Luzerne Home Rule

Thanks to all of you, the Luzerne County Government Study Commission has been elected and has already started working to change Luzerne County for the better.

The official website of the Government Study Commission is http://luzernegsc.org

Visit often, as they GSC will need input from you in order to make the county a better place for all of us.

Congratulations to the eleven elected members of the Government Study Commission:

Jim Haggerty
Walter Griffith Jr.
John Adonizio
Veronica Ciaruffoli
Frank E. P. Conyngham
Jack Schumacher
Rick Morelli
Richard “Kick” Heffron
Robert “Whammer” Wanyo
Christopher “C. J.” Kersey
Charmaine Maynard

Congratulations also to those who were not amongst the top eleven.  Some very qualified candidates did not make the above list.  They have worked hard during this election.  We hope that these people will continue to fight to make Home Rule a reality in Luzerne County in their own ways. 

Over 77% of the voters on May 19th said that they agreed with our simple contention that the governmental structure ought to be examined.  We’re proud of the work that we’ve done, but we’re aware that this process is only half completed.  Now the GSC will have to examine Luzerne County Courthouse and determine whether or not writing a Home Rule Charter is advisible.  If so, they will then have to write the charter.  They have only 18 months to complete all of this. 

To this end, we at Luzerne Home Rule have agreed from the beginning that the movement to Home Rule must speak with one voice.  Having accomplished all that we, the unelected proponents of Home Rule, could; we feel that GSC must take the speaking role.  We respect the elected members and we hope that they will work quickly to make this a reality. 

We would like to thank our supporters- your help and support helped to win this crucial first battle.  We hope that when the next battle comes, you will give the GSC the same support at that crucial moment down the road.

Don’t forget to vote YES for the Home Rule Government Study Commission today!

Here’s the link to the story on Yahoo News:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090516/ap_on_re_us/us_courthouse_kickbacks_election_1

With the primary election season winding down, excitement is building.  In a few days, the voters of this county will be asked if a Government Study Commission  should be formed to examine the present county government, determine its strengths and weaknesses, and, if necessary, write a Home Rule Charter.  In addition, the voters will be asked to select 11 people to form the Study Commission.  

We, the board of Luzerne Home Rule, have realized from the beginning that the key to this process was bringing together the right group of 11 people to serve on this Commission.  Having gone to numerous meetings, events, and forums with 17 of the 20 GSC candidates, we are impressed by so many of the candidates that we cannot help but enthusiastically ask for a “yes” vote on the ballot question. 

http://luzernehomerule.org/votersguide

Luzerne Home Rule is not in the business of endorsing candidates.  Doing so would be against our principles of educating rather than advocating.  What we do at Luzerne Home Rule is provide the voters with information.  Our efforts have gathered profiles of 16 candidates, which can be viewed in the link above.  We hope that we have gathered enough information for you to make a decision based on your personal criteria.

If it is not, other interested parties have and will continue to make endorsements.  We find it very exciting that so many people have taken an active interest in the Home Rule process.  We hope that this will translate into a “yes” vote on the ballot question on May 19th.  Best wishes to all.

If you are a registered voter in Luzerne County, you are eligible to vote for the Home Rule Study Commission AND for the GSC Candidates.

From the Times Leader-

People keep demanding more accountability in Luzerne County government, and the May 17 primary election is an opportunity to choose who will compete for three key row offices.

In this primary, voters will select candidates for judge as well as candidates for Luzerne County row offices to run in the Novemeber general election.

A total 174,604 registered voters — 112,723 Democrats and 61,881 Republicans — have the power to decide the primary election nominees for county Controller, Prothonotary and Register of Wills.

Though the additional 15,771 voters registered in third parties won’t have a say on these races until November, all voters now — regardless of party registration — will decide whether or not to study a possible switch to home rule county government.

The 11 home rule study commission candidates will also be chosen by all registered voters, though these candidates will only take office if the study question passes.

By Jennifer Learn-Andes

Thank you Elections board. Now the voters of Luzerne County will have an opportunity to examine a “plain english” statement on Home Rule before entering the polling place.

From the Citizens Voice:

— MICHAEL P. BUFFER

The Luzerne County Election Board on Friday approved a “plain English” statement for the May 19 ballot question about creating a commission to study county government.

The statement, which will be posted at polling places to help voters better understand the ballot question, is as follows:

“The purpose of the ballot question is to determine whether the electors of the County of Luzerne wish to empanel a ‘Government Study Commission’ (Commission) of 11 members to study the existing form of government of Luzerne County and possibly recommend changes to the form of government which may be presented by the Commission in the form of a Home Rule Charter or Optional Plans form of government.

