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PIAA volleyball preview: A battle of titans between Royals, Squires

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Avoca’s proposed 2018 budget calls for no tax hike

<p>EDWARDSVILLE &#8212; Borough council gave preliminary approval to a 2018 budget this week that includes no tax increase.</p><p>The budget reflects income and expenditures of $2.5 million, with its general fund millage at 3.4 and total millage at 3.9.</p><p>A mill is $1 in tax for every $1,000 in assessed property value.</p><p>Councilman Gary Moran said the borough has been able to hold the line on taxes while providing excellent services to residents because of responsible spending.</p><p>&#8220;This year we&#8217;ve been able to purchase a police car, a vehicle for the street department and a packer,&#8221; he said. &#8220;Because we&#8217;re consistently looking for ways to save money and spending money wisely.&#8221;</p><p>Moran said Edwardsville intends to continue to seek ways to save money during the upcoming year.</p><p>The budget will be available for pubic inspection for 10 days and is expected to be finalized at council&#8217;s December session.</p><p><strong>Residents honored</strong></p><p><strong></strong>Council also used its meeting to celebrate two of its residents: one for longevity and commitment to community and family; one for running a successful business for 25 years.</p><p>The borough issued a proclamation honoring Mary Sokoloski who turned 105 on Oct. 30.</p><p>Although Mary couldn&#8217;t attend the meeting herself, children Dorothy Judge and Paul Sokoloski Sr. and son-in-law Bill Judge accepted the honor on her behalf. They were eager to surprise Mary with the proclamation at her home.</p><p>When asked to share a favorite memory of her mother, Dorothy Judge didn&#8217;t hesitate.</p><p>&#8220;Her baking was awesome. She made every holiday glorious,&#8221; Judge said.</p><p>Sokoloski was quick to jump in with, &#8220;Her poppy seed and nut bread were my favorites.&#8221;</p><p>Mary Sokoloski, whose husband Peter passed away over 50 years ago, now suffers from arthritis which prevents her from leaving the house, but her mind is sharp and she still enjoys life.</p><p>&#8220;She still cooks when she feels like it,&#8221; Judge noted.</p><p>Mike Rossick and his mother, Agnes Rossick, were also honored for 25 years of successfully running Hoagie Mike&#8217;s sandwich shop on Main Street.</p><p>Agnes said she remembered when her husband, the original &#8220;Hoagie Mike,&#8221; opened the business selling hoagies for 45 cents.</p><p>Agnes said there is not a customer favorite. Instead, &#8220;all the hoagies are customer favorites.&#8221;</p><p>The next meeting of Edwardsville council will be at 7 p.m. Dec. 11.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Dorothy Judge and Paul Sokoloski look at a picture of their mother, Mary Sokoloski, following a proclamation from Edwardsville council to honor Mary on her 105th birthday. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/web1_edboro1.jpg</photo0><caption0>Dorothy Judge and Paul Sokoloski look at a picture of their mother, Mary Sokoloski, following a proclamation from Edwardsville council to honor Mary on her 105th birthday. </caption0><photoCredit0>Geri Gibbons | For Times Leader </photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Geri Gibbons</p><p>For Times Leader</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach the Times Leader newsroom at 570-829-7242 or on Twitter @TLnews.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

No tax hike in Edwardsville; residents honored