LAWRENCE COUNTY Official discusses cell phones

Cell phones could be issued for specific assignments, a commissioner says.
By PETER H. MILLIKEN
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- County-issued cellular phones should be limited to employees with a legitimate need, said Daniel J. Vogler, chairman of the Lawrence County commissioners.
For example, law enforcement and court officials transporting prisoners need to be able to communicate, either by cellular phone or radio, he said Thursday. Those with desk telephones whose jobs are confined to the courthouse don't need them, however, he added.
Perhaps the county could possess several cellular phones and lend them to employees when needed for a particular assignment, he suggested.
Policy enacted
Last week, the commissioners enacted a policy saying county-issued cellular phones are to be used solely for county business. If they're used for any personal reason, the county must be reimbursed, the policy says.
The policy was prompted by an investigation by Pennsylvania State Police and the state attorney general's office into use of these phones by county Treasurer Gary Felasco, who used a county-issued cellular phone to give directions to swingers' parties that were publicized on a sexually explicit Web site.
Vogler said commissioners decided last month to close the treasurer's satellite office in Ellwood City at the end of this month because of its low activity. "We felt that it was not living up to its potential," Vogler said.
Vogler made his remarks after Edward Garrett of New Wilmington said cellular phones are unnecessary for those whose jobs only require their desk phones and that the treasurer's Ellwood City office is unnecessary and should be eliminated. The rent at that office is $400 a month. The county pays about $2,200 a month for 39 cellular phones for its employees.
Setting funds aside
Commissioners also allocated a total of $269,000 from gasoline-tax revenues to 10 Lawrence County communities. Part of Enon Valley's $40,000 allocation will go for repair of recent storm damage, Vogler said.
Commissioners said they want Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to replace the 1926-vintage Kennedy Mill Bridge, which carries Frew Mill Road over Slippery Rock Creek in Slippery Rock Township, with a new bridge that will complement the scenic area through which it will pass.
"We don't want to do anything that would disrupt the scenic value of that area," Vogler said. PennDot is planning the replacement because of deterioration .
Commissioners will have a caucus meeting at 10 a.m. Thursday and a regular meeting at 10 a.m. Tuesday, both at the courthouse. The courthouse will be closed Monday for Flag Day.