The City of Scranton Announces Tax Return Deadline Reminder for Businesses Entities conducting business within the City of Scranton are reminded that the due date to submit their third quarter tax return for the 2023 Payroll Preparation Tax is November 30, 2023. A person shall be deemed to be conducting business within the City if they engage, hire, employ, or contract with one or more individuals as employees, partners, or is self-employed and, in addition, does at least one of the following: Maintains a fixed place of business within the City; Owns or leases real property within the City for profit; Maintains a stock of tangible, personal property in the City for sale in the ordinary course of business; Conducts continuous solicitation within the City related to such business; or Utilizes the streets of the City in connection with the operation of such business (other than for the mere transportation from a site outside the City, through the City, to a destination outside the City.) Institutions who are exempt from the Payroll Preparation Tax as a result of their status as a nonprofit are required to file quarterly returns claiming their exemption. Returns submitted after November 30, 2023, will be subject to penalty and interest on the balances due. The Payroll Preparation Tax is a tax levied separately by both the Scranton School District and the City of Scranton. The 2023 Payroll Preparation Tax rate for the Scranton School District is 0.7553 percent and the 2023 Payroll Preparation Tax rate for the City of Scranton is 0.2787 percent. The combined 2023 Payroll Preparation Tax rate is 1.034 percent. The City of Scranton and the Scranton School District have both appointed Berkheimer Tax Innovations, Inc. to administer the Payroll Preparation Tax on their behalf. Tax forms are available on Berkheimer’s website at hab-inc.com/pptforms. Additional information, including Frequently Asked Questions, can be found at scrantonpa.gov/payroll-prep-tax-information, https://www.scrsd.org/departments/business-office and hab-inc.com/ppt-faq. Please direct all questions regarding the Payroll Preparation Tax to Berkheimer by emailing ebpt@goberk.com or by calling (610) 599-3140.
Tobyhanna Army Depot Employee Recognized by Secretary of Defense Brenda Gillis, a management analyst in Tobyhanna’s Resource Management Directorate, was recently recognized for her achievements in advancing equal employment opportunities for people with disabilities. The 43rd Annual DOD Disability Awards, held at the Pentagon on October 26, recognized 23 outstanding employees from over 1,000 applicants. In October, the DOD observed National Disability Employment Awareness Month and recognition of the 50th anniversary of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Gillis, who is blind, has worked at Tobyhanna Army Depot (TYAD) for over 11 years. During that time, she has distinguished herself through execution of duties in alignment with the Army’s Civilian Corps Creed. Over the last year, she revamped her directorate’s telework process to make it easier to manage for years to come. This program improved employee performance and engagement and supported mission productivity and efficiency. Gillis said she was shocked and honored when initially finding out about the award. She actually asked her team lead to ensure the email was the real deal and not a scam. While Gillis may have been surprised, members of Team Tobyhanna who have the pleasure of working alongside Gillis were hardly surprised. Lead Management Analyst Lisa Wesneski works closely with Gillis. She said that Gillis’ ability to creatively think through any problem makes her a tremendous asset to Team Tobyhanna. “Brenda is one of the greatest strategic thinkers I have ever worked with. She easily understands the second, third, and fourth order of effects and uses that ability to solve any problem that comes her way,” said Wesneski. “She is confident in her abilities and never hesitates to work with others, at all levels of our organization, to make processes efficient and logical. She is paving the groundwork for future employees and contributing to the success of TYAD for years to come.” Gillis very much reciprocates the sentiments of her colleagues, saying she could not have earned this award without the support of her teammates. Gillis protected the interests of the government by executing the out-processing procedures for civilians who are departing the depot. Over the past year, she improved the process and mentored over 23 distinct areas to ensure the importance of following the process is understood. Her improvements had a positive impact on financial metrics by ensuring out-processing time charges were accurate and employees were held accountable for their time. Gillis also plays a key role in the execution of TYAD’s career development employee program. Her dedication to the Army People First initiative is highlighted by her genuine care and concern toward ensuring the Army will retain the Civilian talent needed to achieve Army readiness now and in pace