“The question is presented for a ‘Yes or No’ vote and a simple majority of electors is needed for passage or rejection of the question. A recommended Home Rule Charter or Optional Plans form of government would be presented to the electors of the County of Luzerne in a future referendum, should the Commission be empaneled and should the Commission conclude, upon the completion of a study, that either a Home Rule Charter or Optional Plans form of government is advised. Electors, irrespective of their decision to vote ‘Yes or No’ on the Government Study Commission Referendum, are permitted to vote for not more than 11 of the 20 candidates seeking to be seated on the Commission.”

Just a friendly reminder to our loyal friends and new visitors.  Now is the last chance to get your fundraiser tickets, though they will be available at the door.  Here’s the event info:

Thursday May 7, 2009 @ 6:30PM
Kingston American Legion
386 Wyoming Ave, Kingston
Fundraiser Dinner
Come join us at the Kingston American Legion for a fun-filled fundraising event! Dinner and drinks are included in the ticket price as well as entertainment. Your ticket also gets you free entry into our prize drawing. Tickets are $20 a piece and are available online by visiting our events page.

This may well be your last chance to see so many GSC candidates congregated together like this- use this to become an informed voter!  In addition, candidates for other countywide offices will be there as well.   Hope to see you- it’s sure to be the most fun candidate forum in Luzerne County!  Did we mention that we’ll be having food?

A FORUM ON HOME RULE
What Is Home Rule and Why Should Voters Care?

On Wednesday, May 13,2009, at 7:00pm, in Room 101 of the Stark Learning Center on the campus of Wilkes University, the Pennsylvania Economy League, the Institute for Public Policy & Economic Development and Wilkes University are cosponsoring a public forum to help the voters of Luzerne County understand what home rule is and why it is important. The forum will feature a short presentation on the procedures of home rule, followed by a discussion of its advantages and disadvantages.

Participants

Thomas J. Baldino, Professor of Political Science, Wilkes University
Kevin Blaum, assistant director of admissions Wyoming Seminary, and former PA state legislator from the city of Wilkes-Barre
Gerald Cross, Executive Director, Central Region, Pennsylvania Economy League
Teri Ooms, Executive Director, Institute for Public Policy & Economic Development
Robert Seeley, Professor of Economics, Wilkes University
Todd Vonderheid, President and CEO of the Greater Wilkes-Barre Charnber of Commerce

Each panelist brings a distinctive perspective to the program. Teri Ooms, the moderator, brings years of experience working with various types of governmental organuations in several states. Mr. Cross, who will present a Power Point presentation on Home Rule, was a member of the P.E.L. team that served as the consultants to the last home rule study commission in the county from 2001 to 2003. He has also assisted home rule study commissions in Clinton and Lancaster counties. From his years in the state legislature, Representative Blaum understands the advantages and disadvantages that a new home rule charter can bring to the county. Similarly, Mr. Vonderheid, as a former county commission, will bring his knowledge of county government to the discussion. Drs. Baldino and Seeley served as members of the last home rule commission, and will share their experiences and the lessons they learned.

NOTE: THIS IS NOT A LHR EVENT

Congratulations to Jess Andes of Mountain Top! Jess has just become the Luzerne Home Rule Events Coordinator.

Upcoming events include the following:

Wednesday April 29, 2009 @ 7PM
West Wyoming Town Hall
Home Rule Educational Forum
If you have any questions about Home Rule or would like to meet the GSC candidates, please attend this forum. Feel free to bring friends and family members. Spreading the word about Home Rule is crucial to the success of the movement and future of Luzerne County.

Saturday, May 2, 2009 @ 11 AM
NEPA Organizing Center, 198 S Main St Wilkes-Barre
Home Rule Canvass
Oh no!  It’s May already?  Come join us as we take our message to the people of Luzerne County!  We will meet at the NEPA Organizing Center between 11-1 and head out from there.  Come and experience the essence of grassroots campaigning and help us win a Government Study Commission for Luzerne County!

Thursday May 7, 2009 @ 6:30PM
Kingston American Legion
Fundraiser Dinner
Come join us at the Kingston American Legion for a fun-filled fundraising event! Dinner and drinks are included in the ticket price as well as entertainment. Your ticket also gets you free entry into our prize drawing. Tickets are $20 a piece and are available online by visiting our events page.