Where are they now?

First Posted: 9/24/2014 Luzerne County will accept public donations to help fix up county-owned Moon Lake Park in Plymouth Township, council decided Tuesday.
Council also authorized the administration to continue exploring a possible state takeover of the park, though several council members don&#8217;t expect that option to be fruitful. A public hearing and council vote would be required to put the park under state ownership.
Councilman Harry Haas came up with the idea to seek public donations from citizens, public corporations and online crowd-funding sites.
He addressed concerns about potential conflicts with donations by adding a clause prohibiting contributions from those who conduct business with the county or serve as independent county contractors.
&#8220;I think we&#8217;re still all gun-shy from the past decades of corruption in this county. At the same time the public demands that we look at other solutions for these issues that we have. We just can&#8217;t keep going back to taxation,&#8221; Haas said during Tuesday&#8217;s meeting.
Councilman Jim Bobeck also successfully sought an amendment clarifying the solicitation and acceptance of donations will be handled by the council chair or his designee &#8212; not the county manager. Bobeck said he&#8217;s not comfortable directing the manager to seek donations.
Council Chairman Rick Morelli said Wednesday he will put Haas in charge of the donations. Procedures must be developed explaining how donations will be accepted, screened and deposited, Morelli said.
Haas said the plan &#8220;puts onus&#8221; on residents of the county and other areas to help support the park. He said he has faith the county will receive donations of money and volunteer labor.
A council majority had approved spending $1 million in past-borrowed funds on park repairs. The county also has $260,000 in natural gas funding for recreation available, with an additional $300,000 expected later this year.
But Haas said the county is still far short of the funds needed to restore and maintain the 650-acre site.
Park on decline
Moon Lake has been on the decline for years as budget cuts prompted officials to eliminate a full-time director and seasonal support staff and close the in-ground swimming pool and camping sites. County officials have estimated millions of dollars would be needed for repairs to the water and sewage treatment systems and other park infrastructure.
The park is open for activities that don&#8217;t require intensive county oversight, such as fishing, mountain biking, hiking and cross-country skiing.
Councilwoman Kathy Dobash was among several opposing the plan, saying she believes it &#8220;opens the door for further corruption down the line.&#8221;
&#8220;I think this is a mistake. Luzerne County should not be collecting donations,&#8221; she said.
Morelli said he has reservations but supported the plan because he believes donations are permissible if they are handled &#8220;the right way.&#8221;
Bobeck said he has concerns but agreed because the idea has merit. Council may end up receiving many donations or few, he said.
&#8220;At least we can say we tried this idea,&#8221; he said, noting council can move on and try something else if the plan is unsuccessful.
County Manager Robert Lawton has advised against spending capital funding on the park before determining if the state is interested in taking over the facility. Councilman Stephen A. Urban said he believes work should commence as soon as possible on infrastructure repairs that could restore camping.

Luzerne County turns to public to help Moon Lake Park