastectomy products. It also offers free
in-home consultations provided by registered nurses,
certified fitters and technicians.
Before Wayne Health Services opened its doors in
1986, Wayne Memorial Hospital patients discharged at
odd hours often experienced inconveniences trying to
find home medical supplies. Our Home Health Department offered nurses and aides to help with home care,
but where would the patient find a walker to get from the
car to the front door on a Sunday at 7:00 p.m.? Wayne
Health Services was designed to close that gap—to
ensure that Wayne Memorial’s care was “seamless.”
Now, if a patient needs home equipment, our staff
can provide it at any hour of any day.
Profits from Wayne Health Services flow back to
Wayne Memorial Health Foundation, which, as Foundation Executive Director G. Richard Garman points out,
are reinvested to improve the overall health of the community. The Foundation supports capital acquisitions
such as digital mammography (purchased this summer)
and sponsors preventative health services, health education programs and improved access to care for the most
vulnerable segments of the population.
In the early 1990s, Wayne Health Services also
acquired the Stourbridge Mall Complex and transformed
a community eyesore into an asset that each and every
year pays property taxes ($64,000 in a recent year) to
Wayne County and the Wayne Highlands School District. In fiscal year 2007, Wayne Health Services’ DME
operations and rental real estate operations generated
more than $2 million in revenue.
Wayne Health Services is governed by its own
Board of Directors, presently chaired by Gary C. Beilman, President and CEO of The Dime Bank. Its first
chairman, as well as champion, was Harry Kiesendahl,
one of the founders of Woodloch Pines, who passed
away in 2007.
In the last five years, Wayne Health Services has
added a Women’s Post-Mastectomy Fitting Room at
the Stourbridge site, which offers women comfortable,
private and discreet services with knowledgeable staff.
Wayne Health has also become a moderately-sized
employer, with 10 fulltime employees including two certified technician drivers. It offers a toll-free number and
24-hour emergency services. And, unlike many of its
competitors, Wayne Health Services accepts Medicare,
Medicaid and most private insurances for everything it
rents and sells.
In 2006, as it celebrated its 20th anniversary, Wayne
Health Services scored 100% on its Joint Commission
Survey—a well-respected and independent accrediting
agency of healthcare providers. For patients who need
medical supplies at home, Wayne Memorial Health System has a “branch” they can count on in Wayne Memorial Health Services.
James Hockenbury, BS, MHA, Director of Ancillary
Services at Wayne Memorial Health System, has close to
a quarter century of experience in healthcare administration in northeastern Pennsylvania. He oversees more
than a dozen service lines at Wayne Memorial, including
Laboratory Services, Imaging Services, Rehabilitation,
the Hospitalist Program and Wayne Health Services’
durable medical equipment.
HR Tidbit
By Victoria Mavis
Q. I’m confused about I-9s. Per the http://www.
uscis.gov/ Web site, we only need to retain this
for three years after the hire date. So we don’t
need one for employees here longer than three
years?
A. The requirement is to keep the information
for three years from the termination date.
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11
COLUMN
United Way’s New Focus: LIVE UNITED
United Way
Chris Grape-Garvey
With United Way campaigns under way in the
Poconos, you will be seeing and hearing a lot about
“Live United.” There will be messages in the media, on T-shirts, and at businesses and workplaces.
Live United is about the long-lasting changes
and solutions to problems that United Way is tackling in each of our communities. It’s about working
together to advance the “common good” so everyone can have a better life and opportunities.
Local United Ways work with businesses, organizations and volunteers every day to help those
who are in need. The goal is to improve conditions
in key areas such as education, health, housing and
employment or income.
Businesses and employer can get involved
by giving, advocating and volunteering, as well
as educating employees about the opportunities
to give. It can mean volunteering to help others, whether it’s an hour or two, an evening or an
afternoon. Living United also means advocating for
a cause or issue you are passionate about, whether
it’s for improved early childhood education or more
affordable housing and healthcare.
There are different levels of giving. Many
United Ways have incentives and prizes that donors
can qualify for by donating a certain amount. For
instance, you can win a Martin guitar or $1,000 for
gasoline by pledging to the Monroe County campaign, or a Caribbean cruise or Walt Disney World
vacation by giving to the Wayne County division/
Lackawanna County United Way.
Whether you volunteer, advocate or give, you
will be changing lives.
Another way you can help is by supporting
special events that benefit your local United Way.
In Pike County, a Chef’s United Dinner is set for 6
p.m. on Nov. 20 at Ehrhrdt’s Waterfront Restaurant
on Lake Wallenpaupack, Route 507 in Tafton. Featuring dishes from seventeen different restaurants
and a silent auction, the cost is $55 per person. In
Monroe County, events include a “Night of Indulgence” at the Shawnee Inn on Nov. 6, a Night at the
Pub at Siamsa’s on Nov. 10, an Evening of Holiday
Cheer at the Stone Bar Inn on Dec. 1, and a fundraiser at the Sycamore Grille on Dec. 10.
For more information on “Living United”, call
your community United Way: Pike County 570296-9980, Carbon County (610) 377-6400, Monroe
County (570) 629-5657, and Wayne County (570)
343-1267.
PBJ BLOG
“Blogging for
Business”
Talk about business online
with PBJ columnists.
www.pbjonline.com/blog
Workplace Wellness
In today’s workplace, eyestrain from
computers is a common complaint. Maintain
your focus by setting up your computer screen
about 20 inches away, and take frequent breaks
to properly rest your eyes. Consider consulting
your optometrist for special lenses to cut screen
glare.
Chris Grape-Garvey is the community outreach
and special events director for United Way of Monroe County.
Two Words: Consumer Confidence
Residential Real Estate
Quarterly Report
Dominick J. Sacci
Since its inception in 1967, the Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) has been the measurement of the
degree of optimism on the state of the economy that
consumers express through their savings and spending practices. It is the most widely accepted index
among the United States media, business people, and
consumers.
The index is calculated by the Conference Board
which sends a questionnaire to 5,000 U.S. households. The survey consists of five questions which ask
the respondents’ opinions of the current business conditions, business conditions for the next six months,
current employment conditions, employment conditions for the next six months, and total family income
for the next six months. The answers to the questions
are either “positive”, “negative”, or “neutral.” A value
is put on the answers and the index value is reached.
CCI is used by manufacturers, retailers, banks,
and government to factor in data in the decision-making process. A decreasing trend in the CCI suggests
consumers have a negative outlook of their ability to
secure and retain jobs. Manufacturers can then expect
retail sales and large ticket items that require financing to decrease. Contrarily, an increase in the trend
can reflect an increase in production, hiring, and a rise
estate market will be like in 2009. If activity is dampin home sales.
ened by a lot of snow, then such a “winter season”
To appreciate what our CCI is today, we should
can fuel the beginnings of a recovery.
take a look at past peaks and valleys. The lowest point
that the index reached was in December of 1974 and
Dominick J. Sacci is Vice President and General
was 43.2. The highest was in May of 2000 at 144.7.
Manager for Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate
As of August of 2008 our reading was 56.9.
Wilkins & Associates. Mr. Sacci has been tracking
What is interesting about the historical data of
market statistics for the last eight years. Market data
CCI is that it averages a three-year period when it
was compiled from conference-board.com, bespodeclines (with small increases before dropping again).
keninvest.typad.com, Wikipedia.com, and the Pocono
Since 1967 it has posted six three-year declines. From
Mountain Association of Realtors MLS system. ReadAugust of 2007 through August of 2008 the index
ers can discuss the residential real estate market with
dropped from (approximately) 112 to 56.
Mr. Sacci at www.pbjonline.com/blog.
As real estate is a “large ticket item that requires
financing” and based on the above data, we project
that until market indicators like the unemployment
rate drop and the CCI increases, we may still be one
to two years away from
what would suggest a bottoming out of the market.
We would then be two to
three years away from a
national market recovery.
Locally speaking, we reљňЙ̜Ɏʜз˙
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beginnings of a stabilization
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due to our location, availɳίљѠ̉ʜљ͕ίȸљ˜ίЙљ˜ǪЙљͩʜззљ΁ίΒʜ‫ڮ‬ϼ
ability and affordability of
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12
COLUMN
Eastburg Community
Alliance
Anthony Matrisciano
As the new downtown manager for the Eastburg
Community Alliance (ECA), a non-profit organization
dedicated to downtown revitalization in East Stroudsburg, I bring a new and unique perspective to the
position. My background is in public relations, marketing and community relations- not in city planning, city
government or economic development.
What do I know about downtown revitalization?
Well, like most people reading this, I was born after the
“golden age” of downtowns, the first half of the 20th
Century. Beginning in the 1950’s, the emergence of
the automobile and the suburban lifestyle drove people
away from traditional downtowns and neighborhoods.
The downtowns of our past- complete with all of the essential services one would need, such as banks, department stores, grocery stores, bakeries, hardware stores,
became just that- a thing of the past. Many of us never
experienced those kinds of downtowns. And over the
years, downtowns increasingly have become less of a
necessity - a place you have to go to for services - than a
place you want to visit and experience. That being said,
the downtown of East Stroudsburg has a bright future.
In the next few weeks, downtown East Stroudsburg will see the completion of a new streetscape and
a revitalized Pocono Community Theater. Part of the
experience of a vibrant downtown is its walkability.
To be able to walk comfortably from place to place
makes the experience of a downtown that much better.
The streetscape project includes new streetlamps for
better lighting and new bumpouts and crosswalks to
make crossing the street safer and easier.
The experience of a downtown is also the attractions- things you won’t find in the strip malls of
suburbia. The new Pocono Community Theater will
continue to show independent films, the kind you
won’t see at the multiplex, but will also offer live
performances. A non-profit group has been set up to
run the theater, and they are working with the local
arts and education community to provide space for
recitals, music programs and other local productions.
A grand opening is planned for November 21. Visit
poconocommunitytheater.org for more information on
the theater and the group running it.
I see the possibilities, the potential and the positives for the future of downtown East Stroudsburg.
The new streetscape and the new Pocono Community
Theater are just the start. The ECA is working hard to
attract new businesses to downtown East Stroudsburg
that will complement our existing unique businesses.
We are on track for the future.
Milford’s Good Shepherd
Gets MicroGrant
Photo credit: MetroAction.
Downtown East Stroudsburg, On Track to the Future
The Good Shepherd Child Care Center in Milford recently received a $500 grant from MetroAction’s Child Care MicroGrant program to purchase new play equipment enhancing physical
education provided at the center. The MetroAction Child Care MicroGrant program awards ten
MicroGrants each year to improve the quality
of childcare in eight counties throughout northeastern Pennsylvania. Pictured at the grant
presentation are, from left, Beverly Young, The
Good Shepherd Child Care Center; and Desiree
Ranella, MetroAction.
Anthony Matrisciano is the downtown manager for the
Eastburg Community Alliance.
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13
NEWS
Leadership Pike
Peter Wulfhorst
The third Leadership Pike class conducted its
first session on September 5th at the Delaware Valley School District. The class, comprised of eleven
students representing banks, engineering firms,
home-based businesses, academic institutions and a
healthcare company, was provided with a perspective
on leadership by Dr. Candis Finan, Delaware Valley
School District Superintendent and Richard Caridi,
Pike County Commissioner. Joann Kowalski, Penn
State Cooperative Extension Educator, engaged the
class in finding out about the “Leader within You.”
Through hands-on exercises, Kowalski presented the
idea that it is important to understand your own leadership style, priorities, beliefs and habits since they
affect how you respond to the challenges of leadership.
Tom Shepstone, President of Shepstone Management Company, explained that Pike County is
experiencing growth because of the lower housing
costs and taxes in the county. Shepstone pointed out
that the school-aged population in Pike and Wayne
counties has been decreasing from 2000 – 2007
while the senior population has been increasing.
Community leaders need to understand this scenario has social and economic implications for the
community’s future.
The Leadership Pike class also learned about
the history of Pike County through a visit to the
Pike County Historical Society museum, The
Columns, in Milford. Several local historical
societies were represented at the discussion including the Greene –Dreher Historical Society, Bushkill Historical Society, Wallenpaupack Historical
Society and Shohola Railroad & Historical Society.
The Leadership Pike Class of 2009 meets monthly
through May 2009 at various locations throughout
Pike County. Leadership Pike collaborates with the
Pike County Chamber of Commerce, Northampton
Community College and Penn State Cooperative
Extension – Pike County.
Peter Wulfhorst AICP is an Economic & Community Development Educator with Penn State Cooperative Extension in Pike County and is on the Leadership Pike steering committee. He can be reached at
(570) 296-3400 or ptw3@psu.edu.
EDITOR’S PICK – BOOK REVIEW
“How Starbucks Saved My Life”
Image courtesy of Penguin Books
By Debbie Burke
This is a bite-sized, cautionary tale of how the
apparent bubble of protection, felt often by those
ensconced in the corporate world, can burst at any
time, leaving skilled and talented but unemployed
individuals
panicking in its
wake. The dangerous illusion
of security is at
the heart of the
story. As an advertising wonk
who sacrificed
far too many
hours at the
office, Gill is
cut loose from
his position
by a soulless
company in a
way that does
nothing to veil
the cruel sting
of ageism. At
first, he rants a bit and gives the arrogant upper
echelon its due. To his credit, though, he also takes
personal responsibility for having spent years he
cannot retrieve or redo, shifting his personal and
familial obligations aside. His marriage suffers
and disintegrates and he loses touch, emotionally
speaking, with his children (wait: there is redemption). Yet the author’s focus is not so much sour
grapes as it is a full rendering of how, as a lastditch effort to stay financially (and mentally) afloat,
he catches the life preserver that Starbucks tosses
his way. Grateful and now humble, Gill takes a
menial position at one of the company’s stores in
uptown Manhattan. Immediately he is struck by
the company’s innate understanding of top-notch
customer service. The way he tells it, Starbucks has
perfected the joys of a communicative and nurturing management style which nevertheless holds its
employees accountable to very high expectations.
Gill is so impressed with its ever-present examples
of perfectly executed customer relations that he fairly
gushes in praise. So much so, in fact, that this reviewer felt compelled to verify whether the publisher has
any corporate ties to Starbucks (none were found).
Once Gill gets back on his feet, he starts mending relations with his children, including a child from
a second marriage that too has failed. Undefeated,
Gill goes on to do so well that Starbucks puts him in
charge of consumer education, where coffee lovers come to participate in discussions and hands-on
sampling of the different blends of coffee paired with
the desserts that bring out the best in them. Starbucks
has, it seems, brought out the best in Gill, too.
As a modern fable, “How Starbucks” illustrates
how anyone can fall from fortune and grace at a moment’s whim. The unexpected, as we have seen in
the current economic climate, can and will happen,
both for employers and workers. The author offers a
worthwhile tale of how one man bounced back and
made a life he loves.
“How Starbucks Saved My Life”
Author: Michael Gates Gill
Publisher: Gotham Books/Penguin Group USA
ISBN: 978-1-592-40404-9 (paperback)
Price: $13.00
Book courtesy of Gotham Books/Penguin Group.
PBJ’s review and this book are available at Borders
Stroudsburg.
Photo credit: Pocono Business Journal
Leadership Pike Begins
Ribbon Cutting Welcomes ESU’s
Science and Tech Center
ESU’s new Warren E. ’55 and Sandra Hoeffner Science
and Technology Center
By Debbie Burke
The new $41 million Science and Technology
Center at East Stroudsburg University officially made
its way into the community with a recent ribbon cutting.
Local dignitaries, university administrators, students and
members of the business community were in attendance
to learn about the building’s features, including its 17
teaching laboratories, 9 research laboratories, 5,000
square feet of other laboratory space, 9 classrooms, in
addition to a planetarium, a multi-use 200 seat auditorium, a rooftop observatory, a large reception area and
faculty offices. Academic departments that are now
housed here include computer science, chemistry, biology, biotechnology and physics. ESU’s John J. Ross,
acting VP of University Advancement, believes the
center will “touch the lives of thousands of students and
faculty for years to come.” It will serve, he said, as a
stimulus for community partnership. Peter Hawks, dean
of the College of Arts and Sciences, added, “Students
are not adequately prepared for science, technology and
math. It’s a tremendous act of faith in the faculty and in
our students who will go forth to benefit society. This
building’s story has just begun.”
Interim GM Named at Great Wolf
Phil Cunningham has been named interim General
Manager at Great Wolf Lodge in Scotrun, following the
departure for undisclosed reasons of former GM Dale McFarland, according to corporate spokesperson Steve Shattuck. Shattuck calls the Pocono facility “far and away one
of our strongest performing properties.” The facility has
upgrades planned including a new waterslide called Alberta
Falls, a waterpark and a confectionary café, as well as other
enhancements. Great Wolf, which owns and operates 12
properties around the country, continues recruitment efforts
for a new general manager.
Pike Businesses Talk Back
By Debbie Burke
A recent survey of Pike area businesses, conducted
by the Business-Education Committee of the Pike County
Chamber of Commerce (PCCC), yielded 54 responses on
issues ranging from the economy to chamber membership
to the PCCC’s Web site. Some of the open-ended questions, in particular, gave a peek into the chief concerns of
local businesses.
Important issues facing businesses today included the
high cost of advertising, finding inexpensive ways to get
the word out about one’s business, and helping small businesses survive. As to how the chamber could bring more
value to membership, business owners responded that they
wanted the chamber to provide more computer education, more business resources, more member-to-member
discounts, more educational programs and seminars and a
program to help members reach consumers.
Jerry Reganess, a manager at Clarion Safety Systems
in Milford and the chair of the Business Education Committee, said, “The survey provided positive feedback and
many constructive ideas for new continued improvement
which we are committed to responsively building into our
model. Planning for a spring 2009 PCCC Directors’ retreat
is also in the works and will include the survey findings.”
14
NEWS
Marcellus Shale – One Year Later
Sustainable is
Attainable
Robert Muller
When we in the Northeast first heard of Marcellus
Shale a little over one year ago, very few people knew what
it was or that it contained natural gas or that it would be
one of the hottest topics for the next twelve months.
If you haven’t heard of Marcellus Shale, it is a carbonrich layer located in excess of one mile below the earth’s
surface. It was formed during the Devonian Period, (some
390 million years ago) during which this area was submerged in water. The plant material (carbon source) was
buried when the continents formed. The decomposition of
that carbon led to the formation of the shale and the natural
gas. The Marcellus layer stretches from the southern tier
of New York through northeast Pennsylvania, traveling
southwest toward Kentucky and Tennessee. This large ex-
panse makes it one of largest new discoveries in the United
States.
Some of the thickest layers of the Marcellus Shale are
located here in the northeast. The realization of the potential was not evident until landmen (leasing agents) started
to canvas the northeast to sign up landowners for the right
to explore the new discovery. Early leases started at around
$25 per acre and most recently approached over $2,000 per
acre one year later.
With only one well drilled and only one other site
permitted in Wayne County, the full effect has not yet been
felt. The neighbors to the west in Susquehanna County,
though, are feeling the effect. With over thirty well permits
and approximately twelve wells drilled and miles of pipeline being installed, the activity is in full swing.
Some of the concerns with the drilling include water
use, road damage, soil erosion, pollutant discharge and
waste disposal. Drilling and fracturing these shales uses in
excess of one million gallons of water. Some innovations
in recycling the water could help reduce the freshwater use.
Many of the concerns are answered by state and federal
agencies; primarily the Department of Environmental
Protection (DEP) which oversees the gas drilling activity.
The DEP issues the drilling permits, inspects the sites and
oversees restoration. The river basin commissions for the
