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WILKES-BARRE – After an attempt to delay the vote and arguments against hiring a consultant, the Luzerne County Home Rule Transition Committee on Wednesday approved bringing in outside help to assist in the job of preparing for a new form of government next year.
The committee voted 7-3 to hire Mohr Management Resources of Coopersburg as consultant at an hourly rate of $90 an hour.
Mohr, along with The PFM Group, were the only firms that applied for the job.
Committee members who supported Mohr pointed out it was essentially a one-man operation. They said they would be able to deal directly with its president, Kenneth Mohr, rather than the bureaucracy of a large firm like PFM, also known as Public Financial Management, which has offices in Philadelphia, Harrisburg and throughout the country.
One of his supporters on the committee, Richard Heffron, welcomed Mohr and then joked about meeting him afterwards to “discuss my kickback.”
Kathy Dobash of Hazleton, who is running for one of the 11 county council seats, called the remark “inappropriate” and said that was what got the county in trouble.
Committee member Rick Morelli also chided Heffron, saying the joke was in “bad taste.”
Morelli, who is also running for council, opposed the hiring, citing cost concerns and the specific duties of the consultant.
Supporters of the hire said the committee has a limited budget and will stick to it.
Committee member and county Commissioner Thomas Cooney tried to put off the vote for two weeks so more member could be present. Morelli and Susan Shoval joined by phone. Commissioner Maryanne Petrilla was absent for medical reasons.
Jim Haggerty, chairman of the committee, announced his candidacy for county judge and told the committee he “won’t be able to devote the time” necessary for the chairmanship. He will remain as a committee member.
James Bobeck was named chairman and Rob Bakewell, vice chairman. Bakewell filled the spot vacated by Bobeck.