And this year, businesses can enter online at BizzyAwards.com where you can submit your entry and supporting materials.

The Bizzy Awards is an academy awards-style contest featuring business against business. It is a fundraising event for the Greater Pocono Chamber of Commerce in Stroudsburg.

“This is always a great time for Chamber members”, said George Roberts, executive producer of the Bizzy Awards TV Broadcast. “But the deadline for entries is quickly approaching.”

Entry forms are now available and the deadline to enter is May 25^th. The chamber membership will receive a ballot to vote on all entries in July.

Winners will be announced at a special TELEVISED red-carpet black-tie awards banquet to be held September 27th.

“This is an exciting competition between businesses and winners will receive a coveted Bizzy Award for their facility”, said Robert Phillips, President/CEO of the Greater Pocono Chamber of Commerce.

To enter, go to www.BizzyAwards.com or contact the Greater Pocono Chamber of Commerce at 570-421-4433.

All proceeds from the event will go toward local advertising for Republican candidates and the council’s scholarship fund.

Photo (click thumbnail to enlarge) Back row, left to right: Dorothy Dexter, PCCRW Treasurer; Chris Decker Pike County Republican Committee Chair; Matthew Osterberg, Pike County Commissioner; Shannon Muir, Esq., Co-Chair PCCRW Spring Dinner; Kelly Gaughan, Esq., Co-Chair PCCRW Spring Dinner, Robert Cocchi, Lackawaxen Township Supervisor; Tom Ryan, Delaware Township Supervisor; Claudette Orlando, PCCRW member; front row, left to right: Maria Burns, PCCRW Assistant Treasurer; Marie Marasa, PCCRW Recording Secretary; and Valerie Cocchi, PCCRW President

Special events through the day include the 6^th Annual PoconoArts Parking Meter ?Fine Art? Competition.  Anyone can participate by creating a special, one-of-a-kind parking meter cover that will be on display up and down Main Street, from 3 – 8 PM on May 14^th.  Prizes will be awarded in both children and adult categories.  White bags can be picked up at the PoconoArts Council, 18 North 7^th Street, during regular business hours and any media may be used for decoration.  One side of the bag must say ?Free Parking.?  Decorated bags must be returned to the PoconoArts office by noon on Thursday, May 12^th for judging.

Children of all ages can participate in the first ever PoconoArts Chalk Doodle.  Celebrate the arts by bring your imagination to the streets between 3 & 5 pm.  Down the street from the chalk doodle, take your pictures with the PoconoBears, a fun way to celebrate one of the Pocono?s natural icons.  Both events are sponsored by the PoconoArts Council.

Also beginning at 3 pm, the PoconoArts Council presents PoconoArts Squared.  Fine artists and craftsmen will have booths along Main and North 7th Streets where patrons can not only purchase artwork, but speak with the artist or craftsman in person.  This is an excellent opportunity to get an inside perspective on an artist?s work.  Non-profit organizations are also invited to purchase a space to promote their programs.

At 5:30, join Anita Bondi for the town?s first GO DANCE WALKING/FLASH MOB! Meet at the SVPA (School of the Visual and Performing Arts), 554 Main St., Stroudsburg.  The group will Dance Walk up to the Pocono Arts Building, 18 N. 7^th St., and then Flash Mob. The flash mob will be described at the time of gathering ? please wear black and bring sunglasses.   (A flash mob is a group of people who assemble suddenly in a public place, perform an unusual and seemingly pointless act for a brief time, then disperse, often for the purposes of entertainment, satire, and artistic expression.)

At 6:30, PoconoArts will host the awards ceremony for its Members? Exhibition 2012. Cash and certificates donated by local businesses, organizations and individuals will be awarded in eight categories. An opening reception and ample opportunity to view the work on display will take place from 5-8 pm.

Throughout the day, a variety of special performances and gallery exhibits will be featured at various locations in downtown Stroudsburg.  Musicians scheduled to perform include the SheilaMark Band, Stan Stewart, Matthew Pierce and the Lost Ramblers.  After the traditional festivities conclude at 8 PM, patrons are encouraged to stay downtown and dine at one of Downtown Stroudsburg?s unique restaurants.

The Pocono Arts Council is the local arts service organization serving the Pocono region. Open to artists and non-artists alike, the mission of the Council is ?Culture Builds Community.?  For further information, please call the council at 570-476-4460 or visit www.poconoarts.org.

The Jacob Stroud Corporation is an organization dedicated to a vibrant Downtown Stroudsburg.  Its mission is to improve the downtown image by enhancing its physical appearance… building consensus among organizations and the community… promoting downtown’s unique characteristics… and restructuring and diversifying our economic base.