Susquehanna and Delaware Rivers have water use regulations that must be followed. But, no matter who’s watching,
an activity of this magnitude is going to have some type
of environmental impact. Hopefully the agencies that are
charged with the duty to protect our natural resources can
help minimize the impact.
Would this activity have occurred if we weren’t in the
energy situation we are in today? Probably not. It is costly
to extract the gas from these depths, with some estimates of
$5 million dollars per well. The fossil fuels that we are using today are a finite resource. The Marcellus Shale expansion will give us several more years of traditional energy,
but it is not a sustainable resource.
The alternative sources such as, wind, solar and biomass that we are seeing developed are sustainable. Nearly
every day new methods of providing fuel and energy are
evolving. We need to continue to look to renewable resources of energy for our generation and the generations to
come.
Robert A. Muller Jr has served as the District Manager of
the Wayne Conservation District since 1984. The District
provides assistance on watershed management, forestry,
agriculture and erosion control. through technical assistance and education. The District office is located in
Honesdale and can be reached at (570) 253-0930.
If You’re Not A Fiscal Conservative, It’s Time To Start
By Debbie Burke
Prior to the mess on Wall Street and its still-unknown
total effect on Main Street, interim PA Treasurer Robin Weissmann said her major focus for the Treasury Department has
been to give it a higher profile and to make it more accessible
for residents. “Communication is a really important element
of educating the public,” she says. She has been stepping up
those efforts by rehauling the Treasury’s Web site and reaching
out with more press releases to keep residents in the know. She
has created eTreasury Pennsylvania, an initiative that is “an
examination of all the operations and government principals,
which assesses what we can do to improve the Treasury.” Also
to her credit is the “Pennsylvania Investment Principles” plan,
allowing the department to “maximize investment opportunities and minimize market threats” while protecting the Commonwealth’s investments from “risks that threaten various
market sectors.”
“We have to maintain the forward momentum that we’ve
developed in modernizing the Treasury and making sure the
stewardship of funds and investments are maintained. This is a
liquidity and credit crisis.” She is in agreement with the quick
response at the federal level. If those actions prove to help
stabilize the economy, business owners will not be concerned
about the flow of credit.
Although she says she is not an economist, she feels all
sectors should be prepared for across the board belt-tightening.
Retailers, she said, are already predicting a softer holiday
season. The specific economic sectors in PA to first feel the
crunch are building construction and trucking.
Pocono Business Journal: Why are you not seeking reelection for PA Treasurer?
Governor Rendell appointed me to serve out the remainder
of the term of Treasurer Bob Casey. As a condition of my
confirmation by the PA Senate, I pledged not to run again for
the office. When I was confirmed as Treasurer in April 2007, I
hit the ground running and have been ever since. I’m running
a sprint rather than a marathon. While my time in this position
has been shorter than the usual term, I brought the strength
and energy to make a durable imprint on the Treasury operation. I came into office with a clear vision of what I wanted to
achieve, and we’ve made great strides towards making a durable imprint on Treasury for those who follow after me. It is
a remarkable opportunity to put my many years of experience
in investment banking and public finance to work in the Treasury Department for Pennsylvania’s stakeholders, particularly
at this time of economic turbulence and market volatility.
PBJ: How will the bailout of AIG affect Pennsylvania’s
business owners?
The precise answer is an academic question best left to the
scholars and economists to debate. While AIG may have little
Photo courtesy of PA Treasurer’s Office
Interview with Pennsylvania Treasurer Robin Weissmann
they are unable to get a loan?
Many clients are very solid, dependable payers. Think of
offering them a discount for upfront payment or pre-orders for
services. The discount needs to be meaningful, and even when
they are sizable may still be lower than the expensive cost of
borrowing. There’s such a large spread now between savings
and borrowing, that offering clients something more than they
could earn elsewhere would still be much less expensive than
the high cost of borrowing. Both parties make out in this situation, because you’re essentially circumventing the banks (and
their fees) and creating your own liquidity.
Robin Weissmann, PA Treasurer
to no direct impact on any individual business, its failure in
concert with others is having (and likely will, for the foreseeable future, have) an enormous impact on not just the small
business directly, but on their clients. The de-leveraging and
inflation of housing have created and will continue to create a
real deterioration of wealth. That in itself is cause for slowdown, or worse. But the uncertainty of how much, where and
how that manifests itself is creating a liquidity crisis which is
compounding the problem. The solution is leadership.
PBJ: Are small business loans going to be more difficult to
obtain?
Certainly, but not necessarily because of AIG. Small business
liquidity is dependent on local and regional banks, which require both deposits and access to the credit markets. As credit
dries up, savings goes down due to the economic downturn,
and loans become more scarce and
more expensive.
PBJ: What should business owners know to help strengthen their
chances of getting a loan?
There’s an old saying that “Nobody
plans to fail, they fail to plan.” This
is especially true in tough times. By
taking extra time to look over the
books, keeping the communication
open with lenders, clients and business partners, and where necessary,
being flexible in how you conduct
business, a savvy business owner can
avoid most of the problems associated with, and the high cost of, being
unprepared and choosing alternatives
of last resort.
PBJ: What other avenues of funding should businesses explore if
PBJ: Are there any particular types of businesses more
recession-proof than others in terms of obtaining loans?
While there is an increased likelihood of recession, or prolonged flattening of the economy, the more pressing topic
is still liquidity. To weather the liquidity crisis, only those
who have stockpiled large amounts of cash, who have been
very conservative, and perhaps had historically more modest
returns, are well positioned in a liquidity crisis.
PBJ: What about commercial bank accounts- what do
businesses need to be aware of, and should they consider
moving their accounts to a new financial institution?
Again, preparation is key. The late charges, the high cost of
lenders of last resort, borrowing from credit cards or personal
accounts, and the diverted attention away from your business
are all costs that can be avoided or lessened with preparation.
Speak to your bank and your clients. Have your financial
documents in order if you do need to open a new line of credit.
Prepare, prepare, prepare.
“Making Connections Happen”
For All Your Workforce Training and
Recruitment Needs
570-620-2850
www.cwds.state.pa.us
15
NEWS
Getting Buy-In for Packerton Rails
Commissioner’s Report
William J. O’Gurek
Until recent years, Carbon County never had an economic development project that it could really call its own.
There had been plenty of activity in the county with regard
to business and industry pursuits, but those endeavors, as
valiant as they were and still are, were the objectives of the
private sector. And, unfortunately, where available land is
not all that abundant, trying to fill old schools, factories and
other structures were our only attempts to attract jobs.
All of that changed with the change of administration
in 2004, when the current board of commissioners turned
its focus to the 59-acre Packerton Yards parcel, an abandoned Brownfields rail yard situated between Lehighton
and Jim Thorpe off Rt. 209. Listening to state and federal
leaders, as well as representatives of a number of affiliate
agencies, clearly the message to Carbon County was: “Buy
it.”
That happened in 2005, thanks to the efforts of Rep.
Keith R. McCall and Sen. Raphael Musto, who secured the
support of the Rendell Administration. That effort resulted
in the county receiving $350,000 to purchase the land, another $175,000 from the Business in Our Sites program to
conduct environmental assessment and conceptual planning
tasks, and then $150,000 from the Economic Development
Initiative, courtesy of Congressman Paul E. Kanjorski’s efforts. Another $78,000 came from the state for the demolition of a structure that was on the site but, as we say, “was
demolished because of neglect,” its floors, walls, roof and
every other portion of the building having deteriorated
beyond repair.
While the county made progress with regard to acquisition and assessment, what awaited it in the long run
was the challenge of moving forward in the face of access
issues, permitting, subdivision, remediation planning and
numerous other issues that, we have learned, never seem to
end.
Not discouraged (perhaps, even more, encouraged),
Carbon County is continuing the effort it began just a few
years ago. With an unemployment rate reaching 7 percent
(it was 6.5 in May), Carbon is well above the statewide
rate of 5.2 percent. Moreover, the county’s median family
income of $42,188 is approximately 16 percent lower that
the statewide median of $49,184.
Getting the job done comes down to some all-impor-
Pike Business Owners Connect to Elected Officials
Photo credit: Pike County Chamber of Commerce
The Pike County Chamber of Commerce and
its Government Affairs committee recently held
a Legislative Breakfast to discuss the needs of
Pike County business owners. Pictured from
left (standing) are MaryAlice Petzinger, Wayne
Bank; Paul Brislin, Paul Brislin EA; Dr. Candis
Finan, Delaware Valley School District; Kathy
Hummel, Woodloch Pines; Jim Rienhardt,
Pocono Environmental Education Center; Roy
Hart, Roy W. Hart Allstate Insurance; and
seated, Pike Chamber Executive Director Scott
J. Weiland, Brian Grove of Sen. Lisa Baker’s
office; Rep. John J. Siptroth (D, 189), and Rep.
Michael Peifer (R, 139).
William O’Gurek is the Chairman of the Carbon County
Commissioners.
Of Permits, Ordinances
and Your Bottom Line
By Debbie Burke
If you are looking to set up shop, make enhancements to your existing business, or relocate, how do you
navigate through the necessary steps with your municipality? The Pennsylvania State Association of Township
Supervisors has printed a booklet to help you find your
way.
With a glossary of terms that you need to know,
from Land Use Planning to Permit to Zoning Hearing
Board, and an overview of how townships interact with
business, the PSATS guide “Doing Business In Pennsylvania’s Townships” provides the basics.
In July 2009, PSATS’s Assistant Director of Communications Jill Ercolino will write a column that
further explains how to use your township resources to
grow your business.
For a copy of the brochure, or to learn more, visit
www.psats.org or call (717) 763-0930.
“F” is for Foreclosure
tant issues: money, permitting and planning. None of these
come easily. We learned, however, that none is insurmountable if we continue to work diligently with a goal in sight.
State and federal funding programs can and hopefully
will be key components to the financial issues facing this
proposed development. We’ve learned that to win approval
of funding applications, developing entities need to be
ready to spend whatever the state and federal governments
allocate for a project. That is why we continue the all-important design work, permitting and authorization pursuits,
environmental remediation okay and land development and
subdivision approvals that will result in the project forging
ahead.
At a time when railroads are an invaluable resource in
business and industry, the county is pursuing reconstruction
and rehabilitation initiatives that will allow future users of
Packerton Yards to get their goods to and from the market
in a more expeditious and efficient manner than via highway traffic.
We are looking forward to the day when a company
will want all of the amenities that a Packerton Business
Park can offer. In the meantime, our challenge continues
under the time-honored axiom: “We built it, they will
come.”
Associated Libraries of
Monroe County
Barrett Library
570-595-7171
By Debbie Burke
Dominick Sacci of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Wilkins & Associates presented
“Residential Real Estate and the ‘F’ Word (Foreclosure)” at October’s Business and Books
event at Borders in Stroudsburg. Topics of discussion included property values, foreclosures
in Pennsylvania, and the Pocono real estate market. Sacci writes the PBJ column “Residential
Real Estate Quarterly Report.” Shown here are PBJ Publisher Marynell Strunk and Dominick
Sacci.
September’s Business and Books provided an in-depth analysis of the presidential and
other elections in 2008; that event was presented by PBJ columnist Lesley Smith, the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry’s director of communications, along with her
colleague, political science expert Kari Kissinger.
PBJ’s next Business and Books will be held November 20, on “Managing Healthcare
Costs Through Tax Benefits” by PBJ columnists Holly Corcoran and Erin Baehr (see our Calendar of Events in this issue).
!
Holly R. Corcoran,
CPA, Inc.
Certified Public Accountant
Quality professional accounting
and tax services for businesses &
individuals since 1991.
QuickBooks ® Pro-Advisors
For Appointment Call
570-420-8656
Clymer Library
570-646-0826
Hughes Library
570-421-0800
Pocono Mt. Library
570-894-8860
Pocono Township Library
570-629-5858
W. Pocono Library
570-992-7934
Smithfield Library
570-223-1881
16
PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
Commercial Explosion Changing
the Face of the Poconos
Commercial Explosion On Route 611; Stroud Township Takes Off
Pocono Business Journal interviewed Stroud
Township Supervisor and Monroe County
Planning Commission Chairman Ed Cramer,
who spoke about commercial development
along Route 611, especially the stretch from
Stroudsburg to Bartonsville to Tannersville.
population has reached a trigger point to support
the large chain restaurants and retailers.
PBJ: When did the interest in commercial
development along this corridor first pick up?
Public water, sewer, road access and “Location,
Location, Location!”
Actually it started in the mid 70’s when the
Stroud Mall was built but really didn’t take off
until public sewer was available.
PBJ: Do you think prospects were waiting to
see how Crossroads did before they showed
their interest?
No, several different developers have been
looking at the Rt. 611 sites once Pocono
Commons, the site of Home Depot, Target and
BJ’s, was approved. The public sewer line was
extended from just north of the Stroud Mall by
that developer which made it feasible for the
township to extend the line to Bartonsville in
order to get rid of a failing private treatment
plant owned by the Howard Johnson’s, the truck
stop and the former Bolus Truck stop (now
Lowes and Kohl’s).
PBJ: What recent projects on Rt. 611 have
received approval and what is the status of each
one?
Currently there are four projects on Rt. 611
that have received approval and are in various
stages of completion. The Shoppes At Stroud
that include Borders Books, Best Buy, Pet
Smart and Panera Bread among others will
near completion by the spring of ’09 with
the addition of an Olive Garden Restaurant.
Bartonsville Plaza [see sidebar, “Bartonsville
Plaza”], currently under construction just south
of the Pocono Pub, will feature a combination of
retail, restaurants and office space. Some of the
known tenants to date are a Moe’s Southwest
Grill, Maggie Moo’s Creamery and possibly a
Sonic. Plaza 611 between Frantz and Wigwam
Park Roads has not started construction yet [see
sidebar, “Retail Growth”] and it is not known at
this time who the tenants will be. This project
will also realign Wigwam Rd. with Rt. 611.
The fourth project consists of the renovation
of the former Laz-E-Boy furniture store, across
from the PennDOT Maintenance Building,
into medical offices. At this time there are
applications in for a combination hotel, retail,
restaurants and possibly offices just south of
the Howard Johnson’s between Rt. 611 and
I-80; also a proposed adult living/assisted living
center is proposed at the corner of White Stone
Corners Rd. and Rt. 611.
PBJ: How is the township attracting developers
from outside the immediate area?
There are no marketing efforts being done by
the township but the attraction to Rt. 611 is the
proximity to Stroudsburg and the Stroud Mall,
the public water and sewer, and the fact that the
PBJ: What would you say are the biggest
considerations/concerns for prospects who
come to you about possible site selection?
PBJ: What are your biggest concerns when it
comes to commercial development?
Road improvements to handle increased traffic
generated by the development; adequate buffers
and landscaping to protect adjoining residential
neighborhoods; good signage; and quality tenants.
PBJ: How does Stroud differ from your
adjacent townships when it comes to dealing
with commercial development?
Stroud Township requires a fair share road
contribution from developers based on the
percentage of traffic that’s generated from the
development. We have stringent buffering,
landscaping and signage requirements in our
Land Development ordinances.
PBJ: What complaints or concerns do you hear
from a) existing business in the area where new
growth is taking place; and b) the public about the
amount of growth in the township?
I don’t hear much from existing businesses
because more business helps attract more
customers to the area. The bigger complaint
is from the public typically who have to travel
the roads every day where these businesses
are located and the increased traffic they have
to deal with. We try to mitigate that through
requiring developers to upgrade the roads. A
lot of those roads have gone to four lanes and
we have added turning lanes. Looking to the
Route 80/33/611 interchange, $3.5 million in
work is being done on the roads, to make it
easier to move through that intersection. We try
to be sensitive to the residential neighborhoods
bordering these projects by providing adequate
buffers, landscaping, and noise and light
reduction. One of the bigger problems is [the
noise caused] when waste haulers come in to
empty the Dumpsters in the early morning
hours. It’s an ongoing issue we have to address
with the property management.
PBJ: Lastly, what are your observations on
the current market, particularly in relation to
Monroe County?
Stroud Mall has become the Golden Strip, but the
Big Box retailers coming in now are competing
with the enclosed mall. Housing is taking a big
hit, and retail is the next thing to be affected.
This [economic downturn] is not a typical 1218 month deal; it’s more like five years out.
Commercial development still seems to be doing
well and I’m hoping that it continues.
17
PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
Artist rendering courtesy of Legend Properties
A rendering of the south side of Bartonsville Plaza, being developed by Legend Properties.
Retail Growth To Catch Up To
Residential Boom
Not only is John Fasciano
largely unconcerned about the
current economy or its impact
on retail, and not only is he right
now in the very midst of some
big projects on Route 611 in
Bartonsville, but he is also,
admittedly, continuing to look
for new opportunities. The
owner of the Kohl’s and Lowe’s
Center at Crossroads says he
has “a great group of tenants”
for whom he is elated to have
found a home, at the truck stop
across the street. “There is a
big hole in national retail here
in the Poconos,” says Fasciano.
“It is an exploding residential
community and retail has
lagged behind.”
John Fasciano
To remedy this imbalance, Fasciano, a principal at Fameco,
a commercial real estate brokerage located in Plymouth Meeting,
is forging ahead with a plan that will bring major retailers to sit on
about 140,000 square feet with a potential to create a total of 250
part-time and full-time jobs. The zoning approvals are in,
and Fameco awaits PennDOT’s feedback on his proposed
road improvement plan that includes a new traffic light,
sidewalks and other enhancements throughout the 17
acres. The project itself is a supermarket-anchored
shopping center with a full-service restaurant and some
smaller inline stores. Even with this much on the boards,
he says big names still have a desire to establish a presence
here. And Fameco is ready. “We’re always looking. We’re
an opportunistic development group.”
Bartonsville Plaza Buzzes With Activity
Two projects are in the works at Bartonsville
Plaza that promise to bring hundreds of new jobs and
a diversity of retail opportunities to the region. Legend
Properties Commercial Real Estate of Conshohocken is
developing a 75,000 square foot space in front of Kohl’s
and Lowe’s that will house about twenty new retail shops:
an ice cream store, a coffee shop, a Southwest/Mexican
restaurant, a hair and nail salon, a jeweler, and a Japanese
steak house, among others. In planning this out, CEO Jim
DePetris says they are relocating one of the streets (Franz
Road) because “it’s a very dangerous intersection.” This
grouping of retail should bring in about 200 new jobs.
Legend’s second project is a 150,000 square
foot “big box” store with two other “big” but unnamed
tenants, plus two hotels and several restaurants, which
could mean up to 400 new jobs. It breaks ground in 2009.
“We’re very excited,” said DePetris. “We are giving people
an alternative to going to Scranton or Bethlehem.”
By Debbie Burke
18
NEWS
Pocono Realtors
Cheryl Houseman
In a constantly changing and competitive economy,
keeping an edge in the business world is not always easy.
One challenge is recruiting the best personnel, a task that
has become even more difficult for businesses located in
areas where people can’t afford to live.
In 2007 ( the most current data available), the average
existing single family home in Monroe County sold for
around $220,000. In order to meet the federal definition of
“affordable housing” a family would need an income of
greater than $72,000. How many households in our county
earn over $72,000? In a recent study, the median household income in Monroe County was cited around $52,000;
as a result the need for affordable housing affects a tremendous number of our residents.
A Solution
Employer-Assisted Housing (EAH) is an initiative
to help address the issues regarding the lack of affordable
housing for low to moderate-income workers. EAH is
any housing program--- rental or homeownership that an
employer finances or promotes in some way. EAH is both
cost-effective and good for business.
