Woman Wins $43,000 In Suit Over Injury

13-year-old Unhurt When Auto Hits Bike

By DAVE JANOSKI; Times Leader Staff Writer
 Friday, November 21, 1997 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 1A 





KINGSTON- Mayoral candidate James Haggerty promised voters he'd work to
repeal the town's $25 recycling fee. Mayor-elect Haggerty says the job will
probably take him until 1999. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "I'm not optimistic that we can eliminate the tax in 1998," Haggerty said
Wednesday. "It is extremely unlikely that we will retain the $25 tax in 1999." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The 32-year-old Republican attorney, who unseated incumbent Democrat Gary
Reese on Nov. 4, said the $133,000 raised by the annual recycling fee will
almost certainly be needed to balance the $6 million 1998 budget now before
the council. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "The money is vital to the bloated Reese budget," Haggerty said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Haggerty said he has been meeting with town administrator Paul Keating to
discuss possible spending cuts. But his room to maneuver is limited because
the town has already committed to spend $456,000 on a new fire truck and
repairs to its pool and recreation center. The proposed 1998 budget calls for
spending all of the $220,000 cash balance expected to be on hand at the end of
1997, he said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "In the 1998 budget, I have to play the hand I'm dealt. In the 1999 budget,
I get to cut the cards." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Politics will also play a role in the recycling question, Haggerty said.
Although the town council will be dominated by Haggerty allies when he takes
office in January, four of the seven members of the incoming council are
incumbents who voted for the recycling fee. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The $25-per-household annual fee was imposed last summer in conjunction
with a reduction in the garbage fee paid by residents who use the municipal
garbage service. The garbage fee was lowered from $1.75 per bag to $1.25. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Haggerty campaigned hard against the recycling fee, calling it a "Gary
Reese tax" that funneled money toward day-to-day expenses rather than paid for
the costs of picking up recyclables. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "I want to repeal it as soon as possible," Haggerty said. "The question is
whether it can be done in fiscal year 1998." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In an interview in his West Market Street law office, appointed with
leather chairs, framed diplomas, elegant metal lamps and flowered drapes,
Haggerty pledged he would lay off none of Kingston's approximately 70
employees, including Administrator Paul Keating. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "Keating and I have an excellent working relationship. I find him to be
very knowledgeable about municipal issues in general and Kingston issues in
particular. I'm confident we'll make a good team." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In his campaign, Haggerty stressed that the $8,000-per-year mayor's
position is part-time and the administrator is responsible for daily
operations. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "I'll spend as much time working on the affairs of Kingston as is required.
It can't be more time that it took to campaign. I've shown the citizens my
dedication during the campaign." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Haggerty said he would like Kingston to serve as an example for good
government across Luzerne County. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "I've lived in Washington, I've lived in Boston. And there's a perception
that the county is backward. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "If we can make Kingston not only run well, but be a model for progressive
government, we can be a model for other municipalities." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Haggerty would not rule out running for higher office someday. "If I'm a
successful mayor and the public, or a portion of the public, would like me to
serve in another capacity, I would consider it. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "If I'm not a successful mayor, all those questions about my future are
moot." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Dave Janoski covers government. Call him at 829-7236. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 TIMES LEADER/RICHARD SABATURA &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Kingston Mayor-elect James Haggerty practices law from this office building
on West Market Street. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 TIMES LEADER/RICHARD SABATURA &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Kingston Mayor-elect James Haggerty is boning up on the 1998 municipal
budget. Although he opposes the $25 recycling fee, he says he won't tamper
with it in 1998. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

'99 Target To End Kingston Recycling Fee Mayor-elect Haggerty Outlines His Plans For His Upcoming Term