The purpose of Leadership Wayne is to educate a group of potential leaders residing and/or employed in Wayne County regarding all aspects of the community.  As a result of the program, Wayne County will benefit from an informed group of individuals who are capable of providing leadership to the community and the many voluntary organizations that operate within it. These individuals will have a better understanding of the community’s strengths and weaknesses. Faculty will cover the following topics:  Arts & Culture, Community & Human Services, Education, Economic Development, Environment & Recreation, Law Enforcement & the Criminal Justice System, Leadership, Healthcare, Local & County Government, and Overview of Wayne County.

The Leadership Wayne program begins its first class on September 19, 2012, and will continue for ten months finishing up in July, 2013. Classes will meet the third Wednesday of each month at various locations throughout Wayne County. There will also be a Saturday session on leadership and regional issues in March, 2013.

Tammy L. Hardler, AVP & Executive Secretary at The Honesdale National Bank, is a 2006 graduate of the class and says:  “Leadership Wayne is an outstanding program for local businesses to utilize in the training of their key personnel.  It gives current and future leaders of our community a chance to experience every corner of Wayne County and what each area has to offer.  Our class had the opportunity to learn about local politics, economic development, environmental issues, education, public welfare and much more.  The knowledge, contacts, and friendships gained through the program have made us all better leaders.  I am proud to live in Wayne County and encourage people to get involved in its future.”

The class project is an integral part of the Leadership Wayne experience.  Participants work with fellow classmates to implement a project benefiting the citizens of Wayne County.  The Leadership Wayne process provides participants with the guidance and tools to turn concepts into workable projects and solutions. The project process culminates the Leadership Wayne experience, utilizing ideas generated during class sessions into a community enhancing project. Noteworthy prior projects include Tour of Honor and the preservation of the Civil War Monument in Central Park before the Courthouse.

Leadership Wayne is open to anyone who works or lives in Wayne County.  The cost is $495, which includes program materials, lunches and graduation.  Scholarships are available to those who qualify. The program is sponsored by the Wayne County, Southern Wayne Regional and Pocono Lake Region Chambers of Commerce.

Employers and individuals wanting to develop their knowledge of Wayne County and enhance their leadership skills should contact the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce today for an application.  Deadline for applications is July 27, 2012.

The new printer product line is a natural addition for the ink and toner retailer, as the company expands its offerings for its business customers. The new printers, made by Hewlett Packard and Canon, are available at Cartridge World- Stroudsburg for sale and/or through a new printer loaner program.

“Cartridge World- Stroudsburg is always looking for ways to expand service to our customers, and printers are a perfect complement to the printer cartridges we already offer,” said Bob Bilbow of Cartridge World Stroudsburg. “Our goal is to provide a one-stop shop for our customers’ printing needs.”

In addition to selling printers, many Cartridge World stores offer printer maintenance and recycling services, too.

Cartridge World makes it easy for local businesses and organizations to save up to 30-40 percent on printing costs by selling 100-percent guaranteed, remanufactured ink and toner cartridges, and offering special promotions throughout the year. With the company’s “Switch & Save” promotion, business customers qualify for a free loaner printer when they sign a 12-month service agreement and purchase printer cartridges exclusively from their local Cartridge World store. Plus, if business customers purchase 24 cartridges, they can receive the printer for free. To participate in the free printer loaner program, call or visit your local Cartridge World store.

In addition, Cartridge World helps business customers save money by providing free delivery when placing orders (see store for details), and online customers can also receive free shipping with a $50 order. With 600 stores across the U.S. and Canada, including locations in the Stroudsburg community, Cartridge World is the world’s largest specialty retailer of ink and toner printer cartridges. In addition, Cartridge World supports various cartridge recycling programs. This includes programs that allow schools and local community organizations to raise funds by collecting empty printer cartridge. For more information about Cartridge World’s programs and 100-percent guaranteed, eco-friendly ink and toner printer cartridges, visit www.CartridgeWorld.com, or contact Bob Bilbow at Cartridge World- Stroudsburg, located at Route 611, Box 27 in Stroudsburg, at (570) 730-4333 or rbilbow@cartridgeworldusa.com.

Cartridge World is the leading ink and toner refilling retailer and franchisor in the $80 billion printer cartridge industry. Cartridge World stores offer customers a tremendous cost-saving alternative to buying new printer cartridges, offering a 30-40 percent discount over full-priced OEM cartridges. Cartridge World offers a 100-percent satisfaction guarantee. The company refills and remanufactures printer cartridges, using state-of-the-art processes and high quality inks and toners. Voted No.1 in the category by Entrepreneur Magazine, Cartridge World has more than 1,600 franchised retail locations in 50 countries. For more information about Cartridge World products or franchising opportunities, call (888) 99-REFILL or visit http://www.CartridgeWorld.com

Harrisburg, PA – In the presence of more than 100 hard-working taxpayers from across Pennsylvania, Rep. Mario Scavello (R-Monroe) today participated in a property tax rally at the state Capitol to urge the enactment of the Property Tax Independence Act, which would restore the right of Pennsylvanians to truly own their homes by replacing the burdensome and outdated school property tax system.

