ServSafe is a certification program developed by the Restaurant Association Education Foundation. The course meets certification requirements for individuals who are responsible for the safe handling of food in restaurants, schools, elder care facilities, lodges, bed and breakfasts, community centers, and other food concessions (organizations or businesses that sell or prepare food on a regular basis). 

This course, taught by Rick Kralj, Penn State Educator, is scheduled for Mondays, March 6 and March 13, 2023 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Education Council’s Coudersport office. The cost is $185/person. The registration deadline is Monday, February 27^th. To register, call (877) 489-1398 or go to http://extension.psu.edu/food-safety/serv-safe.

Love

By

B.J. Knefley

Love what does that word mean anyway? We love our pets, pizza, and ice cream, but do we love others the same way. We fall in and out of love as often as the weather changes. Loving children isn’t the same as loving our lover. Love takes on many forms.

Simon Sinek said, “My favorite definition of love is giving someone the power to destroy you and trusting they won’t use it.” Jesus, referring to love by saying, “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13). But is sacrifice always about love?

There’s an interesting verse in scripture that has always puzzled me. Jesus said in Luke 9:23, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” That certainly speaks of self-sacrifice, but what happens if the person is in denial? In other words, how can one deny themselves if they are in denial about the very same things? I must first acknowledge myself before I can cast it aside. Sadly, I’ve met too many people who are in denial about a host of things to be able to take up their cross and follow Jesus. Denial about anger, abuse, rejection, and a other things can’t be let go of until one acknowledges that they are indeed real issues in their life.

Please understand I’m not against self-sacrifice, in fact I applaud it, but I’ve met too many who are self-sacrificing while at the same time totally unaware of the conflict brewing within themselves. It reminds me of the idea of the person whose mouth is saying “Sure I’d love to” while their heart is screaming, “NO!”

We need more love in our society. Self-denial and sacrifice are often missing because we’re caught up in ourselves. Social media is often the platform for getting attention. We might say we’re doing it out of love, but it’s self-serving. At the end of the day, love, if it’s going to be demonstrated at all, must begin when we as individuals make it so. Think about it.

February 7, 2023

The regular meeting of the Galeton Borough Authority was held on this date in the Municipal Building

with the following members present: Mike Brown, Tom Smith, George Bowen, Jr., Joe Cimino, and Tony

Adami.

Others present were: Solicitor-Mike Plummer, Eng.-Tim Tritch (telephone),Borough Secretary-Andrea Caracciolo, and Office Assistant- Eleanor Boyd.

Chairman Adami called the meeting to order at 5:00 PM followed by the Pledge to the Flag.

A motion was made by George Bowen, seconded by Tom Adami to approve the 1/03/23 minutes as present. All were in favor, motion carried.

A motion was made by Tom Smith, seconded by Mike Brown to approve Pay Req. #2 from Jones Specialty Group in the Amount of $32,152.50 for the water plant upgrade project. All were in favor, motion carried.

A motion was made by Tom Smith, seconded by Mike Brown to approve Change Order #3 in the amount

Of $3,057.70 for the Pipe and the Chlorine Analyzer pump. All were in favor, motion was carried.

The Engineers are still waiting on the Potter County Conservation District regarding the E & S permit for the WWTP Phase 3 and the WQM Permit.

PennDot is requesting and Affidavit for the sewer line at intersection of Mill and Clinton Streets as easements are not found. It is for two properties where the line was put in in the 1960’s.

Test Pits for Water Main in Road near bridge to make sure Crane doesn’t crush pipe needs done before 3/06/23

Joe Cimino discussed about the duo pumps that were a design flaw for a total of $5,000.

Joe Cimino discussed about going to every house in the borough to check

for lead service line by the end of 2024. This is being required by a State Mandate.

The March Authority meeting is being cancelled and will be advertised.

A motion was made by Tom Smith, seconded by Mike Brown to adjourn. All were in favor, motion

Carried. The meeting adjourned at 6:12

FEBRUARY 8, 2023

The regular meeting of the Galeton Borough Council was held this date in the Municipal Building with the following members present: Joe Petrencsik; Doug Droppa; Darrell Jackson; DJ Fuller; Ron Tarabori; and Denny Dean.

