Time ticking on 'home rule'
Changes coming in commissioners' office

James Moate Photo Howard Brush (lett), a representative of the governor's office came to Emporium recently to offer the state's help in devising a new system of government in Cameron County. Brush is being interviewed here by WLEM's Tina Lorson. That's Emporium Borough Police Chief Rufus Jones looking on.

With at least two of the three Cameron County Commissioners soon to leave the board, timing is critical as they consider how best to restructure local government.

Glen Fiebig, who is seeking another four-year term, along with Pat Rodgers and Tony Moscato, who both will leave the board in December, all agree that radical changes must be made to protect the county government from insolvency.

At last Monday's meeting, the commissioners revisited the consolidation/home rule option. Among the options discussed was the prospect of a citizens' initiative to place the issue on the primary election ballot next May.

Chief Clerk Brenda Munz took exception to recent suggestions that the commissioners have not involved township and borough officials in drafting the proposed home rule charter.

"On behalf of the commissioners, I did send out invitations over the last two years to every council member and every township supervisor," Munz said. "It was their option not to attend these meetings."

Her comments were later echoed by Alan Kugler, the paid consultant who helped Fiebig, Moscato and Rodgers draft the plan.

Fiebig and JoAnn Smith are the Republican candidates for commissioner, while Phil Jones and Thomas Callahan are the Democrats. Mike Songer is also running as an Independent. Songer has gone on record in support of putting the government consolidation issue before the voters.

Some critics of the home rule charter have suggested that the matter be put on hold until after the new board of commissioners takes office in January.

Plans to gather together township and borough officials for a Sept. 10 meeting to discuss Cameron County's options were cancelled due to schedule conflicts. A new meeting date will be announced.

In other business last week, the commissioners:

• discussed the nine-member stakeholders' group being formed to determine how to spend a multi- million fine expected to be paid by Norfolk Southern Railroad, stemming from the June 30, 2006, train derailment and lye spill. Cameron County Watershed Specialist T o d d Deluccia, appointed last week as the county's representative to the Headwaters Resource Conservation and Development Council, will serve on the group.

• appointed Tom Barton to the board of directors for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services Inc.

• reported that Sylvan Heights residents recently conducted a meeting to discuss forming a Block Watch crime prevention group. Fiebig said there are misconceptions about citizens' roles. "You're not a cop, you're a reporter," he pointed out. "The police that protect us are only as good as the people who talk to them."