W-b Lauds Decrease In Crime 
Mayor Mcgroarty And The Head Of The 
Police Union Offer Different Reasons For 
The Turnaround

2 Hurt When Car Spins Out Of Control 
Bear

By MIKE RUBINKAM; Times Leader Staff Writer
 Thursday, January 09, 1997 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 1A 





WILKES-BARRE -- Ever heard of a Public Awareness Specialist? &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 As of Wednesday, Luzerne County employs one. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The county commissioners voted to create the position in the Department of
Emergency Services. Angela Ambosie will be paid $24,400 per year to teach
people how and when to use 911 as the emergency telephone system goes on line
later this year. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Emergency Services already has a public information officer, Ronald Rome,
who makes $14,300 a year. But Rome and Executive Director Al Gervenack say
Ambosie's position is needed. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "We have a lot of problems with people not knowing when to use 911. We're
trying to prevent that before it becomes a problem and the best way to prevent
it is through an aggressive public relations campaign," Rome said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Ambosie, of Wilkes-Barre, will be responsible for giving presentations on
911 to schools, senior citizen groups and the general public. She'll also help
develop a mass media campaign as the county moves closer toward launching the
system. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In contrast, Rome's job description includes providing information to the
media, producing a newsletter and working with local governments. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "It requires two people," he said. "I wouldn't be able to do it by myself
and she wouldn't be able to do it by herself." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Board of Commissioners Chairman Tom Makowski said he initially was
skeptical about the position, which was recommended by the county's 911
consultant, Michael E. Richcrick of York-based Technology Management Research. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Makowski changed his mind when he learned that other counties employ
similar 911 educators and that three state agencies sanctioned it. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "This is actually a teaching position. There is a lot of information that
has to be discussed and people are nervous about change," he said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 As with most 911 costs, Ambosie's salary will be paid with money from an
already-existing $1.25-per-month charge assessed on all of Luzerne County's
telephone lines. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Because they were not required to do so, the commissioners did not
advertise the position. Makowski said Ambosie was the most qualified person
for the job. She also was the only person interviewed for the job. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Ambosie graduated from Wilkes University in 1990 with a bachelor's degree
in education and psychology. She was hired in 1993 as a $40-per-day clerk with
the Solid Waste Management Department. One year later, Ambosie moved to
Emergency Services, where she since has worked as an administrative assistant. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In other business at Wednesday's meeting, the commissioners: &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Appointed John Fallon to tax collector of Sugar Notch borough. Fallon
replaces Theresa Kinney, who recently resigned. The term expires Dec. 31. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Approved a lease with Frank M. Henry Associates, Wilkes-Barre. The county's
Tourist Promotion Agency is moving into 1,380 square feet of office space in
the Martz building on Public Square. The five-year lease will cost the county
$77,280. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Appointed three people to the Emergency Services department. John Nilles of
Hazleton will make $12,500 per year as a telecommunicator; Mary Derome of
Pittston, $17,993 as a clerk/typist; and Pat Tossi of Plains Township, $17,500
as a data control specialist. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Appointed Robert Pipech of the Mountaintop area to the Road and Bridge
Department. He will make $33,000 as a bridge construction supervisor. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Appointed two people to the Luzerne County Tourist Promotion Agency. Merle
Mackin Jr. of Kingston will make $44,200 as executive director, and Maureen
Pozzessere of Hazleton, $17,000 as membership/marketing coordinator of the
Hazleton office. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Specialist Will Lead Campaign About 911 
Council Creates Position 
Of Public Awareness 
Specialist, Who Will Teach 
Public About Emergency 
Telephone System

Specialist Will Lead Campaign About 911 Council Creates Position Of Public Awareness Specialist, Who Will Teach Public About Emergency Telephone System