East Stroudsburg seems determined to burden its residents with a staggering 29% property tax hike—one councilwoman even proposed raising it to 40%. It’s as though this borough has never met a property tax it didn’t like.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Zoning Hearing Board of Paradise Township has scheduled a Public Hearing at the Paradise Township Municipal Building, 5912 Paradise Valley Road, Cresco, Monroe County, Pennsylvania 18326 on Tuesday, January 28, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. to consider the application of JSPA Realty, LLC, requesting a variance from the Zoning Hearing Board to permit the short-term rental use of the property located at 133 Montanesca Rd., Pennsylvania, 18344, through relief from §160-12.A(64.A0 and Attachment I of the Township Zoning Ordinance.
PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Borough of East Stroudsburg will hold a Public Hearing regarding Ordinance 1409 for the Cable Franchise Agreement. The Public Hearing will take place on Monday, January 6, 2025 at 7:15 PM and Tuesday, January 21, 2025 during the Regularly Scheduled Council Meeting and be voted upon at the Borough Municipal Building located at 24 Analomink Street, East Stroudsburg, PA 18301. AN ORDINANCE OF EAST STROUDSBURG BOROUGH AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF A CABLE FRANCHISE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE BOROUGH AND BLUE RIDGE CABLE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
The Democrat County Commissioner is on videotape voting twice.
The Democrat Attorney General, referenced in the story, refused to press charges.
We no longer have a Democrat Attorney General. 
Doors: 6pm // Show: 6pm
$50
Sherman Showcase
522 Main St, Stroudsburg, PA 18360
Welcome to the A.N.N. Palooza 2!! This dynamic event features live performances from a diverse lineup of independent artists, each showcasing their unique talents across various genres. Attendees will have the opportunity to mingle and connect during engaging meet-and-greet sessions with fellow podcasters, creators, and innovators, fostering a sense of community and collaboration.
Artists:
1. Loratti
2. Project Pook
Doors: 7pm // Show: 8pm
$29.99 to $34.99
Sherman Theater
524 Main St, Stroudsburg, PA 18360
In-Person Consulting Opportunity for Monroe County For-Profit Small Businesses
Location: Pocono Mountains Economic Development Corporation
701 Main St., Suite 407, Stroudsburg, PA 18360
Meet with business consultant Leigh Fennie in Stroudsburg, PA, for a personalized, one-on-one meeting to discuss your small business needs. Start-up and for-profit business owners are welcome to make an appointment.
The Monroe County Commissioners approved next year’s budget at a special meeting this morning. Residents can expect an over 37 percent tax increase.
And we’re told another reassessment is necessary as property values have gone up proportionally.
"All in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Motion carries."
The Monroe County Commissioners adopted the 2025 budget today in the amount of over 147 million dollars. It carries a tax increase of one point five mils.
Monroe County Commissioners Chairman John Christy says, "The value of your house, if it’s at $100,000 it would be a $150 increase."
We’re told last year was the first time taxes were raised in 12 years and the half a mil wasn’t enough.
Monroe County Commissioner Sharon Laverdure says, "All our employees, they need a raise. We needed to look at our salary chart. We needed to do something different with that. That’s been many years that that hasn’t been done." The budget also includes 87 million dollars for the general fund.Christy says, "Able now to put some money back into the general fund. We have been taking money out of the general fund, I want to say for the past 12 years so we’re trying to right the ship and steer it in the correct direction."
Some residents in attendance say it’s too much at one time. Others question changes in spending habits. But the verdict is out whether or not higher taxes are necessary.
Polk Township Resident Janet Dooner says, "I think that’s the bottom line of why I go to meetings, is I want to learn more and I hope more people in the community take that opportunity to learn more, why their taxes keep going up." The commissioners blame in part the state’s Common Level Ratio being against the county, which measures how the county’s base year assessments compare with current real estate market valuation. Back in 2019, after the reassessment, it was at 100 percent. That has since gone down to 50.1 percent. The chairman says commercial properties haven’t been paying their fair share and now everyone is forced to make up the difference. Christy says, "If my value is 100 million dollars, it’s now worth 500 thousand dollars so I’m not paying tax on the million dollars, I’m paying tax on the 500 thousand." The commissioners say the only way to correct it is another reassessment which they are currently looking into in Monroe County.
Doors: 7pm // Show: 8pm
$16
Sherman Stage at The Renegade Winery
600 Main St, Stroudsburg, PA 18360
Must Be 21+ To Attend