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The Times Leader timesleader.com
WILKES-BARRE, PA
Former Penn State football coach’s condition takes a turn for the worse
SUNDAY, JANUARY 22, 2012
$1.50
Doctors say he recently has experienced complications from lung cancer
PATERNO CONDITION IS ‘SERIOUS’ By GENARO C. ARMAS AP Sports Writer
STATE COLLEGE — Joe Paterno’s doctors say the former Penn State coach’s condition has become “serious” after he experienced complications from lung cancer in recent days. The winningest major college football coach of all time, Paterno was diagnosed shortly after Penn State’s Board of Trustees ousted him Nov. 9 in the aftermath of the child sex abuse charges against former assistant Jerry Sandusky. Paterno’s been getting treatment since, and his health problems worsened when he broke his pelvis — an injury that first cropped up when he was accidentally hit in preseason practice last year. “Over the last few days Joe Paterno has experienced further
“Over the last few days Joe Paterno has experienced further health complications.”
Dan McGinn Family spokesman
night to refute reports that their father had died. Wrote Jay Paterno: “I appreciate the support & prayers. Joe is continuing to fight.” The 85-year-old Paterno has been in the hospital since Jan. 13 for observation for what his family had called minor complications from his cancer treatments. Not long before that, he conducted his only interview since losing his job, with The Washington Post. Paterno was described as frail then and wearing a wig. The second half of the two-day interview was conducted by his bedside. Roughly 200 students and townspeople gathered Saturday night at a statue of Paterno just outside a gate at Beaver Stadium.
Former Penn State football coach Joe Paterno has been in the hospital since Jan. 13 for observation for what his family had called minor complications from his cancer treatments. A family spokesman said Saturday that Paterno is now in serious condition.
health complications,” family spokesman Dan McGinn said in a brief statement Saturday to The Associated Press. “His doctors have now characterized his status as serious. “His family will have no comment on the situation and asks that their privacy be respected during this difficult time,” he said. Paterno’s sons Scott and Jay each took to Twitter Saturday See PATERNO, Page 12A
Gingrich storms to S. Carolina upset win
AP FILE PHOTO
WORTH THE WAIT, BUT IT WON’T LAST
CONFERENCE ATTENDANCE
2012
INSIDE
Editor’s note: This is the first of a two-part series on perks, salaries and benefits paid to Wilkes-Barre city officials
have cost taxpayers more than $113,000 in hotel and conference By TERRIE MORGAN-BESECKER fees, according to a review of tmorgan@timesleader.com credit card statements of four WILKES-BARRE – One month city officials from 2004 to 2011. The majority of the money -before they voted to raise taxes 31 $74,139 -was percent in 2008, three charged to the credit city council members I N S I D E card of City Clerk and the city controller spent five days in Or- • Two took trip with Jim Ryan for 43 sepmonth left in office, arate hotel stays of lando, Fla. on a tax- Page 14A council members payer-funded trip that • W-B costs high, cost more than $3,000 other third-class city and other officials in officials say, Page cities across a wide in hotel fees alone. section of the UnitThe trip to the an- 14A ed States. nual convention of the The charges rangNational League of Cities was among dozens of excur- ed from single-day stays in Charsions city council members and lotte, N.C., Virginia Beach, Va. other city officials have taken over the past seven years that See COSTS, Page 14A
By DAVID ESPO and THOMAS BEAUMONT Associated Press
See GINGRICH, Page 4A
Travel costs since ’04 stun activists $113,000 spent on travel in last six years, according to a credit card statement review.
Suddenly, race for Republican presidential nomination is scrambled.
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich stormed to an upset win in the South Carolina primary Saturday night, dealing a sharp setback to former front-runner Mitt Romney and suddenly scrambling the race for the Republican presidential nomination. “Thank you, South Gingrich Carolina!” a jubilant Gingrich swiftly tweeted to his supportELECTION ers. He appealed for a flood of donations for the next-up Jan. 31 primary. “Help me deliver the knockout punch in Florida. Join our Moneybomb and donate now,” said his tweet. Romney was unbowed. He vowed to contest for every vote in every state and unleashed a double-barreled attack on President Barack Obama and Gingrich simultaneously. Referring to criticism of his business experience, Romney said, “When my opponents attack success and free enterprise, they’re not only attack-
WILKES-BARRE CITY OFFICIALS
The number of Wilkes-Barre City Council Members and city officials who $1,645 attended national and state League of City conferences from 2004 through Erie 2011, and the total credit card charge $886 for hotel and conference fees.
$1,178 $1,069
Pittsburgh $2,714
Reno, Nev.
G
A NEWS Local 3A Nation & World 7A Obituaries 2A, 10A
Basketball Irish upset #1 Syracuse Sports, 1C
B PEOPLE Birthdays C SPORTS Outdoors
9B 12C
D BUSINESS Motley Fool E VIEWS Editorial
$4,792
$2,083
Denver, Colo.
Phoenix, Ariz.
AIMEE DILGER/THE TIMES LEADER
uy Rothery, 3, helps his dad clear the walks by his home in South Wilkes-Barre on Saturday morning. Guy was excited to make a snowman and tunnel in the snow. This was the first major snowstorm this winter. But it won’t last for long as rain and higher temperatures are expected to wash the snow away early this week. For a story, see Page 6A. For weather details, see Page 14C.
$4,920
$5,116
San Antonio, Texas
Indianapolis, Ind. $6,325
4D 2E
F ETC. Puzzles Travel G CLASSIFIED
Gettysburg
$1,199
$1,372
Washington, D.C. (two years) $3,096
New Orleans, La.
Source: City credit card statements
Bethlehem
Orlando, Fla.
Mark Guydish/The Times Leader
2F 6F 6
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PAGE 14A SUNDAY, JANUARY 22, 2012
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Poll: W-B travel fees very high Officials of other third-class cities say they are provided with nothing or a nominal amount. By TERRIE MORGAN-BESECKER tmorgan@timesleader.com
The $10,000 budgeted annually for Wilkes-Barre city council travel expenses far exceeds the amount several other third class cities dedicate to travel, officials in the communities said. A poll of officials in Hazleton, Scranton, Nanticoke and York revealed the cities provide either nothing or only a nominal amount, ranging from $50 to $250 for use by the entire council. That money can be used to pay conference fees, but in most cities, any other costs associated with travel are up to the individual council members, the officials said. Wilkes-Barre City Council has come under fire from residents Joseph Wielgosz and Charlotte Raup, who are questioning how much benefit the city has gotten from numerous conventions attended by council members. The city paid a total of $74,139 in hotel/conference fees from 2004 to 2011, the bulk of which was for travel to conventions held by the National League of Cities and Pennsylvania League of Cities, according to a review of city credit card statements of City Clerk Jim Ryan. The total does not include other expenses, such as airfare, meals and ground transportation, that council members pay up front and are later reimbursed.
COSTS Continued from Page 1A
and several cities in Pennsylvania, to week-long stays in San Antonio; Reno, Nev., New Orleans, Denver, and Phoenix. Mayor Tom Leighton, meanwhile, racked up travel-related charges totaling $14,720; City Administrator Marie McCormick, $12,030 and former city administrator J.J. Murphy $12,318. None of the trips by council were ever publicly approved at council meetings. They didn’t have to be. The money came from a from a $10,000 line item for travel that’s included in each year’s budget, which means no public vote was required. There also was no vote required to approve the hotel and conference fees charged to credit cards held by Leighton, McCormick or Murphy. Activists riled The lack of public disclosure riled city resident Joseph Wielgosz, who along with Charlotte Raup obtained the credit card statements earlier this year through a request filed under the state’s Right to Know Act. Raup and Wielgosz said they expected to find some questionable charges, but were stunned by the amount of travel-related expenses on the cards. “The people don’t know about this. This is outrageous,” Raup said. “I see people every day who are working so hard and struggling. They should not have to fork out money for people to travel all over.” “They travel more than the governor,” Wielgosz said. “These people are living it up on our money. It’s ridiculous.” Current Councilman Bill Barrett and former council members Kathy Kane and Tony Thomas, who took part in most of the trips, adamantly defended the travel, most of which was to conventions held by the National League of Cities and Pennsylvania League of Cities. Barrett, Thomas and Kane said information they picked up at the conventions led to numerous worthwhile projects and has resulted in cost savings that far outweigh the cost of the excursions. Thomas and Kane, who now serves as city controller, left council in December. Leighton, who primarily took short trips to Philadelphia and Washington D.C., said his travel involved numerous meetings with legislators and
Councilman Bill Barrett and Kathy Kane, who left council in December to become controller, say the city has benefited from numerous projects that they learned about by attending the conventions. Officials in York, Nanticoke and Scranton said that, while they agree such conferences can be helpful, they can’t justify paying for travel given the tight financial constraints their cities face. “That seems high,” Dianna Thompson, clerk for York City Council said when told of Wilkes-Barre’s travel budget. “I’ve been here 15 years and we’ve never had that much for travel.” Thompson said her council typically budgets a total of $500 to $1,000 for travel to be divided among its five council members, but the allotment was cut from this year’s budget. Even when the money is there, the city typically sends one or two council members to a seminar, not four, as Wilkes-Barre has done. “The training is valuable, but whether each person needs to go, I’m not so sure,” Thompson said. “You need to look at the financial state of your municipality … If your constituents are looking at a tax increase because you have five members going to training, when in reality you could just send two and have them come back with a report, I think they could possibly trim that.” Thompson said York also only pays for conference and registration fees for council members. Lodging, with occasional exceptions, is not covered, nor is mileage or meals. Council members typically only take day trips to seminars that
“We pay a 3-percent earned income tax. If you take away this credit card nonsense, maybe we’d only be paying 1 percent. This whole administration is about spend, spend, spend, yet you don’t have a decent road to drive on.” Joseph Wielgosz Wilkes-Barre resident
other government officials that helped him obtain funding for multiple projects that have improved the city. “Most of the time I was getting funding and going down and making presentations,” Leighton said. “Grant money does not fall in your lap. You need to really sell the project. You go down and lobby for the money.” The bulk of the travel-related charges on McCormick’s card appear to be for seminars and training for other city employees, according to notations on the statements. Most of Leighton’s and Murphy’s charges relate to meetings in Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. with various officials regarding projects within the city, including the Wi-Fi system, Intermodal Transportation Center and the Coal Street renovation project. Ryan personally charged a total of $1,915 in hotel charges to Virginia Beach from 2004 to 2010. The trips were for annual training so that he could retain his master certification as a city clerk, he said. Cost/Benefit ratio Raup and Wielgosz said they understand some travel is necessary, but they questioned whether the cost of some of the trips – particularly those taken by council members to out-ofstate conventions -- outweighed the benefits, particularly given the financial struggles the city is facing. “We pay a 3-percent earned income tax. If you take away this credit card nonsense, maybe we’d only be paying 1 percent,” Wielgosz said. “This whole administration is about spend, spend, spend, yet you don’t have a decent road to drive on.” A review of Ryan’s credit card statements show the total amount spent on hotels and conference/membership fees ranged from a low of $4,059 in
are nearby. The city has never paid airfare for a council member to travel out-of-state, as far as she could recall. In Scranton, council President Janet Evans said the city did not budget any money for travel for council, but it did provide $250 for Mayor Chris Dougherty to utilize for conferences. Hazleton also provides no travel funds for council, while Nanticoke has set aside $50. Scranton and Nanticoke are both in distressed city status. Evans and Holly Cirko, administrator for Nanticoke, said the financial difficulties would make it difficult to justify spending money on travel. “We are a distressed city that suffers from a myriad of significant financial problems,” Evans said. “Council members are not prohibited from attending seminars, however, we have to prioritize in this financial climate. Anyone who wishes to attend a function can do it at their own expense.” Cirko said Nanticoke has placed its priority on budgeting money for training of employees in individual departments, such as fire and police. “My council’s message has always been, if we are going to budget what little discretionary money we have, they want to send employees,” she said. Told of the policies of other cities, Barrett said that’s their prerogative. He remains convinced that WilkesBarre is getting its value out its membership to the National League of Cities and the conferences the organization sponsors. “There are lot of cities that don’t belong (to the NLC). I think they are missing something,” Barrett said.
2004 to a high of $16,945 in 2007. Expenditures in the other years ranged from roughly $6,500 to $9,700. The actual cost of the trips was likely significantly higher, however, as the figures do not include the cost of airfare, meals or ground transportation, which were not charged on the cards. Council members and other officials paid those fees up front and were later reimbursed by the city, Ryan said. The Times Leader filed a Right-to-Know request seeking receipts submitted by council members for reimbursement of travel expenses. The request, which is pending, could not reasonably be filled by the city within the several-day time frame prior to the publication of this story. A review of available records through June 2011, which were provided to the Times Leader by Wielgosz and Raup, showed Barrett, Kane, Thomas and former controller Bernie Mengeringhausen traveled to conventions an average of two to four times per year. The four attended the 2008 National League of Cities convention in Orlando, as well as NLC conventions held in 2006 in Reno, Nev.; 2007 in New Orleans; 2009 in San Antonio; 2010 in Denver and 2011 in Phoenix. A fifth person, Shirley Morio-Vitanovec, now a former council member, also attended the 2008 Orlando convention, Ryan said. Council members were free to take their spouse with them, but the city paid only for the council member, Ryan said. All expenses for spouses, such as airfare and meals, were their personal responsibility. Constituents benefit Barrett said he understands people might be skeptical of the benefits the city gets, but he’s convinced the cost of the conventions are far outweighed by the savings the city sees as a result of what members learn. “A lot of people picture these as if we are going on some sort of vacation. It is not like that,” Barrett said. Barrett, Kane and Thomas said they spent their days attending numerous seminars and meetings that allowed them to interact with officials from across the nation, gaining valuable information on how to address problems all cities face. They also cited numerous projects that came out of the conventions that benefited city residents. Thomas was the key person behind the “Healing Fields” 9/
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THE TIMES LEADER
2 took trip with month left in office By TERRIE MORGAN-BESECKER tmorgan@timesleader.com
WILKES-BARRE – Former city councilman Tony Thomas and former controller Bernie Mengeringhausen were among four city officials who attended a taxpayerfunded trip to a convention in Phoenix in November, despite the fact both men had only one month left in office. Thomas’ term on council ended Dec. 31, while Mengeringhausen retired. Despite that, they still attended the National League of Cities convention held in Phoenix from Nov. 9-12. The trip, also attended by council member Bill Barrett and former councilwoman Kathy Kane, cost taxpayers a total of $6,103 -- $4,791 for hotel and conference fees and $1,311 in airfare, according to figures supplied by City Clerk Jim Ryan. The junket was among numerous taxpayer-funded trips that Thomas, Barrett, Kane and Mengeringhausen have taken to National League of Cities conferences dating back to 2006, according to a review of Ryan’s credit card statements. The trips have been criticized by city residents Joseph Wielgosz and Charlotte Raup, who have questioned how much the city benefited from the conventions. Wielgosz was particularly disturbed to learn Thomas and Mengeringhausen had gone on the Phoenix trip. “They just sponged off the city for one extra vacation,” Wielgosz said. “It’s nonsense.” Thomas defended his decision to attend the convention. Although he’s no longer on council, he continues to live in the city and plans to volunteer his time to help council members and other city officials in any way he can, he said. Thomas said he brought back valuable information on several important issues, including towing contracts, centralizing police department records and alternative fuel sources for city vehicles. “The information I brought back (from
WILKES-BARRE SLEPT HERE Credit card expenditures for lodging of city officials in the last seven years, by state. Not shown: Rhode Island, $830; Maryland, $427; North Carolina, $352; West Virginia, $88 TOTAL: $85,766
$29,733
$17,352
Nev.
