Pocono News Section

Home Rule Vote in Clinton County

Home Rule Vote in Clinton County - Tuesday, November 6, 2007 at 6:19PM EST

Reported by: Lorena Beniquez
Tuesday, Nov 6, 2007 @06:19pm EST

LOCK HAVEN, CLINTON COUNTY - Will Home Rule find a place to nest in Clinton County? That is the choice voters are making at the polls. Despite two years of study and debate, some residents are still in the dark about what's at stake. Lock Haven resident Erica Moore says she needs more information. "I had asked my husband, 'What does that really stand for?' He wasn't quite sure either. I was kind of hoping I would go in today, read about it and then decide," said Moore.

Two years ago a panel was elected to consider Home Rule. With the new government, the primary change in the government would be the elimination of county commissioners. They would then be replaced with a five-member legislative board.

"We actually visited other counties to see their form of governments and it just opened my eyes that there is a better way of doing it more professionally," said Home Rule Panel Member Debra Day. The panel then voted to recommend Home Rule to county residents. Day added, "We believe it is a good form of government because it offers more professionalism, more efficiency and less politics to the citizens."

If voters choose the home rule option it won't actually take affect until 2010. If it is denied at the polls, then it is not allowed to be reintroduced for five years.

The home rule charter was proposed after a 36 percent tax increase in 2004.