Top Five Reasons Employers Take Part in
Housing Assistance Programs (Source: Promoting
Workforce Housing-Helping Employees with Housing
Costs-Report 6-Prepared by the Montgomery County
Planning Commission):
• To aid in recruiting new workers.
• To increase stability in the workforce and decrease
turnover.
• To cut down on workers who are chronically
absent, late, or stressed out due to a long commute
and increase morale and productivity.
• To foster relations with nearby municipalities
as the burden for providing affordable homes is
shared among many parties.
• To help strengthen and improve neighborhoods by
providing a stable resident base and new vitality to
an area.
There are many ways employers can assist workers with housing costs. These range from providing
education and outreach materials to providing forgivable loans or down payment assistance to employees
who purchase homes within a target area. As retaining
workers becomes more and more challenging, housing
assistance is a benefit with clear, tangible outcomes.
To learn more about starting an EAH program in your
company, contact the Pennsylvania Housing Finance
Agency at 1.800.822.1174 or visit them at www.phfa.
org.
Cheryl Houseman is the government affairs director
for the Pocono Mountains Association of Realtors®.
She served as the former chief of staff to Rep. Mario
Scavello. Houseman can be reached at (570) 424-8846
or chouseman@poconorealtors.com.
Local Banks React to Credit and Lending Jitters
Compiled by Debbie Burke
Pocono Business Journal asked executives at
several local banks the following question: “When it
comes to small business lending- where do you stand
in the current fiscal crisis, and are there more stringent
qualifications for business customers before you will
extend a loan?”
“Absolutely, yes. The markets have definitely tightened
up. The liquidity is just not there.”
George Hanzimanolis
President, Bankers First Mortgage
“We are well capitalized and we continue to lend
to our current customers as well as to actively seek opportunities to establish relationships with new customers. In both cases our focus is on knowing our customers and their businesses well, and building long-term
relationships.”
Dick Loftus
Senior Vice President, Director Commercial Banking
KNBT, a division of National Penn Bank
“The credit union’s approach to small business
lending has not changed. It is our belief that there
is a niche in the small business community, namely
sole proprietorships and small partnerships that is
not always being adequately served by the financial
services industry. Our intent with regard to lending to
small businesses is to provide these business entities
with funding for the purchase of vehicles, real estate,
and lines of credit to assist in the maintenance of the
business monthly cash flow, in addition to providing
deposit services at a low-cost.
“Our underwriting philosophy, both in the past
and in our currently economic environment, has not
changed. It entails utilizing a conservative approach
when reviewing the financial health of a business.
Does the business demonstrate a history of success
in their industry? Does the business demonstrate
an appropriate cash flow? Does the business have
available collateral to securitize their loan?
“Certainly those businesses that have experienced a down-turn in business, or a reduction in
monthly cash-flow, as a result of the recent economic turmoil, may have difficulty in satisfying the
conservative underwriting requirements established
by our lending policies. And yet, the credit union’s
mission includes a strong emphasis on working
closely with its members and member businesses to
educate them on possible alternatives to satisfy their
financial needs.”
Mark T. Filbert
President/CEO
NE PA Community Federal Credit Union
“Our portfolio is blended between small business, commercial real estate, and residential real estate. For small business lending we are asking more
questions up front… and drilling down with those
clients to make sure everything is okay in their shop.
We’re being a little more vigilant. The owners of
these small businesses know their credit scores are
being looked at more than ever. But a lot of people
don’t know what their score is, and it’s becoming
more of a factor in underwriting credit. If there are
errors (in your credit report) you need to correct
them.”
Kenneth C. Doolittle
COO, PennStar Bank
Weiler Asserts Its Place While
Others Wait Out Economic Storm
Housing Benefits are Good for Business
Chris Weiler
By Debbie Burke
The Weiler family has a rule and it’s unbendable. If
you wish to go into the family business you have to cut
your teeth elsewhere, or as the Weilers like to say, “You
have to bring something to the party.”
Chris Weiler, the new president of Cresco-based
Weiler Corp., did just that after earning his MBA from
Skidmore University. He worked for major winemaker
Constellation Brands, located right outside Rochester, NY.
He is also a pilot.
Pocono Business Journal: What do you see are the most
important accomplishments at your company over the
past year? Over the past 5 years?
In (June 2008 we had) the implementation of our ERP
system. This was the culmination of several years of effort.
We are very pleased that the system went live with minimal
disruption to our day-to-day business operations and our
customers. Over the past five years, our consistent yearover-year growth has allowed for continued investment in
equipment and infrastructure as well as the growth in the
number of Weiler co-workers.
PBJ: What are your primary goals for the year ahead?
Our primary goals are to continue the profitable
growth as a company, and target new products and markets
to drive this growth.
PBJ: How has your industry been affected by the current economic circumstances, and what are you doing
to stay strong?
We have seen significant inflationary pressure on key
raw materials and a reduction in demand in some segments
of our business (e.g. automotive). We are fortunate that we
compete in a wide variety of business segments which insulates us somewhat from economic cycles. But economic
downturns are really opportunities for healthy companies
to invest and take market share rather than “hunker down”
and wait out the storm.
PBJ: Tell us two surprising things about Weiler Corp.
that most people don’t know.
Weiler is primarily a business-to-business company,
so most people do not know much about what we do. Our
primary product line is wire power brushes used in a variety of metal fabrication industries. Wire is a primary raw
material in these products and we use about 600,000 miles
of wire a year. That is more than enough to stretch to the
moon and back!
We also do business in “B2C” (business to consumers)
markets but usually not with the Weiler brand. For example, the wire brushes in Dremel Tools and Sears Craftsman
are a few examples of product we manufacture with which
most people are familiar.
PBJ: How does your unique perspective position the
company for more success?
I am very fortunate to have a dedicated and talented
group of co-workers at Weiler working with me and I am
pleased to have the opportunity to lead the company in the
years ahead.
19
NEWS
Jim Thorpe’s Architectural Gems Thrive as Businesses
grown without pesticides. I also have soaps made with
honey and beeswax and soy-based cleaning products.”
Jandreau says her building was constructed in
stages over half a century, but she shrugs off the difficulty of modernizing such a place.
“I just had to bring it up to code,” she says. “I
put new wiring in and the furnace was very old, so I
needed to replace that, but I think you’re going to have
to do that with any old building. I’ve had a great first
year. I’m very happy with it and I’m getting a lot of
positive feedback. I’m off two days a week and on the
days I come in, I wake up and say, ‘Yay -- today I get
to go out and play!’”
How do you set up a 21st century business in
a 19th century building, originally constructed as a
home back in the days when electric lights were a
novelty and central air conditioning consisted of open
windows in summertime? As anyone who has undertaken that challenge in the old Victorian-era coal and
railroad town of Jim Thorpe will tell you, it isn’t easy.
Still, a few dozen entrepreneurial souls with
imagination, the persistence to follow their dreams
and a willingness to roll the dice when necessary have
done it and, even in dark economic times, most of
them report that business is booming.
“We’re not participating in the economic downturn,” says Dorie Purdie, a multi-talented gourmet chef
by day and jazz singer by night when she entertains
her own diners on weekends at the Through the Looking Glass Café. “Business is very good. We’re not
allowing the economy to bring us down.”
The secret, she says, is to offer the public something they won’t find elsewhere. Dorie and her husband, Steve, who opened their little Edwardian style
bistro 10 years ago, have plenty of that. The dining
room is cheery and intimate, with tables for an alfresco
experience on the extensive front porch.
Board and interactive games are there for children and
the whole place is wired for Wi-fi for grownups who
want to bring their computers along. The struggle to
bring the place to that level has been long, though, and
remains ongoing.
“Oh, we had work to do,” says Dorie. “The building was built in 1857.
There were holes in the porch. The kitchen was like
a triangle -- very small. The house was owned by 12
different families at different times so when we got the
place we knew it had some problems. It was an incredible challenge.”
None of the dozen families that occupied the
house across 150 years would recognize it today.
Steve Purdy, who manages the business, is a
software engineer with expertise in micro-computers
and programmable microchips. He says in keeping
with a Lewis Carroll theme, he is working on a series
of animatronics based on all the characters from the
Wonderland stories.
“I’d like something like a talking Cheshire Cat
saying hello to diners as they walk in,” says Dorie.
“We are very family-oriented by day and very romantic by night. It will be nice to have some animatronics
here so that the kids will get a kick out of it.”
Right across the street on Opera House Square,
Richard DeFeo also has a tale of challenge and
struggle. He and his wife Ellen are proprietors of the
Manor House Bed and Breakfast, an elegant Queen
Photo credit: Steve Purdie
By Ken Clark
Chef-Songstress Dorie Purdie performs with her jazz band,
the Electix, for diners at Through the Looking Glass Café
in Jim Thorpe. The Alice in Wonderland-themed bistro,
with its interactive games for the kids and gourmet menu
for the grown-ups, is “family oriented by day and romantic
by night.”
Anne-style castle constructed circa 1880. He says
when he took it over, “it was deteriorating badly,”
with footers supporting the great front porch rotted out
and an overgrowth of foliage so thick and high that it
completely engulfed the once classical beauty of the
building.
To make it habitable, DeFeo had to jack up the
entire front porch, install new footers, chop down the
obscuring jungle and update wiring throughout. As a
retired industrial designer with expertise in architecture, he decided he could do it alone with the help of
just a few friends. Now, he caters largely to foreign
tourists who, unlike many Americans, know the difference between a bed and breakfast and a hotel.
“We have people from Italy, from Morocco, lots of
people from Canada and England,” he says. “Europeans have a little bit better handle on what bed and
breakfasts do. They know that in a B&B, people own
the house and you’re in their home. It’s not like you’re
talking to somebody who’s employed there.”
A few blocks down Broadway, at Naturally Yours,
Jane Jandreau has gone as “green” as folks were
without even thinking about it in 1822, when the first
section of the building she now occupies was built.
“This is an eco-friendly boutique,” she says of her
little shop. “Everything is as low-impact as I can find.
I have organic cotton clothing. I have bamboo clothing because that’s a sustainable resource. I have hemp
clothing which is very long-lasting, very durable and
Our community. Our commitment.
During times of concern, we all depend on trusted relationships for support and
reassurance. For over 100 years, our family of depositors has relied on us for
safe and stable monetary guidance. To continue earning your trust, we pledge
to never relax our prudent standards when dealing with your financial assets.
Additionally, we offer you peace of mind knowing your deposits are insured by the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to the maximum level. If we can be of any
assistance during these unique times, we invite you to stop by any of our branches.
Our promise to you is our century old commitment of protecting your family’s
financial stability.
“Haunting” Good for Biz
By Ken Clark
One scarcely can imagine a town full of classical old Victorian buildings without a ghost or
two to keep things lively. Many a shade may
haunt the environs of Jim Thorpe, but the one occupying Richard DeFeo’s Manor House Bed and
Breakfast has got to be unique. DeFeo’s ghost
is named Larry. Larry doesn’t rattle chains and
moan. Larry purrs, because Larry is a cat.
DeFeo says that to answer frequent first guest
questions from his dominantly European guests
as to the safety of a B&B in which many of them
perceive as a wild American town, he gave the
assurance on his Web site when he opened the
facility that safety was guaranteed by “a guard
cat named Larry,” a feline family retainer of 16
years. Then, Larry died, and since repeat guests
kept asking about him, DeFeo announced his demise on the website, adding that Larry remained
on the job, “in spirit.”
“Since then, there have been several guests
who came and stayed in the blue room where
Larry lived and said they heard him purring,” DeFeo says with a twinkle in his eye. “One couple
said they felt him climb up on the bed, but when
they turned on the light, he wasn’t there. That’s
how the story got started.”
The story has gone so far that a team of ghosthunters has asked permission to come in and
search for Larry in ectoplasm. Given the value of
advertising, DeFeo isn’t about to decline.
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20
LEGISLATIVE ROUNDUP
Legislative Roundup
Compiled by Debbie Burke
For this issue we asked our elected officials: “What
is the most pressing concern you are hearing from your
business constituents about staying alive in the current
economy?”
PBJ sends its sincere condolences to the family of Sen.
James Rhoades on his recent passing.
Sen. Lisa Baker (R, 20)
“The cost of energy is a huge concern for both businesses
and families in our area. Energy savings legislation that
gives businesses and families tools to ease the effects of
future energy spikes was recently approved. Among the
savings features is a way to enable electric utilities to buy
power more cheaply. It also imposes new energy conservation requirements to reduce energy demand and consumption. Consumers can install smart meters to regulate their
energy use and to control costs. The installation of smart
meters will be required in new construction and to replace
older meters, a key benefit for businesses to reduce peak
demand and save money. This comes atop an energy
investment package passed in July that will help consumers
take advantage of alternative technologies including wind
and solar that will effectively promote energy conservation,
cut energy costs, and create jobs.”
Sen. Lisa M. Boscola (D, 18)
“The recent ongoing financial crisis that recently hit Wall
Street and corridors of our national Capitol has left many
small and large businesses uncertain about the status and
stature of the United States economy. With that being said,
our state legislature in Harrisburg has been working hard in
recent years to keep and bring jobs to Pennsylvania. The
recent 2008-2009 state budget gives an additional $2.865
billion toward our local communities, public infrastructure, alternative energy investment, and transportation
programs – all vital to help our economy grow and prosper.
We have also expanded the state’s Keystone Opportunity
Zones (KOZ). KOZs have been a breakthrough concept
that eliminates specific state and local taxes within certain
under-developed and underutilized areas. Due to the
KOZs, we have seen communities within Pennsylvania
experiencing economic growth and enhanced investment.
We need to continue advocating these proactive policies.”
Sen. Patrick M. Browne (R, 16)
“It is critical at this time, with the current economic
climate, that Pennsylvania works to relieve some of the
tax burden placed on businesses. A couple of ways to do
this and promote growth and expansion of businesses is by
expanding the cap on Net Operating Loss, moving toward
a Single Sales Factor and by lowering the Corporate Net
Income Tax. These changes will make the business climate
in Pennsylvania better for businesses already located here
and more friendly for businesses thinking about relocating
here.”
Rep. Mike Carroll (D, 118)
“I am hearing from business constituents about issues with
lines of credit and financing for small- and medium-sized
businesses. They feel their problems in obtaining credit and
financing are based on
the current struggles of
the nation’s large financial institutions.”
Rep. Sandra Major
(R, 111)
“Our economy is, to say
the least, going through a
volatile stage and we are
feeling the effects at the
state level. General Fund
collections for the first
quarter of the 2009-09
Fiscal Year total $5.8
billion, which is $281.4
million, or 4.7 percent,
below estimates.
As the current legislative
session comes to a close
and a new one begins in
January, it will be important to identify areas
where costs can be cut in
order to keep our budget
in balance. Raising taxes
would only hurt the
state’s economic climate.
I want to stress that pensions for retired teachers
and state employees are
guaranteed and safe. On
a national and global
level, it is important to
get the credit markets
moving so that lending
for responsible borrowers can start again.”
Rep. Keith McCall (D, 122)
“The day-to-day economic news can be troubling and
bring new challenges to businesses small and large, but the
building blocks that made our region, our state and our nation the best in the world are still there and will be there in
the future. We are still investing in education to provide a
trained workforce. We are still investing in infrastructure to
give businesses the tools they need to succeed. We are still
working to reduce the tax burden on our job-creating small
businesses and to help owners and workers get access to
affordable healthcare. As always, northeastern PA will lead
the way to the recovery and prosperity.”
Sen. Robert J. Mellow (D, 22)
“There is quite of bit of uncertainty in the business community over the credit crunch, job losses and the direction
that Washington may take on tax and spending policies.
Businesses are feeling the ill effects of a softening of
consumer confidence resulting in less consumer spending.
Restoring confidence by steering state investments in growing business sectors spreads enthusiasm for future business
expansion and economic growth.”
Sen. Raphael J. Musto (D, 14)
Unavailable for comment
Rep. Mike Peifer (R, 139)
“Many businesspeople I have spoken with in the region are
taking a wait-and-see approach in an uncertain economy.
If a business has a strong balance sheet and sound business
plan, local bankers assure me that money will be there for
expansion. We are all trying to understand the relationship
between Wall Street and Main Street at the current time.
We are all on uncharted ground as to what is happening in
this economy. Businesspeople and financial institutions are
concerned, but our local banks are in pretty good shape.”
Rep. Mario M. Scavello (R, 176)
“I support legislation put forth by House Republicans that
will revise an archaic business tax structure and encourage
a vibrant economic climate to attract businesses and jobs
to our region and the Commonwealth. A bill introduced
by Rep. Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) that I co-sponsored
- House Bill 2270 - amends the Tax Reform Code to
decrease to 2.935 percent the personal income tax that
many individuals and small businesses pay. This bill also
removes net operating loss carry forward caps, phases
downward two utility taxes including a gross receipts tax,
and changes the definition of ‘taxable income.’ This bill
has been awaiting action in the House Finance Committee
since Feb. 26.”
Rep. John J. Siptroth (D, 189)
Unavailable for comment
Rep. Edward G. Staback (D, 115)
“The General Assembly recently approved a bill, H.B.
2200, that would reduce the need for expensive electricity generation and help reduce increases in your utility
bills. The legislation would partner utility companies and
consumers to cut energy use and would provide options to
home owners and small businesses in terms of billing and
requires utilities to install smart meters in homes and business upon request. Because it’s less expensive to conserve
energy than to generate it, this legislation will save the
Commonwealth and consumers millions of dollars in longterm savings.”
21
NEWS
“Virtual” Market Leads Merchants to “Real” Success
E-Commerce Pointers
from Donna Yale
By Nicholas Sergi
PennTAP, Pennsylvania’s free technical assistance
program, includes 20 specialists across the state ready
to help small businesses in a variety of ways. Donna
Yale is one of the organization’s technical advisors for
computer applications, with e-commerce in particular,
and she possesses 20 years of experience working with
computers. She offered a few tips for companies interested in incorporating e-commerce into their business
model.
Photo courtesy of Donna Yale
Donna Yale, at PennTAP, says
to maximize your keywords
- Google optimization: “Search engines are all about
points. Incorporating words that people will likely type
in a search engine as well as placing those keywords in
ideal spots on the site are all factors in obtaining points.
“Web site content should match the title tag, the blue
line at the top of the page.” Also: “Search engines love
it when you are connected to a local chamber of commerce.”
everything they can with e-commerce,” Miller added. “If you
ignore, you could fall by the wayside.”
The number of customers who use the Internet to shop
online is growing. According to Vernon Waltz, the owner of
Pocono Web Design (Greentown), “Some customers do their
preliminary shopping online” but actually buy the product in a
real-world store. He added that companies new to e-commerce
often use the online shopping cart system provided by PayPal, while more experienced Web merchants utilize a more
advanced system called the “payment gateway” which incorporates credit card transactions and term-of-use agreements
that on-line shoppers must agree to. The gateway shopping
cart system requires a secure server and effective database
management.
Waltz has seen an increase in companies looking to get
on the e-commerce bandwagon in recent years. “The more
bad news there is about the economy, the more phone calls I
