Yatesville

Because Of Inclement Weather On Monday, The

By JOLYN RESNICK jolynr@leader.net
 Wednesday, February 07, 2001 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 11A 





WILKES-BARRE - City tax scofflaws will get more recognition than they want
if Mayor Tom McGroarty and council have their way. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In the future, people who owe city real estate taxes could find their
faces, addresses, how much they owe and for how long they've owed the money in
newspaper ads. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; When McGroarty told council Tuesday that 11 percent of city taxpayers are
in arrears, Councilman Mike McGinley said he wanted lists of those who haven't
paid and he said he wanted their names made public. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The mayor said he would give council a list from 1998. He said the city
could advertise the three property owners who owe the largest amount. He also
said the city will take a more aggressive stance in trying to get the taxes
paid, including hiring an agency to go after the taxes. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 McGroarty said most of the scofflaws are ``not the people you think. You'll
find out it's powerful, well-connected people'' - like landlords. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 McGinley brought up Neil Camera, owner of the Hotel Sterling, who owes
millions of dollars in city, school and county taxes. The city wants to
purchase or get rid of the property, but Camera has tied the matter up in
courts for years. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Council Vice Chairman Tom Leighton said the problem is that Camera owes
more money in taxes than the property is worth. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 McGroarty said he wants to set a special meeting with council and U.S. Rep.
Paul Kanjorski, D-Nanticoke, to discuss problems with the Sterling and what
can be done to either raze or renovate the building. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The mayor said the inside is worse than anyone had expected. He said
videotapes were taken and will be shown at the public meeting, once it is
scheduled. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Council is expected to decide upon a date tomorrow. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Councilwoman Shirley Vitanovec said she expects the mayor to provide
council with details concerning the structural problems and renovation
estimates when the meeting with Kanjorski takes place. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 McGroarty said he would try to have details on asbestos and lead abatement,
how much it would cost to construct a parking garage and the minimum costs to
``mop up'' the vacant building. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In other business: &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 McGroarty asked council to schedule a meeting to which he will invite
property owners who asked to be placed in the Keystone Opportunity Expansion
Zone. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The program is an extension of the Keystone Opportunity Zone, which was
developed by the state two years ago to encourage the growth of business and
jobs by offering tax-exempt properties for development of dilapidated or
undesirable properties. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 McGroarty said he submitted 15 properties to the county for KOEZ approval
in January, but the city has until Feb. 20 to add or delete submissions. The
mayor also said he will ask those approved for the zone to pay money to the
city in lieu of taxes. Also he wants the owners to publicly commit to adding
employees. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 No date was set Tuesday. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Also, since learning last week that all five of the city's pension plans
do not comply with state laws, the mayor scheduled a closed-door meeting with
council to discuss possible revisions. The meeting, which will involve
personnel matters, will take place at 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 27. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Jolyn Resnick, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 829-7210. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

W-b Eyes Releasing Public List Of Tax Scofflaws Mayor Mcgroarty Wants A Special Meeting On What To Do About The Vacant Hotel Sterling.