David Caldwell's weekly roundup
of news affecting Blacklick Valley

Those seasons again

Yes, winter and the flu have arrived, although Blacklick Valley and the rest of west-central Pennsylvania would claim that winter has been here for more than a month. Likewise some would say that the flu, too, has been here for a month or more. However, Dr. Richard Wozniak at Memorial Medical Center assures us that the upper respiratory infections rampant in the Johnstown area aren't related to the flu. He and other local doctors urge everyone to get a flu shot, especially the elderly and children under five, because the cold weather will heighten the risk of the flu spreading. It isn't the cold weather, per se, but the fact that the cold weather keeps us indoors where we breathe the same air and touch the same contaminated objects. In addition to getting the flu shot, doctors urge everyone to wash their hands often and avoid crowds. The winter solstice occurs today and marks the beginning of winter. The CDC in Atlanta has received reports of flu outbreaks in other parts of Pennsylvania and the state department of health says that it's only a matter of time until it reaches Cambria County.

No tax increase

The Cambria County Commissioners have passed a budget that calls for no new taxes. The pending sale of Laurel Crest, which will become final on December 31 midnight, helped balance the new budget by eliminating the need to incorporate its expenses into the budget and provide revenue to pay tax anticipation loans. Also, the state owes the county money for Children and Youth Services, as well as for Mental Health and Retardation care provided to county residents. The commissioners noted that revenue has not increased in a number of years and they are trying to hold the line on costs because they are sensitive to the fact that Cambria County has a large percentage of senior citizens on fixed incomes.

Bethlehem pensions

Local pensioners receiving retirement benefits are becoming more concerned over the continuing financial problems of the once mighty Bethlehem Steel Corp., although the company has continued to pay all retirees to date. An added concern is a plan by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. to take over the Bethlehem pension payments. The PBGC will continue to pay all pension benefits up to $3665 per month, but will not pay the $400 Bethlehem pays to some workers until they reach age 62 and become eligible for Social Security. Bethlehem is protesting the takeover of its pension plan at this time, claiming that it handicaps their attempts to merge with International Steel Group of Cleveland, which would necessitate offering early retirement to cut down on its work force. Without the $400-a-month incentive, workers not yet eligible for Social Security are reluctant to retire. And without the possibility of merging with more profitable companies, Bethlehem's hopes of emerging from Chapter 11 bankruptcy become dimmer. And without a viable Bethlehem Steel Corp., pensioners' prospects for retirement promises fade.

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