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Luzerne County Councilman Matthew Vough said more than 100 residents and agency representatives have contacted him in response to his request for opioid addiction recovery success stories.
Vough told his council colleagues last week he has several tours of recovery programs lined up and wanted to start his first council meeting update by turning the podium over to Ashlynn Heller, one of the first people who reached out to him.
The 23-year-old Ashley resident told council she was introduced to drugs in high school and that her life spiraled out of control to the point that she was arrested. She appeared before Vough’s father — county Court of Common Pleas Judge Michael T. Vough — and largely credited the judge’s support and the structure of the county’s day reporting center with helping her get clean.
Heller said she relapsed once, which is common in substance use disorder, but got back on track and is now near completing a program at Luzerne County Community College to become a certified recovery specialist while working at Pyramid Health Care.
“All I have to say for those struggling is there is hope, and here’s proof,” Vough said after her presentation.
On his Facebook page, Vough praised Heller’s courage to tell her story and her decision to dedicate her life to helping others battling addiction.
Tax collection
Council agreed last week the county treasurer’s office will collect county and municipal taxes in Courtdale borough, but only this year because a candidate is running for the vacant elected collector post.
Real estate tax bills couldn’t be issued to borough property owners until a new collector was in place.
Former elected collector Maria Bocci notified the borough she was relocating outside the area on Jan. 15. Borough Council President Carl Hodorowski told council last week his municipality has run out of time to appoint another citizen, citing procedural issues in filling the vacancy.
Recreation complex
Forty Fort will now oversee the county’s 35-acre sports complex, located in the borough, council decided.
Under the agreement, the borough will use any money collected from usage fees and other sources to maintain the complex and provide programs and recreational activities.
Borough officials said they want to enhance the soccer fields to make the complex a destination for tournaments that will attract visitors from other states, boosting business for local hotels, restaurants and stores.
Grants also may be pursued to add a playground and lighting at the complex, which would allow evening events.
State grants
County Manager C. David Pedri sent council an email last week with the subject line “GRANT AWARDS!” announcing receipt of funding for two projects.
The first is a $330,000 gambling grant that will help reduce the county’s 911 emergency radio upgrade project, which has been estimated at $20 million. The grant will cover some of the cost of a new tower site that will increase radio coverage in rural areas, he said.
The second is a $200,000 state multimodal transportation grant to help add sidewalks, curbing and bus shelters along county-owned roads at the Hanover Industrial Estates area to address an increased demand for public transportation.
Pedri thanked county grant writer Michele Sparich for compiling hundreds of documents needed to argue for the grants.
Tax break
A council majority agreed to authorize a public hearing to advance a possible tax break for the 600 Waterfront project in Plains Township, stressing a break will not be granted unless taxing bodies approve one at a future meeting.
Citizens Walter Griffith and Sam Troy and Council members Harry Haas and Stephen A. Urban spoke against any consideration of a break.
Council Chairman Tim McGinley said the hearing will provide a way for the public to learn more about the project and state their opinions. Council members would thoroughly discuss a break if it comes before them, and that wouldn’t happen until township officials and Wilkes-Barre Area School Board members vote on the matter, he said.
Hazleton contribution
Council postponed a vote to provide an annual allocation to Hazleton Public Transit so it could determine if two other counties will help contribute.
A $171,463 local match is needed for the agency to obtain $2.05 million in state funding to provide public transportation in the Hazleton area.
Portions of Carbon and Schuylkill counties also receive busing service, but Hazleton Transit Director Ralph Sharp said he has been unsuccessful securing contributions from them, although communication is planned. Based on service, these payments would be $15,260 from Carbon and $3,086 from Schuylkill, reducing Luzerne’s contribution to $153,117.
Board appointment
Council appointed engineer Michael Cefalo to a vacant seat on the county Transportation Authority.