$1,138 Wis.
$4,921
$2,714 $4,792 Ariz.
www.timesleader.com
$1,718 N.Y.
$2,083 Ind.
Colo.
Pa.
$3,589
$7,589 $5,116 La. Texas
D.C.
Va.
$3,320 Fla.
Research: Terrie Morgan-Besecker, Graphic: Mark Guydish/The Times Leader
11 flag memorial that was held in Kirby Park in 2004. The flags were sold after the display ended, generating about $74,000 the city donated to various charities. In 2010, the city obtained playground equipment at virtually no cost that was installed in the Iron Triangle section. Ideas for both projects came from National League of Cities conventions, Thomas said. Barrett cited several examples of projects he learned about at conventions, including a prescription drug discount card and a water and sewer line protection insurance program offered to city residents. The prescription discount card is available to any city resident who does not have prescription coverage. It entitles them to a 25 percent discount on all prescriptions purchased at CVS pharmacies, he said. “I just got a report on it. Our residents have saved over $10,000,” Barrett said. The sewer and water line protection plan provides insurance to cover the cost if there is a malfunction within the lines. About 2,000 households have signed up for the program, he said. The city, which gets a small administration fee, earned roughly $10,000 off that program this year, he said. Wielgosz and Raup questioned if information on those projects could have been obtained in other ways. Many organizations now offer seminars through video conferencing, they noted. “Anything you can learn, you can learn on the Internet. There is nothing they learned that they could not have learned here,” Raup said. They also questioned why so
many council members, plus the controller, needed to attend the conventions. “I was a union president. When I sent someone on a trip, I sent one person who came back and discussed with everyone else what they learned,” Wielgosz said. Barrett, Kane and Thomas acknowledged the city could send fewer people, but said they would miss out on a lot of information because they could not possibly attend all the seminars, many of which are going on simultaneously. “None of us would go to the same seminar. We’d split up. One would go to public safety, one would go to public works,” Thomas said. Council Chairman Mike Merritt has never taken any trips, but said he believes the conferences are worthwhile. Council members have brought back information that has saved the city money, he said. But Merritt said he understands concerns that are being raised, and suggested it may be time for council to revisit how many people should attend. “I’m not saying cut it altogether, but does it need to be three? Maybe two is the number. Times are tough. We need to watch spending where we can,” Merritt said. Barrett said he also understands the concerns, but he thinks it would be a mistake to eliminate the conferences. “I can understand why it would be questioned, but to not take advantage of these opportunities, I think we would be remiss. The alternative is to stay in Wilkes-Barre, don’t belong to organizations, don’t learn anything new or bring anything back and stay stagnant,” he said.
the convention) and the knowledge I have, I can share with new council members. It’s not like I’m a ghost. I’m not leaving.” Wielgosz said that information could easily Thomas have been gathered by other council members who took the trip. “What does it matter if he learned anything? Isn’t this something other council members could have brought back Mengeringhausen to the people?” he said. Mengeringhausen did not return phone messages left at his home over several days seeking comment. All payment of bills in the city must be approved by the controller. Kane took over that position from Mengeringhausen in January, but she will not have any say in whether to pay charges related to the Phoenix trip because they appeared on the December credit card statement of Ryan’s card, which was due Dec. 29 and has been paid, Ryan said. Kane and Barrett declined to comment on whether they believed it was appropriate for Thomas and Mengeringhausen to have attended the conference, saying the matter was a personal choice of the two men. “I can see why people would question it, but I can’t speak for them,” Barrett said. Mayor Tom Leighton, in a statement issued through city spokesman Drew McLaughlin, said it is up to Thomas and Mengeringhausen to explain their rationale for the trip. “City council is a distinct and separate branch of municipal government that controls their own budget and expenditures from it,” Leighton said in the statement. “The administration has no authority to reject how they allocate money for travel of anything else.”
CITY CREDIT CARDS These are total Wilkes-Barre City credit card charges for hotel and conference fees from 2004 through 2011. NOTE: Some totals are for conferences held at the same hotel multiple years.
Mayor Tom Leighton Best Western Hilton Marriott Embassy Doubletree Providence Renaissance Hilton U.S. Conf. Of Mayors Pa. League Of Cities Tom Leighton total
Wilkes-Barre Washington Philadelphia Washington New York Providence Philadelphia Washington
Pa DC Pa DC NY RI Pa DC
$37 $3,540 $1,762 $911 $208 $430 $1,419 $1,939 $4,225 $250 $14,720
Jim Ryan (pays for council/other officials) Hershey Lodge Hershey Pa $2,173 Embassy Washington DC $1,141 Crowne Plaza RI $400 Quality Inn Va Beach Va $372 Embassy Indianapolis Ind $2,083 Westin Embassy Washington DC $2,691 Residence Inns Charlotte NC $352 Va Beach Resort Va Beach Va $463 Omni Pittsburgh Pa $1,297 Silver Legacy Reno Nev $2,714 Holiday Inn Md $98 Jurys Hotel Washington DC $658 Marriott Washington DC $3,910 Shippensburg Shippensburg Pa $404 Hilton New Orleans La $7,589 Holiday Inn Va Beach Va $501 Wyndham Gettysburg Pa $1,458 Marriott Orlando Fla $3,320 Annapolis Annapolis Md $329 Marriott Lancaster Pa $954 Sheraton Ocean Front Va Beach Va $583 Marriott San Antonio Texas $5,116 Bethlehem Hotel Bethlehem Pa $1,178 Hyatt Denver Colo $4,921 Sheraton Hotel Erie Pa $1,645 Sheraton Hotel Phoenix Ariz $4,792 National League of Cities $16,590 Pa. League of Cities $6,409 Jim Ryan total $74,139 Marie McCormick Best Western Wilkes-Barre Wingate Inn Allentown Hampton Inn Charlestown Pa Assc Twnship Enola Holiday Inn Washington Hampton Inn Quakertown Radisson Hotel Camp Hill Resort At Split Rock Country Inn 7 Suites Lancaster Hotel Hershey Hershey The Inn At Nicholas Clark Summit Holiday Inn Harrisburg Courtyard Marriott Bensalem Holiday Inn York Marriott Lancaster Hilton Washington Travelocity .Com Travelworld Marie McCormick total J.J. Murphy Best Western Hotel Wilkes-Barre Courtyard Marriott Philadelphia Embassy Suites Tip New York Hilton Harrisburg Holiday Inn Pittsburgh Hyatt Hotel Washington Knights Inn Altoona Marriott Arlington Marriott New York Marriott Philadelphia Renaissance Hotel Philadelphia Residence Inns Philadelphia Residence Inns Pittsburgh Towne Place Suites New Yorktown Wyndham Hotel Milwaukee Amer. Soc. for Pub. Admin. J.J. Murphy total
Pa $475 Pa $4,000 W Va $88 Pa $875 DC $386 Pa $273 Pa $235 Pa $232 Pa $516 Pa $487 Pa $184 Pa $662 Pa $618 Pa $1,407 Pa $256 DC $1,195 $35 $105 $12,030 Pa Pa NY Pa Pa DC Pa Va NY Pa Pa Pa Pa Va Wis
$805 $2,784 $1,110 $507 $677 $981 $52 $1,419 $399 $1,353 $389 $175 $445 $251 $538 $434 $12,318
Mark Guydish/The Times Leader
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WILKES-BARRE, PA
SPORTS SHOWCASE
By TERRIE MORGAN-BESECKER tmorgan@timesleader.com
I’ll Have Another
overtook Bodemeister down the stretch to win the Preakness and keep alive his hopes of winning the Triple Crown. In a race that was a virtual repeat of the Kentucky Derby, I’ll Have Another raced from behind Saturday to beat pace-setter Bodemeister, who also finished second in the Derby. 1C
six years, four current and former council members racked up $15,204 in meal charges on taxpayer-funded trips, but none ever produced a single receipt to show how the money was spent. They didn’t have to, thanks to an unwritten policy that reimburses council for meals based on a flat rate calculated by Runzheimer International, a firm that estimates food and lodging costs for cities throughout the nation.
WILKES-BARRE – For years, city council members who traveled to conferences were reimbursed for three meals each day, even when some meals were included in the registration fee, a review of city records shows. Each council member was given a generous allowance – in some cases as high as $92.95 per day – to pay for their meals. But if See LUNCHES, Page 14A
WILKES-BARRE CITY COUNCIL TRAVEL EXPENDITURES Annual totals paid for council travel, broken down by charges to credit card held by City Clerk Jim Ryan and reimbursements paid to council members. Includes meals, airfare, mileage and taxi.
Credit card Reimbursements 2005 $7,820 $5,930 2006 $7,969 $4,205 2007 $11,694 $8,971 2008 $6,460 $4,924 2009 $8,007 $3,713 $3,566 2010 $11,606 2011 $6,214 $3,429 $0
Total $13,750 $12,174 $20,665 $11,384 $11,720 $15,172 $9,643
$5,000 $10,000 $15,000 $20,000
Source:Cityrecords
MarkGuydish/TheTimesLeader
Review: Meal allowances for W-B council generous
paid to several council members who attended conferences in the nation’s capital since at WILKES-BARRE – According to the federal government, least 2005. It’s based on an a person traveling to Washing- estimate published by Runzheimer International, a priton, D.C., this year should vate firm that calculates averexpect to pay a total of $71 for age meal costs in cities breakfast, lunch and dinner. If you are a Wilkes-Barre City throughout the United States. Council members are paid Council member, however, you the set daily rate, regardless of will get $92.95 for the three meals, no questions asked. That’s the rate that has been See MEALS, Page 14A By TERRIE MORGAN-BESECKER tmorgan@timesleader.com
HERE’S A BIG ONE THAT DIDN’T GET AWAY
RANGERS 3, DEVILS 0 Henrik Lundqvist
stopped all 36 shots to lead the New York Rangers to a 3-0 win over the New Jersey Devils in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Saturday. 7C
By BEN FELLER and JIM KUHNHENN Associated Press
SPURS 96 CLIPPERS 86 MLB
REDS 6 YANKEES 5 FRED ADAMS PHOTOS/FOR THE TIMES LEADER
BLUE JAYS 2 METS 0
J
acob Shinal, 7, above, has a big smile as he displays a 21-inch trout he caught Saturday at Wilkes-Barre Township’s annual Mayor’s Children’s Fishing Derby, hosted by Wilkes-Barre Township Mayor Carl Kuren. The event To see was held at the Wilkes-Barre additional Township Settlement Camp. In photos, visit photo at left, Naythan Woods, www.times leader.com 4, watches his sister, Makayla, 6, fish at the derby. More than 130 registered young anglers, with their parents and guardians, took part. They tried to catch the 1,400 stocked trout at the derby, which included a 27-inch trout.
INSIDE A NEWS: Local 3A Nation & World 5A Obituaries 10A B PEOPLE: 1B Birthdays 6B C SPORTS: 1C Outdoors 12C D BUSINESS: 1D E VIEWS: 1E Editorials 3E
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WEATHER Hailey Russ Partly sunny. High 85, low 53. Details, Page 14C
Dirty Girl Run raises charity race questions Charities face higher demands for services from cash-strapped clients. By BILL O’BOYLE boboyle@timesleader.com
6
09815 10077
Leaders want to fix the economy
Consensus of Group of Eight summit is that governments must cut debt.
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“I’ll HAVE ANOTHER,” DOES
SUNDAY, MAY 20, 2012
WILKES-BARRE – Does the Dirty Girl Run muddy the fundraising waters? The national event has held eight races to date, including the Dirty Girl Mud Run two weeks ago in Lackawanna County. And in Northeastern Pennsylvania, the event took in $560,000 and donated $14,500 to the charity. The organization clearly states on its website and registration forms that it will donate 2.5 percent of registration fees to the
Barber
Jones
National Breast Cancer Foundation for research. Some have raised questions about the 2.5 percent donation, including: • Is that enough? • In today’s world of declining donor dollars and rising demand for charitable services, is any donation better than no donation? • Is the practice of for-profit See CHARITY, Page 14A
TIMES LEADER FILE PHOTO
A participant in the Dirty Girl Mud Run in Lackawanna County two weeks ago.
CAMP DAVID, Md. — Confronting an economic crisis that threatens them all, President Barack Obama and leaders of other world powers on Saturday declared that their governments must both spark growth and cut the debt that has crippled the European continent and put investors worldwide on Obama edge. “There’s now an emerging consensus that more must be done to promote growth and job creation right now,” Obama proclaimed after hosting unprecedented economic talks at Camp David, his secluded and highly secure mountaintop retreat. Seeking a second term amid hard economic times, Obama hailed a debate heading in the direction he likes, with nations now talking of ways to spark their economies instead of just slashing spending. Yet there were no bold prescriptions at hand. Instead, leaders seemed intent on trying to inspire confidence by agreeing on a broad strategy no matter their differences. With all of them facing their own difficult political realities, they built some sovereign wiggle room into their pledge to take all necessary steps, saying “the right measures are not the same for each of us.” Obama played international host as Europe’s debt crisis threatens to drag down the U.S. recovery and his own political future, underscoring the stakes for him in getting allies abroad to rally around some answers. Much of the new emphasis on government-led growth seemed See SUMMIT, Page 7A INSIDE: 3 charged in alleged plot, 8A
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Council members are paid that rate, without any consideration Barrett Kane McCarthy Mengeringhausen given to the actual cost of their meals, or proof that they even ate FEEDING WILKES-BARRE CITY COUNCIL at all. Amount spent on meals for Wilkes-Barre City Council members Kathy Kane, Tony Thomas, A Times Leader review of hunJim McCarthy and Bill Barrett during trips from 2005 through 2011. dreds of pages of credit card statements and requests for reim$5,781 Kane bursement shows that from 2005 to 2011, the city spent $94,508 to Thomas $4,372 send council members to conferences, including $34,738 that Barrett $2,747 was paid directly to the members to reimburse them for meals, McCarthy $2,304 mileage, airfare and taxi fees. It’s what the records don’t $0 $1,000 $2,000 $3,000 $4,000 $5,000 $6,000 show that has riled several tax2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 payer advocates. Frequent travelers Councilman Bill Barrett and former council members Tony Thomas and Kathy Kane, who is now city controller, were the most frequent travelers. The trio made yearly trips to the National League of Cities annual conference, traveling to numerous cites nationwide, including San Antonio; Reno, Nev.; New Orleans; Denver; Orlando, Fla., and Phoenix. Council allots $10,000 for travel, plus $4,000 more for training each year. The records show it has overspent that budget in several years, including 2007, when it spent a total of $20,665. Karen Ceppa Hirko, a taxpayer advocate who closely monitors the city’s finances, has questioned whether the excursions are worth the cost. The public is largely unaware the money is being spent because council does not publicly vote to approve the trips, Ceppa Hirko said. The lack of documentation for meals is another example of the lack of accountability in many areas of the city’s budget, she said. “No one ever comes back and explains how the trip benefited the city or taxpayers. They just go,” Ceppa Hirko said. “There’s absolutely no accountability. None.” Luzerne County Controller Walter Griffith, who lived in WilkesBarre until about a year ago, also questioned the flat rate meal policy. The county requires all employees to provide receipts and caps the amount they are reimbursed for each meal, he said. “The issue is accountability for taxpayers’ money,” Griffith said. “If you are not producing a receipt, how do we know you are not putting the money in your pocket? If you get $60 for a meal, you should document you used the money for the meal. It shouldn’t be walkingaround money.”
