Good News

September 23, 2009

Courthouse at 100 a worthy party, say officials

History lovers stress separating “one of the finest county buildings in the Commonwealth” from nationally publicized corruption scandal.

By Jennifer Learn-Andes jandes@timesleader.com
Luzerne County Reporter
Jennifer Learn-Andes on Facebook   |   @TLJenLearnAndes on Twitter

Local history lovers are revved up for this weekend’s Luzerne County Courthouse centennial celebration, and they hope people are able to separate the building from the nationally publicized misdeeds of some who worked there.

“The building did nothing wrong,” said Anthony Brooks, president of the Luzerne County Historical Society.

“It’s important to celebrate our local history, and we have one of the finest county buildings in the Commonwealth, if not the entire nation,” he said.

County Commissioner Chairwoman Maryanne Petrilla said it would be wrong to cancel the birthday celebration because of the ongoing county corruption scandal, which has led to federal charges against two former county judges and others.

“The building’s 100th anniversary is something that needs to be celebrated,” Petrilla said. “The people not involved in the scandal deserve the opportunity to celebrate.”

The centennial activities are “tastefully done” using no taxpayer dollars, she said.

Friday’s activities will begin with a rededication ceremony at 11 a.m. in the courthouse rotunda.

State Supreme Court Justice Max Baer will be the keynote speaker, and Brooks will present an audiovisual description of the courthouse construction during the rededication.

The schedules of county judges were cleared Friday so judges can participate in the rededication.

A reception with a giant birthday cake and light refreshments will follow.

The public is welcome to attend the ceremony and reception. The Law and Library Association will cover the cost of the ceremony and reception.

A dinner/dance gala will be held at the courthouse and in a tent on the north lawn at 6 p.m. on Saturday, featuring entertainment by Shaky Ground. More than 300 people purchased $65 tickets for that event, Brooks said.

Most – if not all – of the gala will be funded by donations from 47 sponsors and patrons, which means the $19,000-plus from ticket sales will be used for courthouse restoration, Brooks said.

The Luzerne Foundation will keep the money in a segregated account.

The gala will be catered by Bill and Gus Genetti.

The birthday events will wrap up with a 5K walk/run on Sunday. The Wilkes-Barre Law and Library Association will sponsor this “race judicata,” with proceeds going to the Luzerne County Special Olympics.

The walk/run will begin at 9 a.m. and wind through the River Common to Kirby Park and back.

Advance registration is required. The fee is $15, and registrations will be accepted until 8:45 a.m. the day of the race. Registration will start at 7:30 that morning.

County officials had originally planned to hold a centennial ceremony in June because the building officially opened for business on June 1, 1909. However, the courthouse already was reserved for another event around that time, and the event planning committee needed more time to set up activities.

Sept. 25 was chosen because it’s the date the county was formed in 1786. The county was named in honor of the Chevalier de la Luzerne, France’s first ambassador to the United States.

The county spent nearly $2 million to build the structure, which is packed with marble, stained glass, artwork, mahogany and dark oak.

Coming tomorrow

Special commemorative edition on the Luzerne County Courthouse centennial.

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

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