web1_TTL120315.koc_.twist_.jpg

Luzerne Knights of Columbus presents Christmas with a twist

web1_contra1.jpg

Celebrating 25 years of dancing; Wyoming Valley Contra Dances begin 26th year with Dec. 5 dance in Kingston

<p>ASHLEY &#8212; It&#8217;s not every council meeting that bright-eyed, bushy-tailed 12-year-olds attend to observe but Tuesday&#8217;s borough council meeting had just that.</p><p>Throughout spats and disagreements, David Durko Jr. sat stoically, taking notes. He was at the special meeting to fulfill part of his requirements for a Boy Scout Merit Badge: Citizenship and the Community.</p><p>Durko was called to the front of the room by Council Chair Donald Sipple and then took a special seat next to Mayor David Evans. Throughout the meeting, especially during the budget talks, Evans was seen helping Durko make sense of numbers and language.</p><p>Throughout the approximately 90-minute meeting, Durko was seen looking to his mother, Alison, and brother, Christopher, who were also in attendance. Durko said the meeting was &#8220;boring&#8221; as he thought there would be more discussion between individuals and the council members.</p><p>&#8220;I learned about the budget funds and what&#8217;s needed to run the town,&#8221; Durko said.</p><p>At the end of the meeting, Councilwoman Sharon Keefe asked Durko directly if he was ready to join the council to which he just laughed.</p><p>Durko, of Boy Scout Troop 160 in Breslau, Hanover Township, will attend Merit Badge College at King&#8217;s College next.</p><style>
.neFileBlock {
	margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.neFileBlock p {
	margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px;
}
.neFileBlock .neFile {
	border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa;
	padding-bottom: 5px;
	padding-top: 10px;
}
.neFileBlock .neCaption {
	font-size: 85%;
}
</style>
<div class='neFileBlock'>
<div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/web1_Durko_head1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Durko </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/web1_Durko_head1.jpg</photo0><caption0>Durko </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Melanie Mizenko</p><p>mmizenko@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Melanie Mizenko at 570-991-6116 or on Twitter @TL_MMizenko</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Boy Scout David Durko Jr. is special guest at Ashley Borough Council meeting