Zoning Hearing Board Approves Stegmaier Parking

60th Anniversary Reunion Planned 
A 60th Anniversary Reunion Is Planned For 1936 Graduates Of E.l. Meyers High 
School. This Reunion Celebration Is In Honor Of Fellow Graduate Dr. Edward B.

By P. DOUGLAS FILAROSKI; Times Leader Staff Writer
 Wednesday, June 26, 1996 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 1A 





WILKES-BARRE -- Lagging state disaster funds and mounting expenses prompted
Mayor Tom McGroarty's widespread cuts affecting social service agencies,
police and community programs. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The mayor released his plan Tuesday, the same day a prominent state
Democrat criticized Gov. Tom Ridge for the state's "unconscionably slow"
response in providing disaster relief to communities. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; McGroarty proposed redirecting nearly $1 million in the city's allotment of
federal Community Development Block Grant budget toward flood repair. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 He also announced changing the general fund budget to pay for more than
$200,000 in non-flood work, such repair of leaky roofs at City Hall and the
public works building. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Together, the sweeping cuts eliminate a vacant police officer's position, a
youth anti-drug program called CORE 5, and planned repairs to Chandler, South
Cleveland, North River, North Main, East Northampton and Ross streets. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The cuts also reduce funding to several area social service agencies: The
Osterhout Free Library, Salvation Army, Victim's Resource Center, the YMCA and
Child Development Council. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Tuesday's announcement follows McGroarty's decision in May to eliminate 14
vacant positions because of disaster recovery costs totalling $2.5 million. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The May cuts also included a police officer as well as a City Hall
secretary, two public works laborers, a bookkeeper and an assistant city
attorney. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In a special session Tuesday, City Council gave preliminary approval to the
mayor's proposed amendments to the community development budget. Council has
not yet scheduled a second and final vote. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The mayor said he does not need approval to make general fund budget
changes of less than 5 percent in each department. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 A handful of people directly affected by the proposed cuts turned out at
the council meeting to decry the plan. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 But the mayor blamed the state's delay in reimbursing the city for costs
from January's blizzard and flooding. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "If anyone is upset about the cuts, they should start right at the top with
the state since they still have not come up with one dime of aid for the
disaster," McGroarty said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The Federal Emergency Management Agency already reimbursed the city for 75
percent of the city's $2 million expenses from January's blizzard and
flooding. The state has yet to vote on what portion of the remaining 25
percent it will fund. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Senate Democratic Leader Robert J. Mellow of Peckville called the state's
slow response "ironic," considering Ridge's charge that President Clinton
didn't move fast enough to help after January's flooding. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 McGroarty, who was out of town Tuesday, presented his proposals to council
members in a written memo. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In it, he listed 37 programs totalling more than $1 million targeted for
cuts in the community development budget. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Joan Costello, head librarian at the Osterhout Free Library, told council
members during Tuesday's session that cuts intended for the non-profit agency
would be devastating. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Donations from the city pay for about $130,000 of the library's $1.2
million annual budget. Such contributions have been dwindling in recent years,
Costello said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "There is no way in the world we can manage a $17,000 reduction," said
Costello said, referring to the proposed cut from the city. "We're already
running a deficit budget as it is." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Costello said the cut could cause the library to close its South Branch on
Airy Street in Wilkes-Barre. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Marie Marsicano, a South Cleveland Street resident, pleaded with council
members to follow through with road repairs, calling the narrow street without
adequate sidewalks unsafe for children. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Council member Al Boris suggested that the library could go to other
entities, such as the Wilkes-Barre Housing Authority or the Wilkes-Barre Area
School District for support. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The library provides services to those agencies but does not receive as
much funding from them, Boris said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Chairman Phil Latinski told Marsicano the city has to fund programs that
benefit the most people. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "When I consider the safety and welfare of all the citizens ... it is more
important to fix a creek wall than repair the street," Latinski said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Agencies, Streets To Feel City Cuts Disaster Recovery Continues Its Impact On Wilkes-barre As Mayor Mcgroarty Adjusts Budget Priorities