with the Army Modernization strategy of 2035. Her selfless service and dedication to duty ensure new employees embrace the Army slogan “Be All You Can Be” and know their efforts are saving lives every day. Gillis serves on TYAD’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility team as well as a 508 users group. Gillis is proud of the strides TYAD has made on the accessibility front, saying the depot’s accessibility has improved “lightyears” since she began her depot career. Chief of the Personnel Management Division Jeffrey Compton also works alongside Gillis. He said that her strong work ethic and inventive ideas have provided a positive impact on the people and processes across the entire depot. “Brenda lives the Army values in everything she does. Her personal courage and sense of duty energize her to take on any challenge, and work with others at all levels of the organization to accomplish the team’s mission,” said Compton. “Brenda can visualize a process and possesses the ability to identify gaps and then take action to address those gaps to improve the effectiveness or efficiency of the process. She is humble, yet confident in her abilities, and is proud to serve as an Army civilian.” During the ceremony, the Department of the Army was also recognized with the Secretary of Defense Award for the Best Mid-Sized Component in Achievements in Advancing Employment Opportunities for Individual with Disabilities. Lisa L. Arfaa, director of the DOD’s Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion lauded all who were recognized during the ceremony. “The contributions of today’s awardees have furthered the path to equity for people with disabilities and strengthened our workforce. I am confident DOD will continue to meet mission requirements because of employees like you [the awardees].” Gillis said the experience has been amazing. She said not only was the award an honor, but attending the ceremony allowed her to network with representatives from other DOD entities. Gillis said she gained some valuable insights that she hopes to bring back to TYAD to continue the great progress the depot has made in accessibility. Reflecting on her TYAD career, Gillis believes transparency, communication and understanding are cornerstones for a successful career. Gillis encouraged all members of Team Tobyhanna to advocate for themselves so we can all best support one another to achieve our common goals. “With or without a disability, it is important to self-advocate because only you know best what you need to succeed. Challenges can only be overcome when we speak up and stand up for ourselves.”
Co-Op Farmer’s Market Makes Donation to Veterans Promise On Friday, November 10, the Co-Op Farmer’s Market presented a check donation and nonperishable food items to Veterans Promise, an organization committed to assisting and advocating for Veterans and their families. Every year, in honor of Veterans Day, the Co-Op Farmer’s Market sponsors a Veteran organization. This year Veterans Promise was selected, and the Farmer’s Market collected monetary and non-perishable item donations to support the organization and the Veterans in our community.
The Wright Center to Host Alzheimer’s and Dementia Family Support Group Meetings The Wright Center for Community Health announces that its Alzheimer’s and Dementia Family Support Group will resume monthly meetings at its Mid Valley Practice in Jermyn, beginning Monday, Nov. 20. Meetings will be held regularly, from 2-3 p.m. on the third Monday of each month, at the primary care practice, 5 S. Washington Ave., Jermyn. The professionally-led group is for individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, family caregivers, loved ones, and others personally affected by the disease. “Support groups are a good source of practical advice, camaraderie, and emotional support for everyone involved, including those living with the disease and their family caregivers,” said Nicole Lipinski, RN, MS, ADC-MC, CDP, director of The Wright Center for Community Health’s Geriatric Service Line. To register for the support group, a collaborative program with the Alzheimer’s Association Greater Pennsylvania Chapter, send an email to Lipinski, at lipinskin@thewrightcenter.org, or call 570-230-0019. The support group falls under the umbrella of The Wright Center for Community Health’s Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care Program. The program, which is based on an award-winning model of care that was developed at UCLA, helps patients and their families with the complex medical, behavioral, and social needs of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. The Wright Center’s advanced practice clinicians and dementia care specialists collaborate with the patient’s primary care physician to create a personalized care plan that considers each patient’s medical needs and unique cultural traditions while also offering solutions for caregiver stress. For more information about The Wright Center’s many services, call 570-230-0019 or visit TheWrightCenter.org.