Kane $897 Thomas $538 Barrett McCarthy $817 Yearly Totals $2,252
$682 $429 $310 $682 $2,103
$805 $805 $433 $805 $2,848
$968 $894 $537
$1,027 $573 $596
$810 $749 $452
$592 $384 $419
$2,399
$2,196
$2,011
$1,395
Source: City records acquired through Right To Know request
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Ryan said there also is nothing that prevents council members from seeking reimbursement for a given Thomas meal, even if that particular meal was included in the conference registration fee. “Council members have the option of having the meal that is offered or purchasing their own meals,” Ryan said. “I don’t know why that’s the way it is, but they’ve always been given that option.” Former city controller Bernie Mengeringhausen, who was responsible for reviewing the bills, said at some point – he couldn’t recall when – he began to monitor the conferences to more closely police what meals were offered. That led him to alter the policy on payment, he said. “It was changed to indicate that if anything was included, they did not get reimbursed for it,” Mengeringhausen said. “I would take the agenda (from the conference). If a meal was provided, it wasn’t paid for.” Mengeringhausen, who frequently attended conferences with council members, served as controller from 2000 until he retired last year. He said he believed he made the change years ago. But records indicate it was not made until 2011. Reimbursement requests that year specifically note the number of breakfasts, lunches and dinners for which the council member was reimbursed the Runzheimer rate. For instance, Barrett sought a meal per diem for his attendance at the four-day Pennsylvania League of Cities convention in Erie in June. He was paid for two breakfasts, one lunch and four dinners.
vealed numerous instances from 2005 to 2010 in which council members were reimbursed for breakfast, lunch and dinner for each day of a multi-day conference, even though breakfast and/ or lunch were provided on some of the days. For instance, one or two council members have attended the Pennsylvania League of Cities Convention held each June in various parts of the state, including Erie and Bethlehem. Breakfast and lunch are typically provided on at least two days of the four-day conference, but council members received a meal allowance for all three meals each of the four days. Kingston Administrator Paul Keating said that very issue is the reason why Kingston requires employees and council members to provide receipts. “There are a lot of conferences that come with a continental breakfast and buffet lunches, so you can get into paying someone for meals they are not necessarily spending money on,” Keating said. Ceppa Hirko said there’s also a question of whether the spouses of council members, who frequently accompanied them to out-of-state conventions, benefited from the per diems. Records reviewed by The Times Leader show council members provided receipts to document the city was not charged for their spouse’s airfare or conference registration. But there’s no documentation regarding meals since they were paid the flat rate. “I honestly believe they took the per diem to pay for their Meals at conferences spouse’s meals,” Ceppa Hirko The newspaper’s review re- said.
Barrett insisted he has never used per diem money to pay for his wife’s meals. He said he believes that, overall, the per diem meal rate he received fairly represented their actual costs. “When I submitted travel requests, I was not looking to make money. If I got reimbursed for legitimate expenses, that’s all I wanted,” he said. “I don’t think anyone set out to use it as a way to make money.” He acknowledged lunch was often provided at conferences he attended, but there were many occasions he could not make the scheduled meal due to conflicts in sessions. “Lunch was provided at most, but it was very hit or miss,” he said. “I haven’t always had the best experience with those. There would be certain things out on the floor, but when you get Benefit of conferences there, there’s nothing there.” Barrett is a staunch defender of Policy’s origin unknown allowing council to attend conferIt’s not clear exactly when, or ences, insisting that he’s brought why, Wilkes-Barre instituted the back information and ideas that have significantly benefited the flat rate policy. City Clerk Jim Ryan said he be- city. He said he understands conlieves the policy, which is not in writing, started around the time cerns about a flat rate, and agrees the late Tom McLaughlin was it may be time to revisit the issue mayor in the 1980s and never to see if it should be altered to require receipts. changed. “I would support a switch to reRyan said he doesn’t know why the city opted for a flat rate, ver- ceipts. I think that’s the fairest sus reimbursing for actual ex- way to go. That way what you penses. He believes it was to en- spend is what you are reimbursed sure that everyone was paid the for,” he said. If the council is going to adsame. “I believe the reason was it was dress the issue, it needs to act a sense of fairness, that everyone soon. The next Pennsylvania League follow the same standard and had the same amount of per diem. of Cities conference will be held That way somebody was not get- from June 19-22 in Pittsburgh. ting more than someone else by Councilman Tony George has alhaving a higher-cost meal,” he ready indicated he plans to attend the conference. said.
MEALS
zheimer. “There is a big difference. We look at the restaurants a corporate traveler would go to. That’s not the government’s methodology,” Uecker said. Joseph Wielgosz, a taxpayer advocate and frequent critic of council, said residents should be “appalled” by the meal policy. Wielgosz has repeatedly questioned whether the trips are worthwhile at all. If council is going to go, they should provide receipts at the very least, he said. “You can’t just take a trip, buy something off the dollar menu and pocket the rest of the money,” Wielgosz said. “There needs to be checks and balances to make sure this doesn’t happen.” Neither City Clerk Jim Ryan nor former controller Bernie Mengeringhausen, who approved the payments, could explain why the city has chosen to utilize the Runzheimer rate over the GSA rate. They also could not explain why the top rate was paid. “That was the practice the city had,” Mengeringhausen said. “It
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whether they spend more, or less, on their meals. They’re not required to provide receipts. If they eat inexpensively, they can keep the difference. And the rate they are paid is quite generous compared to standards set by the General Services Administration, the accounting arm of the federal government. Disparity in rates The Times Leader reviewed hundreds of documents, including requests for reimbursement sought by council members, for travel-related expenses from 2005 to 2011. The review revealed differences – some of which were significant – between the average costs of meals calculated by Runzheimer versus the GSA in cities to which council members have traveled, with the GSA rate always being lower. For example, in addition to
Washington, D.C., council members have routinely traveled to Bethlehem, Erie and Hershey to attend various conferences held by the Pennsylvania League of Cities and other organizations. For trips to Erie, council members have been reimbursed $72.75 per day under the Runzheimer rate. The GSA rate was $46. The disparities are similar for Bethlehem and Hershey. Council members received $76.30 for trips to Bethlehem and $59.15 for trips to Hershey. The GSA meal rate for each of those two cities was $51. Runzheimer calculates an average meal cost, as well as a high and low range. The city always paid the top rate, rather than the average or low, the records show. Why is there such a large disparity between the Runzheimer and GSA rates? Runzheimer is a fee-based, subscription service utilized by businesses. Its costs are estimated based on what a corporate traveler would experience, said Genevieve Uecker, a spokeswoman for Run-
was done before I got there and it was a practice that was continued.” Merritt: Changes coming All this was news to council member Mike Merritt, who became board president this year. Merritt, now in his fifth year on council, said he has never traveled on a taxpayer-funded trip, so he was unaware of how council members were reimbursed for meals. He said he supports sending council members to conferences but believes some changes are in order relating to reimbursements for meals. “I think they should have receipts,” he said. “That takes away any question the public may have … If you spend $75, you get reimbursed $75 and have the receipts to prove it.” Merritt said he will also discuss with council the possibility of capping the meal reimbursements at the GSA rate, as opposed to the Runzheimer rate. “Wilkes-Barre does not have a lot of money, so that would help.”
Tropical storm watch issued for parts of S.C. coast due to Alberto By TOM FOREMAN Jr. Associated Press
RALEIGH, N.C. — Forecasters late Saturday issued a tropical storm watch for parts of the South Carolina coast after the first tropical storm of the 2012 hurricane season formed in the Atlantic. The National Hurricane Center in Miami issued the watch after Tropical Storm Alberto
formed Saturday. The official start to hurricane season is June 1, but tropical storms occasionally occur before then. The advisory covers the South Carolina coast from the Savannah River to the South Santee River for at least the next 24 hours. Tropical storm and dangerous surf conditions are possible. Late Saturday, the storm was
110 miles southeast of Charleston, S.C. with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph. It was moving southwest at 6 mph. Forecasters advised coastal interests from Georgia to North Carolina’s Outer Banks to track the storm. The hurricane center said a decrease in speed was expected through Sunday, with the storm
turning toward the west-northwest — and then moving northnortheast by Monday. Tropical storm-force winds extend outward up to 45 miles. National Weather Service meteorologist Sandy LaCorte in Wilmington, N.C. said early Saturday evening that there is a high risk of rip currents along North Carolina’s Outer Banks.
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companies taking in big money and donating only 2.5 percent of the gross to the charity an acceptable practice? • Are charities being exploited? Is the public being misled? The controversy with the May 5 event at Toyota Pavilion at Montage Mountain points to a larger issue: charities face higher demands for services from cash-strapped clients and dwindling donor dollars and diminishing government funds.
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W H AT T O WAT C H F O R ❏ Don’t donate a thing without checking up on the charity ❏ Do some research on the organizations that will benefit from your generosity ❏ Evaluate charities based on fiscal health and efficiency operating efficiency (includes evaluation of overhead and amounts given to intended recipients) Source: website wepay.com:
“But total revenue is flat or decreasing for lots of agencies,” he said. Barber and Jones said there are no hard rules that say what percentage of money raised at a charitable event should go to Partnerships needed the charity. They said events Because nonprofits have been raise money, but they also profinancially challenged, the orga- vide fun, such as golfing or nizations have resorted to a va- dancing at a gala, for the donors. riety of partnerships to bring in income and raise their profiles Dirty Girl Mud Run At the Dirty Girl Mud Run in the community. They work harder on special earlier this month, thousands of events, they trim their budgets spectators and participants had and they do everything they can fun. From the perspective of Dirty to get their names out there where prospective donors can Girl Founder Robin Gohsman, charity also benenotice. fited. In addition That’s why a “In essence, it to the 2.5 percent charity will eagerdonation of the ly accept a dona- (government aid) another tion from a compa- has been eliminat- gate, “substantial” dony that uses their nation was given name and logo, ed..” raises hundreds of Charles Barber to the National Luzerne Foundation Breast Cancer thousands of dolFoundation, he lars and donates a said. fraction to the Gohsman wouldn’t say how charity. “In essence, it (government much constituted “substantial,” aid) has been eliminated,” said but he said the foundation is veCharles Barber, executive direc- ry happy with the amount and tor at the Luzerne Foundation. has no complaints about the “Everybody’s wish is it gets re- event. Amy Power, president and stored, but nobody’s holding chief executive officer of Power their breath.” But, Barber said, the generos- Public Relations LLC, issued a ity of the people of the region statement on behalf of the National Breast Cancer Foundahas been “a godsend.” Barber says every charity has tion: “We are proud to partner a mission and purpose and with with the Dirty Girl Mud Run. that comes a responsibility to Through their fundraising efcommunicate to the communi- forts in 2011, we received ty. Part of the challenge is to $50,000 and this year we expect identify businesses and individ- to receive over $200,000. These uals who identify with the par- donations allow us to fulfill our ticular needs of the specific mission of providing education, mammograms and breast charity. “The economy has presented health services to women in challenges for everybody,” Bar- need.” ber said. “That’s why you have seen an increase in special Opposing viewpoint But area businessman Scott events as a way to raise money.” Even though more events are Sanfilippo of Moosic has a difbeing held, the amounts raised ferent opinion. Sanfilippo quesrepresent only a portion of the tioned the 2.5 percent donation money needed to run the char- publicly on his blog. Many people commented – ity. But events have benefits be- some said they were aware of yond raising funds. Special the 2.5 percent and others were events also increases aware- offended even to the point that they would not participate ness. “Fundraisers are also friend- again. Here’s what Sanfilippo “8,000 women raisers,” Barber said. “They get blogged: new people involved and aware plopped down $70 to register of the mission of an organiza- for the event resulting in a tion and that translates to reve- $560,000.00 take. Remove the costs to promote and put on the nue.” Barber said donors have be- event and that’s a nice chunk of come more selective when change for breast cancer rechoosing where to give. He said search, right? “Wrong.” the more information that can The blog notes that the Dirty be put out in the public transGirl organizers include the fact lates to more donations. “You have to give prospective that 2.5 percent of the registradonors the best possible under- tion fee goes to the National standing of what a charity Breast Cancer Foundation. Sanfilippo said the 8,000 does,” Barber said. “Let them know what you do and why you women “gathered in a spirit of have to do it; tell them who you community to run in the mud either as a cancer survivor, a famhelp and why.” Bill Jones, executive director ily member of someone who at the United Way of Wyoming died of cancer or a friend. They Valley, said special events – all had a great bonding experiwhether conducted by in-house ence and from what I’ve seen, staff or by outside groups – are a would do it again. “But when you wrap yourself critical part of any fundraising around a cause and use that as plan. “Not only do they bring in your primary motivator to get dollars, they bring awareness people to fork over their money, and visibility to an organiza- I would expect much stronger tion,” Jones said. “Having said financial support than 2.5 perthat, they are a very expensive cent,” he blogged. Many comments were posted proposition and they imply on Sanfilippo’s website. Most of risk.” Jones said an organization them felt the event was “awecan plan an event and have it not some” and they didn’t mind that be well attended and could lose only $1.75 of their $70 entrance money. He said if an event fee went to the charity. doesn’t raise at least $10,000, Check out beforehand it’s not worth doing. Jones, of United Way who alJones said donor dollars are still out there. He said contribu- so ran Volunteers of America, tions are down a bit overall. He said patrons of charitable said the competition has in- events should inquire beforecreased, making charities work hand where the money goes. “Before participating, people that much harder to encourage should know the charity and the donors to give. “Donors are becoming more event and then ask was it worth selective, more sophisticated,” it,” Jones said. “The million dollar question Jones said. “Donors want their is, ‘Is it good enough to contindollars to mean something.” Jones said most charities are ue the relationship with the worthy – they have good mis- event organizers?’ You have to sions, they operate efficiently measure the take and the expoand they make a positive impact sure and determine if it was enough,” he added. on the community.