get,” he said, quickly noting, however, that the success of any
e-commerce platform is dependent on how well the site itself
is promoted. “I haven’t encountered any clients who are afraid
of entering the e-commerce world,” Waltz said, “They are
curious about e-commerce, about what’s involved, and how
much it costs.”
BH&G/Wilkins Gives
Pledge to Sherman Theater
Photo courtesy of BH&G/Wilkins.
- Reciprocal Links: “For example, when my Web site
refers to another Web site that refers back to mine.”
Yale adds there are many examples of companies
in the region that have made the leap into e-commerce,
including Suite Digs, Inc (www.suitedigs.com) a
company based in Stroudsburg, which provides canine
habitats for in-home use, and Color-Plus Leather Restoration (www.colorplus.com), of Milford.
What a Kick-Off
Han Ho Martial Arts 3 recently
held a Grand Opening Celebration in Hawley. Pictured are
members of the martial arts
demo team, Instructors Steven
Gold, Mike Barnard, Grandmaster Sung Yoon, PhD., Elaine Herzog of the Downtown Hawley
Partnership, Maura Rottmund,
Lew Critelli and Donna LaBar
from the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce.
BH&G Gives Pledge to Sherman Theater – Better Homes
and Gardens Real Estate Wilkins & Associates’ CEO Tom
Wilkins (left) and Wendy Forsythe, vice president, Broker
Services from BH&G’s corporate Headquarters in New
Jersey, present Richard Berkowitz (right) of the Sherman
Theater with their 2008 - 09 pledge.
- Visual stimulation: “With pop-up ads, someone is
paying money to advertise on a site. This kind of practice is not considered e-commerce. A professional Web
site is a place that people want to visit. Make it inviting.” As for using Flash for videos or animated logos:
“Flash sites don’t work well unless you give the person
the option to view them. Many people still use dial-up”
she said, so sites should allow the user to bypass those
applications which take longer to load.
Photo courtesy of the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce
The Internet, once held as a virtual repository of information and a convenient way to send messages to people around
the globe, has since become a massively productive environment for conducting business. Since the Internet’s start,
people have gone from merely surfing the Web to doing their
shopping entirely online, while others are reaping the benefits
of conducting business in this intangible electronic landscape.
These days, companies both large and small are defined as
much by their presence on the Web as by their real-world locations, and, more often than not, a Web site address will appear
on all company correspondences regardless of the product or
service being offered. Some newer companies have gone even
further, by conducting all of their business online. Even those
that aren’t business-savvy have realized the Internet is much
more than a virtual library and is instead an all-important link
in the worldwide economy. Companies that now conduct
e-commerce are looking to grow their businesses rather than
simply following the latest trend.
E-commerce, according to Donna Yale Senior Technical
Specialist at PennTAP, includes both buying and selling on the
Internet. While transacting business can be as simple as buying
supplies from a Web site or selling products on eBay, online
businesses are essentially “open 24/7 around the world.” For
companies that want a far more localized customer base, Yale
advises them to “think about incorporated keywords that are
local.” As for e-commerce in the Poconos, Yale says people
throughout the country are taking note of the tourism and recreation opportunities here as well as other kinds of businesses,
such as bed and breakfasts.
Ryan Miller, of Stroudsburg-based Sundance Networks,
said that e-commerce could include coming up with rapid
ways to reach customers, from emails text messages, and
chats. “It’s a matter of communicating the fastest so you don’t
lose (the customer),” he says of its advantages, particularly in
relation to the growing trend of people using cell phones to
check their email.
“The companies that are in it to win and survive are doing
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22
BUSINESS BRIEFS
WHO’s WHO
COUTTS
DeANGELO
SABECKY
DOROSKY
SAMET
GLASSNER
SCHMEITZ
Bennett- Curtis Bennett was recognized for his 35 years
of service at Tobyhanna Army Depot. Bennett has worked
as production controller, Command, Control, Guidance
and Support Scheduling Division, Production Management
Directorate.
Chupko- William Chupko has received recognition for
35 years of service as an electronic integrated systems
mechanic supervisor, Air Defense Radar Systems Branch,
Surveillance Systems Division, Intelligence, Surveillance
and Reconnaissance (ISR) Directorate at Tobyhanna Army
Depot.
Coutts - Kevin Coutts, of Forest Homes of Lake Wallenpaupack, recently became one of the select group
of professional builders, remodelers, and other industry
professionals nationwide who have earned the Certified
Green Professional (CGP) designation, identifying him as
someone with knowledge of the best strategies for incorporating green building principles into homes.
DeAngelo- Frank DeAngelo was appointed chief of the Air
Traffic Control and Landing Systems (ATCALS) Branch
at Tobyhanna Army Depot. He will oversee 10 employees
who are responsible for meteorological/navigational aids,
ATCALS, program management, and ground control approach sensors.
Dorosky - Cindy Dorosky has been appointed chief, Communications Branch, Communications Management Division, Production Management Directorate at Tobyhanna
Army Depot. Dorosky oversees 20 people who schedule
workload for the Tactical Radio, Voice Communications
and Communication Security divisions.
Evans – Cindy Evans has been named new division chief
of Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance Scheduling Division, Production Management Directorate at
Tobyhanna Army Depot. Evans will now supervise four
branches comprised of 59 people who are responsible for
planning, coordinating, scheduling and monitoring work
load of major weapon systems for Counterfire, Air Traffic
Control, Range Threat, Electro-Optics Night Vision and
Surveillance Systems divisions.
Faulkner- Patricia Faulkner has received recognition for
30 years of service at the Tobyhanna Army Depot. Faulkner
has worked as a production controller supervisor, Communications Management Division, Production Management
Directorate.
GRAY
SHEA
KNASH
SMYTH
KREIDER
STADMUELLER
Harshbarger- Carl Harshbarger was noted for his 30
years of service as an electronics mechanic, Man Portables
Branch, Electro-Optic/Night Vision Division, ISR Directorate at Tobyhanna Army Depot.
Knash- Robert J.M. Knash has been chosen to receive
the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce’s Community
Achievement Award for 2008. Knash has given a lifetime
of service to the Honesdale community.
Kreider- Clyde Kreider of Hawley recently earned the
Certified Green Professional (CGP) designation, which indicates a thorough knowledge of green building strategies.
Lukach- Jessica D. Lukach recently joined the staff at
Strunk-Albert Engineering as an Electrical Engineer.
Lukach will be involved in all phases of electrical system
design and implementation, as well as problematic electrical system evaluation.
LUKACH
STEPHENS
PASSERO
SULLIVAN
PILZ
WESNERIS
TORS® as part of the Good Neighbors Awards program.
Samet is president of the Pocono Family YMCA and has
served as president and campaign chair of the United Way
of Monroe County.
Santanello – Peter Santanello has been named chief, Communications Management Division (COMM), Production
Management Directorate, at Tobyhanna Army Depot. He
now supervises 40 production personnel in the Communications and Satellite Communication branches.
Schaffer- George Schaffer has received recognition for his
30 years of service at the Tobyhanna Army Depot. Schaffer
has worked as an electronics mechanic, Satellite Communications Division, Communication Systems Directorate.
Schmeitz- Rudy Schmeitz, Jr. has been named Business
Person of 2008 by the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce. Schemitz owns and operates New Wave Custom
Woodworking in Honesdale.
McGrath- David McGrath has been recognized for 35
years of service at the Tobyhanna Army Depot. McGrath
has worked as a quality assurance specialist/electronics,
Quality Management Division, Productivity, Improvement
and Innovation Directorate.
Shea- Deborah Shea has been named chief of the Manufacturing Support Division, Production Management
Directorate at the Tobyhanna Army Depot. She supervises
43 people in the manufacturing and overhaul systems and
support branch.
Neher – Ronald Neher has been appointed chief, Command, Control and Computers (C3)/Avionics Management
Division, Production Management Directorate, at Tobyhanna Army Depot. He will supervise 38 people who support
the C3/Avionics Directorate.
Smyth- Craig Smyth, owner of Clemleddy Construction,
has earned his designation as a Certified Green Professional. This certification recognizes a thorough understanding
of green building strategies.
Nelson- Daniel Nelson was recognized for serving 30 years
as an electronics mechanic, Sidewinder Missile Branch,
Tactical Missile Division, Command, Control and Computers/Avionics Directorate at Tobyhanna Army Depot.
Passero- Debra Passero was named September’s Realtor of the Month by Donna Ruffino’s Weichert Realtors in
Milford.
Pilz- Angelina Pilz was named September’s Realtor of the
Month by Donna Ruffino’s Weichert Realtors in Milford.
Rains- Ronald Rains was recognized for his 35 years of
service to the Tobyhanna Army Depot. He worked as a
management analyst, Research and Analysis Division, Productivity, Improvement and Innovation Directorate.
Gallagher- Daisy Gallagher of Gallagher & Gallagher
Worldwide Inc. has completed Villanova University’s intensive Masters program in Project Management IS/IT.
Riede- Barbara Riede, CRNP, MSN, NP-C now serves as
the Breast Health Nurse Navigator at the Dale and Frances
Hughes Cancer Center. Riede will coordinate the needs of
breast cancer patients and their families.
Glassner- The Eye Associates of Monroe County has
added Dr. John Glassner as an optometrist to their team.
Glassner is a graduate of the Pennsylvania College of
Optometry.
Rybcinski- John Rybcinski has received recognition for 40years of service at the Tobyhanna Army Depot. Rybcinski
has worked as a maintenance mechanic leader, Facilities
Maintenance Division, Public Works Directorate.
Gray- David Gray has been named chief, Overhaul Systems and Support Branch, Scheduling Division, Production
Management Directorate at Tobyhanna Army Depot. He
now supervises 19 people who coordinate, manage and
oversee scheduling of the overhaul workload assigned to
Systems Integration and Support, and provide internal and
external reporting on the workload status and participate in
quarterly reviews.
Sabecky- Pete Sabecky is chief of the Counter Fire Radar
Scheduling Branch; Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Division; Production Management Directorate at
Tobyhanna Army Depot.
Samet- Pocono Mountains Association of REALTORS®
member, Barbara G. Samet, was honored with a Certificate
of Appreciation from the National Association of REAL-
Stadtmueller- (Milford) Diane Stadtmueller of Weichert
Realtors has earned the Accredited Home-Staging Specialist (AHS) designation. This accreditation ensures that a
professional has been trained with leading presentation
techniques for today’s real estate market.
Stephens- Local pharmacist Wayne R. Stephens received
the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association Award for Community Service. This award recognizes his contributions to
the welfare of seniors and to youth education.
Sullivan- Martha Sullivan has been appointed a full-time
instructor, learning specialist for career and technical education, at LCCC’s Schnecksville campus and the Morgan
and Donley Centers.
Vanatta- Greg Vanatta Realty and Builders will be completing the first insulated concrete form (ICF) home built
in Pike County by a member of the Pike County Builders
Association.
Wesneris- Dale Wesneris has been appointed chief of the
Avionics Branch; Command, Control and Computer (C3)/
Avionics Division; Production Management Directorate
at Tobyhanna Army Depot. He supervises 25 people who
oversee scheduling and program management of workload
for several divisions in the C3/Avionics Directorate.
Please send all press releases for
consideration to editor@pbjonline.com
23
BUSINESS BRIEFS
WHAT’s WHAT
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, Wilkins
& Associates has won the Kiwanis Club of the
Stroudsburgs’ 2008 Jim Bramblet Fall Brawl held
in September at the Delaware Water Gap Country
Club.
LendingTree has approved Better Homes and
Gardens Real Estate Wilkins & Associates
(Stroudsburg) as an approved real estate Broker
partner throughout the greater Northeast Pennsylvania region. LendingTree.com is a free service
that connects borrowers with multiple loan offers,
helping them compare options and select the best
loan for their individual needs.
Bottom Time Productions of East Stroudsburg
was recently hosted by the Board of Tourism of
the Caribbean island of Grenada to experience the
island and its culture. Grenada was the first episode
of season three of Bottom Time’s award-winning
travel program “Dive Travel TV.”
Delaware Township in Pike County will receive
a state grant from the Department of Environmental Protection to help it ensure the safety of on-lot
septic systems. The grant of $83,299 will reimburse
the township for 50% of its eligible expenses for
performing the sewage enforcement provisions in
the state’s Sewage Facilities Act.
The Dime Bank has donated $5,000 to Lackawanna College in support of educational programs
geared toward students in kindergarten through
twelfth grade. The donation will support courses
on the environment, ecology, renewable and nonrenewable resources, technology and biodiversity.
Ethixa Solutions, LLC, (Gilbert), a provider of IT
and business analysis solutions, has released a suite
of IT care and maintenance services called “Care
Packages.” The program is designed to help reduce
business risk caused by IT downtime.
The Gary in the Morning Internet Radio Show
has been picked up by another Internet radio stations and is now carried live Monday mornings
at 9:00 a.m. Radio 360 Talk is based in Metro
Washington DC. Earlier this year the Gary in the
Morning show was picked up by WIRN, The World
Internet Radio Network.
Mauch Chunk Trust Financial Corporation has
released the earnings results for the corporation for
the nine months ended September 30, 2008. Net
income for the nine months ended September 30,
2008 was $1.4 million, $715 thousand higher than
the same period in 2007. On a per share basis net
income was $ .47 this year versus $ .24 last year.
Net income for the quarter ended September 30,
2008, was $556 thousand, $129 thousand more
than the third quarter of 2007.
The Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance in
Pittston has been awarded a 2008 Excellence in
Regional Transportation Award from the National
Association of Development Organizations for
the Focus 81 Committee. The awards showcase
organizations for noteworthy projects and practices
in rural and small metropolitan transportation planning, program delivery and special initiatives.
The Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center (NEPIRC) held its annual Board of
Directors meeting recently to elect new officers and
board members. Outgoing board Chairman, Gary
Reinhardt, JA Reinhardt & Company, was recognized for his outstanding efforts and support of the
organization
PA Mattress Factory has opened in Milford. The
business is owned and operated by the Woronoff
family which has years of experience in retail
furniture.
The Patisserie Fauchere in Milford had a recent
grand opening. The bakery offers homemade pastries and artisan breads.
The $10 million Pike County Scenic Rural Character Preservation Bond Referendum was recently
partially funded with the Pike County Commissioners floating $3 million in bonds for the Scenic
Rural Character Preservation Program. The commissioners are issuing $3 million Series A bonds
for the program and $7 million Series B bonds for
other county capital improvement projects.
Since the inception of the Pike County Scenic
Rural Character Preservation Program, nine
of Pike County’s 13 municipalities have made use
of the program funds for planning initiatives. The
program leveraged a large amount of additional
state funds for the Pike County Agricultural Land
Preservation Program.
The Pocono Builders Association held its 2008
Building Awards ceremony recently. RGB Custom
Builders received twelve building awards and was
honored with the Community Service Award for
its role as project manager of a Habitat for Humanity Home completed last winter. RGB’s awards
included first place recognition for quality of
construction, overall architectural design, specialty
rooms, specialty features, and custom finishes.
Room Service won six awards at the ceremony.
Pocono Medical Center will open a Level III
Trauma Center this month. A Level III trauma
center is a community hospital that does not require
a minimum volume of trauma patients with a focus
to stabilize severe trauma in preparation for transport to a higher-level trauma center. PMC’s trauma
team will consist of trauma surgeons, orthopedic
surgeons, cardiac surgeons, radiologists, nurses,
and other support staff available 24 hours a day;
and a trauma resuscitation area; an operating room,
laboratory testing, diagnostic testing, blood bank,
and a pharmacy.
Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau held its Annual Report Dinner for the 2007-08 fiscal year at
the Inn at Woodloch last month. Gold pins were
awarded to nominated individuals who demonstrated their program knowledge on the job by
living the brand. Stephanie Litchman, front office
manager at Split Rock Resort and Golf Club, and
Tom O’Reilly, director of security, are the newest
ambassadors to receive their gold pins. Outstanding partnership awards were given to four area
businesses that partnered with PMVB in 2008:
Monroe Career and Technical Institute Lodging Management Program; PA CareerLink of
Monroe County; Mount Airy Casino Resort; and
Pocono Raceway.
S&K Construction located in Tobyhanna has
earned prime contractor status from PennDOT.
The company’s services include general construction, project management, demolition, site remediation, excavation/site-work, cast concrete and unit
masonry.
Split Rock Resort and Golf Club (Lake Harmony) held a grand opening for its new indoor
waterpark “H20ooohh.” The new recreation site
has a $19 million price tag and features 53,000
square feet of slides, a raft ride, a multi-level splash
playground, an activity pool and a FlowRider.
The Army Materiel Systems Analysis Activity
(AMSAA) and Tobyhanna Army Depot have
signed a Memorandum of Agreement to bring
cutting-edge analysis tools to reducing Army maintenance costs, while making critical equipment
more available for the warfighter.
Tobyhanna Army Depot has had a force reduction
of up to 250 DS2 contract workers, primarily for
electronics, electrical, and sheet metal workers assigned to specific fabrication and repair projects.
Please send all press releases for
consideration to editor@pbjonline.com
PBJ Hires New Assistant
Ametek, a Nesquehoning-based manufacturer of
color concentrate for elastomers and thermoplastic
materials, has won the Manufacturer’s Resource
Center (Bethlehem) award for Manufacturing
Excellence.
Chelsea McMahon
Chelsea McMahon has recently joined the creative
team at Pocono Business Journal as a graphic and editorial assistant. In addition to a strong background in design
and writing, McMahon loves the arts and the outdoors.
She has experience in publishing, hospitality, recreation,
and travel.
Temporary and Permanent Staffing
& Employment Solutions
• Office
• Hospitality
• Warehouse
• Maintenance
• Manufacturing
• Skilled Labor
• General Labor
• Event Staff
No job too big or too small!
We offer competitive rates, skill testing,
24/7 service and background checks.
Two great locations
to serve you better!
For more information, please visit
www.poconopersonnel.com
or call 570-424-1800
24
FOCUS LIST
Help Still Wanted:
Seasonal Workers
Do YOU want to
know the Key to
Success during the
Recession?
By Roxane Beharry
Despite the current decline in
consumer confidence, local businesses are
building their seasonal workforces with the
hopes of strong sales during the holidays. A
seasonal workforce contributes extra support
to the workplace, even when consumer purchasing is expected to be scaled back. “I’m
nervous about the current situation, but I still
need people to help customers, and to box
and wrap for the holiday season,” says Joyce
Keen DeBastiani, owner of the Wallflower, a
boutique in Honesdale.
As helpful as they may be, a seasonal
workforce comes with its own needs that
businesses must be prepared to handle, such
as training them to meet customer demand.
“Managing the guest experience is always a
challenge,” says Gina Bertucci, vice president of Marketing at Fernwood Hotel and
Resort in Bushkill. “We strive to provide a
positive environment for both employees
and guests. Seasonal staff are critical to filling the busy times, but training that seasonal
staff is a challenge due to time constraints.”
These employees need a clear understanding
of what is expected of them to perform their
job effectively, and they need to accomplish
it with a short, learning curve. “There is so
much behind-the-scenes work and nobody
expects it until you’re in those shoes,” DeBastiani says. “I need to communicate to my
employees what the job entails and ask them
what they think it’s about, so they know
what to expect.”
When the holidays are over, whether
seasonal workers are retained or rehired the
following year, it all depends on the needs of
the business. “Expertise and experience are
important. Whenever possible, we rehire returning staff because they bring those qualities to the job,” Bertucci says. “We make
permanent job offers to a good percentage of
our associates, hired for seasonal help, at the
end of the season,” says Kevin O’Rourke,
store manager of JC Penney in Stroudsburg.
How can a small business build a successful seasonal workforce? “During the
interview process, sit down and talk with
them about the job. Ask questions, give situations,” says DeBastiani. “Take time to train
them. Watch what their strengths and weaknesses are and build upon them.” Bertucci
advises it’s important to have a well-defined
training program and to provide a positive
work environment. “Offer incentives and
discounts …maintain flexible work schedules and pay a competitive wage.” Also, be
sure your seasonal staff are fully engaged
in what’s going on with the business, notes
O’Rourke. “Don’t treat them differently
from regular staff. Make them feel like a
part of the team.”
Find out all the answers on Wednesday, November 12th at a FREE
Workshop by ActionCOACH of NEPA
How to Weather this Economic Crisis: And Increase
YOUR Revenues & Profits
You will learn:






