|
Read News
|
Pocono News Section
Luzerne Co. Budget Passes
Luzerne Co. Budget Passes - Thursday, December 18, 2008 at 12:38PM EST
Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County -
There are a lot of unhappy people at this courthouse tonight and many others who are watching that have questions. But the commissioners say there is no question, they have no spare change.
Emotions ran high as taxpayers jam the county commissioner meeting Wednesday to see and hear more about the county's bottom line. It is a very tight bottom line with $129 million in spending and some $5 million in cut backs, including the lay-offs of some 100 county employees.
Taxpayers gave the commissioners an earful. Michele Boice, of Harvey Lake says, “These deficits that we're running came from years of mismanagement. But we're continuing to mishandle the county and pushing it off on taxpayers. It’s not fair."
Bob Reilly, the clerk of courts says, “It's apparent by some of the things that were said, some of the things that were done, there's no understanding as to how we operate. I think that's very important and sad in a way. We're trying to explain to you our problems and we're explaining to people who really don't understand what they are."
As the commissioners were passing their budget, President Judge Mark Ciavarella was filing a lawsuit to halt the budget process saying it would harm the court system. Commission Chairman Maryann Petrilla reacted to the lawsuit. She said, “...irreparable harm will be suffered by (the) court and inhibit access to the citizens of Luzerne County ." Commissioner Maryanne Petrilla said the courts were asked to slash 30 positions, amounting to a 10-percent cut. Maryanne adds, “It's just incredible to me that there was no cooperation from them whatsoever.”
County bosses say in the last round of cuts in 2004, the courts managed to escape without a single reduction.
The county's 129 million dollar budget passed Wednesday reflects widespread cuts. Commissioners were accused of threatening, bullying and laying people off to make a point. One of two attorneys hired by the court system to fight the commissioner’s cuts said he's hopeful this is solved quickly. Petrilla's not so sure. She concludes, “So now the taxpayers of Luzerne County have to fund a lawsuit that could've been avoided with a little cooperation.”
An out of county judge will be assigned the matter and at this point, it doesn't appear either side is budging. | | |
|
|
|