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SPORTS SHOWCASE
SATURDAY, JUNE 2, 2012
“We didn’t want to wait any longer to build a case due to the child care center across the street here.” -- John Soprano Regional director for the state Office of Attorney General
Meth near day care?
50¢
CITY EXPENSES
No-bid gas is legal, W-B says One critic complains, but the purchase of fuel is a professional service, the mayor contends.
SANTANA MAKES METS’ HISTORY
By TERRIE MORGAN-BESECKER tmorgan@timesleader.com
Johan Santana
pitched the first no-hitter in New York Mets’ history, helped by an umpire’s missed call and an outstanding catch in left field in an 8-0 victory over St. Louis Cardinals on Friday night. 1B
CELTICS 101 HEAT 91 Kevin Garnett had 24
points and 11 rebounds and Rajon Rondo scored 21 points with 10 assists to lead the Boston Celtics to a 101-91 victory over the Heat in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals on Friday night, cutting Miami’s lead in the series to 2-1. 8B
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Police Friday arrested Paul Grodis, left, and Sarah Noble on charges they made methamphetamine in a house on Beekman Street, across the street from a day care facility.
Two arrested as drug raiders hit W-B home By EDWARD LEWIS elewis@timesleader.com
WILKES-BARRE – State drug agents acted quickly to shut down a suspected methamphetamine lab due to it being in a residential area and across the street from a day care facility. John Soprano, regional director for the state Office of Attorney General, said Friday they were aware methamphetamine was being cooked inside 72 Beekman St. for at least 21 days. “We’ve been buying from here for 21 days and we didn’t want to wait any longer
to build a case due to the child care center across the street here,” Soprano said. Luzerne County Head Start and its administrative offices are across the street. Armed agents stormed the residence at about 7 a.m. arresting Paul Grodis, 41, and his girlfriend, Sarah Noble, 28, who resided at the house. Soprano said there was ample evidence that the house was being used as a meth lab with the illegal drug being cooked. Wilkes-Barre firefighters had an engine on Beekman Street in the event an explosion took place. Firefighters doused a handcuffed Grodis and Noble
with water to decontaminate their clothing of any hazardous substances. Chemicals used to manufacture methamphetamine are flammable and highly explosive. Toxic residue from the cooking process saturates everything it comes in contact with and can remain on surfaces for months, according to a state police community awareness bulletin about methamphetamine. At their arraignments around 6 p.m. by on-duty District Justice Joseph Halesey in
By PAUL WISEMAN AP Economics Writer
WASHINGTON — The American economy is in trouble again. Employers in the United States added only 69,000 jobs
in May, the fewest in a year and not even close to what economists expected. For the first time since June, the unemployment rate rose, to 8.2 percent from 8.1 percent. It was the third month in a row of weak job growth and further evidence that, just as in 2010 and 2011, a winter of hope for the economy has turned to a spring of disappointment. “This is horrible,” said Ian
See ECONOMY, Page 10A
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Community benefactor recalled as friend to all
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By TERRIE MORGAN-BESECKER tmorgan@timesleader.com
Sordoni is remembered
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City liable for bid violations
sis in Europe with no sign of solution and signs of a slowdown in the powerhouse economy of China. The Dow Jones industrial average fell 275 points, its worst day of the year, and for the first time was down for 2012. The Standard & Poor’s 500 index is almost 10 percent below its 2012 high, the traditional defi-
See METH, Page 12A
Shepherdson, chief economist at High Frequency Economics, a consulting firm. The job figures, released Friday by the Labor Department, dealt a strong blow to President Barack Obama at the start of a general election campaign that will turn on the economy. They also deepened the pessimism of investors, who even before the report was released were worried about a debt cri-
See GAS, Page 12A
WILKES-BARRE – City officials could be held personally liable for any financial loss the city incurred if it’s found they violated bidding regulations relating to fuel purchases, but proving the case would require an extensive effort by anyone raising a challenge. The responsibility to uncover bidding violations usually lies with the controller and/or auditor that review a municipality’s books each year, according to a municipal guide published by the Pennsylvania Local Government Commission, a legislative agency that provides research for the state legislature. If a violation is found, the auditor or controller would issue a “finding,” which would allow them to surcharge the officials responsible for the vio-
U.S. economy shows signs of trouble again American employers added only 69,000 jobs in May, the fewest in a year.
WILKES-BARRE – A local fuel company has repeatedly been awarded a nobid agreement to provide hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of product to the city each year, despite city charter provisions that require bids for purchases over $10,000. Petroleum Service Company of Wilkes-Barre has had a lock on the sales for decades, according to city officials. Since 2009, the company has received a total of $921,292 in no-bid sales, a review of city records shows. City officials said there is no written Leighton contract with the company. Although the sales clearly exceeded the $10,000 bidding threshold, city officials contend the purchases did not violate the city’s charter because they believe PSC is offering a “professional service,” one of the exemptions that do not require bids. Questions regarding the fuel purchases were raised by city resident Karen Ceppa Hirko, a taxpayer advocate who monitors city expenditures. Records obtained by Ceppa Hirko show the city
A photograph of George Barnard Sordoni stands at the front of the Wyoming Seminary Great Hall in Kingston Friday morning during the memorial service for him.
met George 30 years ago when he was at his pinnacle of being a lightning rod.” Colangelo and two friends of Sordoni’s from Naples drew By BILL O’BOYLE laughter from the crowd when boboyle@timesleader.com telling anecdotal stories of their times with Sordoni. Sordoni KINGSTON – More than 600 people jammed “George struggled to find the Great Hall at Wyoming Seminary on Friday to peace in the world,” Colangelo said. “His acsay goodbye to a man one speaker said “learned complishments and struggles are well-documenthow to live.” George Barnard Sordoni, 65, died May 22 from ed.” H. Jeremy Packard, former president of Wyominjuries suffered in a motorcycle accident near ing Seminary, talked about Sordoni’s service to Naples, Fla. “George left his fingerprint on everyone he met the school – having been on the board since 1980. “George was an absolutely dreadful academic and everything he did,” Nicholas Colangelo, chief executive officer at Clear Brook Treatment Center in Laurel Run, said at the memorial service. “I See SORDONI, Page 12A
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paid PSC $253,863 in 2009, $287,023 in 2010 and $380,406 in 2011. Ceppa Hirko said she considers the no-bid, no-contract sales an example of how Mayor Tom Leighton is “taking care of” friends who donate to his campaigns. The chief executive officer of PSC, Ronald Simms, and his wife, Rhea, were among the top contributors to Leighton’s campaign for mayor last year, donating $2,800. “If you look at the finances for his campaign, you will see the majority of people on there either work for the city, are vendors for the city or are some way associated with a vendor,” Ceppa Hirko said. Leighton responds Leighton adamantly denied the Simms’ contribution played any role in the company getting the fuel sales. He noted PSC has provided fuel to the city for about 50 years. “This is not someone I brought in new. They were here for many previous administrations,” Leighton said. “If we fired ‘XYZ’ fuel company and brought them in without a bid, you might have a legitimate concern, but not when they’ve been doing this so many years.” Barry Kauffman, executive director of Common Cause Pennsylvania, a statewide taxpayer watchdog group, said bidding procedures are in place for a reason: to ensure government bodies get the best deal and to protect against cronyism. “If they don’t bid it out, they don’t know if they are getting anything competitive,” he said. “Taxpayer dollars are very scarce. The public deserves to know they’re getting the biggest bang for their buck.” Leighton and Drew McLaughlin, the city’s administrative coordinator, said the city has stuck with PSC because it provides superior service that cannot be duplicated by any other supplier. For instance, PSC can dispatch a fuel tanker to the scene of a major fire, like the one that engulfed the Murray complex a few years
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lation. In Wilkes-Barre, its auditor, ParenteBeard of Wilkes-Barre, did not issue any finding relating to a no-bid award for the purchase of gasoline, diesel fuel and other items from Petroleum Service Company in Wilkes-Barre in 2010, according to a review of the audit. The PSC purchases have been questioned by city resident Karen Ceppa Hirko, who obtained records that show the company was paid more than $920,000 from 2009 to 2011. That far exceeds the $10,000 threshold for purchases for which bids must be sought un-
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student,” Packard said, again drawing laughter. “But we all know he was very intelligent – an intellectual, but at times impatient and critical.” Packard said Sordoni attended Wyoming Seminary Day School and then “a host of other schools and a host of colleges. You can say he got a well-rounded education,” Packard said. Packard talked about Sordo-
DON CAREY/THE TIMES LEADER
Petroleum Service Company has supplied the city of Wilkes-Barre with fuel for decades without bids.
Activist: Bidding essential Ceppa Hirko said she doesn’t think the sale of fuel, regardless of the service, comes close to fitting the definition of a professional service. “The bottom line is they are supposed to bid this out,” she said. “How do we know we are getting a reasonable rate? They spent over $900,000 the last three
years. How do we know we could not have gotten a better price and paid $700,000?” Kauffman also said the city’s interpretation “sounds like a bit of a stretch.” “They are providing a product they service. If you buy a refrigerator and you have a service contract . . . the service contract can be valuable, but what you’re really buying is a refrigerator,” he said. It’s not clear how good, or bad, of a deal the city is getting from PSC. The Times Leader attempted to get examples of pricing from several other municipalities, but complete records could not be immediately obtained to conduct a complete analysis. McLaughlin said even if a comparison were to show the city paid more, that’s not the only factor that needs to be considered. “We must emphasize that the quality of service provided by Petroleum Services encompasses more than simply providing fuel,” McLaughlin said. “We are confident that the quality of service is consistent with the price.” Leighton also questioned why Wilkes-Barre is being singled out for scrutiny. He said PSC officials told him they sell gasoline to other municipalities through no-bid contracts as well. Simms, the CEO of PSC, did not return a phone message Thursday seeking the identity of those communities. A reporter attempted to contact several similarly sized communities to determine their policy on bidding fuel. Only two, Paul Keating, administrator for Kingston, and Mary Ellen Lieb, acting
director of administration for Hazleton, responded. Lieb said Hazleton does bid out its fuel purchases. The contract, which runs to Jan. 31, 2013, was awarded to Superior Plus Energy. Keating said Kingston, which expects to spend roughly $105,000 for gas and diesel this year, also gets its fuel from Superior Plus, but the contract was not bid out. Keating said the municipality sought bids in the past, but stopped the practice several years ago – even though its charter requires bids for anything over $20,000 -because it got only one bid each year, and that was from Superior Plus. “Every single year for maybe five, six or seven years straight we received only one bid, so we remained with them,” he said. Keating acknowledged it was possible the municipality might get a lower rate if it bid out the purchase, but said any price difference would likely be negligible. “When you are buying wholesale fuel, there is not a big margin for flexibility in pricing,” Keating said. “I’m not saying somebody may not be able to give a better price, but it’s not going to a material amount.” Keating said he’s confident the municipality is getting a good price, but, based on questions raised about the no-bid practice, he would consider revisiting the issue. “Due to the fact you brought this to my attention, when we cross next year’s budget, I will reconsider bidding fuel,” he said.
der the city’s home rule charter. The marketing director for ParenteBeard did not return two phone messages Thursday seeking comment on why the firm did not see the PSC purchases as a violation. Bernie Mengeringhausen, who served as city controller until he retired at the end of 2011, also did not return a phone message. City officials contend the PSC purchases did not have to be bid out because the company is offering a professional service, which is one of the exceptions for bidding. Ceppa Hirko questions that interpretation. Under state law, if an auditor fails to identify a bidding violation that a resident of a community believes exists, that resident can challenge the audit in county
court within 45 days of its completion. But that challenge comes with a cost. In most cases, the resident would be required to post a bond that would cover the cost of the legal proceedings, according to the Local Government Commission. The city would be entitled to collect on that bond if the taxpayer loses the challenge. And the burden of proof is high. To prevail in obtaining a surcharge the resident must prove there was a bidding violation, and that the city suffered a financial loss as a result of the conduct. That could prove exceptionally challenging for the PSC purchases as the challenger would have to obtain records from other municipalities to compare prices.
Ceppa Hirko acknowledged a court challenge would be time consuming, but said she’s prepared to take that action. She said her first move will likely be to ask the current controller, Kathy Kane, to investigate. Kane, who took office this year, has authority to conduct an investigation and, if she finds a violation, issue a surcharge against any city officials involved. She did not return phone messages over two days seeking comment. The Third Class City Code says the surcharge could be up to 10 percent of the contract, but it’s not clear if that would apply to the city because it operates under a home rule charter, with supersedes the code. The charter is silent on penalties for bidding violations.
ni’s personality – “he was his own man,” he said. Sordoni developed many deep and lasting friendships but had a low tolerance for long cliché-filled speeches and boring people. “George liked some people very much,” Packard said. Charles Vogt and Geoffrey Mason, both from Florida, said Sordoni was serious about recovery. “He always had a hand out ready to help,” Vogt said. “He had a bluntness for what needed to be said.” Vogt said he and Sordoni
laughed a lot. “When I get on my knees every day to pray, George will always be my voice of recovery,” Vogt said. Mason said on the night Sordoni died, the two had met because Mason was in need of comfort and support. Mason asked to meet a half hour earlier than planned. He said Sordoni complied because he knew his friend was troubled. “He will leave a legacy of understanding and fellowship,” Mason said. “He possessed a
unique greatness. He really could light up a room when he entered; he was larger than life. What a gift he was to all of us.” The final speaker was Nicholas Sordoni, George’s son. He thanked the speakers and the hundreds in attendance. “We will remember dad in two ways – how he made people laugh and how he helped people,” Nicholas said. “And he was a relentless parent. He was an extraordinary man and an exceptional father.” Nicholas thanked his mother, Andrea, for being strong and for
ago, to refill fire trucks, allowing them to stay at the scene, they said. The city owns gas pumps located at the public works department, but vehicles have the option of filling at a PSC-owned station at the same price. That’s been invaluable during emergencies, like the evacuation for 20,000 people during the floods in September, they said. Leighton said the ability to provide that service is the basis upon which he considers the PSC purchases to be a “professional service” that exempts it from bidding requirements. Professional services are typically defined as those provided by lawyers, engineers, architects and others with specialized training, according to a purchasing guide published by the governor’s office. The courts have held it can include other services, such as ambulance service. Leighton said he believes PSC fits that category because other suppliers do not have the specialized ability to service city vehicles as PSC. “It comes under professional service. They are providing a professional service,” Leighton said.
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Police raid a suspected meth lab on Beekman Street early Friday morning.
