BAE Systems will be reducing its workforce in York by approximately 175 positions over the next few months.
The reduction is primarily due to the decrease in production rates for the Bradley and M88A2 programs as well as work on the Medium Mine Protected Vehicle program being scheduled to end this spring. Reductions within Engineering and continued consolidation of prototyping work are also contributing factors to the reduction.
UPDATE:
Governor Tom Corbett introduced a new Department of Public Welfare Secretary Friday after the current secretary is resigning to spend more time with his family in Rhode Island.
It has been speculated, but now it's official, Gary Alexander's last day as DPW Secretary will be February 15. As Secretary, Governor Corbett said he played a big role in changing PA Welfare Department. But he was also involved in some controversy.
"It's time for me to move on. I have two small children and a wonderful wife waiting for me,” stated Secretary Alexander. “It's very difficult being away for an entire week. And when you have two children ages 11 and 13, they need their dad."
Gary Alexander said his goodbyes Friday as he announced he is resigning as State Secretary of the Public Welfare Department. Alexander is credited for a successful overhaul of Rhode Island's Welfare system and Governor Corbett said he also did great work in Harrisburg.
For the last two years, Alexander, has helped the Department go from growing 11 percent a year to seven percent. The Governor called Alexander, a Boston native who lives in Rhode Island, a tremendous asset in eliminating waste, fraud and abuse.
"On reforms we were able to right-size the department, emphasis independence for our recipients and really make government more effective,” Alexander stated.
But Alexander was not void of controversy as it became known that his 700 mile round trips home to Rhode Island were funded by the PA taxpayer.
Bev Mackereth, Deputy Secretary for the Office of Children, Youth and Families since will serve as acting secretary.
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Governor Tom Corbett today announced that Secretary of Public Welfare Gary D. Alexander has resigned his cabinet post, saying his last day will be Feb. 15.
Alexander is leaving state government to pursue private-sector opportunities and spend more time with his wife and children who reside in Rhode Island.
As secretary, he holds the top post in the Department of Public Welfare, which employs approximately 17,000 workers and has a budget of more than $26 billion in state and federal dollars. The department provides services and supports approximately 2.2 million low-income, elderly and disabled Pennsylvanians.
“Secretary Alexander has been a tremendous asset in prioritizing our funding and eliminating waste, fraud and abuse in our welfare programs,’’ Corbett said. “He has saved millions of dollars in making our programs more efficient and effective, while still allowing us to deliver core services to those who need it most in Pennsylvania.”
Alexander is credited withcreating and implementing a national model for eradicating fraud, waste and abuse. Titled the “Enterprise-wide Program Integrity Initiative,” or EWPI, the program won a 2012 Innovation Award from the Council of State Governments.
Alexander also helped establish a county block grant program, which gives counties the flexibility to direct funding where it is most needed in local communities; implemented an expansion of the state’s highly successful HealthChoices program to the entire Commonwealth; and enhanced services for intellectually and physically disabled individuals.
“As he departs for this next chapter in life and professional service, I thank Gary for his time and the commitment he gave to Pennsylvania and its residents,” Corbett continued.
Alexander says his decision to resign was not easy.
“I am grateful to Governor Corbett for giving me the opportunity to serve the commonwealth during his tenure,” Alexander said. “I have been blessed to have been surrounded by a host of remarkable employees at DPW. Their professionalism and commitment to the tasks at hand allowed us to realize great achievements.”
“We’ve accomplished a great deal in Pennsylvania, and I have thoroughly enjoyed my tenure here, but now is the perfect time to pursue new opportunities and rejoin my young family in Rhode Island full-time,” Alexander said.
A Boston native, Alexander received his bachelor’s degree in political science from Northeastern University and his juris doctorate from Suffolk University School of Law, both in Boston. He is an ordained deacon in the Armenian Orthodox Church.
Bev Mackereth, who has served as the department’s deputy secretary for the Office of Children, Youth and Families since November 2011, will serve as acting secretary.
