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WVW Superintendent DeRemer gets one-year contract, plans to retire after that

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Luzerne County ethics complaints against former election director dismissed

WHITE HAVEN &#8212; A public hearing on plans to close the White Haven State Center will be held this afternoon.The hearing, called by the Department of Human Services, is set for 5 p.m. at St. Patrick&#8217;s Church, 411 Allegheny St., White Haven.Last month state DHS Secretary Teresa Miller announced the closure of the White Haven State Center in Luzerne County and Polk State Center in Venango County. Since that time, the decisions have come under fire, including during a meeting called by the center&#8217;s Board of Trustees two weeks ago.Among those planning to voice their opposition tonight &#8212; as they have been &#8212; are the region&#8217;s two state senators, John Yudichak, D-Plymouth Township, and Lisa Baker, R-Lehman Township.Yudichak on Wednesday said the closure of White Haven State Center and the separately announced closure of State Correctional Institute-Retreat could harm the region&#8217;s economy.&#8220;State government, in one summer, could wipe out nearly a quarter of Luzerne County&#8217;s past two years of economic progress if White Haven and SCI Retreat close,&#8221; Yudichak said. &#8220;The Department of Human Services must reconsider its decision to close White Haven Center and reflect on the staggering negative impact this decision will have on individuals with intellectual disabilities, their caring families, these professional employees, and the economy of Luzerne County.&#8221;Yudichak went on to say that White Haven Borough is an intimate community of people with small businesses on Main Street that are patronized by the families and the center&#8217;s 429 employees.&#8220;If the center were to close, the Greater White Haven Chamber of Commerce estimates that there is a concern of business losses ranging from 20 percent to 65 percent,&#8221; Yudichak said. &#8220;Businesses could close &#8212; more jobs can be lost.&#8221;Baker said after extended discussions with families, workers, local leaders, and community supporters of White Haven, her initial reaction has been confirmed.&#8220;This unexpected closure decision is not right,&#8221; Baker said. &#8220;There are two words that are sure to offend a community: Harrisburg decided. No matter what the nature of closed door discussions within the bureaucracy, no matter how many statistical analyses were conducted, no matter what national trends are showing, there is a salient fact that cannot be dismissed. Nowhere are we finding evidence of any community or institutional consultation.&#8221;She said the battle to keep the center open is far from over.&#8220;We do not accept or resign ourselves to closure,&#8221; she said. &#8220;We intend to avail ourselves of every avenue for challenging this ill-considered action. You have united a region to collective action to preserve the compassionate care that is the hallmark of White Haven Center.&#8221;<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta>By Bill O&#8217;Boyleboboyle@www.timesleader.com</bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta>Reach Bill O&#8217;Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.</shirttailMeta></div>

Yudichak, Baker ready for public hearing on White Haven Center