Pocono News Section

State Denies Wilkes-Barre Resident's Complaints

State Denies Wilkes-Barre Resident's Complaints - Thursday, January 3, 2008 at 9:50PM EST

Reported by: Jill Konopka
Thursday, Jan 3, 2008 @09:50pm EST
(WILKES-BARRE, Luzerne County) It's being hailed a major victory for Luzerne County Leaders. On Wednesday officials in Harrisburg ruled against a pair of complaints filed by one Wilkes-Barre resident. The state issued a lengthy opinion ruling there is no legal basis of Wilkes-Barre political activist Tim Grier's complaints alleging the county violated the unit debt act by passing a multi-million dollar bond deal back on November 14, 2007. Late last year, Tim Grier of Wilkes-Barre filed two complaints with the state challenging Luzerne County's plan to borrow up to $93,500,000.00 dollars. Peter Moses is the County’s Bond Attorney, "Tim Grier tried to throw a snowball at us, and he got hit with an avalanche. He was calling the County's bluff; well today the County collected the pot." In a six page opinion released earlier than expected, the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development or DCED ruled Tim Grier lacks taxpayer status and is not an interested party. Attorney Moses added, "Thank God at our urging, DCED gave decision on January third that's unheard of." Commissioner Greg Skrepenak responded, "All Tim Grier and Stephen Urban accomplished was they scared a lot of people, almost halted government and cost the county a lot of money." Commission Chairman Greg Skrepenak sports a smile for the first time in a long time, despite knowing a disappointed Tim Grier will file an appeal in the allotted 15 days. Skrepenak believes both complaints were politically charged. Skrepenak said, "We were in the right, we followed the debt act and we were going to win. I live by the motto what goes around comes around and it usually comes around a lot worse." Controller Maryanne Petrilla who will become Commissioner on Monday added, "The county winning this complaint simply means we'll be able to get bond money we need to balance the budget and move forward and get us on the right track financially." County officials now say they can move forward with their initial bond deal authorized November 14th. It'll help pay for projects at the prison, flood protection, bridge repairs, 911 and Luzerne County Community College. Skrepenak said,” We’re going to continue to go with same finance presented in November." Commissioner Steve Urban told us late this afternoon, “I would disagree with DCED that Tim Grier doesn't have standing as a taxpayer based on a dog fee and gun permit he purchased. In addition, Urban says Attorney Pete Moses is more concerned about collecting fees on the county's bond than taking care of the taxpayers in this county.