A former state representative, Mackereth has spent her professional career in public service, and has significant experience in health and human services. Throughout her career, she has served as executive director of York County Human Services, executive director of the Healthy York County Coalition with WellSpan Health System, and was deputy director of the Governor’s Community Partnership for Safe Children under Governor Tom Ridge.
Low-interest loans approved by the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA) will support continued development of two business sites that are projected to bring more than 50 jobs to South Central Pennsylvania.
“The Corbett administration is committed to partnering with our regional private sector partners to create opportunities for new growth and job creation,” Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary C. Alan Walker said. “The loans approved by PIDA will support the region’s efforts to develop sites and bring in new businesses and jobs.”
At its February meeting, PIDA approved nearly $2.2 million in low-interest loans for two projects in Franklin and Huntingdon counties that are projected to create 55 new jobs and result in the retention of 26 employees. The investments will also result in additional private sector funds totaling nearly $3.5 million.
Franklin County Area Development Corporation (FCADC) was awarded a $1.08 million, 15-year loan at 1.5 percent, to purchase an existing 60,000-square-foot industrial facility in Chambersburg Borough. FCADC plans to enter into a lease with Sunset Industrial Applications (SIA) Inc., which has the option of purchasing the building during the lease term. SIA, which provides liquid paint and powder coating services, expects to add 50 new jobs within the next three years. The total project cost is $2.7 million.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane today closed the “Florida Gun Loophole” that previously gave Pennsylvanians – who were not also Florida residents and who were either denied, found ineligible or had gun permits revoked – the ability to obtain a Concealed Carry Permit from the state of Florida. Kane’s action closes the Commonwealth’s 12-year-old “Florida Gun Loophole” by requiring Concealed Carry Permit holders to be a resident of Florida [see addendum for new agreement].
“Our state’s gun traffic and permits should never be bypassed,” said Kane. “Closing this loophole shows that it is possible to swiftly implement common sense gun safety measures that protect our streets. This is my administration’s first official step, but it certainly will not be our last.”
“This is a significant step toward making Philadelphia, and the entire Commonwealth, safer for all residents,” said Mayor Michael A. Nutter. “Modification of the firearm reciprocity agreement with Florida will ensure that all citizens with Concealed Carry Permits in Pennsylvania have met the standards set forth by our great state. I congratulate Attorney General Kane for taking swift action on this important issue.”
Under the new gun reciprocity agreement with Florida entered into by Attorney General Kane, Pennsylvanians – who may have a Florida gun permit without being a Florida resident – will have 120 days under the agreement to obtain a Pennsylvania concealed carry permit [see addendum]. Today, there are approximately 4,000 Pennsylvanians, who have obtained a Florida permit.
In 1995, the Pennsylvania General Assembly gave the Attorney General the authority to enter into reciprocity agreements with other states.
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania currently has formal written reciprocity agreements with eighteen states that recognize a valid license to carry firearms issued by Pennsylvania. Conversely, Pennsylvania recognizes valid firearm carry licenses/permits from those states. In addition to the 18 formal agreements, other forms of reciprocity are applicable -- in total Pennsylvania has agreements with 28 states.
For additional details on Firearm Reciprocity Agreements in Pennsylvania, please visit attorneygeneral.gov<http://www.attorneygeneral.gov/crime.aspx?id=184>. For additional details on carrying firearms in Pennsylvania, please visit the Pennsylvania State Police’s website<http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=512&objID=4451&&PageID=462424&level=2&css=L2&mode=2>
ADDENDUM:
NOTICE FROM ATTORNEY GENERAL KATHLEEN G. KANE
The Attorney General of Pennsylvania has entered into a modification of the current firearm reciprocity agreement with the state of Florida. This reciprocity agreement previously permitted citizens of Pennsylvania who were not also Florida residents to obtain a Concealed Carry Permit (hereinafter “CCP”) from the state of Florida. The CCP would then be honored in Pennsylvania without the need for a CCP granted by a Pennsylvania issuing authority. This agreement has been modified as follows pursuant to the authority of the Attorney General of Pennsylvania as found in 18 Pa.C.S. § 6109(k)(1):
1. If you are currently a resident of Pennsylvania only and have a CCP from the state of Florida, your Florida permit will no longer be recognized in Pennsylvania 120 days from the date of this Notice, or on June 8, 2013. In the proscribed time period you may apply for a CCP in the county of your residence. Please be aware that your local Sheriff or Police Department (in cities of the First Class) will have forty-five (45) days from the date of your application on which to grant or deny your application for a CCP.