Johnson College Hosts Annual Scholarship Breakfast Johnson College hosted its annual Scholarship Breakfast today, November 9, at Fiorelli Catering in Peckville. The event was held to recognize the scholarship recipients and thank and honor the generous donors who make scholarships available to students. The College awarded 53 students with scholarships. Stephanie Ropietski, a student in Johnson College’s Veterinary Nursing program and recipient of Hawk Family Foundation Scholars and the Dr. George J. Hallesky Memorial Scholarships served as the student speaker at the event. “The scholarships that have been awarded to me and so many of my classmates exhibit how Johnson College and all of the generous scholarship donors care about the success and hard work of today’s students,” Ropietski said. She stated that these scholarships will help to alleviate the burden of the cost of school for many students, allowing them to focus on their students and strive for success. The event also featured keynote speaker, Nicholas J. Scarnato ’80, Treasurer of the College’s Board of Directors and long-time supporter of the College and its students. The breakfast concluded with the presentation of the scholarship awards by Katie Leonard, Ed.D., president and CEO of Johnson College, and Jeanine Engelmann, Ed.D., Chief Academic Officer of Johnson College. The presented awards included: AAA North Penn Annual Scholarship, Brenden Sutton; Alekna Memorial Scholarship, Nathan Dixon; Edgar and Ida Alekna Scholarship Fund, Luke Galli; Sebastian “Sebby” Amico Memorial Scholarship, Jallen Wilks; Bartolai Family Scholarship, Robert Jenkins; John K. and Mary E. Blackledge Memorial Scholarship, Rachel Butler and Mackenzie Gavin; Margaret Briggs Foundation Scholarship, Jonathan Merlen; Sean J. Calpin Automotive Technology Scholarship, Gabriel Gonzalez; CMC Rich Vinansky Memorial Golf Tournament Scholarship, Trinaya Parker; Vernon “Terry” Decker Scholarship, Blake Praschak; P. Fricchione and Sons Scholarship, Jonathan Hunsberger; John T. Gerod Scholarship, Richard Reed and Emily Royce; Dr. George J. Hallesky Memorial Scholarship, Stephanie Ropietski; Hawk Family Foundation Scholar, Stephanie Ropietski and Jordan Stine; Thomas Hesser Scholarship, Zachary Menichello; Frank & Jean Hubbard Scholarship, Chase Ferranti; Jefferson Township Lions Club Scholarship, Tess Maher; Orlando S. Johnson Merit Award, Jordan Bowen and Harrison Kubulis; Johnson College Presidential Scholarship, Andrew Abrams, Michael Andrews, and Devin Walsh; Janie Lamberton Memorial Scholarship, Jacqueline Albano; Andrew Mazza Memorial Scholarship, Gavin Noll; F. David Mercanti Memorial Scholarship, Robert Jensen; Moffat Merit Award, Richard Bowen and Dravyn Falsone; Ruth Stitt Morgan Memorial Scholarship, Kodee Bates; Moses Taylor Foundation Careers In Care Scholarship, Neyleen Lugo, Tess Maher, Jonathan Merlen, Trinaya Parker, Bryce Shorten, Malana Vega, and Kayla Ward; Motorworld Lexus Scholarship, Carter Albanese and Paolo Fiorini; John R. O’Hara Scholarship, King-Shakim Rose; Christopher Pambianco ’65 Book and Tool Award, Benjamin Flowers and Jacob Holmes; Thomas J. Perry Scholarship, Abby Bowen; John R. and Maureen J. Pesavento Johnson College Scholarship, Jade Mcdermott; Anthony Ploskonka Memorial Scholarship, Aaron Hall and Alyssa Nicholas; Irene Ploskonka Memorial Scholarship, Jarrel Johnson and Ryan Phillips; Pocono Mountain Street Rod Association Scholarship, Brenden Sutton and Hunter Landers; Richmond Merit Award, Emma Danowsky; Ross Family Foundation Scholarship, Alyssa Crawford; Scranton UNICO Foundation Scholarship, Tobio Gallucci; Society of Broadcast Engineers, Chapter II Scholarship, Michael Novotka; Technology Merit Award, Tyler Connolly; Islyn Thomas Achievement Award, Dylan Degroat; Villa Capri Cruisers Car Club, Inc. Scholarship, Hunter Landers and Brenden Sutton; And Ed Vogel Memorial Scholarship of the NEPA Chapter of the Antique Truck Club of America, Laura Alleva-Cox.
