Commission: Home rule ‘Yes’

Luzerne County’s Government Study Commission unanimously voted Wednesday to take the next step and draft a proposed home rule charter.

The commission could have decided to disband, but the 11 members said they saw enough evidence that home rule could make county government stronger and more accountable.

Commission members are aiming to wrap up the charter by August so it could be on the ballot for a vote in November general election.

Citizens have urged the commission to get the charter on the 2010 ballot so it could impact key county races in 2011.

The three county commissioners and six row office seats are up for election in 2011. A new charter couldn’t eliminate or alter their terms or pay unless the charter is approved by voters the preceding year. A delay in the charter passage means alterations to the commissioner and row officer posts would be put off until those terms end in four years.

Passage of a charter could also be more difficult if it’s held off until 2011 because county commissioner candidates could actively campaign against it, which happened when Commissioner Greg Skrepenak and former Commissioner Todd Vonderheid ran in 2003. The 2003 charter was defeated by a margin of 54 percent to 46 percent.

Study commission members said during Wednesday’s meeting at Wyoming Seminary in Kingston that they based their decision to proceed on six months of testimony and other research. The audience applauded after the vote.

“I feel there is too much responsibility and power in the hands of only three county commissioners,” said commission member Rick Morelli, adding that three people can’t “effectively handle” all county responsibilities.

Morelli described the current county government structure as “antiquated” and said he supports a charter that limits annual tax increases. The county corruption scandal shows the need for more checks and balances so “the passing of the blame can stop,” Morelli said.

Member Frank E. P. Conyngham said the commission must “educate and stimulate” citizen groups and leaders to get the charter adopted.

Christopher “C.J.” Kersey, another member, said a new government could create more separation of powers, require the appointment of most row officers and provide more services at reduced cost.

Like others, he cited the ability to abolish two county jury commissioner row offices. Taxpayers say the posts are obsolete and unnecessary, but state legislation is required to eliminate them under the current form of government.

Commission Vice Chairwoman Veronica Ciaruffoli rattled off a list of problems in the county in recent months that could have been prevented by a new form of government.

Charmaine Maynard, also a commission member, said she got involved in county government when Skrepenak and Vonderheid voted in 2004 to lease a Pittston Township juvenile detention center for $58 million over 20 years. Maynard said she and other taxpayers wanted commissioners to build a facility for several million.

Maynard said two commissioners shouldn’t have the power to overrule public will, and she wants the charter to contain a referendum that would give the public a say in major capital projects.

Commission Chairman Jim Haggerty and members Walter Griffith Jr., John Adonizio, Robert “Whammer” Wanyo, Richard “Kick” Heffron, Jack Schumacher also cited examples of the need for a change in government.

Commission members will spend coming months voting on a multitude of charter options.

The charter can’t conflict with other state and federal law, which means it can’t change the structure of the county court system or the need for the county to rely on property taxes.

The defeated 2003 charter would have divided the power of the three county commissioners among a nine-member county council and an elected county executive, all serving four-year terms. Six of the council members would be elected in newly created wards. Three others would be elected countywide.

Jennifer Learn-Andes, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 831-7333.

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In unanimous vote, government study group decides to draft potential home rule charter.

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