2. If you are a dual resident of Pennsylvania and Florida you need not apply for a CCP in Pennsylvania if you currently hold a CCP from Florida. You must, however, carry with you proof of your Florida citizenry/residence along with your CCP identification when you are carrying a concealed firearm either on your person or in a vehicle.
3. If you are a resident of Florida only and have a CCP from Florida it will continue to be honored in Pennsylvania with all the same rights and recognition as contained in the Reciprocity Agreement between said States.
IMPORTANT
This Notice does not impact the validity of Pennsylvania CCP’s issued to residents of Pennsylvania. All valid and unexpired Pennsylvania CCP’s remain in full force and effect. Further, if you are a resident of Pennsylvania only and have a CCP from Pennsylvania it will continue to be honored in Florida with all the same rights and recognition as contained in the Reciprocity Agreement between said States.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — "He could be anywhere." That's the latest from a Southern California law enforcement official taking part in the wide search for a fired police officer suspected of killing three people, including a police officer and a former police official's daughter.
Christopher Dorner, who was fired by the Los Angeles Police Department in 2008, has threatened to bring "warfare" to LAPD. The threat, and others, is contained in a lengthy, rambling manifesto he posted on Facebook. Dorner has threatened revenge on police officials involved in his dismissal and their relatives.
Police stationed protection units at 40 potential targets and launched a manhunt in three states and Mexico before focusing on the Big Bear Lake area, about 80 miles east of Los Angeles. That's where Dorner's burned out pickup was discovered.
San Bernardino County Sheriff John McMahon says 125 officers have been going door to door and attempting to track the suspect, and that a SWAT team is providing added security.
The case has rattled residents and officers. Police mistakenly opened fire on a pickup similar to the suspect's, injuring two people.
The wife of the former Penn State coach is fighting back against the accusations against Joe Paterno that followed the Jerry Sandusky scandal. Her campaign starts with a letter sent Friday to former Penn State players.
She wrote that the family's exhaustive response to former FBI director Louis Freeh's report for the university on the Sandusky child sex abuse case will officially be released to the public at 9 a.m. Sunday on paterno.com.
Freeh in July accused Joe Paterno of covering up allegations against Sandusky, a retired assistant coach. Sandusky was convicted of abuse last year and the NCAA later levied heavy sanctions against Penn State.
Sue Paterno told former players the family's report is a passionate critique of Freeh's findings, which it calls a "disservice" to Sandusky's victims.
To read the entire letter, click on the attached link.
(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
It’s like the Enchanted Forest out there.
Suffolk County cops pulled a seemingly-dead fawn out of icy waters in Fire Island today — and a family of deer came up to it and licked it back to health!
Marine Bureau officers Robert Femia and Peter Bogachunas were nearing the David Park Marina on their boat about 1:04 p.m. when they noticed a little baby deer’s head among pieces of ice and slush floating on the water about 30 yards from shore.
“They don’t know how long it’s been there, so they maneuver their boat close to the deer, pick it up and throw it into the boat,” said Lt. Raymond Epp, of the Suffolk County Police Marine Bureau, who met the officers on the dock as they tried to rescue the little animal.
To keep reading this heartwarming story, click here: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/fawn_life_over_baby_deer_young_animal_sYe83btDbRB3HQjIHRLalI