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By JAMES RUBIN; Times Leader Staff Writer
 Tuesday, November 24, 1992 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 3A QUICK WORDS: DRUG TASK FORCE 





PLYMOUTH -- In three weeks time, the Mid-Valley Task Force could have a new
home in Kingston. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The drug-busting force, a cooperative effort involving 24 police
departments in Luzerne County, is being asked by the Plymouth Borough Council
to pay rent or move out of its formerly rent-free headquarters at the borough
building. The council of the financially strapped borough said it needs the
cash. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; That disappoints Plymouth Police Chief John Thomas, who heads the task
force and said he still hopes to keep it in its present location, where it's
been for four years. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "It really hurts my heart the council has been so narrow-minded," Thomas
said. "Drugs have been such a problem for the community." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 He will be meeting with borough coordinator Clif Madrack and councilman
Carl Clemm this morning. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "We'll see what can be resolved," Thomas said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Officials in Kingston have offered the task force part of a basement room,
and storage closet in the basement of their municipal building free of charge.
The task force would share the room with Kingston's Special Investigations
Division. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Ten days ago, the Plymouth Borough council voted to require the task force
to pay $400 a month rent. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Plymouth councilman Leonard Krufka said the council's decision was
financial. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "This was one way to generate more revenue," he said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Thomas said the task force can't afford that amount, which would add up to
$4,800 for the year. He said the state had already cut more than one-third of
the task force's funding over the last two years. The task force receives
$90,000, down from $152,000. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "We don't have $400 a month," Thomas said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Thomas said he doesn't understand why money became such an important issue,
and that the task force helped the borough's police department with equipment
and manpower. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Kingston Municipal Administrator Fred Potzer said the municipality would
welcome the task force. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "The position the unit has played in the community has been exemplary,"
Potzer said. "There's a lot of space in there that is not being used. We've
discussed the room with Chief Thomas and the task force knows it has a home." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ___________________ &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "It really hurts my heart the council has been so narrow-minded. Drugs have
been such a problem for the community." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Chief John Thomas &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Plymouth Police

Drug Task Force 
Could Be Packing 
For Kingston Move 
The Mid-valley Drug Task Force Will Have To 
Leave Its Headquarters In 
Plymouth Unless It Comes Up With $400 Per Month Rent

Drug Task Force Could Be Packing For Kingston Move The Mid-valley Drug Task Force Will Have To Leave Its Headquarters In Plymouth Unless It Comes Up With $400 Per Month Rent