Wilkes-barre Politics 
Leighton Says He's Too Busy For Chair 
W-b City Councilman Doesn't Want To Return As The Council Chairman. Mike
Mcginley Could Get The Job.

Albert Manzi

By KALEN CHURCHER kchurcher@leader.net
 Sunday, January 05, 2003 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 3A 





Although it received less than half of what it requested from the county's
budgetary pie, the Luzerne County Government Study Commission isn't seeking a
larger piece - at least for the time being. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``They're not going to seek any sort of adversarial action right now on
it,'' said James Ferry, the study commission's solicitor. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Ferry said the 11-person panel is ``coming close to having a good working
document'' to present to voters. That document specifically outlines what a
home-rule form of government will give the county, should it be approved by
the electorate. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In October, the study commission asked the county for $113,000, more than
half of which was earmarked for educational expenditures. Commission Treasurer
Betsy Summers says the group will try to stay within the $50,000 budget set by
the county, but if it does not, it won't be the first ``department'' to
overspend. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 State law mandates voters be educated on a home-rule charter before it is
placed on a ballot. In a worst case - and extremely costly - scenario, the
study commission would provide a summary of the document to each Luzerne
County household. However, Summers believes a more efficient way can be found. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``I think everyone on the commission is thinking of alternatives,'' she
said. ``We hope that the newspapers will help. Hopefully, the television
stations will help.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Even negative publicity will get people interested in learning more about
the charter, she conceded. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Study Commissioner Nancy Kemp said she would like to see the group put more
pressure on the county. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``(The county) wouldn't give us the money in the budget and I think we
should go to Harrisburg and fight that,'' Kemp said. ``I'm all for going after
the county to get that money - whatever needs to be done.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 But Carl Goodwin, study commission chairman, agrees the group is better off
waiting to seek additional funds. For now, he is content on finishing a
complete first version of the home-rule charter. Several sections of the
document have already been drawn up for the panel's initial review and in the
future, public forums will be held specifically for public input. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The next meeting of the study commission is slated for 7 p.m. Tuesday at
Luzerne County Community College. Additional meetings will be held on Jan. 15,
23 and 27. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Kalen Churcher, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 831-7329. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Home-rule Panel Not Seeking More Cash 
The Group Studying A New Form Of Luzerne County Government Is Putting Its
Emphasis Now On Preparing A Final Document.

Home-rule Panel Not Seeking More Cash The Group Studying A New Form Of Luzerne County Government Is Putting Its Emphasis Now On Preparing A Final Document.