Handicap-parking gripes aired

Commissioners hired counsel to help negotiate new pacts with three unions.
MERCER, Pa. -- A Sharon woman told commissioners Thursday that county employees are taking the handicap-parking spots nearest the courthouse, posing a difficulty for disabled visitors.
Bonnie Silvis said her hip replacement makes it hard for her to walk. A member of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, she would like to park on the ramp in the back of the courthouse, which provides the closest access. But she said it is usually occupied all day by cars belonging to county employees.
The handicap-parking spaces on the street, which she ends up using, are limited to two hours. On a recent trip to the courthouse, Silvis said she had to walk the steps from those spaces four times to keep her car parked legally. She said this left her in pain the next day.
Commissioner Brian Beader said there are four designated handicap spaces on the ramp, but he added that three courthouse employees are handicapped. He said he will look into her complaint.
Preparing for negotiations
Commissioners agreed to hire the law firm Ekker, Kuster, McConnell & amp; Epstein to provide legal counsel during the county's union negotiations, and to subcontract with Joseph Quinn of the law firm Klett, Rooney, Lieber & amp; Schorlin to assist in the negotiation process.
Three unions representing county employees have contracts that expire Dec. 31. They are United Steelworkers of America, Pennsylvania Social Services Union and the Teamsters union.
In past years, unions have operated on contract extensions when negotiations went into the new year.
In other business, commissioners:
UEntered an agreement with JFS Wealth Advisors to provide investment advisory and other services for the mercer County Retirement Board for $60 to $300 an hour.
UApproved a $3,000 occupational therapy service contract with Jennifer Bitner of McDonald, Ohio.
UApproved changes in Community Development Block Grant allocations to reallocate $14,181 toward replacement of Fredonia's water storage tank. They also transferred an additional $1,818 for a project in Clark. The money was available because a senior housing project in Jamestown has become unfeasible, they said.
UAccepted the resignation of Nancy Yauger, Greenville, from the county Mental Health/Retardation Advisory Board.