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Nov 23, 2009 5:45 pm US/Eastern
Lawrence County Government Shuts Down
NEW CASTLE (KDKA) ―
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Instead of raising county taxes, Lawrence County is shutting down its services.
KDKA
A lot of local and county governments have been hard hit by this economic recession and by budget cuts from Harrisburg, but only one county in Pennsylvania has taken this drastic step -- a shutdown in county government in not just one but two holiday weeks.
When the Acquavivas arrived at the Lawrence County Government Center in New Castle, they found doors locked and closed for the week.
"Something's not right. Someone's not doing their job right," said Mary Lou Acquaviva of New Castle.
Lawrence County Commission chairman Steve Craig says the county had no choice but to lay off 250 employees without pay for both Thanksgiving and Christmas week.
"We had a crisis that was precipitated by the state legislature not passing a budget for 101 days," Craig told KDKA Political Editor Jon Delano. "And then when the budget did get passed it had significant cuts to county general services, to human services and quite honestly we weren't willing to pass those costs on to the taxpayers."
Instead of raising county taxes, Lawrence County is shutting down its services.
"All functions of county government with the exceptions of the jail, the 911 center, and the coroner's office are closed," said Craig. "The courts, by law, have to remain open, and they're open with a skeletal staff this week."
Empty parking lots attest to a closure saving over $300,000 and commissioners felt furlough without pay was better than firing.
"We're down to bare bones as it is."
Inside the empty government center, heat is down saving an additional $10,000. County Treasurer Rich Rapone, without staff, was labeling dog license renewal letters.
"As an elected official, as the commissioner explained with our salaries, we receive them," Rapone noted. "It is very important to me that I show up here this week to justify that on behalf of the taxpayers as well."
While elected county officials are paid, their unpaid employees hope this will never happen again.
Governor Rendell will present his next budget to state legislators in February and this time Lawrence County leaders hope Harrisburg gets it right.
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