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By KALEN CHURCHER [email protected]
Tuesday, October 15, 2002     Page: 7A

NANTICOKE – With key legislative and executive components tentatively
decided, the county’s Government Study Commission is prepared to move into the
meat of the home-rule charter it was chosen to establish.
   
“I’m really looking forward to (tonight’s) meeting,” said Carl Goodwin,
commission chair.
    The 11-person panel is expected to discuss budgeting and finance issues
during the 7 p.m. meeting today at Luzerne County Community College.
Subtopics, Goodwin said, are likely to involve bidding requirements as well as
spending limits and caps.
   
Goodwin credits the study commission’s consultant, the Pennsylvania Economy
League, with expediting the draft process. That, and “members have done their
homework,” he said, adding today will be the group’s 44th meeting.
   
“That’s pretty amazing. … We meet weekly and have never had to cancel a
meeting because of a lack of a quorum.”
   
Looking ahead, study commissioner Ed Kilduff said he anticipates
“initiative and referendum” to be one of the biggest challenges the panel
faces. It’s also an issue that he says he will fight for strongly.
   
“I’m a strong believer in power to the people,” Kilduff said, adding
there are some members who may feel as strongly against the concept, which, in
simple terms, allows voters to propose and challenge laws.
   
According to the Governor’s Center for Local Government Services, the
concept of home rule means the “shifting of responsibility for local
government from the state Legislature to the local community.”
   
Neil Allen, parliamentarian, said his greatest concern is that the group
will not cover enough topics and potential issues. Not only must the
commission focus on current topics, but it also must anticipate future ones
should state law change.
   
He added it would help if more residents attended meetings so study
commissioners could consider their input.
   
Goodwin anticipates the commission will receive a draft of the charter’s
executive and legislative sections soon. However, that preliminary sketch is
subject to change until 60 days before it is placed on the ballot.
   
Kalen Churcher, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 831-7329.