Wilkes-Barre Mayor Says He’s Undecided About Another Run, Contends His Comments Misunderstood

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WILKES-BARRE — Saying his comments were misunderstood, Mayor Thomas Leighton said Friday he has not yet decided on running for another term.

Leighton, a Democrat, will begin the fourth and final year of his third term in January. He said he will discuss whether to run again with his wife and children over the holidays, make a decision and announce it in February as he has previously done.

“No decision has been made,” he said Friday.

Read more: http://www.timesleader.com/news/news/50732477/

Wilkes-Barre City Council Reorganizes, Picks Officers

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Luzerne County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

WILKES-BARRE, PA — City Council on Monday reelected its chairman, but replaced its vice chairman, who has been a frequent critic of Mayor Tom Leighton and his administration.

Bill Barrett will handle the gavel in 2014, keeping the chairmanship for another year. However, Tony George, a retired city police chief like Barrett, was replaced by Mike Merritt for the vice chairman’s post.

“I guess I must have offended them by not voting for all of the mayor’s proposals,” George said after the meeting. “I was elected to represent the people, and I will continue voting no when I feel it’s the right thing to do, and I will question issues when I see fit.”

Read more:  http://timesleader.com/news/local-news/1105905/W-B-council-reorganizes-picks-officers

Wilkes-Barre’s Credit Rating Is Upgraded

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WILKES-BARRE. PA — Mayor Tom Leighton is touting the city’s new “positive outlook” rating from a national credit rating company, and representatives of a local bond broker and financial services company say the city has reason to celebrate.

Standard & Poor’s Rating Services revised its outlook on the city’s outstanding general obligation bonds from A- negative to A- positive, according to a recently released S&P report.

It’s noteworthy, the mayor says, because “it saves taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars and allows us the flexibility to invest in our city, improve our infrastructure and create jobs for our citizens.”

Pete Shelp, a certified financial planner at Janney Montgomery Scott, a stock and bond brokerage and financial services firm in Kingston, said Thursday a higher credit rating could save the city considerable cash.

Read more: http://timesleader.com/news/local-news/1026124/Wilkes-Barres-credit-rating-is-upgraded

Wilkes-Barre Mayor ‘Disgusted’ By Actions, Suspends Towing Contract

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WILKES-BARRE, PA — As little as Mayor Tom Leighton said about the city’s reasons for suspending LAG Towing’s contract, he said less about other investigations that might involve the tower.

Leighton hastily called a press conference Friday afternoon to announce the suspension following the filing of theft charges against Leo A. Glodzik III, LAG’s owner.

“I am disgusted and disappointed by the actions of one of our city contractors,” Leighton said.  “I will not speculate on his guilt, but actions of this type will not be condoned or excused.  And we demonstrated today they will not be tolerated.”

He would not disclose the full details for the city’s action as it prepares for an arbitration proceeding and the appointment of an independent arbiter to affirm the validity of the suspension within 60 days — in compliance with the terms of the contract.

Read more:  http://www.timesleader.com/news/local-news/561566/Leighton-disgusted-by-actions-suspends-contract