Commissioners honor students, Eagle Scout

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What: Mifflin County Board of Commissioners, workshop meeting

When: 9 a.m. Oct. 23

Where: Mifflin County Courthouse, 20 N. Wayne St., Lewistown

For more information, call 248-6733

LEWISTOWN - Young people who are working to make a difference in the community were recognized for their efforts Thursday during the regular meeting of the Mifflin County Board of Commissioners.

Four members of the Indian Valley High School Student School Health Council and their advisors were honored when the board issued a proclamation declaring Oct. 29 as Apple Crunch Day in Mifflin County.

"Apple Crunch is designated to encourage youth, families, schools and communities to make the apple - and other fruits and vegetables - a regular part of a nutritious diet by emphasizing healthy snacking," Commission Chairman Mark Sunderland said.

"Schools have such a dramatic impact on children's attitudes, behaviors and habits. By making fruits and vegetables fun for kids, our message of healthy snacking is going home and influencing the entire family," Sunderland said.

Present to receive the proclamation from the board were health council members Chelsea Middaugh, Lauren Henry, Stephanie Romig and Stephanie Weader, as well as their advisors, Peggy Fisher and Linda Wilson.

The commissioners also issued a proclamation honoring local Boy Scout Tucker Swigart, of Belltown. Swigart recently completed his Eagle Scout Project, which involved painting the playground equipment, replacing the swings and placing mulch around the equipment at Belltown Playground.

"Tucker ... has demonstrated commitment to his fellow citizens through countless hours and tireless efforts," Sunderland said. "The Eagle Scout Award is recognized by the commissioners of Mifflin County as a positive indicator that the youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow, and we extend our congratulations to Tucker."

Swigart is scheduled to receive his Eagle Scout award on Oct. 26.

Also on Thursday, the board approved Resolution No. 08-38, authorizing an application for the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Community Conservation Partnerships Program grant.

The resolution was requested by the United Way of Mifflin-Juniata in order to allow the Mifflin County Planning Commission to apply for a $10,000 playground and recreation grant. The grant requires a $1,000 match in donations, which already has been raised by 12 other municipalities in Mifflin County.

United Way Executive Director Marie Mulvihill said the grant will be used to fund an assessment of the county's recreational areas designed to provide recommendations for improving safety and security, public involvement and maintenance at those facilities.

Mulvihill said some of the benefits of program improvements that could result from the assessment of recreational areas include strengthening communities and families through youth interaction, improving youth fitness and quality of life, and providing safe areas for youth activities and an increased sense of pride in community.

In other business, the board took the following actions:

Approved an extension agreement with Delta Development Group Inc., of Mechanicsburg, for consulting services provided to the county;

Approved the 2009 holiday schedules for the county's correctional facility, emergency telecommunication and courthouse employees;

Approved the Statewide Automated Victim Information and Notification System maintenance agreement with the Pennsylvania District Attorney's Institute for the period from Jan. 1 to Dec. 1, 2009. The cost of the agreement is $635.36, which will be split between the Mifflin County Correctional Facility and the district attorney's office;

Approved the hiring of Daniel Swigart and Christopher McCoy to fill vacant positions as part-time telecommunicators in the county's 911 dispatch center;

Approved the hiring of Zach Albright to fill a vacant position as an adult probation officer, and;

Announced that the county still is waiting for permits from the state Department of Environmental Protection to conduct repairs on the bridge spanning Treaster Run along Barefoot Road in Armagh Township.

The board's next meeting is a workshop scheduled for 9 a.m. on Oct. 23.