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MIFFLINTOWN --- Juniata County Commissioners took action on a grant proposal that provides aid to crime victims and witnesses with the aid of the county's victim witness program coordinator.
According to the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, the Juniata County Victims of Crime Act Grant funds support services for crime victims including counseling, emergency shelter, safe housing, and crisis intervention.
Sylvia Middaugh, Juniata County crime victim coordinator would provide victims and witnesses with the opportunity to make statements to the court about matters pertaining to the case. In cases in which the victim needs additional support they also assist in applying for Victim Compensation claims and referrals for counseling in relation to the crime committed.
PA SAVIN is a State Automated Victim Information and Notification program which allows not only victims of crimes, but anybody to register anonymously to receive notification upon an offender's release. Registration and notification is free and confidential, therefore the offender will not know that someone has registered for the service. More information can be found on the PA SAVIN website.
In other news, commissioners took the following action:
• Approved a Chemical Report Certification form as submitted by William Hummel, Director of the Emergency Management Agency. The chemical report outlines any facilities in Juniata County that utilize hazardous chemicals. It is required by law. Gas, propane and anhydrous ammonia are just a few hazardous chemicals on this list;
• Approved an agreement between Juniata County Children and Youth Services and Martha Bowersox for Spanish interpretation services at an hourly rate of $65. The term of the agreement is Jan. 1 through Dec. 31;
• Approved a CDBG-IDIS check as submitted by the Juniata County Planning and Community Development Department in the amount of $14,443.75 to Peters Consultants, Inc. for project costs;
• Approved the tax exonerations for Fayette and Greenwood Townships;
• Approved Angelica Ybarra to serve as an unpaid intern for Juniata County Children & Youth Services from May 13 to July 9;
• Acknowledged and approved the resignation of Holly Hostler from her position as a Children & Youth Services full-time caseworker effective as of the end of business on March 8;
• Approved hiring Elaine Corman as a casual, part-time employee within the Children and Youth Services Department, effective March 25. Corman will be filling the part-time fiscal assistant position as officially reclassified on Jan. 30. The position is designated as part-time at less than 1,000 hours per year. Due to its classification, this position does not qualify for benefits including membership in the County's Retirement Fund as outlined in the Juniata County Employees Retirement System Plan. The hourly wage will be $15.78;
• Acknowledged the hiring of Christian Snook to fill an existing sheriff deputy vacancy effective March 11, as submitted by Joshua Stimeling, Juniata County sheriff. The Starting rate of pay will be $19.58 per hour for a non-certified status.