Two local weekenders of Pike County submitted a letter this week to the Pike County Courier, writing that within one month of moving here in the earl 90’s, “Our property was vandalized, our car window broken, and our serene environment blemished by the sights and sounds of realities quite different from what we had anticipated.” They said they reached out to community leaders, from the school system to the local government, to aid in speaking with teens to change their behaviors. They are both mental health professionals. To their surprise, none of their letters were answered.

They end their piece by writing, “Perhaps there is still some hope for our community teens.”

(The full article can be read here: http://www.strausnews.com/articles/2008/03/27/pike_county_courier/opinion/1.txt)

This raises two issues.

First, young people often times get a bad wrap for what a small minority of their peers do. I recall that one teacher I had in school used to call it the 1% rule – that 1% of all young people can do something, well, stupid, and the rest pay for it. This op-ed seemed to confirm this rule. Call it “ageism” if you will. For far too many in the community, especially the older folks, young people are stereotyped as vandals, crooks, and troublemakers. This is not something unique to our time or our community - but it is nevertheless something I think we need to work on solving.

We have a problem on or hands when our high schools are graduating 95%+ of its students, almost all of whom at least attend a 2 year higher education program, and members of our community write that “perhaps there is still hope.”

Second, even if there is a systemic problem in need of attention, it is alarming that these obviously concerned residents did not receive a response to their letters. I do think our school and community care about our generation, but how come free services offered by this couple (and a DV alum a few weeks ago, as she writes about here: http://www.strausnews.com/articles/2008/02/01/pike_county_courier/opinion/1.txt) fell on deaf ears? Who is looking out for us?

To me, this reaffirms the need for a permanent youth advocacy organization: an organization to bridge the generation gap and show the community what we’re really about, and an organization to bring to the forefront issues that are affecting our demographic and take action on it.

Post by Nick Troiano

For all those at college or away from home, absentee ballots are available online through Pennsylvania SURE Vote at https://www.pavoterservices.state.pa.us/pages/SurePortalHome.aspx. You can print out the application, send it in to the Pike County Board of Elections, receive a blank ballot in the mail, and return that ballot to cast your votes. The March 24th deadline to register to vote for the primary has passed, but those eligible for the November elections can also register through this portal. Creating an account allows users to access their information and also find their polling place.

For questions about voting, contact the Pike County Board of Elections at (570) 296- 3426.

Post by Nick Troiano

MILFORD — On March 28, Seventh St Coffee, at 611 Broad Street in Milford will be holding an “Open Mic Night” from 6 to 10 p.m. to kick off Sexual Assault Awareness Month which is April. It is sponsored by the Pike County Chapter of Rallying Youth Organizers Together (RYOT) Against Rape, which is the teen leadership program of Safe Haven, Inc. of Pike County.



Sexual Assault Awareness Month provides an opportunity to raise awareness of sexual violence’s prevalence in our society and how as a community we can work together in efforts to end sexual violence. Any questions or information regarding “Open Mic Night” or information on monthly activities please contact Cindy Stine, Educational Outreach Coordinator at 570-296- 2827.

Pike County RYOT exists as a branch of the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape on a statewide level and Safe Haven, Inc. of Pike County, on a local level. The Teens involved with RYOT use their voices and talent in breaking the chains of silence and ignorance that surround the issues of sexual abuse, domestic violence, rape, diversity and unhealthy dating relationships. Pike County RYOT members represent Delaware Valley School District and Wallenpaupack School District, under the guidance of Cindy Stine of Safe Haven.



Throughout the night you will hear poems, survivors’ stories and music that promote public awareness on the issues of sexual assault. Also back by popular demand, Maxwell Kofi Donkor, an internationally known, award- winning sculptor, master drummer and teacher, will be performing his message of peace through his drumming and dancing for all to enjoy and participate.

Safe Haven, Inc., a not-for- profit organization is dedicated to restoring dignity to victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse. Services include free and confidential individual empowerment counseling, crisis intervention emergency shelter, support groups, educational outreach programs in two school districts in Pike County, One-on-One counseling at the schools, medical and justice system advocacy and community outreach. Safe Haven provides a 24-hour crisis hotline, 570-296-4357 (HELP), staffed by certified volunteers who have completed a 60-hour crisis intervention training course. Education support groups and individual counseling are available to women incarcerated in the recidivism reduction program at the Pike County Correctional Facility entitled, “The H.O.P.E. Program” (Helping Offenders Promote Excellence). Any one interested in volunteering please contact Sheila Houston, Volunteer Coordinator at 570-296-2827. There many different ways to help Safe Haven make our community a safer place for everyone.

[Pike County Courier]

Post by Ryan Balton

Turning 18 reins in adulthood. It means assuming full responsibilities as a citizen of this country. The big 1-8 means you can now buy cigarettes, rent naughty films, enter into contracts, die for this country, etc. Of course, however, 18 year olds are not nearly responsible enough to consume alcohol. (This idea is being challenged in the mainstream nowadays, even by presidents of colleges. I just saw a NBC report on it two days ago which alluded to the fact that a drinking age of 21 encourages binge drinking and is harmful to young people.) Besides all of that, to add insult to injury, one of Pike County's state representatives, John Siptroth, has introduced legislation that would require, by law, state schools in Pennsylvania to notify the parents of students who are caught drinking underage. (http://www.pocononews.net/news/March08/01/01Mar08-3.html) Mr. Siptroth commented, " "Hopefully my measure will mean peace of mind for parents of college students across Pennsylvania." My question is - who is bringing peace of mind to the students? We're legal adults and now the state wants to continue to treat us like we are children, as if telling us what type of beverages we can and cannot drink was not already bad enough. I think rather than attempting to legislate good behavior the state should take some more proactive measures in preventing underagers from acting irresponsibly to begin with. That starts with not taking away our rights but with investing in education.

Post By Nick Troiano

The Pike County Youth Coalition will sponsor its first initiative at Delaware Valley High School on Wednesday March, 12th. In coordination with the Pike County Board of Elections, members of the PCYC will be registering eligible students to vote in the upcoming elections. The deadline to register is March 24th for all those who wish to vote in Pennsylvania's April 22nd Primary.

To register download and send in the form located on this site: http://www.dos.state.pa.us/voting/cwp/view.asp? a=1192&q=442984

Absentee ballots are available at: http://www.dos.state.pa.us/voting/cwp/view.asp? a=1193&q=442991

Post by Nick Troiano