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Their view: Your 401(k) just got more valuable

<p>NEWPORT TWP. &#8212; State Rep. Gerald Mullery continued his constituent and community outreach service &#8212; dubbed &#8220;One.19&#8221; &#8212; with a recent visit to Newport Township, where he heard first-hand the concerns, complaints and priorities directly from his constituents.</p><p>Mullery&#8217;s tour began with John Oliver and Ken Pollock at Newport Aggregate &#8212; a sandstone quarry and mining operation currently mining land which was stripped in the mid-1900s and left with pits and other hazards.</p><p>The business employs 21 full-time workers, although Mullery said that number has the potential to quadruple dependent upon the market for Anthracite coal.</p><p>Oliver gave Mullery a tour of the vast operation and the two discussed topics including the safety of the mining operation, the environmental impact of past and current mining, the company&#8217;s product line and customer base, the industry&#8217;s future, and the company&#8217;s impact on the local community.</p><p>&#8220;The first-hand view of modern mining operations certainly opened my eyes and dispelled any preconceived opinions I had about the operation locally,&#8221; Mullery said. &#8220;John and Ken&#8217;s transparency was refreshing and their willingness to accommodate my incessant inquiry was much appreciated.&#8221;</p><p>Mullery next visited the Earth Conservancy&#8217;s composting facility and met with President/CEO Mike Dziak and his employees. The compost facility accepts leaf and yard waste from local municipalities and residents in Luzerne County from 7:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.</p><p>Mullery encountered several local residents dropping off their lawn clippings during his visit and heard how helpful the facility is for people looking for an environmentally friendly way to dispose of yard waste. The conservancy employees provided a full display of operations, from initial drop off to preparation of compost for commercial sale. Mullery requested the facility expand its hours to include weekends during the spring and summer to benefit more people.</p><p>&#8220;In 2018, Luzerne County municipalities and residents dropped nearly 9,000 tons of material for processing at the Newport Township location,&#8221; Mullery said. &#8220;The benefits of composting cannot be argued. This facility provides residents with an opportunity to properly dispose of waste instead of illegally dumping on private property.&#8221;</p><p>Newport Township Police Chief Jeremy Blank took Mullery on a ride-along throughout the township. The police department is composed of four, full-time officers and responds to approximately 200 calls per month.</p><p>Mullery said the department has been instrumental in clearing abandoned vehicles from the township while dealing with more typical issues such as drunk driving and other moving violations, domestic violence and drug arrests.</p><p>Mullery also met with Ryan Neely of Leading Edge Baits, which opened in 2006 and sells baits sold nationwide via his website &#8212; LeadingEdgeBaits.com &#8212; and in several sporting goods stores in northeastern Pennsylvania.</p><p>Neely and Mullery discussed several issues, including internet and federal excise taxes, local fishing waters and the Pennsylvania Fish &amp; Boat Commission.</p><p>Mullery sat down with several officers from the Newport Township Volunteer Fire Department to discuss the recent flooding damage to their building and their current equipment and facility needs. The discussion ranged from the new stormwater fee on non-profits to Local Share Account grants to an ever-present struggle to attract volunteer members. Mullery was provided with a tour of the operations and apparatus.</p><p>Mullery concluded his Newport Township visit by reviewing several ongoing and future projects in the township with supervisors John Zyla, Paul Czapracki, Deb Zaleski, and John Vishnefski. Also present during the meeting were Township Manager Pete Wanchisen and Joe Hillan.</p><p>The supervisors&#8217; agenda included requests for LSA funding, an update on Council of Governments projects, the new stormwater fee, blight in the community and renovations to the recreation park.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Rep. Gerald Mullery, D-Newport Township, meets with Ryan Neely of Leading Edge Baits during his visit to Newport Township as part of his One.19 program. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/web1_MULLERY-ONE.19-Newport-Twp.-1.jpg</photo0><caption0>Rep. Gerald Mullery, D-Newport Township, meets with Ryan Neely of Leading Edge Baits during his visit to Newport Township as part of his One.19 program. </caption0><photoCredit0>Submitted Photo </photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Bill O&#8217;Boyle</p><p>boboyle@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Bill O&#8217;Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Rep. Mullery takes his One.19 outreach to Newport Township