Children’s Advocacy Center Announces Executive Director Honorable Judge Michael J. Barrasse, President of the Children’s Advocacy Center of NEPA Board of Directors has announced their selection of Meghan Lennox Gagorik as the Center’s new Executive Director. Meghan Gagorik most recently served as the Division Director for the American Heart Association, overseeing Northeast and Central Pennsylvania and the Pocono Region. In her over 18 years of community service, Meghan served in numerous volunteer leadership and community-focused professional roles. She has overseen both non-profit and private-sector teams with a focus on addressing and overcoming health disparities and individuals’ inequities in the community. Meghan holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Services degree from Lackawanna College and a Master of Business Administration in Organizational Management from Eastern University. Judge Barrasse stated, “The Children’s Advocacy Center is delighted to welcome Meghan Gagorik as our new Executive Director. The Center’s Board completed an aggressive search and Meghan stood out, not only as an experienced candidate, but also as someone who is committed to protecting and nurturing children with compassion. Her dedication to advancing the mission of the CAC is truly impressive.” “I am honored to lead the important work and dedicated staff of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Northeastern Pennsylvania,” related, Ms. Gagorik. “The Center’s work of protecting and healing children who have been subjected to abuse and neglect is critical in our community. Working closely with area law enforcement, prosecutors, case workers and other community partners to provide supportive care for children and families is the highest mission. CAC of NEPA does it best.” Among the various boards and committees, Meghan has served Coaches vs. Cancer, Geisinger Northeast Advisory Council, Geisinger Northeast Women’s Leadership Council, and the Spirit of Hope benefiting NRCI. She is a past chair of Relay for Life and the Coaches vs. Cancer Gala. Her board service includes The American Cancer Society, Leadership Lackawanna, and the Everhart Museum of Natural History. Meghan has received multiple awards for her work, including the Children’s Advocacy Center of NEPA’s Child Advocate of the Year Award, the Outstanding and Dedicated Service Award, Distinctive Women of Northeast PA, the Saddle of Hope Award, Top 25 Women in Business, and the Sam & Jane Cali Star Award.
Tobyhanna Army Depot Recognizes Wren Family for Generations in Combat On the shores of Lake Michigan, fresh off his grandson Jacob’s boot camp graduation, Richard S. Wren Sr. knew the time had come to share the things he had seen and endured while serving his nation. Jacob, or “Butch” as his grandfather affectionately calls him, was about to be the next in a long line of Wrens to serve his nation. Richard S. Wren Sr. earned a Purple Heart when he was wounded by grenade shrapnel in the Korean War. Understandably, he talks little of the harrowing experience, but in this moment the patriarch of the Wren family felt it necessary to make his grandson aware of the realities posed by serving one’s nation. Jacob Wren holds the conversation, with the man who he and everyone in the family strives to make proud, amongst the most important and meaningful of his life. “(My grandfather) said ‘You know, Butch, I’m very proud of you, but just know you signed up to go into war, and I’m going to tell you something I’ve never talked to you about,’” said Jacob Wren. He said the conversation only heightened his already lofty view of his grandfather’s sacrifice. “That’s when it dawned on me to see the things that he has seen and gone through in his life – he had to come home and live with that without any of us really knowing the effects that caused on him and his life, but he never let that change who he was and how he was in our lives as a grandfather.” For generations, the Wrens have passed down a tradition of family, hard work and service to one’s nation. Dating all the way back to the Revolutionary War on Jacob’s grandmother’s and Richard S. Wren Sr.’s wife, Barbara A. Wren’s, side of the family, that commitment to serving our nation has been proudly passed down. Richard S. Wren Sr. and his son Richard S. Wren Jr. both served their nation in the Army. Largely inspired by their grandfather and father’s Army service, Jacob and his youngest brother, Anthony, served the nation in the Navy. Although an injury prevented Jacob from going to war, Anthony served multiple tours. Jacob Wren said the opportunity to not only continue his family’s legacy of service but become a part of a shared experience generations of Wrens have known was a surreal one. “To be a part of something bigger than I am, and to share that with my little brother who was active duty at the time, was incredible. To share that with him and have that brotherhood not just with the Navy but with my brother as well, was incredible.” Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of Richard S. Wren Sr.’s service is his unwavering loyalty and dedication to our nation despite the tremendous sacrifices he has made. Once his military career had ended, Richard S. Wren Sr., who had given so much to our nation, asked how he can serve the nation further. That desire to serve his nation in a civilian capacity led Richard S. Wren Sr. to join the ranks of Team Tobyhanna with a career at Tobyhanna Army Depot (TYAD). Once again, Richard S. Wren Sr. inspired others in his family to serve their nation, this time on the home front. Currently, Russell Wren, his nephews Jacob and Richard S. Wren III and their cousin Michael Kosloski all serve amongst the ranks of Team Tobyhanna. They follow in the footsteps of Richard S. Wren Sr. and his son Richard S. Wren Jr., who both counted themselves as members of the civilian workforce. For Jacob and Richard III, TYAD has been in their blood since childhood. The two not only work at TYAD but lived in Tobyhanna Pines, Army family housing on post, as children. Much like his brother Jacob, Richard S. Wren III was inspired by his grandfather to serve his nation. Although a medical issue kept him out of the Army, he was determined to etch his name in the long history of the Wren family’s service to the nation. “Tobyhanna was my second chance to serve my nation. To this day, I have a great deal of passion and pride in working here. It was very important to me to do some sort of service,” said Richard S. Wren III. Every member of Team Tobyhanna has an added purpose in their work knowing that the work they support will directly benefit our nation’s warfighters, but Richard S. Wren III has a very personal tie to his work. “My family members were enlisted full-time. They were deployed overseas. So, my family members were using the equipment we were working on. Being able to do things for the veterans and keeping them out of danger makes working at Tobyhanna special. It gives me a good feeling to know I’m helping our service members.” Each member of the Wren family echoes those sentiments. To them, working at TYAD offers another opportunity to serve their nation through work they take tremendous pride in. Russell Wren has worked at TYAD for nearly 20 years, ascending to a leadership position. He aspires to make his father proud through his commitment to our nation. The first thing he did when learning he had attained a leadership role was call his father. “When I was selected for my first leadership position, I took great pride in that. Being able to carry on my father’s legacy is important to me. He has supported and empowered us throughout our lives. I want to make him proud through my work,” said Russell Wren. Russell Wren considers it a privilege to be a member of Team Tobyhanna. “Make what you do today matter because you gave up a day of your life to do it. Working at TYAD helps me fulfill that mantra because what we do here at TYAD has a direct impact on the soldiers in the field and saves people’s lives. That is all the motivation I need to come to work every day, and I take great pride in working at TYAD.” The values of service remain strong in the family, and the next generation may soon be serving the depot. With a lineage of service dating back to the birth of the nation, one may think that service was the greatest value Richard S. Wren instilled in his children and grandchildren. However, the only value he and his wife impressed more than service was family. “Growing up we all wanted to be like my grandfather. We all wanted to serve, we all wanted to be like him. His and my grandmother’s relationship – they’re together 65+ years – the foundation they created in our family and imprinted on our lives was important because they taught us that family is everything, and no matter what your family comes first. And I personally think that his time in the military and what he went through helped him develop that skill to just be the greatest family man that you can ever be,” said Jacob Wren. In a word, Russell Wren and the entire Wren family is grateful to have such a strong role model and example who profoundly touched each of their lives. “I get emotional when I think of what my father, as a young man, had to endure during his service to our nation. He is the greatest man I have ever had the privilege to know, and I feel the deepest sense of gratitude to be able to call that man Dad,” said Russell Wren. Through his commitment to service and family, Richard S. Wren has earned the admiration and respect of his family and his nation. The nation thanks the Wren family for their undying allegiance to the U.S. and their tireless dedication to service in support of the ideals we hold dear and the warfighters who courageously protect them every day.