“No tax should have the power to leave you homeless,” said Scavello. “Monroe County’s school districts cannot continue to raise taxes, and the language of House Bill 1776 provides avenues to correct this unfairness.”

Five years ago, a Monroe County homeowner could build a brand new home for about $250,000. That same home today is only worth about $150,000, with property taxes estimated at $11,000 per year, said Scavello. Skyrocketing property taxes have resulted in nearly 3,000 vacant homes in Monroe County.

“Because Monroe County has grown rapidly, the residents have taken the brunt of increasing property taxes. The growth that has occurred in Monroe County freezes in a moment of time with 20-years-old U.S. Census information that is used to fund the county’s school districts,” said Scavello. “Now is the time to realize that funding schools cannot lie on the backs of our hardworking taxpayers.”

Property owner, Patrick Briegel of the Monroe County Taxpayer Coalition, said Monroe County’s homes are exorbitant and the state’s property tax structure is flawed.

“In Monroe County, we pay some of the highest property tax rates, as a percentage of property value, in the entire country. It wasn’t always this way. Taxes have more than doubled in the last dozen years because our outdated tax code unfairly punishes growth areas like ours, where most of the burden falls on the local property taxpayer, and the state contributes a smaller share toward school funding,” said Briegel.

As an advocate for adequate school funding and property tax elimination, Scavello and Rep. Rosemary M. Brown (R-Pike/Monroe) have recently reined in support from other state lawmakers from fast-growing counties to soon file a lawsuit to overturn the state’s education funding formula that has penalized Monroe County’s fast-growing school districts, along with several others, for the past two decades.

Fast-growing school districts across the state rank at or near the bottom in per-pupil aid statewide because a 1991 “hold harmless” provision guarantees no district in the state will ever receive less total funding, even if its student population declines.

“I am optimistic that a victorious outcome for our state lawsuit would help advance House Bill 1776 through the General Assembly.  If the hold harmless provision is revoked by the courts, the majority of state representatives in slow-growing districts that have gained through the current education funding system will lose those dollars they’ve received based on outdated census numbers. That means they’ll finally have to look for other options to fund public education, such as those listed under House Bill 1776,” said Scavello.

For more information regarding House Bill 1776 or Scavello’s lawsuit against the state, including video clips and details on the property tax legislation, visit his website at RepScavello.com.

Paul Canevari, Regional Community Relations Director for PPL commented, “We have had a long-standing partnership with PMEDC and have supported many of their marketing projects in the past.  We always see creative ideas with an innovative approach and are pleased to be able to contribute once again to their success.”

One of the projects was the creation of a Report Builder module on the PMEDC website.  It is designed to make it easier for real estate brokers, developers and site selection professionals to prepare dossiers about specific properties in Monroe County’s available commercial industrial property inventory, along with demographic data, workforce information and financing resources.   PMEDC plans to use the feature at trade shows and events, though qualified professionals will also be able to access the feature from their desktops.

“In this highly competitive business, it is important that we remain leading edge with our online tools,” said PMEDC Executive Director Chuck Leonard.  “Throughout the years, the generous support of PPL’s Blue Ribbon Grant program has enabled us to do that.”

The grant also supported the re-design and update of our Community Data Sheets which are used to promote the county online, at events and in response to prospects.  The four documents: Demographics, Quality of Life, Workforce & Education, Location & Transportation have been updated using 2010 Census data.  They can be found on PMEDC’s website available for download.

The final project was created as a follow-up to a project funded in 2010 by PPL, which was the development of a mobile version of PMEDC’s website for all smartphone and tablet computer users.  A postcard campaign promoting the development of this new technology was instituted in order to direct more smartphone device users to the mobile site.  The success of this campaign is being tracked by using QR codes and visitors are incentivized to register by being entered into a prize drawing.

PMEDC has contracted with Michael Beckenbach & Associates, a Stroudsburg-area public relations and marketing company, to develop and track the success of these projects.

The Pocono Mountains Economic Development Corporation is a non-profit economic development corporation, dedicated to creating jobs for Monroe County residents, expanding the county’s tax base, and attracting new investment with the direct support of the Monroe County Commissioners.

More information regarding Monroe County’s economic development is available at PMEDC.com or mobile.pmedc.com on smartphones and tablet computers.

“Dr. Scherl will be a great asset in this leadership position and I am confident that he will assist us in our journey toward providing world class trauma care close to home,” said Kathleen E. Kuck, President and CEO of Pocono Health System/Pocono Medical Center.

Dr. Scherl has been educated and trained at some of the nation’s top universities and hospitals. Dr. Scherl received his Bachelor of Arts from Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island and his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA. He completed his orthopedic residency in New York City at Lenox Hill Hospital. Dr. Scherl has published and presented in multiple national forums, including several journal articles and chapters in textbooks. He is a Fellow in the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and is married with three children. Dr. Scherl’s interests are his family, running, football, and reading.