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By LANE FILLER lfiller@leader.net
 Friday, February 06, 2004 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 1A 





WILKES-BARRE - Mayor Tom Leighton and council had three messages for
residents at a meeting and budget presentation Thursday afternoon. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Taxes and fees are going up. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The mayor and council will not accept pay raises this year, even if they
are entitled to them by law. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Better days are coming for Wilkes-Barre, via expert advice, increased
communication, a new attitude, renewed professionalism and clear goals. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Normally, the combination of an overflow crowd in council chambers and a
tax increase could spell trouble for elected officials, but public response
was largely positive. The grumbling was muted, though not non-existent, and
the enthusiasm and encouragement for the new administration was palpable. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The first meeting lasted only 15 minutes and included the passing of
resolutions and the first reading of ordinances that increased property taxes
and a variety of fees for the city, including trash, tappage, sewer and
parking. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Council also passed a resolution stating that ``all members of council
forgo any raises to which they are entitled for the 2004 fiscal year on a
voluntary basis,'' a promise that Leighton said he would match. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Leighton began his presentation of the new budget with scenes of despair.
Using a laser pointer and a projector, the mayor showed attendees Wilkes-Barre
as it has been of late. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Picture after picture of roadsides overgrown with man-sized weeds and
brush, garbage on city streets, recyclables, trash and tires gone uncollected
and unfinished projects. Refuse on Public Square, city-owned buildings with
leaky roofs and falling ceilings, the Coal Street Park dumping ground and
deteriorating roadways graphically highlighted a city infrastructure in
shambles. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Then, Leighton showed nostalgic photos of how Wilkes-Barre once was and how
he hopes to make it again. A downtown thronged with shoppers, Public Square
neat and welcoming, the river commons trimmed and tidy, the former Woolworth's
building restored and revitalized. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 He also promised swift action on the Sterling Hotel and the movie theater
project and said that three legitimate businesses were showing interest in the
vacant call center building &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Then came the bad news. City taxes will increase 20 mills and sewer,
refuse, recycling and other charges will rise as well. The total comes to an
average of $99 per household, or as Leighton described it, $1.91 per week. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Leighton outlined a city where expenses since 1988 have risen 55 percent,
or $10 million, but base taxes have not increased. Particularly in the areas
of personnel and health insurance, Leighton pointed to spiraling costs that he
and council agreed, must be addressed with increased taxation. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Already, at least six employees have lost their jobs in a bid to cut costs. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The first citizen to respond to Leighton's presentation was failed
Republican mayoral candidate Christine Katsock, who pointed out that the
burdens of residents have risen steadily through school and county tax
increases, implored the city to institute health insurance co-pays and argued
against any raises outside of those demanded by previously negotiated
collective bargaining agreements. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 She was followed by Marie Katsock, who questioned the city's decision to
pay $80,000 to Public Financial Management, a consulting firm that specializes
in helping municipalities get a handle on their finances. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Leighton defended the decision, touted the company's people as renowned
professionals and pointed to a restored AAA bond rating they helped secure as
proof. The higher rating saves the city $70,000. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Joseph Page and his son, Joe, who had murmured a bit belligerently
throughout the meeting, addressed council in tandem and positively. ``Work
together,'' Joseph Page implored the mayor and the council. ``You didn't
before, but if you get together, you can do good.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Perhaps the most impassioned of the speakers was Joe Matteo, who
alternately addressed city officials and the audience. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``Everybody's complaining about the tax increase, but do you call the cable
company and the gas company, even the gas station, when their prices go up,''
Matteo asked? ``Everything goes up, and we pay the increases because we have
to have things. We have to have Wilkes-Barre, the health of Wilkes-Barre, it's
our home and our lives. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``We're getting something more for our money, a clean prosperous city, and
everyone needs to reflect, relax and work together.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

W-b Financial Crisis Tax, Fee Hikes Get Support City Council, Mayor Also Decide To Go Without Salary Increases This Year.