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Thursday, March 13, 2003 Page: 7A
OPINION
THE CURRENT OPERATION of Luzerne County is for the birds, though it’s hard
to say whether the feathered ones responsible are lame ducks or headless
chickens. Or both.
Last year the county commissioners passed an austere budget that promised
vacant jobs wouldn’t be filled. Since then, President Judge Mike Conahan has
continued to hire, promoting people to deputy chiefs and a supervisor in the
Probation Services Department, and hiring two probation officers.
No one seems to know or be able to explain whether these changed are
allowed. The bottom line is the Salary Board should eliminate the vacant
positions to prevent them from being filled. Alas, county Commissioner Tom
Pizano hasn’t convened the board in weeks.
On top of the confusion, majority commissioners Pizano and Tom Makowski are
not seeking reelection: meet our lame drakes. Although it’s unlikely, there is
nothing to prevent departing commissioners Pizano and Makowski from going on a
vacancy-filling spree on their final day in office.
There is some willingness to close the loophole. County Controller Steve
Flood wants to follow the spending plan. Minority Commissioner Stephen A.
Urban wants the Salary Board to have approval of any hiring. Most people in
Luzerne County would agree.
At a time when other levels of government, social service agencies and even
household budgets are facing belt-tightening, the clueless county officials
should get a grip and those with the power should back the budget. As part of
that, they should eliminate all the vacant positions still on the county
ledger.
Granted, even with jobs eliminated, the court might hire, promote and grant
bonuses not approved by the Salary Board. Members of the court feel they can
do what they want with the allotted budget.
But eliminating those vacancies would show the county is operating like a
financially reputable business. When the court – or even departing county
commissioners – circumvent the scrutiny of the Salary Board, they will bear
even more focused attention from the public.
Times are tough. That’s apparent to taxpayers who face the reality every
day. They should expect no less from their county government. The vacant
positions should be eliminated and any future hiring, promotions or bonuses
should be approved by the Salary Board.
The public should tell the bird brains in the courthouse to shape up and
fly right.