METH Continued from Page 1A
Hanover Township, Grodis and Noble complained of having to wear wet clothing all day under the protective suits put on them outside the Beekman Street house and not having eaten all day. “I don’t know nothing about making no damn meth,” said Grodis before his hearing began. The out-of-work tattooist was a heroin addict and sniffed a bag of heroin before the raid, he said. Grodis and Noble have no permanent address, he said, and described the Beekman Street residence as a “flop house.” They were charged with manufacture of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of precursor chemicals with intent to manufacture a controlled substance, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, risking a catastrophe, illegal dumping of methamphetamine waste and conspiracy. Grodis was committed to the Luzerne County Correctional Facility for lack of $100,000 straight bail. Nobile was committed to the prison for lack of $50,000 straight bail. When Grodis pointed out his bail was twice that of Noble, she quipped, it was because she was “not a career criminal” like him. Soprano said Grodis and Noble were using a vacant house next door at 70 Beekman St. to discard garbage generated from materials used in the cooking process. Eight bags were filled with garbage behind the vacant house, Soprano said. According to arrest papers filed against the pair, when police explained the charge of disposal of meth waste to Noble, she responded, “Where else were we supposed to put it?” The arrest papers listed the items seized in the raid: meth, red phosphorus, Coleman fuel, iodine, “Heet” brand gas line anti-freeze, lye, pseudoephedrine, hydrogen peroxide, funnels, Times Leader staff writer Jerry glassware and filters. In the Lynott contributed to this story. all she did for the four children: Nicholas, Sarah, Samantha and Abigail. Sordoni was a son of the late Andrew “Jack” and Margaret Barnard Sordoni. He split his time between Naples, Fla. and the Back Mountain area. His obituary said he was an active member of the community and led a life dedicated to helping others. He was one of the
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gridlocked. Senate Democrats believe they have a proposal that not only creates jobs and fixes dilapidated roads, but does so with “no new taxes or increasing any taxes,” Hughes said. “It’s money that’s already in place. It just pushes it out,” added Hughes, who serves as the Senate Democratic Appropriations chairman. At the core of the plan is the
creation of a new tax incentive program that would fund $1.5 billion in water, sewer and public transit infrastructure improvements. The principal on the $1.5 billion in bonds would be paid from already earmarked shale tax revenues and local contributions for mass transit projects. The plan would also use federal Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicle, or GARVEE, bonds to generate $1 billion to fund a short term transportation improvement plan. GARVEE bonds, backed by the pledge of future federal transportation subsidies, are used by 35 states.
Those gathered Friday said the state must act soon because not only will residents eventually pay more for the costly repairs, potential economic development could be lost. “We’re not going to be able to retain those jobs yet alone attract new ones,” Yudichak said. The Democratic senators said they’ve received support for transportation budgets from Republican colleagues who also are frustrated with a lack of response from Gov. Tom Corbett. “Republicans and Democrats in the General Assembly have all introduced plans,” Yudichak
said. “Unfortunately, for whatever reason, the governor” has yet to act. “We agree that transportation funding is a critical issue in Pennsylvania,” said Erik Arneson, policy director for Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi, R-Chester. “Sen. Corman has introduced legislation based on the report from the governor’s commission on transportation funding, and we will review this proposal in detail. It’s also important for the governor to clearly articulate his position and which, if any, of his commission’s recommendations that he supports.”
trash at the next-door residence were iodine bottles, peroxide bottles, pseudoephedrine purchase receipts, empty Heet bottles and papers in the name of Noble. It was the second meth bust by state drug agents in South Wilkes-Barre in the last 10 days and the second one involving a parent and child. Arrest papers filed against Grodis said investigators found his daughter, Brittany Figas, in the Beekman Street home at the time of the raid. She told them she was there the night before when he made meth and used the illegal drug she obtained from her father. Figas was not charged with Grodis and Noble. On May 22 agents arrested Jeffrey Deyo, 41, and his son Jeffrey Deyo Jr., 18, when they raided their house at 80 Church St. finding a suspected meth lab. The father and son waived their rights to preliminary hearings in Wilkes-Barre Central Court on Thursday, sending drug offenses to county court. Soprano said Friday’s meth bust was the result of neighbors complaining about the nuisance property. Beekman Street resident Nick Marino Jr. said the neighborhood is peaceful. “Relatively quiet with a good bunch of people in the area. We look out for each other. This is quite surprising,” Marino Jr. said. Marino resides about 60 yards from the suspected meth house. Court records indicate arrest warrants were issued for Grodis in January and March when he failed to appear for court hearings on unrelated meth possession charges filed by city police in March 2011. He was sentenced to one to three years in the county correctional facility in 2000 on charges he sexually assaulted two women, according to court records. Noble was sentenced on Feb. 10 to one year probation on charges Kingston police found her with methamphetamine and a heroin packet while investigating her on stealing items from Walgreen’s Pharmacy in September 2010.
fight any effort to remove him. “I’m community-minded and wanted to get my foot in the door,” Smith said. Smith said he was surprised by the attention his election is getting given it’s a low level position. A committee person is the “first line” between the party and voters, responsible for things such as making sure polling places are staffed and coordinating door-to-door campaign efforts, Casey said. “This is not a powerful position. I don’t know why everyone is getting their panties in a bunch,” Smith said.
founding members of the Luzerne Foundation, a board member of the Geisinger Foundation from 1973 to 2010, and had been on the Board of Wyoming Seminary Preparatory School since 1980. He is also survived by one granddaughter, Ella Bruno, Sweet Valley; and brothers, Andrew, William and Stephen Sordoni. He said he believes the state Democratic Party was engaging in a “political ballgame” by bringing up his past, which includes a 2003 federal conviction for ethnic intimidation and terroristic threats relating to the assault of a black man in Scranton by himself and two other members of the Keystone State Skinheads. “Everybody has a past. I made mistakes. You learn from your mistakes and move on,” he said. Smith said he no longer serves as director for the Keystone State Skinheads. He is currently serves as the director for the local chapter of the European American Action Coalition, which describes itself as an advocacy group for white Americans.
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The former headquarters of the Operating Engineers Local 542 is being put up for sale. PLAINS TWP.
Union set to sell building
he building that formerly housed T Local 542 of the International Union of Operating Engineers is for
sale and the union has moved to a new location in Hughestown. The building is located at 501 E. Main St., Plains Township, across from the SPCA. A sale is pending, and the asking price is $749,000. The new location for the union is 115 New St., Hughestown. Hank Jones of Local 542 would not disclose any information as to why the building is being sold. Ed Harry, president of the Greater Wilkes-Barre Labor Council, said the building is in need of repair. Harry said the building needs a new heating system, a new air-conditioning system, installation of handicapped accessibility requirements and a new roof.
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LOCAL Charges stand against Selenski Judge rules prosecutors can continue seeking death penalty in case set to begin in over a month. By SHEENA DELAZIO sdelazio@timesleader.com
WILKES-BARRE – A Luzerne County judge on Friday ruled that prosecutors may continue seeking the death penalty in the homicide trial of Hugo Selenski scheduled to begin in just over a month. Judge Fred Pierantoni, in a more than 60-page response to requests made by Selenski’s attorneys Shelley Centini and Edward Rymsza, made rulings in nearly 20 requests. Selenski, 38, is facing the death penal-
ty if convicted in the deaths of Tammy Fassett and Michael Kerkowski, both of whom were 37 when they died. Investigators allege Selenski killed Fassett and Kerkowski Selenski on May 3, 2002. Their bodies were unearthed on the property where Selenski lived in Kingston Township in June 2003. Selenski’s trial is scheduled to begin Sept. 10. Pierantoni denied a request to dismiss the charges against Selenski based on the lack of timely prosecution. The attorneys had said the charges should be thrown out because more
than six years have passed since the charges were filed and prosecutors have not shown or established enough proof to bring a capital case against Selenski. The judge ruled prosecutors did not participate in prosecutorial misconduct when they seized items from the home of a paralegal, Janna DeSanto, who was assisting Selenski in his defense, and that evidence found in a search of her home will be permitted to be used at trial. Pierantoni granted the defense attorneys’ request to not admit some photos at the trial, and to prevent prosecutors from mentioning the discovery of other skeletal remains, other than Kerkowski’s and Fassett’s, allegedly found on Selenski’s property. Prosecutors also may not use a photo
A glitch involving Wilkes-Barre’s Wi-Fi system sidelines the records management effort.
Credit union event today
Cross Valley Federal Credit Union is inviting the community to participate in its annual Youth Day today from noon to 3 p.m. on the credit union grounds, 640 Baltimore Drive. Children and their families can spend the afternoon playing games, eating, riding ponies and other activities. The event is free and open to the public rain or shine. For more information, call 823-6836 ext. 1071 or visit www.crossvalleyfcu.org or via Facebook.
Gordner to be delegate
State Sen. John R. Gordner, RBerwick, will be attending the Republican National Convention in Tampa Bay, Fla. later this month as a delegate representing the 11th Congressional District. Gordner was unanimously selected by the nineGordner county Republican Party chairmen in the district to replace an elected delegate who is no longer able to attend the convention that takes place Aug. 27-30. State Sen. Jeff Piccola finished first, Kathy L. Evans finished second and Jeff Haste finished third in the Republican primary last spring. The 11th Congressional District encompasses nine counties, including Columbia, Montour, Luzerne and part of Northumberland. EDWARDSVILLE
Car show aids charity
There will be a hot rod and custom car show Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Gateway Shopping Center in Edwardsville. The cost to register the day of the show is $15. Proceeds will be donated to Autism Speaks. There will be awards for Best in Show and the top 10 will receive a first place trophy. Call 3327529 for more information. PRINGLE
Crime Watch event set
The Pringle Crime Watch will hold its second annual National Night Out event on Tuesday, Aug. 7 at the Pringle Playground. The event will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Evans Street playground, and will include food, refreshments, face-painting, games and other surprises for children. The event will be held rain or shine. Wyoming Valley Drug and Alcohol services will be on hand, as well as the Kingston Police Department and Fire Department. Residents are asked to turn on their porch lights during the event in support of America’s night out against crime.
of Selenski taken before he was charged, the judge ruled, and must notify defense attorneys of any immunity, leniency or preferential treatment and criminal history of witnesses. The judge said certain aspects of Selenski’s financial situation will be permitted as well as Selenski allegedly asking for money from Kerkowski’s father. Pierantoni made a split ruling on whether or not prosecutors can present evidence of prior acts committed by Selenski. Prosecutors will not be permitted to mention the alleged robbery/burglary of a woman, but will be allowed to question two other witnesses about some aspects of Selenski’s prior bad acts, including alleged drug use.
Police car info system is unused
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CLARK VAN ORDEN/THE TIMES LEADER
U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta, R-Hazleton, talks about his Small Business Disaster Loan Bill at the Five Mountain Hardware store in Shickshinny Friday morning.
Barletta: Slash flood loan rate Congressman introduces new bill
By MATT HUGHES mhughes@timesleader.com
tion disaster loans for American businesses and homeowners carry interest rates from 4 to 6 percent, Barletta said. Within a month of last September’s flooding in Northeastern Pennsylvania, Barletta, R-Hazleton, introduced the Disaster Loan Fairness Act to lower disaster loan interest rates to 1 percent. That bill failed to make it to the floor of the House of Representatives, a fact Barletta attributed to a lack of support for fixed interest rates. Barletta introduced a second attempt Thursday and spoke about the bill at Five Mountain Hardware in Shickshinny Friday morn-
SHICKSHINNY – Residents of Shickshinny deserve the same shot at flood recovery as citizens of Pakistan, U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta said Friday. The United States gave $215 million to help Pakistan recover from widespread, devastating flooding that struck that country in 2010, Barletta said. “The people in Pakistan; the interest that they had to repay, was 0 percent interest,” Barletta said. “In fact they didn’t even have to pay the money back.” Yet U.S. Small Business Administra- See LOANS, Page 8A
CASEY SEEKS FUNDING
Sen. Bob Casey, D-Scranton, on Friday called on congressional leaders to protect funding for flood warning systems in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s budget. Weather monitoring systems such as the Susquehanna River Flood Forecasting System play a critical role in monitoring water levels for drought and accurately predicting floods, Casey said. In a letter to Senate leaders Casey said the flood forecasting systems were used to give warning of the September flooding of the Susquehanna River, allowing residents of affected areas to safely evacuate, and that every dollar invested by the federal government in flood forecasting systems saves approximately $20 in reduced flood damages and payouts by the federal flood insurance program.
Plains Twp. will focus on zoning issues Public meeting will hear testimony on ordinance to amend flood plain regulations. By JERRY LYNOTT jlynott@timesleader.com
PLAINS TWP. – Zoning issues are on the agenda of a public meeting the board of commissioners scheduled for Monday night. Starting at 6:30 p.m. the commissioners will hear testimony and public comments on an ordinance to amend the township’s flood plain regulations and a request by Memco Realty Co. to rezone approximately 18 acres near Medico Industries on state Route 315. Memco filed an application with the board seeking to change the zoning to industrial from residential. Approximately half of the company’s 36.46 acres are already zoned I-1 for industrial use. The company wants to rezone another 17.8 acres as I-1. Township solicitor Stephen Menn said the landowner has not stated the reason for the zoning change. “They
CLARK VAN ORDEN/THE TIMES LEADER
Approximately 18 acres near Medico Industries on state Route 315 in Plains Township would be rezoned to industrial from residential under a request by the property owner Memco Realty Co.
have no plans right now” for the property, he said. As for the flood plain regulations, Menn said, there are no plans to change maps or add or remove areas from the flood plain. Instead, the township will amend its regulations in order to make sure it qualifies for funding in the future. Parts of the township were inundated when the Susquehanna River crested at a record 42.66 feet in September 2011.
If any action is to be taken on the zoning issues it will be done during Thursday’s regularly scheduled meeting of the board. Aside from the zoning issues, a public meeting is set for 10 a.m. Tuesday at the River Grille, 670 N. River St. by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board. The township plans to use its noise ordinance in place of the section of the state Liquor Code that applies to amSee ZONING, Page 8A
WILKES-BARRE – A computerized records management system that will permit police to file reports directly from their cruisers remains nonoperational more than a year after it was purchased due to a glitch in communicating with the city’s Wi-Fi system. The system, known as “Total Enforcement,” is being utilized by the records department at police headquarters. The city has not been able to link that system to computers in cruisers due to problems with the strength of the wireless connection, said Drew McLaughlin, the city’s administrative coordinator. To date the city has spent $526,616 on equipment and training, all of which was covered by state and federal grants, according to receipts obtained through a Right to Know request. The purchases were made directly from the corporate offices of Dell computers. McLaughlin said officials are working with Frontier Communications, the city’s Wi-Fi provider, to address the connectivity issues and expect to have the problems resolved in the next few months. “The strength of the signal is intermittent,” McLaughlin said. “If the Wi-Fi is coming in and out, that’s not reliable. We’re trying to solidify it so there’s never an issue.” McLaughlin said officials believe the problem can be resolved by attaching an antenna to the cruisers, that would strengthen the signal. The city is in negotiations with Frontier regarding that matter. The city also is working to replace laptop mounts that were installed in cruisers. The mounts, which cost roughly $16,000 including installation, are being removed because police officers have complained the positioning interferes with driving. “It’s one of those things with their gear and how they do their job in driving the vehicle,” McLaughlin said. “It was an unforeseen complication we didn’t know until it was installed.” City officials have touted the benefits of the laptop system, which will free up officers time by allowing them to complete reports in the cruiser instead of having to drive to the station. The system also provides instantaneous access to important information, including whether a person or an address had prior involvement with police. Officers can also check the status of an ongoing case and share information with other city departments, such as code enforcement. Officer Phil Myers, president of the police officers union, said officers are anxious to get the system running. “It will definitely make it a lot easier to do a report on the road instead of having to come back,” Myers said. McLaughlin said the city is currently testing the enhanced system in one patrol car. It’s been working well so far. Plans are to place the computers in 12 cruisers that are in patrol zones.