How to build revenue and position for rapid growth.
What your Bank should be doing to help you
How your accountant can help improve your financial
position
How to effectively market your business in a down economy
Where your insurance agent can improve your bottom line
What you should be doing to protect your business
Learn strategies and tools to increase business performance today
and better position your businesses for the recovery.
Wednesday, November 12th
Doors Open: 7:30 am
Workshop Begins Promptly: 8:00 am
The Sherman Theater
524 Main Street
Stroudsburg, PA 18360
Register for this FREE event
TODAY (570)517-7100
Sponsored by:
Coming Next Month ... December 2008
POCONO
www.pbjonline.com
Reflections and Projections
www.pbjonline.com
• Wall Street West Update: Re-cap of developments during 2008 and what’s new for 2009
• Healthcare Snapshot: Medical care across four counties
• Commercial/Residential Real Estate: Construction projects and outlook for 2009
• How Businesses Can Prepare in 2009: A changed economic landscape and how to deal with it
• Professional Profile: Exciting emerging businesses in the Pocono region
25
CALENDAR
FOCUSOF
LIST
EVENTS
Payroll Services
Name
Address
Phone/Fax
Web Site
Years in
Business
AAA
Income Tax Services
690 Milford Road,
East Stroudsburg PA 18301
(570) 476-6878
Martin Accounting and Tax
Service
707 Church Street,
Honesdale, PA 18346
(570) 253-6610
(570) 253-1401
N/A
19
Payrolls Unlimited
Pocono Summit Plaza,
Pocono Summit, PA 18346
(570) 839-3790
(570) 839-4190
www.prudata.com
22
Zenith Business Solutions
160 Lake Valhalla, East
Stroudsburg, PA 18301
(570) 236-8429
(570) 286-8947
N/A
26
www.zenithbs.com
1
#
Employees
Services
Contact
6
Payroll processing,
business setups, audit
representation, corporate taxes, income tax
preparation
Dr. John
Georgiou
S.E.A
3
Payroll Services, accounting services, tax
preparation (individual/
business)
Steven R.
Martin, E.A.
3
Payroll Processing
David Morgan
1
Business Administrative
and operational services Christina Haas
including payroll and
bookkeeping.
Disclaimer: If your organization is located within Carbon, Monroe, Pike and Wayne in northeastern Pennsylvania and was not included in the listing, please contact Pocono Business Journal so we can ensure it is included in future editions of this focus list.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
November
November 3
Deadline, Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy
Survey (Survey on the Future of Northeastern Pennsylvania), by NEPA Alliance. To help NEPA Alliance develop a
comprehensive strategy for the next five years for our region.
Call (570) 655-5581 or email szaricki@nepa-alliance.org for
BNI Milford, 7:00 a.m., Mount Haven Resort, 123 Log Tavmore information.
ern Rd., Milford. Call Carl Pallini at (570) 296-7176 for more
information.
Résumés & Cover Letters, PA CareerLink in Tannersville,
9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Call (570) 620-2850 or visit www.
LeTip of Stroudsburg, 7:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m., JR’s, Green
cwds.state.pa.us or www.monroecountycareerlink.org for
Tree Drive, East Stroudsburg. Call (570) 588-4113 for more
more information.
information.
Brown Bag Monday, Carbon County Chamber of ComMaximizing the Power of Electronic Marketing, MetroAcmerce, 12:00 p.m. Informal lunch with CCCC management
at CCCC Office. Reservations required. Call (610) 379-5000 tion, the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, 9:00 a.m.
- 12:00 noon, Scranton. The session will review tools such
for more information.
as MySpace, Facebook and LinkedIn. Cost: $35. Call (570)
342-7711 for more information.
November 4
Intro to Career Link Services, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Mock
Career Exploration, 9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Web site EnrollInterviews, 12:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m., Web site Enrollment,
ment, 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Call (570) 620-2850 or visit
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Call (570) 620-2850 or visit www.
www.cwds.state.pa.us or www.monroecountycareerlink.org
cwds.state.pa.us or www.monroecountycareerlink.org for
more information.
November 5
Greater Pocono Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet,
Terraview at Stroudsmoor Resort. Cost: $70. Call (570) 4214433 for more information.
November 5 and 6
Introduction to Radio Frequency Identification (RFID); RFID
Integration Strategies, Penn State University, Middletown.
Dani’s Cleaning Service
Professional & Residential Cleaning
Reasonable Rates
call for estimate
570-856-1198
November 5 from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (lunch at noon);
November 6 from 7:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon. Sponsored by
Workforce Investment of Lancaster County, Berks County,
and South Central PA. Cost: $25 each day, or combined
package $40 total. Call Don Krysakowski (717) 887-7905
November 6
BNI Bartonsville, 7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m., Howard Johnson’s,
Route 611, Bartonsville. Call Jim Connor at (570) 237-5869
Customer Service Made Easy and Profitable, East Stroudsburg University, 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Cost: $175. Contact
Miguel Barbosa at (570) 422-7955 or visit www.esu.edu/red
Conflict Resolution Strategies, Northampton Community
College, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Cost: $210. Contact ldi@
northampton.edu or call (610) 861-5590 for more information.
Pesticide Applicator Certification Examinations, Penn State
Cooperative Extension office, 724 Phillips St, Suite 201,
Stroudsburg, 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon. To register, call the
Monroe Co. Cooperative Extension office at (570) 421-6430
see NOVEMBER page 26
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26
CALENDAR OF EVENTS ... continued
NOVEMBER... cont. from page 25
for more information. For questions about the exams, call
Chris Santore at the PA Dept. of Agriculture at (570) 8362181.
Leadership Development: The Key to Empowerment,
Marywood University, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Presented by
Whitney Lopuhovsky of Century 21 Smith Hourigan Group.
Cost: $109. Contact: Mark A. Carpentier at (570) 340-6062.
Community Awards Banquet, Ehrhardt’s Waterfront Resort,
Wayne County Chamber of Commerce, 6:00 p.m. Cost: $65.
Call (570) 253-1960 for more information.
Employee Safety & Extinguisher Training through
Northampton Community College, Northampton County
Fire School, 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Cost: $50. Contact: ldi@
northampton.edu or (610) 861-5590.
November 7
BNI Shawnee-on-Delaware, 7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m., Inn at
Shawnee, River Road, Shawnee-on-Delaware. Call (570)
420-8656 or email hrccpa@ptd.net for more information.
Presentation Skills Incorporating Microsoft PowerPoint,
University of Scranton, 9:00 a.m. ¬– 1:00 p.m. Program will
cover confidence development, organization ideas, communication skills, and dealing with anxiety. Visit www.scranton.
edu/cptd or call (570) 941-7582 for more information.
Employee Retention Strategies: How to Fight Turnover,
Marywood University, Registration, 8:30 a.m., program
starts at 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Learn how to encourage and
engage your employees to make them want to stay. Cost:
$109. Call Mark A. Carpentier at (570) 340-6062 for more
information.
World Wide Web Safety, University of Scranton, 9:00 a.m.
– 4:00 p.m. Cost: $105, includes materials and lunch. Call
(570) 941-7582 for more information.
November 8
Convention for Business Women, Water Gap Country Club,
9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Presented by PoconoWomen, includes
buffet and events. Cost: $25 members; $30 guests. Visit
www.PoconoWomen.com or call (570) 629-5363 for more
information.
November 9
Pike County Builders Association 30th Anniversary Celebration, Ehrhardt’s Restaurant, Hawley, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
November 10
Brown Bag Monday, Carbon County Chamber of Commerce, 12:00 p.m. Informal lunch with CCCC management
at CCCC Office. Reservations required. Call (610) 379-5000
November 11
Bimonthly Mixer for the Lehighton Area Council of the
Carbon County Chamber of Commerce, Beacon Restaurant,
5:30 p.m. Reservations required by November 7. Call (610)
377-2191 or e-mail lacc@ptd.net for more information.
Review for Module 2 of CPSM Exam, Lehigh Carbon Community College, Tuesdays through December 9. 6:00 p.m.
¬– 8:30 p.m. Effective Supply Management Performance
focuses on forecasting, logistics, materials and inventory
management, organization/department assessment, planning, product development. Call (610) 799-1141 for more
information.
Lackawaxen House Insurance Night, Pike County Builders
Assoc., held at Dimmick Inn, Milford, 6:00 p.m. Cost: $20,
full buffet, drinks, dessert. Call (570) 296-5589 for more
information.
November 12
BNI Milford, 7:00 a.m., Mount Haven Resort, 123 Log
Tavern Rd., Milford. Call Carl Pallini at (570) 296-7176 for
more information.
How to Weather this Economic Crisis and Increase Your
Revenues & Profits, ActionCoach, held at Sherman Theater,
Stroudsburg. 7:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Cost: free. Call Rick
Munson at (570) 517-7100 for more information.
Introduction to Access, Northampton Community College,
Bethlehem location, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Cost: $210. Call
(610) 861-5590 or email ldi@northampton.edu for more
information.
Go Green Business Summit, Ramada Inn, Clarks Summit,
8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Visit www.MetroAction.org or call
(570) 342-7711 for more information.
Energy Conservation Toolbox, PPL Wallenpaupack Environmental Education Learning Center, Hawley, 6:00 p.m.
¬– 7:30 p.m. Cost: free, registration required. Call (570)
251-6196 for more information.
November 13
Building Better Credit, MetroAction, Scranton location.
Visit www.MetroAction.org or call (570) 342-7711 for more
information.
Lean Enterprise Overview, East Stroudsburg University, 8:00
a.m. – 12:00 noon. Contact Miguel Barbosa at (570) 4227955 or visit www.esu.edu/red for more information.
Exceptional Customer Service, Northampton Community
College, Bethlehem location, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Topics:
processes, skills and practices of quality customer service for
all types of organizations. Cost: $210. Call (610) 861-5590
or email ldi@northampton.edu for more information.
The Art of Designing Effective Training Programs, Marywood University, Registration, 8:30 a.m., course runs 9:00
a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Designing effective training programs.
Cost: $99 if registered by November 6; $109 if registered
after November 6; includes course materials, light refreshments, and lunch. Call Mark A. Carpentier at (570) 340-6062
National Philanthropy Day Dinner, Stroudsmoor’s
Ridgecrest, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Pocono Mountains
Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals will
present Dr. Lester G. Abeloff with a lifetime achievement
award. Contact Stroudsmoor Country Inn at (570) 421-6431
PennKidder Area Council of Carbon County Chamber of
Commerce Meeting, Bella Mia Pizzeria, Albrightsville, 7:00
p.m. Contact Maureen Kennedy at ria140@pa.metrocast.net
or (610) 379-5000 for more information.
Community & Worker Right to Know, Northampton Community College, Bethlehem location, 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Workshop meets the annual training requirement of Section 8 of the Pennsylvania Worker and Community Right to
Know Act. Registration deadline November 6. Cost: $25.
Call (610) 861-5590 or email ldi@northampton.edu for more
information.
November 14
BNI Shawnee-on-Delaware, 7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Inn at
Valuing People’s Differences, Northampton Community College, Bethlehem location, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Build awareness of the benefits and importance of valuing all people in
the work environment. Cost: $210. Call (610) 861-5590 or
email ldi@northampton.edu for more information.
November 17
November 17 and 18
Pennsylvania Wind Energy Symposium: Power for the
Future, University Park, Penn State University. Call Matt
Swayne, PSU Outreach, at (814) 865-7600 for more information.
November 18
Lean6 101: Principles of Lean Manufacturing, Manufacturers Resource Center, Bethlehem, 8:30 a.m. ¬– 4:30 p.m.
Learn the principles of Lean Manufacturing and how to apply them. Cost: $300 includes continental breakfast, lunch,
refreshments and materials. Registration deadline: November
12. Contact: Angie Bove, (610) 758-4588 or (800) 343-6732
November 18 and 19
Pike County Builders Association, Strategic Plan. November
18 from 12:00 noon – 5:00 p.m. November 19 from 9:00
a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Held at Laurel Villa, Milford. Cost: free.
November 19
information.
more information.
Working with Teams, Northampton Community College,
information.
November 20
Managing the Performance of Others, Northampton Community College, Bethlehem location. 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Cost: $315. Call (610) 861-5590 or email ldi@northampton.
edu for more information.
West End Business Group, LLC’s card exchange, American
Legion Hall, Gilbert, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Call Scott Lifer
(610) 295-9226 or email scott@westendbusinessgroup.com
or Toni Inciarrano at (610) 295-2784 or email toni@westendbusinessgroup.com for more information.
Managing Healthcare Costs Through Tax Benefits, part of
Pocono Business Journal’s Business and Books series held
at Borders Shoppes at Stroud, 5:30 p.m. Cost: free. Topics
include flexible spending accounts, the difference between
HRAs and HSAs and managing costs through tax benefits.
November 21
Arab Health 2009 registration deadline. Arab Health, a
program of NEPA Alliance, establishes connections with
influential decision makers to benefit your company. Dubai
UAE, January 26 – 29, 2009. Cost: $700. Email dphillips@
nepa-alliance.org for details.
Better Business Writing, Northampton Community College,
information.
November 24
November 26
more information.
information.
November 27
November 28
Communicating with a Diverse Workforce registration
deadline, East Stroudsburg University. Program will run
on December 3 from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Cost: $175. Call
Miguel Barbosa at (570) 422-7955 or visit www.esu.edu/red
27
PBJ REGISTER
BANKRUPTCIES
Carbon County
Steven L. Carretero, fdba Carretero’s Family
Restaurant, fdba Carries Properties LLC,
Albrightsville, Chapter 13, filed 9/24/08
Monroe County
James P. Valenti, dba J7J Custom Homes,
Canadensis, Chapter 13, filed 9/3/08
Francis Benincasa, dba Benincasa’s Personal
Touch, Inc., dba Benincasa Deli, Brodheadsville, Chapter 7, filed 9/4/08
Mark. F. Feldmann, dba Claims Solution
Pocono, dba Pocono Claims Solutions, East
Stroudsburg, Chapter 13, filed 0/9/08
John Thomas Conti, fdba Computing Associates of Monroe County, Mountainhome,
Chapter 7, filed 9/10/08
Tonia Shontelle Warner, fdba Lawton Auto
Transporter LLC, East Stroudsburg, Chapter
13, filed 9/17/08
James B. Daly, dba JDB, LLC, dba JBD
Trucking, Kunkletown, Chapter 13, filed
9/24/08
Vincent Costa, aka VCS Happy Dayz, Stroudsburg, Chapter 7, filed 9/24/08
Wayne County
Clifford J. Christiana, pdba Christiana Trucking and Transports, Lake Ariel, Chapter 7, filed
9/24/08
Michelle Moore, dba Creative Printing, Hawley, Chapter 13, filed 9/17/08
Deeds
Carbon County
Kidder Township North
Paul and Tamara Gobbi to Northwoods PA
LLC, $350,000
Towamensing Township
Jason and Jennifer Hensley to Todd Bonser
and Stephanie Trainer, $326,000
Weatherly Borough
Phillip and Margaret Ann Jeffries to E Franklin
and Bernadette Griffiths, $350,000
Monroe County
Barrett Township
Peter and Carmen Aviles to Rippling Brook
LLC, $340,500
Elaine and Thomas Tanis to Matthew and
Katherine Glowski, $300,000
Steven and Deborah Grant to Joan Ruvane,
$310,000
Chestnuthill Township
Grace, Luther and Elizabeth Rehrig to WHDP
Leasing LLC, $350,000
Hamilton Township
Keith Smith and Gale Lopez to GE Burkhart
LLC, $575,000
Jackson Township
LTS Development LLC to Stephen and Donna
Hallberg, $449,900
Middle Smithfield Township
Thomas and Hollie Griffin to Cartus Relocation Program, $401,500
Toll PA IX LP to Juan and Jesusa Barragan,
$436,835
Toll PA IX LP to Suntrust Bank, $542,160
Paradise Township
Barry and Connie Altemose to Robert and
Joanne Tuttle, $300,000
Pocono Township
Jerzy and Barbara Warchal to Benedicto and
Ruthann Gibilsco, $375,000
Ross Township
Joseph and Robin Sandro to Joseph and Janet
Butchko, $345,000
Smithfield Township
George Hamlen to Inlet Enterprises LLC,
$485,000
Pauolo and Tetiana Bobko to Ivan Levitskiy,
$520,000
Stroudsburg Borough
Chaitanya Associates to Middletown Ventures
LLC, $675,000
James and Cathryn Calcaterra to Jeffrey Cortes, $360,000
RGB Homes LLC to Joanne Reinitz, $347,500
Stroud Township
Nestor and Olympia Taboada to Sultan Properties LLC, $300,000
Camp Big Pocono Inc to Camp Dora Golding
Inc, $2,500,000
Nancy Duffy to Charles and Kelly Wilson,
$320,000
Margaret Moss to Robert and Fabian Gaugler,
$322,500
LTS Development LLC to Joseph Cyprien,
$317,400
Martin Wildmoser to James Plzak, $320,000
LTS Development LLC to John and Lesa
Brown, $409,600
Tobyhanna Township
Danny Kogan to David and Johanna Samad,
$443,995
Christopher and Lisa Pappo to Julie and Melissa Levin, $332,500
Mayur and Angela Vadhwana to Prudential
Relocation Inc, $360,000
Prudential relocation Inc to Khalid and Romineh Dawood, $360,000
George Antonides to William and Barbara
Henderson, $420,000
Joseph and Jeanne McAtee to Michael and
Donna Reffle, $495,000
Isabelle Desio to Peter and Natalie Gardner,
$335,000
Pike County
Blooming Grove Township
Glenn and Mary Ann Strys to Paul and Carol
Hobert, $435,000
Glen and Marianne Dykstra to Alan and
Roslyn Brilliant, $365,000
Samuel and Irene Miller to Stanley and Janet
Rauchwerger, $315,000
Joseph and Bonnie Percevault to Lester and
Cheryl Lottman, $345,000
Delaware Township
Malco Real Estate Inc to Dalavai Holdings
LLC, $325,000
Dingman Township
Milford West Development LLC to A Rudd
and Sally Hendee, $368,000
Michael Cino to Homer Arrington II, $301,600
Lackawaxen Township
G Anderson Homes Inc to Roman and Yanina
Karlinsky, $321,000
Robert and Ellen Blank to Gerard and Sharon
Curley, $435,000
Steven and Nancy Prudente to Joseph and
Tracey Damadeo, $650,000
Milford Borough
Craig and Dawn Korcz to Glenn and Melissa
Heller, $319,300
Milford Township
Balwinder Singh to Lexiland LLC, $800,000
Saeeda Mahmud to SS Holdings LLP,
$740,000
Grace Reilly to Steven and Kerri Oliver,
$340,000
Palmyra Township
Elsie Schrumpf to David and Brenda Zeiler,
$300,000
Albert and Elke Janssens to John Schmit,
$620,000
Mary Hanse to Thomas and Denise Silvano,
$375,000
Westfall Township
Pine Hill Partners LP to Wayne and Themis
Brewer, $1,110,000
Rivers Edge LP to Richard and Kathleen
Bobish, $319,900
Wayne County
Berlin Township
Family YMCA of Easton Phillipsburg to Len-
dale, $900,000
Michael and Marcy Caputo to Maple Ridge
Properties, $450,000
Buckingham Township
Rhonda Butler and Bonnie Millon to Hemlock
Ridge Investments, $400,000
Damascus Township
Frances Townsend and Frank DiMarsico to
David Jones, $438,500
Clinton and Carole Dennis to Sky Lake LLC,
$3,140,000
Honesdale Borough
Stephen Schnitzer to Lia Enterprises, $400,000
Lehigh Township
Reginald and Alice Troncole to Eleftheria
Pashalis, $450,000
John and Gertrude Hance to Donald Tremblay
and Alice Zane, $362,500
Palmyra Township
J Kimble and Candace Teeter to Roger and
Sandra Murray, $450,000
Geoffrey and Teresa Berger to Anthony Fritz,
$300,000
Paupack Township
D Ross and Doris Brittain to Jeffery Cymmer,
$380,000
John Herbert to Gregory and Julie Baer,
$531,000
Salem Township
Cesar Pefano to Western Wayne School District, $500,000
Rehab Realty to Plaza, $450,000
Anthony and Linda Ciriano to Alfred and
Gayle Lechner, $575,000
Texas Township
Richard and Ruth Marnell to Daniel and Marianna Sheehan, $309,000
Mortgages
Carbon County
Jim Thorpe Borough
Daniel Skrimcovsky, MERS/Village Capital
and Investment LLC, $314,345
Kidder Township North
Edward and Phyllis Gebhard, World Alliance
Financial Corporation, $458,499
Edward and Phyllis Gebhard, Housing and
Urban Development, $458,499
Kidder Township South
Carl and Brigid Hillen, MERS/Citimortgage,
$300,000
Lower Towamensing Township
Tuthill Corp./Aquasicola Little Gap Inc., First
National Bank of Palmerton, $4,000,000
Tuthill Corp./Aquasicola Little Gap Inc., First
National Bank of Palmerton, $2,700,000
Mahoning Township
TKC CIX LLC, Branch Banking and Trust
Company, $3,080,000
Barry Christman and Connie Blauch, Mauch
Chunk Trust Company, $595,000
Leon and Danielle George, First National
Bank of Palmerton, $390,000
Palmerton Borough
Dean and Angela Moyer, Milestone Bank,
$450,000
Towamensing Township
Todd Bonser and Stephanie Trainer, JP Morgan
Chase Bank, $319,480
Weatherly Borough
E Franklin and Bernadette Griffiths, East Penn
Bank / Harleysville National Bank and Trust,
$500,000
E Franklin and Bernadette Griffiths, East Penn
Bank / Harleysville National Bank and Trust,
$500,000
Monroe County
Barrett Township
Mark Attix, MERS/Wachovia Bank, $330,000
William and Clare Castellano, Bank of
America, $500,000
Susan Taylor, BNB Bank NA, $540,000
Chestnuthill Township
Donald Kishbaugh, Landmark Community
Bank, $500,000
WHDP Leasing LLC, Unity Bank, $365,000
Deborah and Warren Hoffman III, Unity Bank,
$365,000
Coolbaugh Township
Pocono Community Church Inc., Heritage
Investment Services Fund Inc., $300,000
Pocono Community Church Inc., Heritage
Investment Services Fund Inc., $5,500,000
May Associates LLC, First National Community Bank, $440,000
East Stroudsburg Borough
Mohamed Mohamed and Soad Bassouini,
ESSA Bank, $1,000,000
Hamilton Borough
Garfield and Sharon Rawle, MERS/Wachovia
Bank, $378,000
GE Burkhart LLC, Wachovia Bank, $431,250
Gazi and Suzanne Abdulhay, First Star Bank,
$459,000
Jackson Township
Stephen and Donna Hallberg, JP Morgan
Chase Bank, $416,900
Middle Smithfield Township
Wayman Smith III, JP Morgan Chase Bank,
$374,300
Juann and Jesusa Barragan, JP Morgan Chase
Bank, $340,000
