Brown’s balanced budget draws limited response from WB residents

WILKES-BARRE — Out of the thousands of residents affected by Mayor George Brown’s proposed $51.9 million budget, just three of them had something to say about it and one of them was a part-time employee axed to save money.

The elimination of Brian Ferry’s $20,280-a-year job in the City Planning and Zoning Office was one of the tough decisions Brown said he had to make to balance the budget and get Wilkes-Barre back on solid financial footing.

The two men discussed the job cut Wednesday during the 30-minute public hearing on Brown’s proposed budget that does not raise property taxes or increase fees for services.

Ferry first thanked Brown and other members of his administration for taking pay cuts.

“However, I take some issue with this budget. Obviously, it’s nothing personal. I do think to reduce our city planning budget is not a great idea,” Ferry said.

The reduction hurts the city in need of an overhaul of its planning and zoning to attract people and businesses, Ferry argued.

“Until we start to actually plan what Wilkes-Barre is going to look like, and what we want it to look like, we’re stuck. We’re just stuck,” Ferry said.

Brown, who took office on Jan. 6, explained that the decisions he made were in response to the challenges he faces. Former Mayor Tony George tried to turn to the state to declare the city financially distressed, Brown said.

“This budget will give me enough money to run this city for the whole year and not worry about where I’m going to pay people’s salaries and that’s what I’m doing right now,” Brown said. “And I’m hoping that council tomorrow night for the first time votes for it. Give me a chance to get the city back, that’s all I’m telling people.”

City council included the budget on its meeting agenda Thursday night for the first of two votes required for approval.

Sam Troy, one of the other speakers at the meeting, came to the defense of Ferry.

“I think he was doing a lot of good for the city and I think he’s a very knowledgeable guy, degree in environmental engineering. That’s the kind of guy we need,” Troy said.

Troy stated he did not support the budget and along with John Suchoski questioned why it included a big increase in the cost of medical insurance for city council members. The cost more than tripled to $35,862 from the $11,109 in George’s proposed budget that council did not bring to a vote last year.

Brown said the numbers were all council’s doing. “The mayor has no control over city council’s budget. Let me clear that up for you right now,” he said

Councilwoman Beth Gilbert McBride added she is partly responsible for the increase.

“This year, my husband had a change in jobs and during his change in jobs at his new job, they wanted $371-a-pay for health care. And as a middle-class family that’s just something we couldn’t afford. So I had to go on the city health care this year,” Gilbert McBride said.

Councilman Mike Belusko also takes the city-provided medical insurance.