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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2012
Health risks for storm victims
$1.50
Living in prison not unusual if dad was warden
Environmental hazards include mold and construction dust. By DAVID B. CARUSO Associated Press
NEW YORK — A month after Sandy’s floodwaters swept up his block, punched a hole in his foundation and drowned his furnace, John Frawley still has no electricity or heat in his dilapidated home on the Rockaway seashore. The 57-year-old, who also lost his car and all his winter clothes in the flood, now spends his nights shivering in a pair of donated snow pants, worrying whether the cold might make his chronic heart condition worse. “I’ve been coughing like crazy,” said Frawley, a former commercial fisherman disabled by a spine injury. He said his family doesn’t have the money to pay for even basic repairs. So far, he has avoided going to a shelter, saying he’d rather sleep in his own home. “But I’m telling you, I can’t stay here much longer,” he said. City officials estimate at least 12,000 New Yorkers are trying to survive in unheated, flood-damaged homes, despite warnings that dropping temperatures could pose a health risk. The chill is only one of the potential environmental hazards that experts say might endanger people trying to resume their lives in the vast New York and New Jersey disaster zone. Uncounted numbers of families have returned to coastal homes that are contaminated with mold, which can aggravate allergies and leave people perpetually wheezing. Others have been sleeping in houses filled with construction dust, as workers have ripped out walls and flooring. That dust can sometimes trigger asthma. See HEALTH, Page 7A
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The Rev. William B. Healey, Dunmore, lived in the Luzerne County Prison growing up as his father was warden.
A call in for cuts
City sends message that it’s trying to minimize expense By TERRIE MORGAN-BESECKER tmorgan@timesleader.com
WILKES-BARRE – For years, dozens of city employees ranging from a mechanic to the mayor have been supplied cellphones that have cost taxpayers $35,000 to $40,000 a year on average. As of September this year, the city paid for a total of 60 phones that were dispersed among roughly 330 employees, about 20 percent, of its workforce. The talk hasn’t come cheap. A review of cellphone records shows that from 2009 to 2011, the city paid its provider, Verizon Wireless, $112,627. In the first nine months of 2012, Verizon was paid another $28,045, or roughly $3,000 per month. At that rate, the city will pay about $36,000 this year. The expense comes at a time when Mayor Tom Leighton is calling for union concessions and employee layoffs to help plug a $2 million budget shortfall. Frank Sorick, head of the Wilkes-Barre
Taxpayers Association and a frequent critic of city spending, said he believes • How W-B compares to the $36,000 spent other cities on annually on cellissue, Page 12A phones would be better used to keep workers slated for layoffs. “Thirty-six thousand is a full-time DPW worker,” he said. “We’re talking about layoffs and concessions; let’s lay off the phone company.”
MORE INSIDE
New members of council didn’t expect phones By TERRIE MORGAN-BESECKER tmorgan@timesleader.com
Changes coming, city says City Administrator Marie McCormick and Administrative Coordinator Drew McLaughlin said the administration believes cellphones are important, but officials are planning to reduce the number of phones and/or change to a stipend system that would reimburse employees
WILKES-BARRE – The three city council members who took office this year said they were surprised to learn they would be given taxpayer-funded cellphones to conduct city business. Tony George, Maureen Lavelle and George Brown, each in their first year of office, said they did not ask for, nor did they expect to be provided a city phone. They accepted the devices believing it would help them better serve their constituents. Records from Verizon Wireless show the phones saw little use during the first nine months of the year, however. The phones, which cost $99 each, come with a monthly access plan that averages just more than $50 per
See CALL, Page 12A
See SURPRISED, Page 12A
Prison sweet home By JENNIFER LEARN-ANDES jandes@timesleader.com
After playing outside as a child in the 1930s, Doris Perschau had to summon a guard to unlock the front gate and let her back inside her Wilkes-Barre home. Strict security measures were necessary because her family lived in a building where some of the inhabitants were forbidden to leave: the Luzerne County Prison on Water Street. Her family lived there because the county provided an apartment with utilities inside the prison for the warden, which was common practice at that time. The warden’s spouse also worked in a paid position as the prison “matron,” primarily watching over female inmates. Perschau’s father, William B. Healey, was appointed warden by the county prison board in July 1930, when she was 16 months old. Her mother, Pauline, was matron. See PRISON, Page 7A
Kansas City Chiefs player kills girlfriend, self Linebacker Jovan Belcher commits suicide in front of general manager, coach. By DAVE SKRETTA AP Sports Writer
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher fatally shot his girlfriend Saturday, then drove to Arrowhead Stadium and committed suicide in front of his coach and general manager. Authorities did not release a possible motive for the murder-
INSIDE
suicide, though police said that Belcher and his girlfriend, 22year-old Kasandra M. Perkins, had been arguing recently. The two of them have a 3-month-old child. Belcher thanked general manager Scott Pioli and coach Romeo Crennel before shooting himself in the parking lot of the team’s practice facility, police spokesman Darin Snapp said. Police had locked it down by mid-morning and reporters were confined to the street just outside the gates. The Chiefs were scheduled to play the Carolina Panthers on
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Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium. The Panthers were advised by the league to travel to Kansas City as planned, though no official announcement on the game itself had been made. Belcher was a 25-year-old native of West Babylon, N.Y., on Long Island, who played college ball at Maine. He signed with the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent, made the team and stayed with it for four years, moving into the starting lineup. He’d played in all 11 games this season. “The entire Chiefs family is deeply saddened by today’s
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events, and our collective hearts are heavy with sympathy, thoughts and prayers for the families and friends affected by this unthinkable tragedy,” Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt said in a statement. “We sincerely appreciate the expressions of sympathy and support we have received from so many in the Kansas City and NFL communities, and ask for continued prayers for the loved ones of AP FILE PHOTO those impacted,” Hunt said. “We will continue to fully cooperate Kansas City Chiefs’ Jovan Belcher sits on the sidelines during the third quarter of the NFL football game against the New York Jets in East Rutherford, N.J. in December 2011.
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phone and provides for 400 minutes of calls plus unlimited night/ weekend and mobile-to-mobile minutes. As of September, Lavelle had used a total of 491 minutes for all types of calls, the bills show. George used a total of 799 minutes, while Brown used 1,172. Councilman Bill Barrett, who has had a city-supplied cellphone for several years, was the highest user with 5,447 minutes as of Sep-
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for business use of their personal phones to save money. A stipend system would also eliminate any questions regarding use of the phones, such as issues uncovered in a Times Leader analysis of phone bills. The newspaper’s analysis of bills from January 2011 through September 2012 raises concerns about how closely the city has monitored costs and employee usage. Among the findings: • The city has paid for phones for more than a dozen employees and departments despite the fact the devices were used little in the past two years. • Dozens of employees routinely incurred excess usage charges above the monthly plan fee, costing the city an additional $2,452 in usage charges in 2011 and $1,560 as of September 2012. • One phone assigned to Edward St. Hart, a health inspector who left city employment in 2010, was not canceled until 2011, meaning the city paid $302 for a phone that went unused. Oversight issues The review of the bills, obtained through a Right-to-Know Request, also raises questions regarding the city’s oversight to ensure the phones are not used for personal business. The city’s policy says the phones are to be used only for official business, but an analysis of calling and data usage revealed patterns that seem inconsistent with the job descriptions of some employees. For instance, several employees who work day shift, Monday through Friday, routinely used several hundred night and weekend minutes each month. Others used a large number of voice minutes or gigabytes of data that seem high given their positions. McLaughlin noted the city’s plan includes unlimited night and weekend minutes, so the usage did not cost additional money. “Obviously if there was an abuse of phones for personal use, that’s a concern to us,” he said. “From a strictly fiscal and budget perspective, those issues do not translate into wasted taxpayer funds.” Neither McLaughlin nor McCormick could explain why nothing was apparently done to address excess usage charges numerous employees incurred in 2011 and 2012. The newspaper’s analysis showed some employees incurred usage charges in multiple months. The highest charges, $223, were incurred by DPW dispatcher Ron Romanelli in 2011. McLaughlin said the city’s in-
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with the authorities and work to ensure that the appropriate counseling resources are available to all members of the organization.” The NFL released a statement that also expressed sympathy and said, “we have connected the Chiefs with our national team of professional counselors to support both the team and the families of those affected. We will continue to provide assistance in any way that we can.” Authorities reported receiving a call Saturday morning from a woman who said her daughter had been shot multiple times at a residence about five miles away from the Arrowhead complex. The call actually came from
tember. Council President Mike Merritt said he was offered a phone, but declined it. Drew McLaughlin, administrative coordinator, said council members were provided phones based on the belief it benefits constituent service. Given the city’s financial struggles, the administration believes the phones should be eliminated. McLaughlin said the city can’t mandate council give up the phones, however, because it’s a separate administrative branch. Barrett, who has served on council since 2004, said he believes the phones are important because they allow constituents to HOW MUCH IS 10 GIGABYTES? Records show Wilkes-Barre disease specialist John Ginter used up to 10 gigabytes of data on his city-funded cellphone in a single month. Here’s what 10 gigabytes can contain, according to data on the Verizon Wireless website.
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1 .3 2 6 71 ide 68 1 rs. v tos 41 h pho igation v a 3 3,41 8 hrs. n 2,04 Mark Guydish/The Times Leader
formation technology director is looking into the matter, but believes the charges were most likely incurred by users of basic cellphones for text messages and/or picture/video messages that exceeded the plan’s allowance. The current monthly access fee for the plans varies from a low of $20 per month (plus taxes, surcharges and fees) for basic phones to roughly $82 for smartphones. McLaughlin said employees are issued phones based on the specifics of their jobs. Workers who are routinely on the road are given phones so the city can remain in contact with them. Other factors include whether an employee needs to check email from home, as members of the administration often do. Given the city’s financial situation, officials began looking at whether the number of phones could be cut when they began budget preparation in August, he said. Officials believe the best option is to go to a stipend system, which is estimated to save about $10,000, he said. A stipend system would also remove questions about whether a city phone was being inappropriately used for personal business, he said. Employees are told that their phones are for city business, but McLaughlin said it’s not a “zero tolerance” policy. Employees were expected to use their personal discretion. “The policy puts the burden on the employee not to abuse it and to use it for the purpose it was intended,” he said. Usage patterns He and McCormick acknowledged usage patterns detected by The Times Leader raise questions regarding whether all employees have adhered to that policy. For instance, the analysis revealed Kevin Egroff, a mechanic in the Department of Public Works, was the top user of voice minutes of all 60 cellphones through September 2012, with 22,268 minutes used. That translates to an average of 41 hours a month, or more than 10 hours per week for a person who spends the bulk of his time in the city garage Belcher’s mother, who referred to the victim as her daughter, leading to some initial confusion, police said. “She treated Kasandra like a daughter,” Snapp explained. Belcher’s mother, who is from New York, had recently moved in with the couple, “probably to help out with the baby,” Snapp said. Police then received a phone call from the Chiefs’ training facility. “The description matched the suspect description from that other address. We kind of knew what we were dealing with,” Snapp said. The player was “holding a gun to his head” as he stood in front of the front doors of the practice facility. “And there were Pioli and Crennel and another coach or employee was standing outside
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more readily contact council members. “We don’t have an office in City Hall, so basically, this is our office,” Barrett said. “It’s easier to get me on the cell than it is at home because I’m never there.” Barrett, who does not have a personal cellphone, said he also uses the city phone to check his city
email and frequently uses it to take pictures of abandoned vehicles or dilapidated structures, which he forwards to appropriate city departments for action. “When I see something wrong I take a photo and send it wherever it needs to go,” he said. Barrett said he wants to keep the city phone. Given the city’s finan-
fixing vehicles. McCormick said Egroff was assigned the phone so he could have contact with workers on the road and if he needed to call DPW for information while getting parts at an auto parts store. City officials had already flagged his use as being excessive prior to the newspaper bringing the issue to their attention, she said. “We determined it was excessive usage, and he has been questioned about it,” she said. Several other employees’ usage did not catch the city’s attention, including Carol Smith, a rental inspector with the code enforcement office, and Paul Ginter, who is employed in the health department. Ginter, whose primary job is to write grants, was a heavy user of data, The Times Leader’s analysis showed. Data usage on cellphones is most commonly incurred when a user visits a website, checks emails, sends photos or downloads a document, application or other media source. It’s also incurred when streaming something, such as music or video, from an Internet site to a device. According to Verizon, an average to moderate user would use roughly 2 to 4 gigabytes of data a month. Records show Ginter routinely used 5 to 8 gigabytes each month, and once used as much as 10 gigabytes a month. Contacted Thursday, Ginter said he could not explain why his data usage was so high. Ginter said he primarily uses the phone to visit websites to obtain information for his other duties, which include health education. He noted he has an additional job of investigating illegal dumping of garbage, which requires him to take photos that he transmits via his phone’s email. But he also admitted he has used his city phone to stream music from Pandora, a free Internet music site, while on the road. Ginter said he did not consider that abuse because he could still take calls, and was never advised by anyone in the city such use was not appropriate. “Quite honestly, I don’t see where it’s an issue. I can take a call at any time,” he said. “I look at Pandora as a radio … It’s not interfering at all with me being able to do my job.” Smith did not use excessive data, but she was a heavy user of voice minutes, ranking as the fourth-highest user out of all 60 cellphones through September 2012. Records show she used a total of 14,326 minutes, or 239 hours, over the nine months. That translates to an average weekly usage of roughly 400 minutes, 6.6 hours. She also was among the top users of night and weekend minutes, even though she works day
shift, Monday through Friday, using 3,128 minutes through August, or an average of 391 per month. (The figure does not include usage in September, which was unavailable because the format of the bills changed that month and no longer breaks out night/weekend minutes.) Smith’s usage also far exceeded the use by other rental inspectors in her department. Marc Murphy, for instance, used 5,012 total minutes through September 2012, of which 782 were night and weekend, while Jo Ann Semenza used 4,755 total minutes, of which 72 were night and weekend. Smith declined to answer questions when contacted Friday, saying she was not authorized to speak to the news media. McLaughlin and McCormick said Smith’s usage does raise questions, but they needed to do further research to determine if there was possible abuse. McLaughlin noted it’s possible Smith, who inspects rental properties to approve them for habitation, might get calls on the weekends from the public. “A lot of residents have the inspectors’ phone numbers. If someone moves in, they may want to see if they had an inspection,” McLaughlin said. “I’m not saying that explains away all of that, but it does not necessarily mean the use of night and weekend minutes was for a personal nature.” Numbers unavailable The records reviewed by The Times Leader did not include a detailed listing of the phone numbers of incoming and outgoing calls on each phone. That information was not available as the state Supreme Court ruled in 2008 that cellphone logs are not public record. That information is available to the city, however. McLaughlin said city officials will look into the issues raised by the newspaper’s analysis and take action, if needed. “The phone is a privilege. It’s there to make their job more efficient. Anything beyond that should be limited,” he said. “The department heads will speak to them to get an explanation for the usage. If there are any abuses we will certainly handle that.” One issue he said the city has already addressed is identifying for elimination phones that had low usage, he said. The Times Leader’s analysis showed 17 of the 60 phones the city pays for were used for less than 1,000 minutes over the first nine months of the year. For instance, City Clerk Jim Ryan used just 13 voice minutes. Other phones with low usage in 2012 included those assigned to police officers Robert Hughes (85 minutes), Phil Myers (361) and Joseph Novak (274); health department nurse Delphine Torbik
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Friends and relatives of Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher grieve outside the player’s home on Saturday in West Babylon, N.Y.
