Give your 2 cents to county manager

HAVE YOU BEEN itching to suggest a new way for Luzerne County's government to save money, deliver better service or both? Do you care to comment publicly on the county's operations since its historic transition earlier this year to home rule?

If so, don't miss your chance to be heard Tuesday.

Robert C. Lawton, the man who oversees the county's day-to-day operations and who devised next year's $122.2 million proposed budget – will be listening.

It's his duty.

When a majority of Luzerne County voters agreed in 2010 to toss out the longstanding, three commissioner-type of government and try something new, they gave their blessing to a home rule charter that, in Section 4.07 A9, dictates the county manager shall:

Hold at least one public forum annually for the purpose of providing a reasonable opportunity for the public to offer comments and suggestions directly to the County Manager. Each forum shall be held in the evening. The date, time and place of each forum shall be advertised and posted on the County website and/or other electronic medium as shall be provided for in the Administrative Code.

In accordance with the charter, the first of these public forums has been scheduled.

The date: Tuesday.

The time: 6 p.m.

The place: Council meeting room on the first floor of the Luzerne County Courthouse, 200 N. River St., Wilkes-Barre.

As a county resident, a concerned citizen and/or a taxpayer, don't you think you should stay engaged in what your county government does?

Regrettably, we have learned after a series of high-profile, public corruption arrests what can happen if you don't.