W-b Man Charged In Store Robbery 
Several Other Robberies With A Similar Pattern Are Still Under Investigation,
Police Say.

Andrew Fetsko

By JOLYN RESNICK jolynr@leader.net
 Wednesday, May 23, 2001 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 7A 





WILKES-BARRE - In light of Sunday's four-alarm fire at the Panam Silk Mill,
Mayor Tom McGroarty told City Council on Tuesday that he is instituting a
program to secure and monitor five of the worst abandoned commercial
properties. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Not on the list was the Hotel Sterling, vacant since the city closed it
about two years ago. Councilman Phil Latinski said that property is the
``biggest towering inferno'' in the city. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; ``If it goes, there won't be enough fire companies to put it out,''
Latinski said. ``It will take out a whole city block.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 McGroarty assured Latinski that the city has been taking care of the
building. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The mayor said the city has already contracted to demolish the fire-damaged
sections of the silk mill on South Franklin Street. He said the city is trying
to recoup the cost of the demolition under the Fire Escrow Act. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 McGroarty said the city has no confirmation concerning the owner of the
fire-ravaged building, nor if there is insurance money available. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Council also said it was concerned about the other properties listed in a
press release McGroarty issued Tuesday. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 These include: &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 An abandoned school in the Parsons section that the city acquired.
McGroarty said the city received a bid for demolition for approximately
$50,000. Once he receives historical clearance, the building will be razed. It
will be checked today. wed &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The old Sanitary Laundry in the Rolling Mill Hill section. McGroarty said
the city negotiated with the owner to purchase the property for $1. It will be
checked tomorrow. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The Steam Heat Plant in downtown Wilkes-Barre. He said bids should be
submitted within two weeks to demolish a good portion of the plant. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 And, city crews have already begun to secure the old Sea Isle Sportswear
building in South Wilkes-Barre. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In other business, McGroarty and Councilwoman Kathy Kane got into a
shouting match when Kane asked the mayor why trees and concrete work was being
done in the Mayflower section of the city but not in others. She accused him
of giving ``preferential treatment'' to the neighborhood. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In response, McGroarty said that council provided preferential treatment to
one of its own - Mike McGinley. McGroarty said McGinley didn't have to pay for
a sewer line installed at his new home, when the mayor paid for one at his new
home. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 McGinley had left the meeting by then. He said from his home after the
meeting that he paid $400 in September for a permit and tap-in fee. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 But McGroarty at the meeting said he would provide documentation at
tomorrow's regular meeting that McGinley never paid. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Also, McGroarty told council that the city received initial funding from
the Army Corps of Engineers to proceed with a flood control project in the
Brookside section of the city. He said after the meeting the grant was for
approximately $260,000. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Jolyn Resnick, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 829-7210. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

W-b Program Will Monitor Shuttered Business Buildings 
Weekend Blaze In Former Silk Mill Stirs Mayor Mcgroarty To Offer Plan For
Checking, Demolition Of Several Empty Structures.

W-b Program Will Monitor Shuttered Business Buildings Weekend Blaze In Former Silk Mill Stirs Mayor Mcgroarty To Offer Plan For Checking, Demolition Of Several Empty Structures.