Firehouse Still Topic of Debate in Pennsylvania

WILKES-BARRE -- City Councils work session only lasted about 30 minutes Tuesday night, and the group spent most of the time discussing issues that either werent on the agenda or are out of councils control completely.

Councilwoman Kathy Kane asked Assistant City Attorney Bill Vinsko to clarify whether or not an ordinance passed a few years ago declaring that the Heights fire station could not be closed is still valid.

Vinsko said he was unable to answer at the moment but would study the issue.

Its a case of conflicting statutes, where council passed an ordinance stating the station couldnt be closed and the city says, because of the safety issues in the building it cant be open, Vinsko said. What I have to study is which law trumps the other.

Kane has pushed for action on that firehouse for months, and two weeks ago supported the passing of an emergency ordinance to get it repaired and open.

Now, she says that wont work, because only Fire Chief Jacob Lisman can declare the situation a safety emergency, and Lisman has said he is comfortable with the level of protection provided by the three still-open stations.

The issue is not scheduled for action this week.

Councilman Bill Barrett brought up a proposed emergency shelter, chapel and kitchen that will go before the Zoning Hearing Board next week for approval to open on Park Avenue, saying, I have nothing against the services they want to provide, but its the last thing that neighborhood needs at this point. Those services are available for those who really want them, in areas that arent all residential.

Kane, a teacher, agreed, saying, My kids at school live in that neighborhood, and Im hoping a lot of people come down to that zoning meeting to oppose this.

Council has no ability to stop the facility opening if it gets zoning approval.

The $1.5 million Intermodal Transportation Center/Garage loan that Leighton is requesting council approval to pursue created no discussion. Mayor Tom Leighton said the loan will be repaid via revenue from the garage. The money is a match to federal funding for the project.

Also, Tony Thomas Deli and Catering won the bid for concessions at Kirby Park this summer with an offer of $601 after no one else tried for the contract. Councilman Tony Thomas, one of the owners of the business, will not be able to vote on the matter at councils regular meeting tomorrow.

Distributed by the Associated Press