Wyoming Seminary Names Dean's List

Be Proud Of, Inspired By This Chapter Of `dreams'

By JOLYN RESNICK jolynr@leader.net
 Wednesday, December 27, 2000 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 7A 





WILKES-BARRE - If the mayor calls a special meeting for council to act on
his proposed 2001 budget, it's likely he'll be the only person there. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 On Dec. 19, council conducted its last session of the year without voting
on the proposed $28.3 million budget. As such, the budget will go into effect
on Jan. 1 as proposed by Mayor Tom McGroarty. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; McGroarty said last week he would call a special meeting and insist council
act on the budget. On Tuesday, McGroarty said he thinks council will return on
its own. ``They're responsible people,'' he said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 But, council Chairman Michael McGinley, Councilman Thomas Leighton and
Councilwoman Kathy Kane said they don't believe the seven members will attend
if McGroarty calls the meeting - and they don't intend to set one. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``We're not required to go. We've made our position clear as to why we're
not going to vote on the budget,'' Kane said. ``If something goes wrong with
it, he can always say we didn't read it and we signed it - so we're just as
responsible as he is.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Leighton said he'd go only if McGroarty revises the budget or answers
concerns council has regarding the mayor's three-page budget message. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Leighton, McGinley and Kane said their biggest problem with the budget is
that McGroarty placed more than $1.3 million in employee co-payments for
health insurance in the budget as revenues. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``Until we have a new contract with (the unions), we're responsible to pay
those health care benefits,'' Kane said. Three of the unions are negotiating
contracts now; the fourth union will negotiate next year. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Leighton said he also wonders why McGroarty included $66,200 in ice hockey
league revenues from the Ice-A-Rama since the skating rink is closed and
McGroarty does not intend to reopen it to ice hockey. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Leighton also said he believes McGroarty should include health care
benefits for retired city officials. And, he wonders why McGroarty has not
included revenues for the Park N Lock North garage in the proposed budget. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 McGroarty attended two council meetings to discuss the budget. In the
first, he requested council submit written questions. Few did. Most requested
face-to-face conversations. They also said it was difficult to put their
questions in written form. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 McGroarty said council members didn't ask questions when he attended
meetings because, ``they're afraid of the dialogue.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Jolyn Resnick, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 829-7210. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 For The Record: 12/28/00 A story about Wilkes-Barre city's budget on page
7A of Wednesday's newspaper needs clarificaion. Councilman Thomas Leighton
said the city should get an opinion concerning the legalty of discontinuing
health care for retired elected officials. If it is not legal to drop te
health care, the mayor should include the costs in the 2001 budget.

W-b Budget Heads For Jan. 1 Enactment As Mayor, Council Continue Standoff