LAWRENCE COUNTY Official proposes child-care measure

Officials hope to hire a new jail warden by Dec. 25.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Some Lawrence County officials want to make sure that child-care providers being subsidized by the county can take care of a pediatric emergency.
County Commissioner Brian Burick asked his fellow commissioners to support a measure that will make every child-care provider who receives county money take a pediatric first-aid course.
"At least we will know that the kids we are helping to pay for are cared for by people who know basic first aid," Burick said.
Within the last five years, the number of those receiving county money for child care has increased because of Welfare-To-Work measures instituted by the federal government, Burick said. The money can go to daycare centers or individuals who watch children of low-income workers.
Burick did not know how much money is paid out annually or how many people participate in the program.
Cheryl Pilch, director of Child Care Information Services, the agency that distributes the money, was not available Tuesday.
Burick said he would like to see every child-care provider who receives county money be certified within 120 days of receiving their first check from the county.
Other matters
In other county business, Burick said they hope to hire a new county jail warden by Christmas. He said there were 26 applicants for the post left vacant in October by William Hall. Six candidates will be interviewed on Friday, he said.
The county also received permission from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to begin work on a walking trail that will stretch from Croton Avenue in New Castle to the New Castle and Hickory Township line. Work on the trail should be finished in late summer, they said. The county is receiving a $250,000 state grant for the work.
County commissioners also made several appointments to boards and authorities at their regular meeting.
Robert Powell and Linda Nitch were reappointed to the county planning commission for three year terms each, and Gary Felasco, the county treasurer, was appointed to the county housing authority for a five year term. He will replace Robert Session, whose term expires Dec. 31.