Luzerne County study commission approves proposed home-rule charter, unanimously certifies final report

The Luzerne County Government Study Commission voted to approve a proposed home-rule charter and then unanimously certified its final report after technical difficulties interrupted the meeting and multiple emailed public comments were read into the record.

The commission voted 4-2, with one abstention, to approve the charter; later the commission voted unanimously to approve and certify the final report, with the certification leaving the notary date blank so it can be completed when notarization occurs. The meeting included a recess to resolve Zoom and in-room audio issues before commissioners resumed public comment and action.

Public commenters — read into the record when audio problems prevented some attendees from participating live — raised repeated objections to provisions they said would weaken independent oversight. Anita Davis of Wilkes-Barre urged keeping county council at 11 members and opposed changes she said would allow council to alter the board of elections. Alyssa Coleman of Swartzell Borough said proposed…