Eldred Twp. supports letters to legislators

The Eldred Township supervisors backed two letters to the state Wednesday night. The first is in support in Marsy’s Law for Pennsylvania and the second is for Zero Waste PA legislation.

Madison Scarfaro, a field director with Marsy’s Law for Pennsylvania, spoke to the supervisors during their meeting. Scarfaro said victims of crimes have rights related to prosecution of the perpetrator, but they don’t have to be notified of those rights.

“We are working to elevate the statutory rights of victims to that of constitutional rights,” she said.

Those rights, as stated on information provided by Scarfaro, include:

• Receiving information about their rights;

• Receiving notification of proceedings related to the criminal case;

• Knowing they can be present at court proceedings;

• Knowing they can speak at plea or sentencing proceedings;

• Asserting additional statutory rights, and;

• Being treated with dignity, fairness and respect.

“This would hopefully make it a little bit easier for them,” she said.

The law has been passed in all but nine states and has passed two consecutive legislative sessions in the Pennsylvania General Assembly and unanimously through the state Senate, Scarfaro said. It will now be on the ballot for the November election, but it will not say Marsy’s Law. It will be referred to as crime victims rights, she said.

Scarfaro said she plans to be at senior expos and other public events to speak to as many voters as possible and to answer questions. There is more information about Marsy’s Law on the website www.MarsysLawforPA.com and a petition for citizens.

The supervisors also approved a letter of support to state legislators backing the Zero Waste PA package of legislation. According to the letter, the legislation seeks to

• Reduce single-use plastics, such as plastic grocery bags and water bottles;

• Hold manufacturers of plastic packaging responsible by requiring them to have a collection system for these containers;

• Increase funding to improve and expand recycling programs, and policies to reduce the incentive to send waste to the landfill and incinerator;

• Create a statewide 5-cent bottle deposit program, also known as the Bottle Bill, for plastic, aluminum and glass bottles;

• Requiring statewide composting programs;

• Reducing litter on the streets, such as cigarette butts, and;

• Improving the state’s e-waste program for electronic waste.

“This is going nationwide, even worldwide,” said Supervisor Joann Bush.

Resident Arlene Dunkelburger asked if it will affect residents, since the township doesn’t have any provisions for removal of plastics. She added that she “believes truly something has to be done.”

Supervisor Gary Hoffman said the bills are mainly to put pressure on manufacturers to help solve the plastic problem.

In other business, the supervisors approved making a $100 donation to the Monroe County Historical Society, and a $200 donation to the Eldred Township Historical Society. Half of the donation to the Eldred society would be used for a gift card for its bingo and the other half to benefit the society in memory of Vernon Barlieb, who passed away in April.

The supervisors also made a $250 donation to the Western Pocono Jaycees. The Jaycees will be holding an Old Fashioned Picnic fundraiser from 2 to 6 p.m. on Sept. 14. Tickets are available through Steve Borger at 570-650-5891.