`intimidator' Put The  Media On Their Guard

Ann D. Morris, Of Kingston, Formerly Of New

Wednesday, February 21, 2001 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 3A 





WILKES-BARRE - The city will hire more firefighters next week, Mayor Tom
McGroarty told City Council on Tuesday. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 McGroarty would not disclose how many will be hired, saying it depends upon
how many meet the city's criteria, such as being honorably discharged from the
military. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; He said the new firefighters will have to agree to attend the Fire Academy
that Philadelphia firefighters attend, rather than a program at Luzerne County
Community College. He said the academy provides ``more intense'' training. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 McGroarty said the hires are needed because he expects firefighters to
resign before a new contract is signed. Because of state law, the new contract
could provide lower pension benefits. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In other business, council expressed sympathy to the family of Joel
Connors, the man killed when a trench collapsed Friday at Spruce and Gilligan
streets. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Even though the accident occurred in the city, the trench was part of a
Wilkes-Barre Township sewer project. The township has been trying for months
to get an easement agreement from the city to pursue the project. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 McGroarty said the township started the project without the easement. ``No
one gave them (the township) permission. I called everybody into my office and
asked if they gave permission.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 McGroarty also said the excavating company damaged a bridge at the site. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 - Jolyn Resnick &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

W-b Plans To Add Firefighters