Wyoming County Commissioners (above, from left) Judy Mead, Tom Henry, and Ron Williams and chief clerk Bill Gaylord met at the courthouse in Tunkhannock (top) on Tuesday.
Photos and Story by Rick Hiduk
After a meeting at which several items that had been previously tabled were brought up again for approval, the Wyoming County Commissioners were asked to reflect on the response of county agencies to the shootings at Weis Market in Eaton Township in the early hours of June 8.
The board was unified in their praise for both emergency management and law enforcement officials and employees, especially the female 911 dispatcher who took the frantic call from Kristin Newell, the soul survivor of the tragedy.
“That call was intense,” said Commissioner Judy Mead, who said the dispatcher could hear the continued shooting in the background. The commissioners were most impressed by the professionalism of dispatcher, whom they declined to name out of respect, because she was relatively new to the job.
The commissioners, who participated with approximately 300 other county residents in a vigil and prayer meeting held on Courthouse Square on the evening of June 8, repeated their offer of counseling services to anyone who needs it. The county’s Victim Resource Center can be contacted at 570-833-5544 for assistance.
Meanwhile, the United Way of Wyoming County is accepting donations from citizens and business leaders for a fund to help families of the shooting victims. Donors should send checks to Wyoming County United Way, PO Box 399, Tunkhannock, PA 18657 and write “Weis” on the subject line.
While it was acknowledged that there was at least one donation site set up online, the commissioners felt that the United Way was the best agency to ensure that 100 percent of the funds collected would directly support the families.
Henry also noted that commissioners in adjacent counties, including Luzerne and Susquehanna, had been very supportive and offered any services that would compliment what Wyoming County agencies could provide.
Under new business, Chief Clerk Bill Gaylord reported that the emergency exit at the county’s Domestic Relations Offices needs to be replaced and asked the board to approve a motion to pay for the work.
Gaylord broke rank with the commissioners as they voted to approve several non-agenda items that had been brought up at the May 30 meeting at which Georgette Smith had filled in for Gaylord. The motions to pay interns minimum wage and to purchase four cemetery plots had effectively been made during a work session on June 8, which Gaylord argued usurped the need for public meetings.
“You might as well go back to having weekly meetings if you’re going to do that,” Gaylord contested.
Commissioner Tom Henry said that the bi-weekly work sessions are technically open to the public, so there was no breach in protocol.
The lots at Sunnyside Cemetery cost the county $500 each. (Read more about it here: http://www.endlessmtnlifestyles.com/?p=759)
In other news, Commissioner Henry reported that, in the course of an agricultural tour of the region, it was refreshing to see that there are still more operating farms and “hard working farmers” than people are lead to believe. Many farm owners, he noted, have had to modify their approach to agricultural production to stay in business.
Commissioner Ron Williams reported that a two-day conference on opioid awareness by the Family Service Association of Luzerne County in October.
The board cleared the room for an executive session after the agenda was cleared to discuss what they referred to as “the Lake Winola Lawsuit” and regular annual audits.