Nick Bagdonis Promoted to Project Executive for Quandel Energy Solutions Quandel Energy Solutions, a leading provider of building solutions and energy savings services, is pleased to announce the promotion of Nick Bagdonis to the position of project executive. With 15 years in the industry, including extensive experience in maintenance and engineering management, Bagdonis joined Quandel Construction Group in 2022 as a senior project manager, quickly becoming an invaluable asset to the company. In his new role as project executive, Bagdonis will spearhead and coordinate all facets of energy-saving construction projects, demonstrating his proficiency in planning, scheduling, and budget management. His keen focus on delivering projects safely, on time, within budget, and exceeding customer expectations has earned him this well-deserved promotion. Quandel Energy Solutions recognizes Bagdonis as a results-driven leader with a proven track record of successfully completing projects to the satisfaction of clients. Rob Strickler, Vice President of Quandel Energy Solutions, commented, “Nick’s promotion to project executive is a testament to his ability to identify innovative solutions that enhance energy efficiency for our clients. His dedication to exceeding project owner expectations and leading our team toward continued success is unparalleled.” Bagdonis brings a wealth of knowledge to his role and possesses numerous industry certifications. He is an active participant in various industry and community organizations, showcasing his commitment to professional development and community engagement. “Quandel is proud to have Nick on our team, and we are confident that his expertise and leadership will drive our energy-saving construction projects to new heights,” continued Strickler. “We eagerly anticipate his success in this pivotal role and helping to drive the growth of this business unit.” Quandel Energy Solutions is enthusiastic about the promising future with Bagdonis in this elevated role, leading the team toward further accomplishments and innovations in the field of energy-saving construction projects.
Geisinger Medical Centers Nationally Recognized for Quality Heart Attack Care Geisinger Community Medical Center in Scranton, Geisinger Medical Center in Danville and Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center in Wilkes-Barre have received the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline® STEMI Receiving Center Gold Plus recognition. The three Joint Commission/American Heart Association Comprehensive Heart Attack Centers and Mission: Lifeline Receiving Centers were recognized for delivering rapid, evidence-based care to people having the type of heart attack known as ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), which is known to be more severe and dangerous than other types of heart attacks. All three medical centers are perennial recipients of Mission: Lifeline honors, but this is Geisinger Community Medical Center’s first year achieving Gold Plus recognition. Each year, about 285,000 people in the U.S. experience a STEMI,caused by a complete blockage in a coronary artery. Like all heart attacks, this requires timely treatment to restore blood flow as quickly as possible. “When one of our patients is having a heart attack, it’s important that we move quickly, move together, and deliver treatment that gives them the best chance at survival and recovery,” said Cinde Bower-Stout, manager of cardiovascular quality at Geisinger. Mission: Lifeline is a national, community-based initiative improving systems of care for patients with STEMI, non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), stroke and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Recognition as a Mission: Lifeline Receiving Center is designed to showcase hospitals that provide 24/7 support for STEMI. Accredited facilities coordinate with a network of referring hospitals and emergency medical services to provide guideline-directed STEMI and NSTEMI care. “We are dedicated to always improving coordination among our teams and always delivering the latest, evidence-based care to heart attack patients,” said Vishal Mehra, M.D., Ph.D., director of cardiovascular quality at Geisinger. “The Mission: Lifeline initiative helps us achieve our goals by offering guidelines to follow on a daily basis as we focus on making better health easier for our patients.”