HRP Corporation, Textron Financial Corporation, $12,000,000
Tarisa Realty LLC, First National Bank of
Palmerton, $6,200,000
Paradise Township
Benito and Myrna Cid, MERS/MetLife,
$417,000
Pocono Township
Esme and Robert Felins, Pocono Community
Bank, $375,000
Frank Hess Jr. and Salvatore Furino Jr., First
National Bank of Palmerton, $923,000
Polk Township
Barbara Glasow and Patricia Sayler, ESSA
Bank, $315,000
Joseph and Margaret Horn, First National
Bank of Palmerton, $408,000
John and Kim Makuvek, East Penn Bank,
$300,000
Lynn and Jeffrey Knappenberger, Hareleysville
National Bank, $350,750
Julius Brice, ESSA Bank, $360,000
Ross Township
Frank and Donna Positano, Unity Bank,
$365,000
Smithfield Township
Inlet Enterprises LLC, Wachovia Bank,
$400,000
Ivan Levitskiy, MERS/Wachovia Bank,
$364,000
East Stroudsburg Borough of Pennsylvania,
Luzerne Bank, $11,250,000
Stroudsburg Borough
Norman Fayne, Pocono Community Bank,
$600,00
Anthony Fortier, First National Bank of Palmerton, $300,000
Jeffrey Cortes, Wells Fargo Bank, $342,000
Ann Street LP, Pocono Community Bank,
$800,000
Stroud Township
Phillip Patrick Morrisey, MERS/Taylor Bean
and Whitaker, $300,000
1723 W Main Street LP / J&R Property
Investment LLC, Pocono Community Bank,
$325,000
447 Stroud Group LLC, Wayne Bank,
$746,000
John and Lesa Brown, JP Morgan Chase Bank,
$327,680
Bruce and Laurie Davis, PNC Mortgage,
$417,000
Robert and Fabian Gaugler, Neff’s National
Bank, $317,500
28
PBJ REGISTER
Tobyhanna Township
Pinecrest Development Corporation, BNB
Bank NA, $540,000
Edward Carroll and Susan Taylor, BNB Bank
NA, $540,000
Victoria Easterling, Citizen’s Bank, $300,000
William and Barbara Henderson, Franklin
Security Bank, $336,000
Fred and Norma Teicher, The Bank, $750,000
tional Bank, $1,094,000
Tunkhannock Township
SBA Properties, LaSalle Bank NA,
$1,555,000,000
Oregon Township
Bryn Mawr Camp Inc., Dime Bank,
$1,250,000
Pike County
Blooming Grove Township
Leonard and Adele Tuzman, MERS/Countrywide Bank FSB, $350,000
Delaware Township
Dalavai Holdings LLC, Wayne Bank,
$340,000
Dingman Township
Homer and Suzanne Arrington, MERS/
MetLife Home Loans, $311,552
Greene Township
Jewish Reconstructionist Camping Corporation, Hudson Valley Bank NA, $3,320,000
Lackawaxen Township
John and Patricia McKay, Dime Bank,
$350,000
Gerard and Sharon Curley, ESSA Bank,
$348,000
Joseph and Tracey Damadeo, Wells Fargo
Bank, $417,000
Recreational Holdings Corporation, Dime
Bank, $725,000
Milford Borough
Adriane Wendell, Dime Bank, $355,000
Glenn and Melissa Heller, MERS/GMAC
Mortgage, $303,300
Milford Township
Lexiland LLC, Valley National Bank,
$940,000
Scott Myer, Wayne Bank, $911,300
SS Holdings LLP, Citizens Bank of Pa,
$592,000
Steven and Kerri Oliver, National City Mortgage, $340,000
Christopher and Roxanne Scott, ING Bank
FSB, $450,000
Palmyra Township
Jennifer and Kenneth Johansson, MERS/First
Interstate Financial Corporation, $351,084
David and Brenda Zeiler, Wayne Bank,
$300,000
John Schmit, Wells Fargo Bank NA, $417,000
Jennifer Gell and Steven Vane, MERS/Provident Funding Group, $417,000
Taglwood Lakes Country Club Inc., Dime
Bank, $500,000
Westfall Township
Janice and Allen Johns Jr., MERS/RBS Citizens NA, $315,898
Wayne and Themis Brewer, JP Morgan Chase
Bank, $888,000
Westfall Hospitality Holding LLC, Wayne
Bank, $7,030,000
Wayne County
Berlin Township
Lendale, Honesdale National Bank, $700,000
Dennis and Carmela Stack, MERS, $318,500
Buckingham Township
Camp Morasha Inc., Dime Bank, $550,000
Cherry Ridge Township
Enza Squatrito, Pennstar Bank, $310,000
Clinton Township
Russell and Janet Curtis, Honesdale National
Bank, $305,000
Honesdale Borough
Lia Enterprises, Honesdale National Bank,
$375,000
Kathleen Kresge, Wayne Bank, $325,000
Louis and Frances Gruber, First National Community Bank, $400,000
Jeffrey and Jacqueline Thol, Honesdale Na-
Lake Township
Diane Rottkamp and Cathy Loch, MERS,
$355,000
Lehigh Township
Helmi Shehata, Penn Security Bank and Trust,
$330,000
Palmyra Township
Roger and Sandra Murray, Wells Fargo Bank,
$405,000
Paupack Township
Julie and Gregory Baer, Willow Financial
Bank, $417,000
SBA Properties In, LaSalle Bank NA,
$1,555,000,000
George and Janet Cabel, Dime Bank, $500,000
Preston Township
Camp Morasha Inc., Dime Bank, $550,000
Thomas and Janet O’Donnell, World Alliance
Financial Corporation, $300,240
Thomas and Janet O’Donnell, Housing and
Urban Development, $300,240
Salem Township
Istvan Ujvari, Citizens Savings Bank,
$362,500
Plaza, Dime Bank, $360,000
South Canaan Township
Alexei and Cecelia Klimitchev, Honesdale
National Bank, $375,000
Texas Township
Dennis and Carmela Stack, MERS, $318,500
Waymart Borough
Synergy Real Estate Holdings, Dime Bank,
$650,000
New Corporations /
Fictitious Names
Carbon County
Bio Pure Solutions, air and water purification, 1474 Blakeslee Boulevard Drive West,
Lehighton, Catherine Anne Augustitus
Black Diamond Seamless Gutters, LLC, construction, 53 Dogwood Drive, Jim Thorpe
C & S Signs, sign construction, 410 Lehigh
Avenue, Palmerton, Chad William Kelper
Capria Home Inspections, home inspections, 9
West Chickadee Lane PO Box 820, Albrightsville, Andrea Capria
DFS Shipping & Services LLC, shipping, 701
East Patterson Street, Lansford
GNEP Enterprises, LLC, real estate, 505 Little
Gap Road, Palmerton
Hair-Riffic Salon, hair cutting and styling
services, 661 A Delaware Avenue, Palmerton,
Laura Gardner and Lisa Klotz
Homestead Herbs LLC, 2623 Mahoning Drive
W, Lehighton
It’s Just Like Home Daycare, LLC, 338 Delaware Avenue, Palmerton
KF & BB Real Estate, LLC, real estate, 164
Seneca Road, Lehighton,
NCK Consulting Services Inc., sales consulting, 130 Piney Woods Drive, Jim Thorpe
OLMC, Inc., church, 540 E Catawissa Street,
Nesquehoning
Rasmussen Construction LLC, construction
framing, 47 Pocahontas Lane, Albrightsville
Satrupa, Inc., exporting, 801 D Mountain
Road, Albrightsville
Summit Medical Supplies Inc., medical supplies, 200 Lehigh Street, Summitville
Techna Plastics, LLC, plastic injection moldings, 164 Seneca Road, Lehighton
USA Text, text broadcast advertising sales,
1474 Blakeslee Boulevard Drive West, Lehighton, Catherine Anne Augustitus
Monroe County
4 Independence LLC, 264 Sellersville Drive,
East Stroudsburg
A Helping Hand Errand Service, Limited Liability Company, errand services, 12626 Big
Bear Drive, East Stroudsburg
AAAA Property Maintenance, LLC, 334
Keller Drive, Stroudsburg
Absolute Excellence from Simple Solutions,
LLC, virtual assistant services and professional organizing services, 228 Mohican Rd,
Canadensis
AEJ Realty, LLC, real estate, 8 Sonora Lane,
Kunkletown
Aethos Properties LLC, real estate investment,
9-11 North Sixth Street Store #1, Stroudsburg
Affordable Auto Parts, Inc., sale of auto parts,
5 Vale Drive, Tannersville
AIMY Enterprise, LLC, Internet retail, 8525
Bumble Bee Way, Tobyhanna
Altered Nightmare, LLC, entertainment attraction, 7 Whippoorwill Drive, Saylorsburg
Ann Street Family Salon Inc., hair salon, 829
Suite D / Ann Street, Stroudsburg
Arbria Bar & Pizza, Inc., bar and restaurant,
RR4, Box 4441 424 Hemlock Lane, Kunkletown
Back to Basics Barbershop, gentlemen’s barbershop, Oak Ridge Plaza #1, Pocono Pines,
Donald Moyer
BCR Realty, LLC, real estate, 19 Williams
Street, Stroudsburg
Beltone Hearing Aid Center LLC, hearing instrument sales, repair and hearing evaluations,
411 Main Street - Suite 102-E, Stroudsburg
Beltzville Bar & Grill, LLC, bar and restaurant, Beltzville Drive, PO Box 467, Kresgeville
Berkley Floors LLC, hardwood and laminate
flooring installation, 4579 Briarcliff Terrace,
Tobyhanna
Brooklyn Bridge Pizza, LLC, pizzeria, 2281
Route 115, Effort
CaeAddy, LLC, 2515 Sussex Road, Tobyhanna
Calabria Food Express Distribution LLC, food
distribution, 3 Golden Slipper Road, Bartonsville
Center 4 Well Being, LLC, wellness center,
RR2 Box 2163, Cresco
Chock full o’ Nuts Cafe, selling hot/cold coffee, K-5 Stroud Mall, Stroudsburg, DKVK
Coffee 2 Inc., Arthur Kharonov and Elena
Ryjnikova
City Classic Limited Corporation, barber shop,
208 Eagle Valley #163, East Stroudsburg
Daniela Rivera Therapeutic Massage, LLC,
massage therapy, RR 2 BOX 2163, Cresco
Davinko, Inc., gas station and convenience
store, 30 Main Street, Gouldsboro
Done Your Way Cleaners, cleaning services,
208 Eagle Valley Mall #144, East Stroudsburg,
Anthony Lawrence
Envision The Solution, online writing, editing,
proofreading, grant consulting, legal research
& writing services, RR 6 Box 6527, Saylorsburg, Dawn D Clifford
e-Realty Services, title insurance and settlement services, RR5 Box 5488, East Stroudsburg, National Land Transfer Corporation
ESE Sunshine Club, social welfare club for
school staff, 30 Independence Road, East
Stroudsburg, Laurie Bennett
Feeling Chipper Tree Service, tree removal, 27
Chestnut St, Kunkletown, William Wolfe
Fitzmaurice Community Services Foundation,
Inc., provide supplemental resources, 2115 N.
5th Street, Stroudsburg
Four Seasons Climate Control, LLC, RR 2
Box 2817, Canadensis
G E Burkhart, LLC, real estate investment,
224 Keller Drive, Stroudsburg
Garden Maid, basic gardening, weeding,
mulching, bed cleaning, 237 Mohican Road,
Canadensis, Genise Lipics
Graver, Jr.
Greenrock Management, LLC, services for
management personnel, assets, property and
brands, 31 Manor Drive PO #155, Pocono
Manor
Guiding Light Home Solutions LLC, buy and
sell real estate, 3 Glade Drive, Long Pond
Half Pint Wear, distributing/mfg children’s
apparel, 49 Waring Drive, Delaware Water
Gap, Christopher Barone, Creature Resource
Unlimited Corporation
Inner Vision Treatment Services, intensive
outpatient rehabilitative services for adolescents and adults, 101 Evergreen Estates, East
Stroudsburg, Inner Vision Drug Test Consultant, LLC
Jayvan Construction, masonry, carpentry etc.,
238 Lake of the Pines 107 Wilbur B Bloom
Blvd, East Stroudsburg, Jason and Maria
Gomes
Kalandyk Construction Corporation, roofing, framing and siding, 34 High Point Drive,
Kunkletown, Andrej Kalandyk
Kenzie’s Gelateria, LLC, serve from a small
lunch menu, 506 Overlook Terrace, Stroudsburg, Sean Patrick Van Winkle
Landmasters by William Sopko, landscaping design, 149 Laurel Lane, Buck Hill Falls,
Austin Wallace Group, Inc.
Lightwave Images, online photo gallery, 1641
Tunkhannock Trail, Long Pond, Trevor Kent
Newhook
Lock-Tyte, LLP, Rt. 209 Hamilton Twp.,
Stroudsburg
M.Shultz Men and Boys Hairstyling, hair
salon, 8 Mountainhome Village Plaza, Cresco,
Jadwiga Tupko
MCN Financial, Inc., mortgage loans for fee,
513 Main Street, Suite 1, Stroudsburg
Megawatt Communications, LLC, marketing
and graphic design work, 208 Eagle Valley
Mall #372, East Stroudsburg
Middletown Ventures, LLC, real estate development, One Empire Plaza, Stroudsburg
Mini Food Palace Inc.fast food, 49 Glenn
Brook Rd., Bartonsville
Monica Trucking, Inc.transportation for hire,
449 Penn Estates Dr, East Stroudsburg
Monroe County Youth Center, INC., reduce
juvenile crime, HC1 BOX 2055, Tannersville
Mountainhome Bowling Center, 2388 Golf
Dr, Mountain Home, Donna L Kreckman
Enterprises
New Vision Services Inc., personal home care,
1907 Mountain Road, Albrightsville
Northeast PA Dental Lab, LLC, dental lab, 204
Dry Pond Drive, East Stroudsburg
One Day Baths Inc.2241 Suburban Lane,
Effort
Original Vincent’s, Pizzeria, 3 Leslie Drive,
Brodheadsville, Garcia Brothers Corporation
Our Palace of Perfect Gifts, selling retail gift
items, Fountain Springs West, Suite 6, Tannersville, Simone Barnes and Karen Cannon
PDQ Distribution Services, delivery and pickup service, Mills Rd. PO Box 206, Sciota, Paul
Donato
Penn Regional Business Center V. L.P., Route
209. 7 Bridge Road, RR #5, Box 5348, East
Stroudsburg, PRBC V, LLC
Pocono Health & Wellness Guide, publishing
of periodicals and magazines, 1929 North 5th
Street, Stroudsburg, Pocono Mts. Publications,
LLC
Pocono Tutoring, private educational tutoring
service, 29 Marcelle Terrace, Tannersville,
David Kane
PPA Building Management, Inc., real estate,
808 Monroe St., Stroudsburg
PRBC V, LLC, general partner, Route 209 7
Bridge Road RR #5 Box 5348, East Stroudsburg
Pure Mix DJ, LLC, RR3 / Box 3835, East
Stroudsburg
Quality Health Care, Inc., home health care
agency, 12 Village Center, Marshall’s Creek
Route 209 N, East Stroudsburg
R Rentals, LLC, home rentals, 1210 Kroucher
Road, Stroudsburg
R&M Builders and General Contractor, construction, RR 5 5147A H.T.Y. Road, Kunkletown, Ryan Murray
RAM Construction of Pa, LLC, construction, 2
Livingston Road, Reeders
Reeders Electric, Inc., electrical, 705 Yoke
Terrace, Stroudsburg
Ring Associates, LLC, resort hotel, 100 Cherry
Valley Pointe, Stroudsburg
Rippling Brook, LLC, real estate investment,
Rippling Brook Cottages Route 390, Canadensis
RLR Construction Company, remodeling,
2536 Yellowstone Drive PO Box 762, Ramon
L Rodriguez
Ross Relocation & Transition Services, rental
properties, RR 2 - Box 148-A, Kunkletown,
Sandra and Thomas Ross, Tad Properties, LLC
RWG Construction , general contracting/construction, 1625 Maple Rd., Effort, Christina E
and Roy W
S & B Lighting, LLC, independent contractor for lighting manufacturer, 7 Candlewood
Avenue, Mount Pocono
Safe Haven Daycare Center Inc., child care
service provider, 6 Candlewood Ave., Mount
Pocono
Seven Bridges Properties, Inc., real estate, PO
Box 9B Route 209 and Music Center Drive,
East Stroudsburg
Sultan Properties LLC, real estate, 231 Park
Ave, Stroudsburg
Tamarack Shack Association, LLC, real estate/
hunting assn., HCR #1 BOX 21, Sciota
Taste the Europe Catering & Deli, LLC, restaurant, 31 Willow Pond Court, East Strouds-
29
PBJ REGISTER
burg
Tastes of Portugal Bar-B-Q, restaurant, 5237
Milford Road, East Stroudsburg, Neves &
Sons, Inc.
Teks2U LLC, 789 Wilderness Acres, East
Stroudsburg
The Cottage Lane, needlework supplies,
hand-crafted jewelry, gifts, 24 Beech Street
Monroe Lake, East Stroudsburg, Kathryn Anne
Allstaedt
The Ice Cream Man’s Sweet Shoppe, sweet
shop and bakery, Route 115 and 209, HC 1
Box 80, Broadheadsville, Keith and Kristen
Giordano
The Lester G. Abeloff Foundation, private
foundation, RR 1 Box 4005, Stroudsburg
The Tannersville Diner, Restaurant, 7400
Route 611 Suite 100, Stroudsburg, Brian, John,
and Maryanne Albelli
Three Fish Four Fish, on site aquarium maintenance, rental and sales, 127 Pocono Heights,
East Stroudsburg, Denise M Antonucci
Tiddle Dee Dum, LLC, sell baby items, Cherry
Land Road HC1 BOX 98, Bartonsville
TNT Trucking & Logistics LLC, trucking
company, 1527 Black Birch Way, Tobyhanna
Transport Funding, shipping services, 7 Nottingham Way, Bartonsville, Kirk M Dennis
Vivin Enterprises LLC, sandwich shop, 150
Sterling Rd., Suite 130, Mount Pocono
Vizionaire LLC, wholesale agent/broker, dry
enamel nail strips, displays and nail printing
machines, 194 Winona Lakes, East Stroudsburg
Warrior Martial Arts Supply, Inc., martial
arts supplies, RR2, Box 3670, McKay Road,
Henryville
West End Sawmill & Timber Co., Hc-1 Box
533, Brodheadsville
WTA Properties, LLC, real estate, 3891 Cranberry Road, East Stroudsburg
Yea Ryong Church (JHS), Inc., 171 Main
Street, Delaware Water Gap
Zen Massage, certified massage therapist, RR2
Box 2175, East Stroudsburg, Roxanne Kiupe
Pike County
AB Computer Services Limited Liability
Company, 149 Whisperwood Drive, Dingmans
Ferry
B & D Construction, Inc., 109 Rimstone
Court, Shohola
Bab’s Bling, internet sales, 167 Market Road,
Greeley, Sandra Mruczkewycz
Bluestone Springs, LP, 918 Twin Lakes Rd.,
Shohola, Robert, H Litzenberger
Danny’s 207 Realty, LLC, real estate, 205
Pennsylvania Avenue, Matamoras
GreeleyBear Products, architectural woodworking and consulting services, 888 Route
434, Greeley, Paula and William German,
Krusen Wood Works, Inc.
iMobile USA of Pennsylvania LLC, sell wireless phones, 2901 East College Avenue, Space
282, State College
Knight Light, Internet sales, 3214 Sunrise
Lake Drive, Milford, Raul Rivera
Krusen Wood Works, Inc., woodworking, 888
Route 434, Greeley
Margie’s Medical Claims and Billing LLC,
filing medical claims and billings, 108 Oak
Court, Milford
MD Dryall, construction/drywall installation
and repair, 509 9th Street, Matamoras, Michael
J Degroat
MMI Toys, sell and buy toys, 201 Neil Thompson Road, Lackawaxen, John Ivanko
Montorio’s Landscaping, Inc., landscaping
services, 2185 Gold Key Estates, Milford
NICU2 Real Estate, LLC, real estate holding
company, 2078 Hemlock Farms, Lords Valley
NICU3 Real Estate, LLC, real estate, 2078
Hemlock Farms, Lords Valley
NICU4 Real Estate, LLC, real estate holding
company, 2078 Hemlock Farms, Lords Valley
NICUI Real Estate, LLC, real estate, 2078
Hemlock Farms, Lords Valley
RI Inspection Services, Inc., inspection services, 1143 Hemlock Farms, Lords Valley
Steve Height’s Automotive Repair & Towing,
LLC, auto repair and towing, 301 Pennsylvania Avenue, Matamoras
The EY Group, Inc., general building contracting, 438 Cummins Hill Road, Milford
World Memories LLC, Internet collectible
ecommerce, 340 German Hill Road, Shohola
Wayne County
613 N Courtland LLC, rental real estate, 2917
Hemlock Farms, Hawley
Beck, Gogolski & Co., Inc., accounting business, 119 Lincoln Street, Honesdale
Bunnell Recycling Center, Inc., recycling
and waste management, 267 Tryon Street,
Honesdale
Christina M Myers DBA McGruff Safe Kids
TID System, digital fingerprinting & photo ID,
safety education, 20 Lakeview Timbers Drive,
Gouldsboro, Christina Myers
Computer Rx, computer repair, maintenance,
15 Circle Dr., Beach Lake, Stephanie Baker
Design for You, computer graphic design, 464
Erie Street, Honesdale, Amy Reamer
Dimino Transportation, Inc., Transportation,
24 Dimino Blvd., Hawley
Elk Forest Farms, Inc., buy and sell construction equipment, 975 Tannery Road Suite 101,
Lake Ariel
Empire auto & truck sales, used car dealer,
456 Buckingham Rd., Honesdale, Peter Sam
Lazzeri
Fresh Fish and Seafood, Seafood distribution,
140 Grandview Avenue, Honesdale, Mikulak
Brothers, Incorporated
Gemini Services Inc.4136C River Road,
Equinunk
Glen Dirk Construction Inc., construction
services, 125 Oak Hill Road, Hawley
Han Ho Martial Arts 3, martial arts instruction,
318 Main Ave 2nd Floor, Hawley, Steven B
Gold
Highland Credit LLP, 134 Pine Grove Rd,
Newfoundland, Joanne and Leonard Razny
Hope Hill Ministry, Inc., rescue horses from
abuse and neglect, to teach women and
children riding skills, etc., 12 Florence Street,
Beach Lake
In Your Face Cosmetics, LP, 1771 Main Street,
Honesdale, Sandra Gonzalez
Match Play Golf Carts, selling new and used
golf carts and accessories, 68 Ledge Drive,
Lakeville, Philip Arasimowicz
MBC Stables, LLC, agriculture, 1161 Beach
Lake Highway, Beach Lake,
Mount Arat Enterprises, L.L.C., real estate,
811 Main Street, Honesdale
Nana’s Attic, consignment store, 1336 Creamton Drive Route 371 & 247, Pleasant Mount,
Lydia E Dubon
Rose Tree Farm, animal boarding, 1307
Cochecton Turnpike, Tyler Hill, Roseanne and
Vincent Livingston
Shale-Knob Farms, Inc., retail sale of hay, 173
Baker Hill Road, Damascus
SIXM Construction, Inc., residential construction and remodeling, 30 Village Road, Beach
Lake
Skier Family Partnership, 209 Main Avenue,
Hawley, Aimee, Henry and Jeffrey Skier
Sokolowski Studios, LLC, DVD production,
111 Midvalley Road, Lake Ariel
Specialita Italiane, Italian specialty products,
431 Lake Spangenberg Road, Lake Ariel
Pasquale’s Importing LLC
Starrucca Viaduct Limited Partnership, 105
Faigle Rd., Starrucca, Lanesboro Partners LLC
Waymart Hotel Pizza II, LLC, restaurant, food
preparation, Exxon Plaza Route 590, Hamlin
MERS = Mortgage Electronic Registration
Systems
Disclaimer: Deeds and mortgages are recorded
as accurately as possible adhering to the cover
dates in the County Recorders’ office.
COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE MARKETPLACE
COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE
MARKETPLACE
Pocono Office Commons
Coolbaugh township, Monroe County, Pennsylvania
Contact for Ad Rates
570-421-0100
www.pbjonline.com
POCONO
Dietrick Group, LLC
Real Estate Sales, Appraisal & Consulting
Prime Real Estate For Sale in Northern Northampton County
NOW AVAILABLE FOR LEASE
Occupancy Fall 2008
Location: Pocono Mountains Corporate Center East, Coolbaugh Township, Monroe
County, PA.
Building Type: Class A office: four, one-story, 40,000 total square feet; one, twostory, 24,000 total square feet.
Architectural features: Steel frame, with brick/stone exterior
Floor Sizes: Up to 12,000 rentable square feet (contiguous); suites available from
1,500 square feet.
HVAC: Multi-zone heat pump system with individual tenant controls and separate
metering.
525 West Street 5,100 SF net leased medical
office building in Wind Gap. Great investment
property.
100 Majestic Way 134,000 SF on 34.5 acres. 1516 ft. ceiling heights, ample power & parking.
Less than 1 mile from Route 191; good proximity
to 33, 78 and 80.
1 Blue Valley Drive 32,000 SF on 3 acres.
2 buildings , 8-16 ft. ceiling heights, 5 dock doors
& 2 drive-ins. Ample power & parking.
For Additional Information, Please Contact: Jessica M. Goffredo, jgoffredo@dietrickgroup.com
5100 W. Tilghman Street, Ste. 320 | Allentown, PA 18104 | p: 610.391.8888 | f: 610.391.8830 | dietrickgroup.com
Communication/Safety: Unique broadband fiber optic platform capable of offering
a full menu of communication services, including full-feature voice, video and high
speed internet access. Building is protected by card access security and life safety
system.
Detail: Five (5) parking spaces per 1,000 square vituperations landscaping and
grounds maintenance. Located in the pristine Pocono Mountains with access to
Interstate 380 and 80. A great location in a emerging market.
For more information
visit our website:
www.arcadiaproperties.net
or contact
Rob Boehing: 610.691.5700
ARCADIA
PROPERTIES, LLC
www.arcadiaproperties.net
30
Opportunities Ahead...
We’re bringing sellers and buyers together with one thing in mind...YOUR SUCCESS!
Whether you want to list your property or you’re looking to buy, call the true Commercial
Specialists to assist you today!
AUTOMOTIVE BUSINESSES
Ask for #1257
Ask for #1495
Ask for #1515
Ask for #1517
Ask for #1529
Our inventory is full of opportunities for you! We have automotive businesses and buildings
available throughout the Pocono Mountains. With prices ranging from $65,000 to $795,000, we
can help you find the perfect opportunity for your business plans. Visit the “Businesses for Sale”
and “Commercial Buildings” sections on our website for more properties!
& PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
570-620-1900

