Sites for Lawrence meetings still vary

By Mary Grzebieniak

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — Despite a resident’s criticism, Lawrence County commissioners say they will continue to take their meetings to the four corners of the county in the hope of drawing more people to their meetings.

“There’s a large disconnect between public officials and the public. That’s why we go out to schools and places like Plain Grove, Enon Valley and Pulaski.” Commissioner Dan Vogler said.

The commissioners have been conducting one monthly meeting in the evening at locations outside New Castle as well as having occasional morning meetings at county high schools. The next such meeting will be 10 a.m. Feb. 9 at Shenango High School.

But Oran “Snuff” Allen, a resident who regularly attends commissioners’ meetings at the courthouse, pointed out that community attendance has been poor at these meetings and suggested they be discontinued. He said they are difficult for those who regularly attend the meetings at the courthouse.

Commissioners defended the practice, however, stating that certain meetings drew community members and that some of those at the schools resulted in good comments and attendance by large numbers of students. They informally agreed to continue the meetings but will look into whether they could be better publicized by asking school boards and township supervisors to announce them or even put them on community cable-television announcements.

In another effort to involve the community in county government, commissioners are investigating the cost of arranging live Webcasts of the meetings.

Also at their meeting Tuesday, commissioners announced there are openings on the Municipal Authority, the Redevelopment Authority and the Industrial Redevelopment Authority. The Municipal Authority borrows money by selling tax-free bonds for sewer and water projects. The Redevelopment Authority uses eminent domain to buy property for development, and the Industrial Redevelopment Authority issues tax-free bonds for development. Anyone named to one of the boards must pass a background check. To apply, residents should contact the commissioners’ office at the Lawrence County Government Center.

They also named James Ferrante of Wampum to the Children and Youth Services Advisory Board.