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Vandals knock over statue of Virgin Mary in front of St. Nick’s-St.Mary’s School in Wilkes-Barre

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Kingston man who prostituted wife sentenced

<p>PLYMOUTH &#8212; The borough council passed its 2016 budget on Tuesday with no tax increase and revenue and expenditures of $1,366,842.</p><p>The property tax rate was 5.7 mills. A mill is $1 in tax for every $1,000 in assessed property value.</p><p>Mahon also addressed the council in regard to an alleged incident he said happened during an executive session after last month&#8217;s meeting.</p><p>&#8220;I want a police officer sitting in the front of the room,&#8221; he said. &#8220;I want more protection.&#8221;</p><p>Following the last month&#8217;s meeting, Mahon alleged that Councilman Bill Dixon had physically attacked Councilman Steve Gerko, threatening to &#8220;punch him in the face.&#8221;</p><p>&#8220;That never happened,&#8221; Dixon said in response. &#8220;It just didn&#8217;t happen.&#8221;</p><p>The council accepted a letter of resignation from Gerko at the meeting, which Mahon said was precipitated by the incident.</p><p>&#8220;He planned to leave at the end of the year, but he left sooner because of the threat,&#8221; Mahon said.</p><p>Following the meeting Dixon said that his four years on council have been somewhat challenging and that believes that several members of council discriminate against him.</p><p>Asked if he felt that discrimination was because he was black, Dixon answered, &#8220;Yes, I have to say I do. I don&#8217;t feel it from the residents or from my neighbors, but I feel it here in council.&#8221;</p><p>The council also voted to seek letters of interest to fill Gerko&#8217;s seat.</p><p>The council approved a motion to grant the borough manager permission to spend $4,500 as needed for expenses.</p><p>The council also approved applications for several Local Share Accounts (gaming grants).</p><p>The next regular meeting of the council is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Jan. 12.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Dixon </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/web1_TTL011315BillDixon.jpg</photo0><caption0>Dixon </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Geri Gibbons</p><p>ggibbons@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Geri Gibbons at 570-991-6117 or on Twitter @TLGGibbons</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Plymouth Borough Council passes budget with no tax increase