Greene farmers to receive compensation
WAYNESBURG – Greene County farmers who were denied compensation last summer from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, despite serious losses from drought, finally will receive payment from the government, Commissioner Scott A. Blair announced Thursday. Blair said Greene officials received word that county farmers affected by last summer’s drought will receive funds totaling between $100,000 and $200,000. Because of a clerical error, Greene and Fayette counties were omitted from the state’s submission to the USDA for compensation from the federal Livestock Compensation Program.
“These farmers were overlooked last year, and they are facing a challenging feeding time, plus they are competing with other local farmers who were subsidized,” Blair said. “I’m anxious to see how much we will be getting.”
Blair said Commission Chairman Dave Coder met with the new state secretary of agriculture and Gov. Ed Rendell to discuss the plight of the farmers who had been incorrectly classified.
He said U.S. Rep. John Murtha (D-Johnstown) sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman, asking for her assistance to help Greene County farmers, and state Sen. J. Barry Stout (D-Bentleyville) and Rep. H. William DeWeese (D-Waynesburg) also were instrumental in keeping the issue in the spotlight.
In other business, the commissioners approved liquid fuels fund requests for Dunkard and Springhill townships. Springhill supervisors asked the county for $18,000 to help purchase a used truck to help with snow removal, while Dunkard supervisors asked for $9,000 to conduct a road survey and purchase road signs.
Commissioners also held a salary board meeting after their regular meeting and conducted the following business:
– Approved merit-based promotions for Beth Downer, David Jones and Lisa Hillsman to probation officer 2 and approved the promotion of Sandra Pavick to a juvenile probation officer 2. All promotions include a $2,000 salary increase and were in accordance with the county’s contract with the United Mine Workers of America.
– Approved merit-based promotions for seven employees in the county domestic relations office. N. Travis Kirby and David Zwerver were promoted to conference officer 2, while Marilyn Stewart and Cynthia Policz were promoted to enforcement officer 2. Mitzi Bailey, Kathy Deynzer and Jana Haywood all were promoted to intake officer 2. All seven received a $2,000 salary increase and were in keeping with the county’s contract with the UMWA.
– Voted to appoint Jeremy Morris as a casual corrections officer at the Greene County Jail and voted to hire Terri R. Campbell as a clerk typist 2 for Children and Youth Services. Morris will make $60 a day as a casual officer, while Campbell will be paid $7.82 an hour.