and appeared to be talking to him. It appeared they were talking to the suspect,” Snapp said. “The suspect began to walk in the opposite direction of the coaches
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and the officers and that’s when they heard the gunshot. It appears he took his own life.” The coaches told police they never felt in any danger, Snapp
cial situation, he’s willing to pay for it himself. “I think it’s too important not to have. Rather than Merritt give it back, I’d rather pay for it,” he said. Brown, Lavelle and George, each of whom have personal cellphones, said they also believe having the city phones benefits constituents. They said they are willing to give up their city phones given the tough financial times. “With the way the budget is I have no problem giving it up,” GeCITY CELLPHONE USERS Verizon Wireless phone bills show Wilkes-Barre had 60 cellphones assigned to individuals or positions as of September 2012_ nearly 19 percent of the workforce. Night/ Total wknd Total Name mins. mins. charges Barrett, Bill 5,447 854 $590 Barrouk, Greg 16,931 2,504 $661 Brown, George 1,172 160 $534 Crane, Donald 5,429 959 $511 Data Device 4g 0 0 $741 Delaney, Jay 4,730 361 $626 Dessoye, Gerald 4,265 467 $637 Dunleavy, Mike 877 18 $597 Egroff, Kevin 23,250 4,325 $284 Elias, Jim 3,986 1,349 $208 Fire Chief 153 43 $247 Frati, Butch 5,713 673 $502 George, Tony 799 31 $492 Ginter, Paul 8,932 2,553 $502 Graham, PJ 4,710 875 $417 Hershberger, Frank 1,846 7 $619 HR Director 0 0 $370 Hughes, Robert 90 18 $487 Jensen, Christine* 0 0 $18 King, Jeff 0 0 $246 Kittrick, Brett 256 13 $457 Koval, John* 0 0 $130 Kratz, Frank 9,511 1,141 $748 Kross, Ted 13,785 4,217 $703 Lau, Lou 2,436 301 $802 Lavelle, Maureen 491 92 $600 Leighton, Thomas 9,326 776 $631 Lewis, Dave 13,900 1,439 $497 Livingston, John 3,721 867 $455 Majikes, Lore 9,280 1,752 $692 McCormick, Marie 3,059 206 $490 McDade, Ed 5,671 1,035 $253 McLaughlin, Drew 7,946 624 $626 Medic 3 643 299 $207 Medic 5 753 329 $247 Mifi modem 0 0 $286 Monka, Pete 1,478 205 $252 Murphy, Marc 4,581 782 $635 Myers, Phil 377 2 $247 New User 8,813 2,794 $508 Novak, Joe 278 6 $208 Pahler, Chuck 9,308 1,942 $499 Pahler, Kenny 7,629 937 $680 Pape, Fred 2,706 71 $248 Pearce, Tim 6,647 2,617 $557 Pesotski, Edward 5,004 136 $489 Police Detectives 125 2 $207 Police Watch Cmdr.** 116 29 $247 Police Watch Sgt.** 133 40 $247 Popson, Melissa 6,826 1,409 $576 Rodano, Joe 1,204 89 $572 Roderic, Joe 112 0 $55 Romanelli, Ron 14,472 2,239 $437 Ryan, James 13 2 $587 Sabestinas, Dennis 3,968 864 $294 Schuster, Leon 2,275 0 $620 Semenza, Jo Ann 5,086 72 $245 Sharksnas, William 9,362 713 $699 Simonson, Mike 6,439 473 $525 Smith, Carol 14,326 3,128 $240 St Hart, Edward* 0 $23 Thomas, Tony 970 223 $58 Torbik, Delphine 216 93 $487 Trimble, Ron 4,489 561 $489 *No longer employed by city **Device no longer in use as of September Mark Guydish/The Times Leader
(219) and Finance Officer Brett Kittrick (202). McLaughlin said some of those phones, including Ryan’s, are on the list to be eliminated. The city also is checking to see if it can get a credit for the phone that was used by St. Hart, the inspector who left city employment in 2010. McLaughlin said the city kept paying the bill, even though the phone was not used, because it was kept as a reserve. Given it was never used, the city is hopeful Verizon will credit the charges. said. “They said the player was actually thanking them for everything they’d done for him,” he said. “They were just talking to him and he was thanking them and everything. That’s when he walked away and shot himself.” At Belcher’s mother’s home on Long Island, relatives declined to talk to reporters. A purple SUV in the home’s driveway was flying a small Kansas City Chiefs flag. Perkin’s Facebook page shows the couple smiling and holding the baby. Belcher is the latest among several players and NFL retirees to die from self-inflicted gunshot wounds in the past couple of years. The death of the beloved star Junior Seau, who shot himself in the chest in at his California home last May, sent shockwaves around the league
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orge said. “My phone number is listed in the book; they can call me at the house.” Lavelle said she primarily uses her phone to check her city email. “I’m certainly open to not have one,” she said. “I didn’t intend on having one in the first place and didn’t know I’d be given one.” Brown said the phone has been helpful, but he agrees the cost may outweigh the benefit. “My cellphone is mainly used by people calling me up with issues they’d like me to address,” Brown said. “The thing is, is it a necessity? I’d have no problem not using the cellphone if it will save taxpayers money.”
Scranton cellphone use ended years ago When city provided phones, percentage was lower than W-B. York is another matter. By MARK GUYDISH mguydish@timesleader.com
WILKES-BARRE – With 60 cellphones and 330 employees, is Wilkes-Barre extravagant or frugal in providing mobile connectivity? It depends what city you compare it to. Scranton makes WilkesBarre look like a cellphone glutton, but that’s been true for only about two years. Mayor Chris Doherty said the city stopped providing cellphones in January 2011, and “There have been no Doherty problems at all. Everyone has a phone anyway.” But when the city did provide phones, it had 51 of them. With about 460 employees, that’s enough devices for about 11 percent of the workforce, which still makes Wilkes-Barre look overly generous, where there are enough phones for 18 percent of the 330 employees. Hazleton City Administrator Steve Hahn said the city provides about 15 phones, though he couldn’t get the exact number given to police when called. With 110 employees, that’s enough devices for about 14 percent. Both Hahn and Doherty noted the city mayor and council are not provided with phones: Wilkes-Barre pays for phone service for the mayor and council members. With nearly 76,000 residents and 25.3 square miles, Scranton is substantially larger than Wilkes-Barre, home to 41,465 people in just under 7 square miles. Hazleton is considerably smaller in population with 25,315 people in 6 square miles. York more closely reflects Wilkes-Barre in population, with 43,884 people in 5.3 square miles. And York’s cellphone largesse makes WilkesBarre look like a penny pincher: 129 phones for 371 employees, according to City Clerk Dianna Thompson-Mitchell. That’s enough phones for nearly 35 percent of the workforce. Thompson-Mitchell said the city has a cellphone-use policy but that it was in a different department and she could not access it when called. Hahn said Hazleton does not allow private use of phones and if the phones are used for personal calls the employee must reimburse the city, though he conceded it can be difficult at times to police and enforce such a policy. Doherty said when Scranton had phones, they all fell under one plan with the minutes “pooled” under a single limit. It didn’t matter how much an individual used, as long as all employees collectively stayed under the limit each month.
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Take a tasty chance on tripe
Home prices rise 6.3 percent, highest since 2006.
Local chef calls decadent dish ‘king’s feast in a bowl.’
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WILKES-BARRE, PA
SPORTS SHOWCASE
By TERRIE MORGAN-BESECKER tmorgan@timesleader.com
WIZARDS 105 HEAT 101 THUNDER 117 NETS 111 ROCKETS 107 LAKERS 105 GRIZZLIES 108 SUNS 98 Bielema heads to Arkansas Bret Bielema is taking his brand of power football to Arkansas, leaving Wisconsin after seven seasons. Arkansas released a statement Tuesday night saying Bielema has agreed to a deal to take over the program, reeling following the firing of former coach Bobby Petrino. A person familiar with the situation, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the information hasn’t been released publicly, says the deal is for six years and $3.2 million annually. Page 1B
INSIDE A NEWS Obituaries 2A, 8A Local 3A Nation & World 5A Editorials 11A B SPORTS BUSINESS 7B Stocks 7B C TASTE Birthdays 4C Television 6C Crossword/Horoscope 7C Comics 8C D CLASSIFIED
WEATHER Andreana Henry. Windy, much cooler and partly sunny. High 46, low 42. Details, Page 8B
City officials say a $5.9 million contract with Johnson Controls to improve energy efficiency will save nearly $11 million in energy costs over 20 years, but a review of the agreement shows just $3.9 million of those savings are guaranteed. The contract, which was approved by council in September, also includes language favorable to Johnson Controls that could allow the company to avoid directly
paying the guaranteed savings should actual numbers fall short of the projections, and to recoup money if there’s ever a surplus. Council on Tuesday voted 4-1to approve an ordinance to float general municipal bonds totaling $5,065,000 to pay the bulk of the project cost. That clears the way for the project to proceed. The project calls for a wide range of infrastructure improvements ranging from the installation of energy efficient streetlight fixtures to new toilets in various buildings and the construction of an irrigation system at Hollenback golf course. Just how much money the city will actually save remains unclear, however. The total cost of
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the bonds over 13 years, with interest, will be $6,384,055. According to the contract, Johnson Controls guarantees the city will save at least $3,918,312 in energy costs over 20 years, but the achievement of an additional $7,045,534 in savings projected by the city are not guaranteed. Johnson Controls assisted the city in estimating the additional savings, but the contract says the firm takes no responsibility for ensuring they will be attained because they are “outside of the control” of company. Therefore the city bears the “sole responsibility for ensuring (the savings) will be realized,” the contract says. See JOHNSON, Page 12A
City approves $5M bond for efficiency upgrades By TERRIE MORGAN-BESECKER tmorgan@timesleader.com
WILKES-BARRE – Despite the objection of two residents, city council on Tuesday approved an ordinance that will allow the city to float just more than $5 million in bonds to pay for energy efficiency upgrades to various infrastructures. The bond issue, which is expected to be completed by year’s end, clears the way for the city to proceed with a $5.9 million contract with Johnson
Picket highlights safety woes
By BILL O’BOYLE boboyle@timesleader.com
WILKES-BARRE – A labor rally featuring warnings about safety and children bearing protest signs were vivid reminders Tuesday morning of the city’s controversial decision to lay off 11 firefighters. Sydney Smith, 3, held a sign that read: “Help my daddy.” Her father, Eddie Smith, 40, is an11-year veteran of the city fire department and one of the 11 people laid off last week. “It’s stressful, very stressful,” Smith said while walking the informational picket line. “We’re worried if we’re going to get our jobs back. And we’re worried about health care for our kids.” The city is facing a $2 million shortfall to balance spending INSIDE: W-B this year. Mayor officials say Tom Leighton payless paydays announced the may be coming. layoffs last week Page 12 in the midst of a fiscal crunch that has many people in the public crying for a harder scrutiny of city spending and budgeting. In addition to the layoffs, Leighton’s proposed 2013 budget call for a 31-mill increase in property taxes and increases in fees. Greg Freitas, vice president of Local104 of the International Association of Fire Fighters, said jobs that provide the safety of residents should be protected, even if taxes have to go up. “Yes, the fire department is worth it,” Freitas said. “The safety of our people is worth it.”
Warden defends free meals to workers
By JENNIFER LEARN-ANDES jandes@timesleader.com
PETE G. WILCOX/THE TIMES LEADER
Wilkes-Barre fire fighters Tuesday picket City Hall over layoffs in the fire department.
Succession to throne hot topic LONDON — The business of monarchy has always been stacked in favor of men. Not any more — or so the British government promises. The first child of Prince William and his wife Kate will be born a king or a queen in waiting, under changes to succession rules designed to overturn centuries of tradition and give royal daughters the same rights as sons. Deputy Prime Minister Nick
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Joseph Piazza says meals are same as served to inmates.
Walking the line About 40 picketers – mostly city firefighters and their families – carried signs that read: “Fire See PICKET, Page 12A
Controls that calls for a wide range of improvements city officials say will save millions of dollars in energy costs. Council approved the ordinance by a 4-1 vote, with Councilman Tony George casting the dissenting vote. George said he has concerns about incurring an additional $5 million in debt given the city has not yet passed a budget and has laid off workers. “We’re going out and bor-
COUNTY COUNCIL
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YOU CAN BET ON IT
By JILL LAWLESS Associated Press
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Clegg pledged Tuesday that the law on succession would be changed at the “earliest opportunity.” He said “whether the baby is a boy or a girl, they will See DUCHESS, Page 12A
Bettors in Britain have a range of possible wagers from betting agencies William Hill, Ladbrokes and Paddy Power. Odds as of Tuesday morning: MULTIPLE BIRTH? Paddy Power: Twins: 8-1; Triplets 100-1; Quadruplets or more 500-1 HOW BIG? Paddy Power: Under 5 pounds, 5-1; 6 pounds to 6 pounds 15 ounces, 7-2 NAME OF BABY Paddy Power: Catherine 20-1, Diana 9-1, William 16-1, Britney 500-1 Ladbrokes: Catherine 16-1, Diana
12-1, Charles 10-1, Arsene 500-1 ARSENE? Ha ha. As in Arsene Wenger, coach of Arsenal FC soccer team. Anyway, Prince William supports Aston Villa. WILL BABY BE A VOGUE COVER MODEL BEFORE 18? William Hill: 33-1 WILL BABY BECOME PRO SOCCER STAR? William Hill: 1,000-1 AND ONE FINAL THOUGHT: “Everybody has a chance to experience it in their own way, right down to the fact of betting on the names — is it going to be Frances or James or Baby Gaga?” said royal historian Robert Lacey.