BaxCommercial.com
LARGEST INVENTORY OF COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE
If you are looking for commercial buildings, investment properties, lease space, or any
other commercial property, call us today! Or visit our website - the largest inventory of
commercial and investment real estate in the region.
31
AVAILABLE FOR LEASE!
BARTONSVILLE PLAZA
BARTONSVILLE PLAZA / Monroe County
Stroud Township / Pennsylvania
Route 611 & Route 33 | Stroud Township | Monroe County | Pennsylvania
EXCELLENT VISIBILITY FROM ROUTE 611 & I 80!
REET
REET
New Retail Leasing Opportunity with 75,000 SF of Prime Retail and
Pads
ALTERNATIVE PLAN
WF
RANTZ ROAD
Connects to the Lowe’s and Kohl’s Center. Other Big Box Retail
Nearby, Target, BJ's Wholesale Club, Home Depot, Talbots, T.J.
Maxx, Staples
NE
Immediate Access to Interstate 80 1/4 Mile South and Route 33
Connecting to Route 611 in Bartonsville, as well as Other Major
Arteries
33
18
,00
For More Information
Please Contact:
Pocono Mountain School District is the 11th Largest School District in
the State
0A
DT
611
High Tourism Traffic due to Great Wolf Lodge, Mount Airy Casino
Resort, Crossroads Outlet Center and Ski and Water Parks
Excellent Opportunity for Big Box Retail, Specialty Retail,
Convenience Store, Drug Store, Restaurant, Fast Food with Drive
Thru, Bank and Hotel Users
50,
000
CHRIS MORRONEY
cmorroney@lpre.com
Phone: 610-941-4034
AD
T
LEGEND
I N T E R S TAT E
80
Coming Soon Bartonsville Square 150,000 SF of Big Box Retail,
directly across from Bartonsville Plaza
PROPERTIES
T: 6 1 0 / 9 4 1 - 4 0 3 4 | F : 6 1 0 / 9 4 1 - 4 0 3 8 |
LPRE.COM
C o r p o r a t e O f f i c e : 1 0 0 1 E . H e c t o r S t r e e t • S u i t e 1 2 0 • C o n s h o h o c k e n PA 1 9 4 2 8
 

