Scranton City Council Reverses Course On Parking Bond Money

In a stunning about-face, Scranton City Council on Thursday voted to introduce a measure to cover a debt of the Scranton Parking Authority, only a week after refusing to do so and plunging it into default.

But it would appear to be only a temporary fix, as council solicitor Boyd Hughes cited a June 7 notice of default from bond trustee Bank of New York Mellon saying a takeover of the beleaguered authority is inevitable in 30 days because SPA has preliminarily defaulted on four other counts, including:

- Failing to submit to the trustee an independent audit.

- Failing to submit to the trustee an annual budget of facilities prepared by a consulting engineer.

- Failing to keep financial records separate from city records and have them certified in an annual audit by city Controller Roseann Novembrino.

- Failing to have an engineer perform an annual review of physical status of facilities.

Read more: http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-city-council-reverses-course-on-parking-bond-money-1.1326619

Pennsylvania Counties Cashing In On Marcellus Shale Drilling Revenues

English: Cropped portion of image from USGS report showing extent of Marcellus Formation shale (in gray shading). (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

When the state Legislature passed Act 13 in February, county and local officials across the state expressed some excitement and more than a little trepidation over whether impact fees for Marcellus Shale gas well drilling would go far enough to compensate for the disruptions and damage blamed on drilling for the valuable resource over the past five or so years.

But now, county officials are finding themselves scrambling to figure out how they will maintain human services, such as those aimed at children, the poor and elderly, in the face of a 10 to 20 percent cut in the state budget.

The impact fee?

No longer the big deal that it was a year ago in the discussion stages, many county officials say.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-south/local-counties-cashing-in-on-marcellus-shale-drilling-revenues-639308/#ixzz1xDrwMu3a

31 New Police Officers Are Now On Pittsburgh’s Streets

A map of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with its neighborhoods labeled. For use primarily in the list of Pittsburgh neighborhoods. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Fifty-eight-year-old Dennis Ammer spent five years driving a Port Authority bus, so his first police chase behind the wheel of a squad car was a thrilling change of pace.

“You’re going fast and trying to be aware of traffic, and you’re not sure what’s going to happen,” Officer Ammer said. “It’s sort of an adrenaline rush.”

Affectionately called “Pops” by his fellow recruits, Officer Ammer was by 20 years the oldest “rookie” sworn onto Pittsburgh’s police force Thursday, an iron worker-turned-bus-driver-turned cop.

City officers can only stay on the job until they turn 65.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-city/31-new-officers-are-now-on-pittsburghs-streets-639486/#ixzz1xDpBpKQZ