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By KIMBERLY JAMES Times Leader Correspondent
Sunday, March 09, 2003 Page: 3A
If you drive anywhere in Luzerne County, you’re bound to plow through a few
potholes.
Readers have phoned in the location of more than 50 potholes to the Times
Leader’s Pothole Polka tip line.
We talked with municipal officials to get the lowdown on what’s being done
to patch your favorite crater.
Plenty of folks called in tips with problems in Wilkes-Barre. Shannon
Hayward, city spokeswoman, said the city has fielded more than 40 phone calls
to its own pothole hot line since beginning it about a week ago. Anyone can
call the mayor’s Help Line at 821-1111 to report a pothole. Weather
permitting, the potholes are repaired within 24 hours of the complaint, said
Hayward.
“If the pothole isn’t repaired within 24 hours of the complaint, the city
will honor any claims for damaged vehicles,” she said.
Two potholes were reported to the city Friday afternoon, and both potholes
were being addressed immediately, Hayward said.
In Plains Township, Bear Creek Boulevard was a concern for many callers.
Plans are in the making to reconstruct the road, said Patty Sluhocki, township
clerk. The township applied for a federal grant several years ago, but it is a
long process, she said. It is not clear how much longer the project will take
to begin, Sluhocki said.
Plymouth also received complaints about potholes, especially on East Willow
Street. Anyone can call the borough building to report a pothole, and it will
be addressed immediately if there is no snow or rain, said Joseph Mazur,
borough coordinator.
“Each pothole is marked down on a list, and the first thing done every day
is filling as many as we can,” said Mazur. “It’s important they call us and
make us aware of it.”
Motorists traveling through Larksville say potholes in the area of Schrader
Road are in dire need of repair. Residents have complained at council
meetings, said borough Secretary Patty Cresho. The roads need to be paved, not
just patched, she said, but it’s impossible because of the weather.
West Pittston residents have complained specifically about two area roads.
Luzerne Avenue and Boston Avenue, the main arteries into the Insalaco Shopping
Center have received many complaints from residents.
Borough Secretary Ellen Riddle said there are plans for the roads to be
repaired.
Angry residents in Nanticoke complained to council last week, stating there
are more than just a few potholes in their city.
Mayor John Toole invited residents from Mountainview Drive to attend the
meeting to discuss repairs. More than 30 residents showed up, demanding
answers as to when their road would be repaired.
Ed Butkiewicz, former mayor and resident of Mountainview Drive, presented
council with pictures of the potholes that consume the road. Butkiewicz said
he and the other residents of Mountainview Drive were there to say they wanted
a new road.
“I’m sure if you were to drive through Baghdad, their streets wouldn’t be
as bad as our street on Mountainview Drive” Butkiewicz said.
Councilman John Bushko agreed it was time for the road to be repaired, but
Toole said it was not easy to do with the budget running in the red.
Council discussed putting a base coat on the road, but agreed it would be a
waste of time becuase the road needs to be totally torn up and redone, Bushko
said.
Lincoln Street was also discussed at the meeting. Certain streets in
Nanticoke may not be repaired with grant-funded money, Toole said. Lincoln
Avenue can be classified as a main artery, and they will apply for that road
to be reconstructed, he said.