Pocono News Section

Big Changes to Scranton City Government

Big Changes to Scranton City Government - Monday, January 4, 2010 at 5:45PM EST

Reported by: Eric Deabill
Monday, Jan 4, 2010 @ 05:45pm EST
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY -- A new day is dawning for government in the City of Scranton. The city's new council was sworn-in Monday afternoon. It's a council that promises to bring back accountability to government.

Three of the four council members sworn-in have openly challenged Mayor Chris Doherty and some of his ideas. Two of those members are political first-timers, and they were both under 30 when they ran.

The waves of change washed over City Council chambers in Scranton Monday. Janet Evans, Frank Joyce and Pat Rogan, a new majority who all ran against some of Mayor Chris Doherty's ideas, each took the oath of office.

Scranton Council Vice President Pat Rogan said, ÒThere are gonna be times when we don't agree on everything -- but we have to be civil towards one another and work to find compromise for the greater good of the city."

For the past few years comedy and chaos reigned over council meetings. So much so that comedy central has come calling. New Scranton City Councilman Frank Joyce said, ÒOne of the major goals of this city council is to restore decorum in these council chambers and I believe thatÕs very important."

The new council majority vows to put people first. One of their first orders of business may be to re-open the city's budget and make even more cuts. New Scranton City Council President Janet Evans said, ÒThe mayor made some cuts this year and I think it was a very good first step but we have quite a way to go."

Mayor Doherty, who was sworn-in Monday as well, says he plans to work with council to advance the city. For his third term in office he wants to raise the bar even higher by increasing the number of businesses and development projects.

ÒIt isn't about me and it isn't about individuals. It moves our city forward and I think our form of government is a good form of government. We really truly have a good check and balances," said Doherty.

Of course Mayor Doherty is looking to be the next Governor of Pennsylvania. A fifth councilman is still needed. 25 people have submitted their applications and interviews will be held this Friday and Saturday.

And a long-time city council member has a new job. Bill Courtright was sworn-in Monday afternoon as the city's new Tax Collector. Courtright gave his resignation to city council at its reorganizational meeting.

The Tax Office is no stranger to headlines. Millions of dollars recently turned up unknowingly in an account. During the campaign, Courtright pledged to clean-up the Tax Office.