Pocono News Section

Williamsport Firefighter Layoffs Averted

Williamsport Firefighter Layoffs Averted - Friday, January 22, 2010 at 2:00PM EST

Reported by: Eyewitness News
Friday, Jan 22, 2010 @ 02:00pm EST
WILLIAMSPORT, LYCOMING COUNTY -- WBRE Eyewitness news has learned Williamsport Mayor Gabe Campana will be rescinding his decision to lay off two Williamsport firefighters.

The mayor made his decision after learning Deputy Fire Chief Irv Gleason will be retiring in approximately two weeks. He says the city will keep those two firemen and eventually promote somebody from within to fill GleasonÕs position.

That leaves the updated tally on Williamsport fire personnel at 32 firefighters and 3 administrators following GleasonÕs departure. The mayor says this will save the city of Williamsport approximately $53,000 in salary and health benefits.

Mayor Campana says his only objective was to save the city money in a tough economic climate, and that he will continue to look at other revenue streams and cost-cutting measures.

WBRE Eyewitness news has also learned that the firefighterÕs union will be withdrawing the unfair labor practice complaint that they had filed.