DENNIS CAMPBELL
dcampbell@lpre.com
Phone: 610-941-4034
INC.
SETTING THE STANDARD
 
 
 
   
     
     
    
      
  
   
       
     
    
       
   
   
    
    
       
      
   
 
  
 
 
    
  
       
     
    
         
  
   
       
      
      
     
    
    
    
    
       
      
   





 
 



   
     
        
   
   

   
   
      
      
      
     
 
  
    
       
     
     
   
   
   
   
     
      
     
    
   
   
      
       
       
      
   

     
       
      
        
       
 
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meet the new face of Heart Care
ESSA Heart and Vascular Institute
When you work in a cardiac catheterization lab, timing is everything. Every second of a cardiac
event tests the heart muscle, and early diagnosis could mean the difference between life and death.
That’s why I’m proud to be a part of Pocono Medical Center’s cardiac catheterization team. With
an average door-to-balloon time of less than 64 minutes—a figure that beats the 90-minute national
average—we diagnose our patients faster than most hospitals in the country. With our advanced
technology, we’re able to pinpoint and treat blockages with exceptional speed. Everyday, our
patients tell us how thankful they are to have PMC’s cath lab so close-to-home. Knowing that I’m part
of a team that is so important to a community is why I joined PMC in the first place. And, like most of
my patients, I’d choose PMC again in a heartbeat.
www.PoconoMedicalCenter.org
Meet John Polishan, RN, PMC cardiac catheterization lab, and the new face of heart care.