Girard lawmaker disputes mayor's financial picture for city

GIRARD — A councilman who hopes to be mayor says claims of a soon-to-be debt-free Girard made by the current mayor were shortsighted and a little irresponsible to residents.

Mayor James Melfi announced last week that, after fighting through the difficulties of fiscal emergency for more than six years, the city’s general fund will be in the black as of May 11. Residents, last week, were sent correspondence explaining the mayor’s pronounced change in the city’s financial picture.

Melfi attributed the positive uptick in the financial outlook to a myriad of changes in the way city government is handled, including cuts in hospitalization and employee costs, purchasing and new management of resources.

For the complete story, see Tuesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com.