Wilkes Barre councilman eyes donations for his district

WILKES-BARRE – Councilman Rick Cronauer wants his constituents to donate tax-deductible dollars for improvements to city property in his district.

His colleagues are waiting to see how the idea works out. One said she hopes the entire city will ultimately benefit, but one councilman said the city should be paying for the projects.

Cronauer, who represents District A in South Wilkes-Barre, has announced the creation of The District A Fund, and he is working with Charles Barber of the Luzerne Foundation to help financially support efforts to repair, maintain and improve existing municipal and community facilities throughout the district, as well as to enhance the safety and security for all residents.

“Hopefully, this will be a catalyst for similar projects throughout the city,” Cronauer said. “This fund will provide the district with necessary services that tax revenue cannot.”

Council Chairwoman Kathy Kane, who is not a fan of the city’s new district system, said she is hopeful the idea works.

“If it works, I imagine all of us could follow suit,” Kane said. “But I have to say, one district deserves as much as the other.”

Barber said he is willing to discuss establishing similar funds within the city’s other four districts.

“This fund is intended to assist and augment normal resources that the city would provide,” Barber said. “It can be used to improve tennis courts, or to provide security cameras in neighborhoods or upgrade playground equipment.”

Councilman Mike Merritt, who represents District E, said he will reserve judgment on Cronauer’s idea.

“But in my heart, I feel the city should be doing that stuff,” Merritt said. “If he’s got people – businessmen – that will donate, then more power to him. But in my opinion, the city should be paying for it.”

Council Vice Chairman Tony Thomas Jr., who represents District B, said he appreciates Cronauer’s efforts and hopes the idea becomes a citywide program.

“I see it as a community helping itself,” Thomas said. “This will address projects the people would like to see get done and we just don’t have the funding to do.”

Thomas said he would encourage businessmen and residents of his district to organize and do the same thing as the South Wilkes-Barre Businessmen are doing in Cronauer’s district. That group is helping get the project off the ground.

“This could be another tool that people could use to get their community back in shape,” Thomas said.

Cronauer said every project needs to be approved by the city. He said his concern is for the entire city and hopes that each district establishes its own fund.

Barber said the Luzerne Foundation will charge nothing to help with the fund. He said he has done similar work with school districts and municipalities, including Wilkes-Barre, where he is trying to raise enough money to resurface the track at Kirby Park.

“The community doesn’t need more not-for-profit groups,” Barber said. “Admittedly, this is an experiment. We don’t endorse provincialism, but the city has changed its way of operating and we will offer the same service to other districts.”

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Says his constituents could help fund projects

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