`dawson's Creek' Has Enough Steam To Melt Most Viewers

3 Field Hockey Stars Named All-americans

By MITCH MORRISON; Times Leader Staff Writer
 Monday, January 19, 1998 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 3A 





WILKES-BARRE- They fight a lot these days, the members of the Luzerne
County Convention Center Authority. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Eleven members who once voted unanimously on everything now rarely agree on
anything. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; And that discord isn't likely to change. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 With the terms of six members expired and controversy surrounding the fact
that three members live in Lackawanna County, speculation has swirled that
some changes could be forthcoming. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Not so, says Frank Crossin, the only current Luzerne County commissioner,
of the three-member board, who helped form the arena authority in 1994. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "There's been no talk about the commissioners being unhappy with any of the
board members," Crossin said. "I have not been lobbied to reappoint anybody or
appoint a friend, or remove anybody." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The six board members serving with expired terms are: Tom Melone, Dan
Distasio, Msgr. Andrew McGowan, Gary Lamont, Fran Bartlomowicz and John
George. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In recent months, mistrust and fingerpointing have underscored arena
meetings. One faction led by Pat Judge, Tony Lupas and Bartlomowicz has
accused the majority of withholding information and putting politics ahead of
policy. The majority, headed by chairman Kevin Blaum and Stephen Barrouk, have
denounced the jabs as sour grapes. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Crossin acknowledged the commissioners have been slow to renew the terms of
some authority members- terms that expired as long as two years ago- and that
the current makeup appears fractured. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 But, he said, "You've got some real good people from all cross-sections of
life. That breeds differences in the way things should be done. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "I think it's healthy to have different opinions." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The most recent flap smacking the authority surrounds residency. Only
McGowan lived outside Luzerne County when the authority was created. Now,
Judge and Tom Torbik have relocated. All three live in the plush Glenmaura
housing development in Moosic. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 And at least one taxpayer leader says the three should be removed. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "If they want to be on the board, they should have to live in Luzerne
county. It's just common sense," said Sharon Lemmons, who heads the Coalition
of Luzerne County Taxpayers Association. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 But Crossin and authority members from both factions defended the status
quo. &nbsp;&amp;nb

Arena Board Is Developing Some Splinters 
The Once United Authority Has Grown Fractured As Terms For Six Of 11 Members 
Expired Without Renewal And Three Members Moved Out Of The County

Arena Board Is Developing Some Splinters The Once United Authority Has Grown Fractured As Terms For Six Of 11 Members Expired Without Renewal And Three Members Moved Out Of The County