Wrong Medicine Killed Husband, Woman Claims In Lawsuit

Accreditation

By JENNIFER LEARN-ANDES jandes@leader.net
 Saturday, January 06, 2001 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 1A 





Taxes are going up 17.5 mills, but it appears none of that money will be
used to fund long neglected roof leaks at the Luzerne County Courthouse. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 It also looks as if the juvenile detention center, which barely passed
inspection this year, will continue to deteriorate. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The county has a long list of capital items that need to be addressed, and
the 2001 budget sets aside $3.2 million in a contingency fund to fix them. And
because that contingency fund must be available for emergencies, county
majority commissioners can't predict how much they will invest in capital
projects this year. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The majority has compiled a list of ``budget 2001 capital projects''
totaling $2.8 million to be addressed, and that list only touches items
costing a few thousand to a few hundred thousand, such as shelves, furniture
and computers. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The list does not rank any items in order of priority as recommended by the
state's Center for Local Government Services in Harrisburg. The center says a
long-term capital budget, including dates projects are expected to be
completed, is ``critical for budgeting purposes.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 County majority spokesman Jim Torbik said commissioners don't want to cite
specific capital items that will be funded this year because they are not sure
how much money will be available in the contingency fund. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Minority Commissioner Stephen A. Urban believes the secrecy is a strategy
for Commissioner Chairman Tom Makowski to ``control the money'' in the
contingency fund. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Urban said commissioners should publicly prioritize capital projects and
budget them in a distinct category so the public won't be left in the dark
about what needs will be addressed and how much is available for emergencies. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 For example, the majority put about $2 million in another contingency fund
that can be used to pay back the federal government for Medicare overbilling
and other problems at the county-owned Valley Crest Nursing Home. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 However, the federal government could charge the county more, and the
public has no idea how much emergency contingency money would be available. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Here are some of the capital projects outlined in the $2.8 million capital
budget: &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The Luzerne County Correction Facility needs more than $700,000 for a new
hot water heater; new elevator controllers; converted heating, ventilating and
air conditioning controls; upgraded personnel detectors; and security computer
upgrades. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The county-owned Valley Crest Nursing Home seeks $219,000 for tables,
furniture and equipment. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Data Processing has requested $355,400 for an integrated human
resources/payroll/benefits computer system. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Moon Lake Park and Seven Tubs seeks $136,000 for a tractor with backhoe
and loader attachments, the repair and expansion of a maintenance building and
a sewage treatment plant. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The Recreation Department wants $142,000 for a dump truck, soccer field
renovations, a tractor, pavilion and garage. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The Assessor's Office is seeking $263,000 for computers, a computerized
mapping plotter and new phone system. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 At least one group of capital items on the list won't be funded.
Prothonotary Carolee Medico sought $47,500 for shelving, a security system,
voice mail, a microfilm reader station and filing clock. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Medico, a frequent majority critic, said she was notified last week that
she is receiving ``zero'' for capital projects in 2001. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Urban believes the county could have avoided a tax increase and possibly
come up with funds for needed capital projects if majority commissioners
followed his dozens of recommendations to increase revenue and cut spending. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Last year's capital budget was drained by the purchase and renovation of
Penn Place, a project estimated to cost $4 million. Urban believes the project
was unnecessary, but Makowski said it was needed to ease courthouse
overcrowding. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Makowski has said he considered Urban's proposed cuts, but he believes some
of them would jeopardize services - a claim Urban disputes. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Jennifer Learn-Andes, a Times Leader staff writer, can be reached at
831-7333. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Despite Tax Hike, County Needs To Go Unmet 
The Luzerne County Commissioners Have A Long List Of Projects, But Their
Contingency Fund Is Small And Must Be Kept For Emergencies.

Despite Tax Hike, County Needs To Go Unmet The Luzerne County Commissioners Have A Long List Of Projects, But Their Contingency Fund Is Small And Must Be Kept For Emergencies.