Luzerne County Prison Warden Joseph Piazza defended the decades-old practice of providing free meals to 20 management workers and sometimes other staff, saying he’d like to expand the meals to union workers. Piazza insisted during Tuesday’s county council bud- Flora get hearing that the workers receive the same meals as inmates prepared in the prison kitchen at a cost of roughly $1.33 per meal. He said the meals keep workers at the Piazza prison in case they’re needed and prevent the potential for workers to bring drugs or other contraband into the facility.Piazza said he wants to encourage workers to remain in the building because the staff of 306 is often stretched thin. For example, he said a lieutenant from the prison has to keep an eye on the minimal offenders building during some shifts because he doesn’t have enough managers to fully cover that facility. “If you want the meals gone, it will cost more in the long run,” Piazza said. A survey of 51 of the 63 county prisons last week showed all provide free meals to all prison employees, he said. Only four or five of these county prisons required employees to pay some or all of the expense, he said. Piazza said the meals are primarily provided to managers, though the offering has widened to include some other workers, such as union workers overseeing inmates on cleanup projects. County Manager Robert Lawton discontinued the free meals after complaints from county Councilman Edward Brominski. Council members asked Lawton to review the practice to determine if it should be restored. The county typically has about 750 inmates. The prison budget is slated to increase from $26.9 million to $29.6 See COUNTY, Page 12A
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a mostly volunteer department, Leighton said that is The city provided a list, by department, of not “an immediate priority.” furloughed or retired employees: “But looking ahead at the Fire Department - 11 furloughed; 5 retirements; rising cost of providing ser16 total vices as compared to the tax Police Department - 2 retirements base, a regionalized fire serDPW - 4 furloughed; 2 retired; 6 total Leighton vice might become a necesParking Enforcement - 1 retiree Tax Office - 1 retiree sity over the next five to 10 Purchasing - 1 retiree years,” the mayor said. Finance - 1 voluntary furlough Leighton said the immediate fiscal probSpecial Events - 1 voluntary furlough lems of 2012 are independent of the 2013 budget negotiations. The city currently estimates McLaughlin said the 2013 budget has been an end of year deficit of $1.5 million to $2 milrevised to reflect a request for a 25-mill in- lion, created in largely by the Centax earned income tax shortfall and struggling revenue crease. “The mayor, the city council, and most im- sources, such as the real estate transfer tax. portantly, the taxpayers have all expressed their dissatisfaction with a 30-mill increase,” Spending, cellphones Leighton said the administration is in the McLaughlin said. process of revising the 2013 budget proposal. Safety concerns He said the two remaining variables in the budThe city’s firefighters have repeatedly raised get are the tax millage increase and union conthe issue of safety since the layoffs were an- cessions. “Runaway spending has not exacerbated the nounced last week, in addition to projecting high overtime costs to man all shifts. Leighton city’s problems. Just one example, the city is said that public safety will not be intentionally currently under budget by approximately $36,000 in training and travel expenses jeopardized. “The shifts will be manned exactly the same throughout the year. We have and will continway as the day prior to the announced fur- ue to curb expenditures wherever possible,” he loughs,” Leighton said. “Each fire department said. Leighton bristled when asked about what platoon is staffed above the minimum manmembers of the public have termed “frivolous ning level of 11.” Leighton said the minimum manning has expenditures,” such as cellphones, and memnot been altered by the 11 furloughs. He said bership fees. “We vehemently dispute that these cited exthe city will pay overtime if staffing drops below11. When the shifts are staffed at11, two fire penditures are frivolous,” he said. He said cellphones allow the government to engines will remain in service, he said. operate more efficiently through email and Regionalized fire service cellphone communication, as well as be more Asked if the city is planning to move toward responsive to the public and the media.
CITY JOB CUTS
WILKES-BARRE – City employees may face a “payless payday” before the end of the year to resolve the $2 million spending shortfall. According to Drew McLaughlin, administrative coordinator, no more layoffs are planned before the end of 2012, but the possibility of a payless payday looms on the horizon. “What the mayor has said repeatedly to all union leaders since Labor Day, not just the fire department, is that a payless payday is a possibility,” McLaughlin said. “And if the 2013 budget is not approved at 25 mills, there will be significant cuts that will have to be made not just in staffing, but in services across all municipal departments.” McLaughlin explained that additional cuts in the fire department may not be necessary, but if the millage increase is only around 15 mills, the already announced cuts would most likely become permanent. In another development Tuesday, Mayor Tom Leighton said he is advocating for concessions coupled with a 25-mill increase to avert such permanent drastic cuts. “The administration will advocate for a 25mill increase and we are asking all municipal unions to immediately vote on a salary freeze for one year,” he said. “This will save taxpayers a half-million dollars and will help keep people employed and/or returned to work.” McLaughlin said a 25-mill increase means the average real estate tax increase would be about $2.94 per week, or about $152 annually. McLaughlin said the payless payday would be implemented as a “last resort” to meet the city’s financial obligations. “We have informed all employees and their leadership that it could happen,” he said.
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have an equal claim to the throne.” “Born to rule, be it a boy or a girl” proclaimed the Daily Mail, which noted that the baby had “already made royal and constitutional history” even before it is born. Not so fast, caution others. A royal saga needs a touch of uncertainty, and experts point out that despite politicians’ promises, the law giving males primacy in succession has not yet been changed — and the clock is ticking. “We know that the wishes of politicians are written in water,” said royal historian Robert Lacey. “Law only becomes law when the law is made — and the law has not been made.” Meanwhile, the Duchess of Cambridge — the former Kate Middleton — was “continuing to feel better” Tuesday as she spent a second day in a London hospital being treated for acute morning sickness, St. James’s Palace said. William visited his wife in the hospital for several hours, as photographers and camera crews from around the world camped outside, eager for news on the royal pregnancy. Congratulations poured in from around the world at the good news, which follows Kate and William’s lavish royal wedding in 2011 and Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations this year.
spreads in minutes, smoke kills in seconds,” and “How long will it take a firefighter to get to your house?” Firefighters from Kingston, Plains Township and Hazleton joined the picket line around City Hall. Despite assurances from Leighton and Fire Chief Jay Delaney, the firefighters say the reduced ranks – now at 53 firefighters – could cause serious safety risks for residents. The union spokesmen also say that with several pre-planned December vacations, overtime costs will be high, reducing the actual savings. “This isn’t a budget issue,” Freitas said. “It’s a safety issue.” Freitas and the firefighters urge residents to call City Council members and the mayor’s office to demand the firefighters be returned to work. “Public safety shouldn’t revolve around a budget,” Freitas said. Mike Bilski, Local 104 president, said the pickets were deployed to spread awareness. “We’re down to a dangerously low number,” Bilski said. “And we’re hearing the mayor is threatening to go lower.” Bilski said he met with the administration on Thursday “with a written offer in hand that contained concessions with the proviso of a no-layoff clause.” He
the 11 laid off firefighters salaries back to on-duty firefighters in overtime,” Bilski said. “Where are the savings? I am asking for the recall of our firefighters to prevent massive overtime debt. It would be criminal to put any more apparatus out of service to prevent overtime.”
PETE G. WILCOX/THE TIMES LEADER
Wilkes-Barre fire fighter of 11 years Ed Smith and his wife, Tracy, walk the picket line with their daughter, Sydney, outside City Hall on Tuesday.
said he was informed that it could not be done because11firefighters would be receiving layoff notices last Thursday evening or Friday. “I made a verbal offer on Friday, via telephone, offering concessions with only one request,” he said. “I asked for a firm date as to how long my men would be laid off. The only answer was that it would depend on the 2013 budget.” Bilski said he has done some “rough calculations” using the current 11 firefighters per shift formula for the rest of December. He said since the layoffs, shifts have had to be bolstered with overtime. “By the end of the month, with scheduled vacations and personal days, the city will be paying the equivalent of at least nine of
A family’s concerns Rob Stehle has been a city firefighter for 12 years. He was the last of11laid off last week. Stehle and his wife, Erika, and their 11month-old daughter, Maci, walked the picket line Tuesday. “Savings should have been looked for and found elsewhere before anybody was laid off,” Stehle said, echoing a concern of several people who attended last week’s City Council meeting. “Cut everything possible before safety is put at risk.” Stehle said the number of firefighters working per shift was already below recommended national averages before the layoffs. “We’ve been given no assurances – no date on when we will be called back,” he said. Erika said she and her husband are concerned about insurance for their baby. Mrs. Stehle is a nurse at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, but the family is enrolled on her husband’s plan. Stehle said the uncertainty is difficult to deal with for all firefighters. He said fewer people per shift jeopardizes firefighters’ safety as well. “The city didn’t do its homework,” he said.
COUNTY million next year. County Controller Walter Griffith told council he is auditing prison food expenses at the request of council and should have findings in about a week. Council members wished Piazza well because Lawton informed them Piazza plans to retire at the end of the month. Piazza, a retired state prison superintendent, was hired as county prison warden in February 2009, replacing Gene Fischi, who retired. Piazza, of Pringle, said before the meeting he has been thinking about retirement for awhile, and the decision had nothing to do with the controversy over free meals. He and his family are still struggling over the unexpected death of his 26-year-old son in March, he said. “It’s been very stressful. I want to spend more time with my family,” he said. Citizen Michael Giamber told council there’s a “simple fix” for the prison food – requiring employees to pay for their meals. County Chief Public Defender Al Flora also discussed his budget, which is slated to increase $249,065 to $2.7 million next
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For the guaranteed savings, the contract says Johnson Controls would pay the difference between the projected and actual energy savings should projections fall short. But language in the contract raises a question as to whether the firm would ever have to write a check. That’s because of a caveat that gives Johnson Controls, at its discretion, the right to choose any of three other options to avoid paying any money directly: • It could set off the shortfall against any unpaid balance the city owes the company; • Increase the next year’s projected savings by the amount of the shortfall; • Or provide additional projects or services equal to the value of the shortfall. The contract also provides an “out” that could preclude the city from keeping any surplus should actual energy savings exceed the projected savings. The agreement says that Johnson Controls could opt to apply the surplus to offset any future shortfall, or apply it to offset any amount it was deemed to have owed the city if there
LAWTON HIRES NEW ELECTION DIRECTOR County Manager Robert Lawton has hired Marisa Crispell-Barber as the new county election director, according to an email he sent to council. Crispell-Barber will be paid $50,000 annually and start Dec. 10. She currently works for Wyoming County but has been temporarily overseeing Luzerne County’s election office since interim director Tom Pizano’s sudden retirement in October. Pizano had agreed to add election bureau oversight to his duties as interim clerk of courts in April, after Leonard Piazza was terminated as election director. Crispell-Barber, 33, of Dallas, has held various positions in Wyoming County. BILL TARUTIS/FOR THE TIMES LEADER
year. Flora compared his staff of 39 fulltime and part-time employees -- the equivalent of 32.25 full-timers -- to the larger staff count in the district attorney’s office, which has the equivalent of 58.5 full-time employees.
“There’s a major difference in the staffing, particularly the support staff,” Flora said. Council may adopt the $122.25 million budget on Tuesday, Dec. 11. Lawton said the budget will result in 21 layoffs.Coun-
was a year with a shortfall. Speaking after Tuesday’s council meeting, Drew McLaughlin, administrative coordinator, and Butch Frati, director of operations, said those issues were previously raised and addressed by officials with Johnson Controls, who assured the city the company would, in fact, write a check if projected savings are not met. That assurance was verbal, however, which they acknowledged would not necessarily hold up in court should there be a dispute over whether the projections were actually met. McLaughlin and Frati said they believe an addendum may have been added to the contract, but they could not locate it following Tuesday’s council meeting. The contract also calls for the monitoring and calculation of energy savings to be conducted by Johnson Controls, which raises a question of a conflict of interest given the company is on the hook if projections fall short. Frati said he does not believe there is a conflict, and he’s confident the company would accurately report its findings. “I’m confident a company like Johnson Controls would be honest, fair and accurate,” he said. “They have a reputation to uphold.”
BOND
Luzerne County Council will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the county’s Emergency Management Agency building, Water Street, Wilkes-Barre.
County Council Chairman Tim McGinley, left, Vice Chairwoman Linda McCloskyHouck, council members Harry Haas and Elaine Maddon Curry look at a slide Tuesday.
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stands some of the improvements, which include replacing a faulty air conditioning/ heating system in the police Continued from Page 1A station and upgrades to the pumping stations, are necesrowing $5 million when we’re laying off firefighters,” George sary. But other improvements, such as the installation of an said, referring the recent furautomatic sprinkler system at lough of 11 firefighters. the Hollenback golf course, are George wanted to table the motion so council could study a luxury the city can’t afford. “I’m concerned with crime. I the issue more, but Mayor worried to death my house Tom Leighton pressed for a will burn and no one will vote Tuesday, noting the income, and you are borrowing terest rate the city will pay money for golf course sprinwould likely increase signifklers?” she said. icantly if the bond issue was Bob Kadluboski also asked not completed by the end of council to table the vote, and the year. The city obtained an interest questioned how much money Johnson Controls is going to rate of 2.65 percent, which Leighton said is exceptionally make on the project. “I have no idea,” responded low compared to what other municipalities are now paying. council president Mike MerThe bonds, which will be paid ritt. “I’m more concerned about what the city is going to back over 13 years, will cost save.” $1.3 million in interest, bringMerritt called for a vote ing the total cost to $6.38 after receiving assurances from million. The proposed infrastructure city administration that the project will save money. upgrades include replacing The city and Johnson Conroughly 4,000 streetlights with high-efficiency units, installing trols have estimated the improvements will save the city new flood control pumps, nearly $11 million over 20 replacing the roof at the Deyears. That savings does not partment of Public Works include the cost of the bond, building and installing 89 however. toilets and 37 urinals with Frati said he is going to more water efficient models. meet with Johnson Controls to Butch Frati, operations director, said the improvements determine which of the numerare necessary because the city ous projects should be started first. is in the “stone age” when it He said he expects the street comes to energy efficiency. lighting improvements to be “If you saw the energy bills first in line because they’re we pay, it’s ridiculous,” he estimated to save the city said. roughly $154,500 in electricity But resident Karen Ceppa costs the first year. Replacing Hirko, a frequent critic of council, questioned the neces- the pumps at levy control system in the Brookside secsity of some of the proposed tion of the city is also a priupgrades. Ceppa Hirko said she under- ority for safety reasons.
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cil did not make a decision on whether to grant raises for non-union employees during the meeting, which wrapped up around 11 p.m. Lawton discouraged raises based on performance evaluations and said $1,000 across-the-board increases for 265 employees will cost the general fund about $100,000, while the remainder will be
funded by the state or other outside sources. The expense may be funded by reducing $750,000 allocated for supplies countywide, he said. Lawton also told council the county faces a $6 million year-end cash flow shortage, and the administration is trying to borrow funds from other accounts to cover debt and payroll. He said the county would have funds if the state provided timely reimbursement for the Children and Youth department. The state owes the county $6.8 million. State Reps. Tarah Toohil, R-Butler Township, and Phyllis Mundy, D-Kingston, also attended the budget hearing to express concerns about a county letter sent to foster care families indicating they had to select outside providers to handle management of their cases, instead of relying on the county. Lawton said he did not know about the letter but never authorized it. He said a new letter will be issued today stressing families are free to continue receiving county oversight. Lawton said the proposed 2012 budget does not privatize management of foster care cases. The Children and Youth budget provides funding for 11 additional caseworkers next year, which will bring the count to 100, he said. Another17 vacant caseworker positions will be eliminated, he said.