Officials delay decision on new voting machines

Commissioners had problems with the current voting system in 2004.
By MARY GRZEBIENIAK
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
MERCER, Pa. -- The long-awaited decision on which new voting machine system will be used in Mercer County could come Tuesday.
Mercer County commissioners recessed -- instead of adjourned -- their regular meeting Thursday, stating that they need a little more information before making a decision on the purchase.
They expect to have that information by their 10:30 a.m. Chief Clerk's meeting Tuesday, and they are combining the two meetings next week. The stated purpose of the meeting is to consider voting machines, as well as discuss other business.
They will not wait until their next regular meeting Feb. 9 because the time factor is crucial if they are to order an electronic voting machine system, have it delivered and have employee training completed for the May primary election.
Machine problems
Commissioners bought an electronic voting machine system in 2001 for $900,000, but problems with it led to many lost votes in the November 2004 general election.
Those problems resulted in the entire system having to be scrapped after the state decertified it last year, in effect forbidding its use in Pennsylvania elections.
Whether the county will be reimbursed, as originally promised by the state for the discarded system as well as the new one they are now required to buy, remains unresolved.
Other business
Commissioners also handled these matters:
Approved purchase of a 12-passenger small transit bus for $62,424 from Rohrer Enterprises Inc., Duncanon, Pa. Bill Jones, county transit manager, said a Pennsylvania Department of Transportation grant will pay for the bus.
Approved applying to PennDOT for an additional $134,259 grant for two vehicles for the Shared-Ride Transportation service. All three vehicles will replace old buses.
Approved increased contributions from nonunion employees' co-pays for office and emergency room visits and prescription drug purchases. The action is retroactive to Jan. 1 and is expected to save the county $100,000 per year.
Advertised for repair work on four county bridges. Two are located on West Lake Road and one on East Lake Road, all in Pymatuning Township, and the fourth on Lincoln Avenue, Grove City. County Engineer Mark Miller said construction will start in April and finish in May. He said one lane of traffic will be maintained on all the bridges during the repairs. Costs will be paid with state liquid fuels tax money.
Approved contracts for Atty. Matthew Donnelly of Grove City and Atty. Stephen Delpero of New Wilmington to represent parents of juveniles in dependency actions brought by the Mercer County Department of Children & amp; Youth Services. Both contracts are for $13,000.