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Senior safety day at Hanover Area High School teaches the dangers of drunk and distracted driving

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LCCC Pastry Arts Club makes cookies for our troops

WILKES-BARRE &#8212; Breaking tradition with his predecessor, Mayor Tony George said Monday he will no longer attend city council meetings.George said in a press release he will only attend if there are agenda items that need his attention. Former Mayor Tom Leighton attended council meetings and often responded to questions from the public.&#8220;The purpose of city council is so that constituents can address their councilperson. My absence will make it easier for council to have an open dialogue with the public,&#8221; George said.Continuing a practice he put in place upon taking office earlier this month, George said administration department heads will attend work sessions and regular council meetings to answer questions. There is no public comment at the work sessions but council members do ask questions in order to make an informed vote on agenda items. The public is permitted to ask questions about pending legislation and address council at the regularly scheduled meetings.The department heads will give &#8220;firsthand knowledge as well as solutions to residents&#8217; problems,&#8221; George said. In addition, they will provide accountability for the services that their departments provide, he said.The mayor can be reached at the Mayor&#8217;s Office at 570-208-4158.The mayor also said City Hall for a Day will return this spring to each of the five districts in the city.<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta>By Jerry Lynottjlynott@www.timesleader.com</bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta>Reach Jerry Lynott at 570-991-6120 or on Twitter @TLJerryLynott</shirttailMeta></div>

Wilkes-Barre’s new mayor says he won’t attend city council meetings