W-b To Fix Potholes Starting Next Week

Airport Still Eyes County Funding 
Luzerne County Commissioner Stephen A. Urban Says He Thinks The Airport Should
Be Providing Money To The County Instead.

By ROBERT MINER Times Leader Correspondent
 Friday, November 24, 2000 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 3C 





BERWICK - The tradition of running in Berwick's Run for the Diamonds on
Thanksgiving morning is a ritual most runners find they don't want to break. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Con McCole and Rich Owens, both of Wilkes-Barre, ran Berwick for their 21st
time Thursday. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; This year's race was extra challenging because of the cold weather. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 But temperatures in the 20s weren't about to stop Joe Naughton, who
competed in his 20th consecutive Run for the Diamonds. He didn't win an age
group award this year, but Naughton was glad to get No. 20 under his belt. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``It wasn't really all that bad today,'' Naughton said of weather. ``Once
you got moving and warmed up, it was actually pretty nice.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Naughton, who is a member of the Scranton Organized Area Runners club, runs
far and wide. As owner of Naughton Energy, he makes numerous business trips,
and he runs just about anywhere he goes: New York City, St. Martin, in the
Caribbean; Naughton is a member of the St. Martin, Caribbean Road Runners
Club. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 On Nov. 11 - St. Martin's Day - Naughton ran on the 40-and-over team in a
relay race around the island. There were 24 teams, each made up of nine men
and two women. His team finished eighth and won an award for best-dressed. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Naughton makes an annual trip to Ireland each year with a group of runners
from Scranton. In September, Naughton, Jack Neary and Rich Owens - all members
of Scranton Organized Area Runners - actually ran in a women's race - the
Foyle River Female 5K. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``There were 500 women and three men,'' said Naughton. ``And the Irish
lasses welcomed us with open arms.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 They also ran in the Crawfordsburn 5K in Derry, a race that turned into a
challenge between Irish and U.S. veterans. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``We got beat,'' Naughton said with a smile. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The Run for the Diamonds holds a special place in Naughton's heart. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``It's one of the best,'' Naughton said. ``I hope I'm around for 20 more.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

'diamonds' Are Forever For Wilkes-barre Runners