Engineer estimates June 1 for opening of viaduct

Some county residents will be eligible for a prescription discount card.
By MARY GRZEBIENIAK
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
MERCER, Pa.-- Mercer County Engineer Mark Miller said he thinks the Oakland Avenue Viaduct in Sharon will open around June 1, weather permitting.
He said decks and parapets have been placed and a pedestrian fence is being installed. He said some other safety items are needed before it is opened for traffic and that other work can be done after it is opened.
The viaduct project was held up for several years while the reason for a beam misalignment was determined.
Commissioner Olivia Lazor said that the county is not planning any opening or dedication ceremonies, commenting, "I think we've had enough press on this."
Drug discounts
Also at the commissioners agenda meeting Wednesday, Lazor announced county residents will soon be eligible for discounts on prescription drugs ranging from 13 percent to 50 percent. The discounts will be only for drugs not discounted under any prescription plan.
A "Mercer County Rx" card is being designed to be available at various locations in the county. Once the card design is approved, Lazor said it will be eight to 10 weeks before it is distributed. Details will be announced at that time.
On the ballot
On Tuesday, it was announced that two of three county commissioners will have to excuse themselves from their function as county board of election members because they are on the May primary ballot.
Though county commissioners make up the board of elections, Commissioners Michele Brooks and Lazor said that their candidacies for state committeewoman posts would make it a conflict of interest for them to participate in board of election functions during the election. They will have to remove themselves from participation on the board from the date of the primary until the final signing of the books.
Brooks has appointed County Fiscal Director John Logan to sit on the board in her place, and Lazor has appointed Mercer County Common Pleas Court Judge Francis Fornelli.
The board of elections makes judgments on whether to accept provisional ballots and judges the validity of write-in votes.