43
Lawrence Co. officials under fire for raises
By MARY grzebieniak
NEW CASTLE, Pa.
A resident criticized Lawrence County commissioners for large raises given some Lawrence County management and professional employees for 2012.
Warren Allen of Savannah Gardner Road took umbrage with the recent Lawrence County Salary Board’s action granting some county department heads raises ranging from 9.6 percent to more than 11 percent, and increases of about 30 percent for some law clerks.
Elected officials received an automatic state-granted 3.6 percent increase while the courthouse rank and file got about 3 percent.
The salary board consists of the three commissioners, the controller and elected officials who may vote on matters involving their departments.
Allen said Tuesday that no county employee should have received more than 3.6 percent since that is the Social Security cost-of- living increase that many retired county residents received for 2012 after two years of no increases.
He added that public officials need to remember it was only two years ago the county had trouble making payroll. He said money should not be spent foolishly simply because it is not as tight this year.
Also, Commission Chairman Dan Vogler said commissioners received notice that Pennsylvania American Water has applied for a permit to construct a waterline to the proposed American Harness Tracks LLC harness racing/casino development off Pa. Route 551 in Mahoning Township.
Vogler said he viewed this is a positive sign that the track will be developed. The current line, which was constructed five years ago, ends just north of U.S. Route 224.
The racino still needs a gaming license from the Pennsylvania Gaming Commission before it can begin construction. Vogler had said last week that American Harness Tracks is in the process of preparing an application for the gaming commission which he expects to be filed this month or next.
Commissioners also approved an agreement with various security companies in which the Department of Public Safety will monitor private security systems for $60 per year per account in 2012. That figure increases to $61.80 in 2013 and 2014.