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First Posted: 8/8/2013
LUZERNE COUNTY
Former election chief
wants vote act probe
Former Luzerne County election director Leonard Piazza has asked the U.S. Election Assistance Commission to investigate his complaint alleging the county is not in compliance with requirements of the Help America Vote Act, or HAVA.
Piazza, who was county election director from April 2004 until his termination in April 2012, said polling places are not fully accessible to the disabled as required.
He also alleged the county failed to provide funding for the office as promised to be eligible for the receipt of HAVA funding.
Piazza said the county should be “taken to task” and force to return $3.6 million in HAVA funding.
Election Director Marisa Crispell-Barber said she instituted a plan to make polling places accessible to the disabled for the May 2013 primary and said she is in the process of reviewing HAVA paperwork with the state to ensure the county is compliant.
HARRISBURG
Governor’s Residence
gardens to be open
The Governor’s Residence gardens will be open to the public 1-4 p.m. Sunday for the “Creatures of the Garden” open house as part of several free, “Second Sunday” events scheduled throughout the summer.
The family-friendly event will showcase creatures of all shapes and sizes that inhabit gardens in Pennsylvania. Visitors will have an opportunity to observe live animal demonstrations, hear educational presentations and participate in hands-on activities.
At 2 p.m., Jack Hubley, host of “A Wild Moment,” will offer an educational program titled “Critters Beyond Your Back Door.” It will feature mammals, birds of prey and snakes that are native to Central Pennsylvania.
The final “Second Sunday” event will be on Sept. 8.
For more information, visit www.pa.gov/firstlady
AVOCA
Crime watch
meeting set
The next meeting of the Avoca Crime Watch will be at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 20, at the Avoca Borough building with guest speaker Luzerne County Detective Charles Balogh talking about keeping citizens property safe.
Residents are encouraged to attend these group meetings and help keep the town safe and clean.
For more information, call Jim at 457-8446, Ned at 457-6109 or Gene at 457-0776.
ASHLEY
Huber Breaker
auction set Aug. 22
An auction for bids to purchase the Huber Breaker and adjacent property from No. 1 Contracting is scheduled for 10 a.m. Aug. 22 inside the Max Rosenn U.S. Courthouse on South Main Street, Wilkes-Barre.
No. 1 Contracting of South Main Street filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March 2010 and was converted to Chapter 7 in November of that year, requiring the business to liquidate its assets, including the breaker.
Bankruptcy court records say Paselo Logistics, of 221 12th St., Philadelphia, submitted a bid of $1.275 million for the property, which has an appraised value of $750,000, according to an appraisal conducted in September 2005.
The property consists of one office, three garages/warehouses and two breakers, including the Huber Breaker that has an estimated 900 tons of steal valued at $85,000, court records say.
Before the auction, a hearing is scheduled on a petition filed by No. 1 Contracting objecting to the auction.