Woman's Best Friend 
Family's Two Dogs Credited With Saving Mother's Life

Accidental Bb Shot Destroys Window

By MARK GUYDISH; Times Leader Staff Writer
 Sunday, January 26, 1997 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 3 





HAZLETON -- Though the budget might again dominate council's Monday
meeting, other issues are on the agenda, including an expansion of the parking
ban during snow emergencies and a call for change in city government. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 But the biggest question might be how many council members the city has. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Councilman John Tarone publicly contemplated resignation during a Thursday
night television show on Cable Vision Channel 13. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Citing a year of repeated legal battles between Mayor Michael Marsicano and
council, Tarone said he might resign if it would help the city "move forward." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Though all five councilmen have said they vote and act independently,
Tarone said there seems to be a public perception that he is the cause of the
problems in city government. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Tarone said he had not decided to resign. Assuming Tarone remains on board,
council faces several resolutions and ordinances at Monday's work session: &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 An ordinance banning parking on both sides at any metered space in the
business districts of Broad and Altar streets during snow emergencies.
Councilman Jake Ripa III presented the resolution at the Jan. 13 meeting. Ripa
said the ban would allow plows to clear the roads curb to curb, making it
easier for people to park in the two business districts once the snow
emergency ended. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Council gave preliminary approval to the plan Jan. 13. On Friday Ripa said
he was waiting for input on the plan from Police Chief Anthony Franzosa. Ripa
said he will delay a final vote on the plan at Thursday's regular meeting if
he does not hear from Franzosa. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 An ordinance calling for a referendum to be place on this year's primary
ballot asking city residents to approve or reject the formation of a
government study commission. The commission is the first step in changing the
city's form of government. A similar commission was formed before the city
converted to the current "strong mayor" form in 1988. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Councilman Bill Lockwood called for a similar referendum in the past, but
said he did not know who put the ordinance on the agenda. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 An ordinance authorizing the refinancing of more than $2.4 million of city
debt. Council gave preliminary approval to the plan Jan. 13, but Marsicano
said he would not refinance city debt. Several councilmen said they are unsure
if the ordinance is needed now that Marsicano, as part of negotiations held
Jan. 20, has agreed to look into refinancing the debt. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Councilman Still Unsure About Resigning