Others present were: Mayor-Garrote; Solicitor-Mike Plummer; Foreman-Joe Cimino; Office Asst.-Eleanor Boyd; Citizen-Beth Lounsbury and Borough Secy.-Andrea Caracciolo

President Petrencsik called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Followed by the Pledge to the Flag.

MINUTES

A motion was made by Doug Droppa, seconded by Darrell Jackson approving the 1/11/23 minutes as presented. All were in favor, motion carried.

TREASURER’S REPORT

A motion was made by Doug Droppa, seconded by DJ Fuller approving the treasurer’s report for Jan/Feb 2023 as presented. All were in favor, motion carried.

CITIZEN PARTICIPATION

Mrs. Lounsbury presented the 2023 Library Board to be accepted. A motion was made by Doug Droppa, seconded by Ron Tarabori accepting the members for 2023 as presented. All were in favor, motion carried.

BOROUGH SECRETARY

It was noted that a new park bench that the Borough purchased and is placing on Main St. will be in memory of Ed Brown.

BOROUGH FOREMAN

Joe reported that the water project is finally about 99% complete and is all fully automated now.

He said that he is still trying to locate acceptable cinders, everything is too fine or is stone that would plug our drains. Our pile is getting low and still haven’t found anywhere to purchase more yet.

BOROUGH SOLICITOR

An amendment to our parking ordinance was drafted and presented for the 4th of July parking on Germania Street. It is going to state that there will be no parking on the north side of Germania St. Tuesday thru Friday of the week prior to the Saturday celebration unless you are a resident of Germania St. and are issued a permit to be displayed in your car. Friday at 6:00 PM parking will then be permitted on the north side on a first come first serve basis and must be removed the Monday after the celebration. Barricades of any kind are not going to be permitted on either the north or south side of the street. They will be collected and disposed of if any are put out. Changes are going to be made to the draft and presented again at the March meeting to hopefully then be advertised for adoption so that it is effective at that time.

OLD BUSINESS

Steve Haskins had given us an LED bulb for our decorative street lights that was demonstrated at the meeting for approval by Council. The bulb has three settings so that we can keep the dark skies in mind.

A motion was made by DJ Fuller, seconded by Ron Tarabori to convert all of our decorative street lights to LED. All were in favor, motion carried. Union St. will be done first and then eventually Main Street. This will be a savings for the Borough’s electric bills and for maintenance.

***AT THIS TIME, 7:47 PM, AN EXECUTIVE SESSEION WAS CALLED TO DISCUSS A PROPERTY IN THE BOROUGH.

***AT THIS TIME, 8:08 PM, THE MEETING RECONVENED.

A motion was made by Darrell Jackson, seconded by DJ Fuller to have a Phase I study performed on the Chattanooga building subject to the inspection of the building by Council. All were in favor, motion carried.

BILLS

A motion was made by Doug Droppa, seconded by DJ Fuller to pay the bills for February 2023. All were in favor, motion carried.

ADJOURNMENT

A motion was made by Denny Dean, seconded by Doug Droppa to adjourn. All were in favor, motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:15 PM.

Friends,

Some of you may have already heard the news, and some of you may be hearing now for the first time.

Either way, I want you to hear it from me: Last night, John checked himself into Walter Reed Medical Center to seek care for clinical depression.

After what he’s been through in the past year, there’s probably no one on earth who wants to talk about his health less than John. And it’s not easy for anyone to be open about mental health challenges. But I am so proud of him for asking for help and taking steps to get the care he needs. 

Anyone who has experienced depression — or loved someone experiencing depression — knows that this is a heartbreaking disease. Our family is in for some difficult days ahead, and we ask for your compassion on the path to recovery. For us, the kids will always come first. 

I’m never one to cover up my emotions, and today is no exception. I’m sad, and worried, as any wife and mother would be.

But at the end of the day, I know John is strong. He’s tough and he’s human. He is still the fun, loving, caring, compassionate man I fell in love with so many years ago. My grandmother Bibi used to say João had to be made so tall because it was the only way to fit his whole heart . It’s true — and he’s going to get the care he needs to continue sharing his heart with the world. 

Please be kind to each other and to yourselves. For anyone out there who might be struggling right now: I promise, it does get better. Hold your loved ones close; you are not alone.

Love,
Gisele