Backyard news, 02.11.09

Gazette potpourri ... Chatter about coyotes in Linglestown gets twisted on PennLive's Linglestown forum. (See threads 494, 496, 497 & 499) ... Things are looking up for Koons Pool in Linglestown – 25 families signed up during the early-bird membership drive last month, according to pool board member Walter Shatto. ... The Central Dauphin School Board approved a change to the compensation plan for the district's tax collectors that most likely will result in a pay cut starting in July 2010. (B² note: Using local tax collectors is a holdover from horse and buggy days. In the digital age, a centralized tax collection system is the only way to go. If you agree, send an e-mail to Rep. Ron Marsico and Sen. Jeff Piccola.) ... Gazette congrats go out to the Central Dauphin Ram grapplers for winning gold for the second straight year in the PIAA AAA state team wrestling championship. ... B² had the pleasure of meeting Gazette reader Rich Krampe at a focus group session Monday evening conducted by The Patriot-News at its high-tech printing facility on the West Shore. The newspaper is seeking input from readers on possible cosmetic and editorial changes to its hard-copy edition that would put more emphasis on local news. ... Hey, baseball season is almost here, and the Gazette is gearing up to expand coverage of teams affiliated with Linglestown Baseball Association. To pull this off, I'm looking for correspondents and a handful of sponsors to underwrite this service. E-mail B² for more details. ... Wanna see B² in pick? Check out the new video from the folks at Linglestown TV.

Let's get political ... Tim Holden, our congressman, is starting the 2010 election cycle with a whopping half-million bucks in his campaign coffer. Regarding the federal stimulus package, Holden is backing the legislation that is making its way through Congress. ... Dauphin County First Assistant District Attorney Fran Chardo, a Lower Paxton resident who is running for Dauphin County judge, is trying to determine whether his job will preclude him from seeking a bench post. ... If you've always wanted to run for office but don't know what to do, consider attending the "campaign school" at the Pennsylvania Leadership Conference that will be held March 27-28 at the Four Points Sheraton in Lower Paxton. The school is on the agenda for Friday, March 27. Lowman Henry, a former Lower Paxton supervisor, is the conference organizer.

Crime watch ... Lower Paxton police are investigating two robberies in the vicinity of Central Dauphin Middle School (the old high school) – an armed robbery Sunday at Sun-Up on Locust Lane, and a burglary Monday at a home in the 4900 block of Berkley Street. ... Also, two Gazette readers informed me of a home burglary last month in the Colonial Crest development located along Colonial Road. ... A police officer told a Colonial Crest resident that one robbery occurs on average each day in the township. So, don't hesitate to call 911 if you see a possible crime taking place, or contact the Lower Paxton police at (717) 657-5656 for non-emergency situations.