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Public commenters urge transparency and civility; library bookmobile praised
Summary
During public comment at the Jan. 7 Lackawanna County meeting, speakers urged transparency in board appointments and hiring, praised the Scranton Public Library's new bookmobile, and criticized commissioners for earlier conduct; one speaker used profanity while criticizing a commissioner, prompting an on-the-record denial of related allegations.
Speakers during the public-comment period at the Lackawanna County commissioners' Jan. 7 meeting raised calls for transparency, praised a revived library service and asked the commissioners to observe civility.
Calls for transparency and advertising openings: Joan Hoda (Scranton) and Mike Genetta (Scott Township) urged the county to publicly advertise openings on boards and to vote hires at public meetings so residents know who is working for the county. Genetta cited the Sunshine Act and urged that hiring be done publicly so the community can see official action.
Library bookmobile praised: Scott Thomas, CEO of the Scranton Public Library, updated the board on the library's new bookmobile, which returned to service in August after five years and now serves more than 60 stops (schools, daycares, community locations and senior-living sites). He noted modular shelving that allows the vehicle to carry age-appropriate collections.
Calls for civility and heated remarks: Bob Ball of Scranton used the public-comment period to criticize a commissioner and to make several personal accusations, including references to an ongoing federal lawsuit and past actions by county offices; the remarks included profanity. The chair acknowledged the comment, and Commissioner (unidentified) 2 denied on the record an allegation that he instructed the tax claim bureau to take action against Ball. James Moran urged the commissioners to 'get along' and called for respectful behavior.
Why it matters: Public comments highlighted community expectations for openness in appointments and hiring, support for county services such as the bookmobile, and local concern about tone and conduct among elected officials.
Next steps: The chair said future board openings will be promoted on the county website and in the newspaper; no formal action was taken on the Sunshine Act or hiring processes during the meeting.
