Skrep counters mold comment

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Skrep counters mold comment

Times Leader Thu, 28 Sep 2006

Northern Pennsylvania

Hazleton Councilwoman said the problem in county's annex could have

been fixed with bleach.

By JENNIFER LEARN-ANDES jandes@...

http://www.timesleader.com/mld/timesleader/news/15626602.htm?

source=rss & channel=timesleader_news

Luzerne County Commissioner Greg Skrepenak said he disagrees with a

Hazleton City Councilwoman's assessment of the mold that prompted

the county to evacuate its previous Hazleton annex.

The subject came up during Wednesday's county commissioner meeting.

Councilwoman Graham had made the following comment about the

mold during Monday's council meeting: " There was nothing there that

couldn't be cured with a rag dipped in Clorox. "

Graham said she knows about the mold firsthand because her

organization, the Graham Foundation, is funding renovations for the

building's new planned use as a city police station.

A Standard-Speaker reporter presented commissioners Wednesday with a

copy of the newspaper's editorial with the headline: " County annex:

A job for Mr. Clean. "

Skrepenak referred to pictures of the mold that were part of the

county's investigation.

" Just by looking at the pictures, it would be a tough job for Mr.

Clean. I mean, I know he's good but I don't know if he's that good, "

he said.

County Chief Clerk/Manager Sam Guesto also pointed out that a

rag " would not absorb the spores that were airborne. "

Commissioner Todd Vonderheid said he relied on the county's

independent inspection, which identified mold throughout the

building and recommended partial evacuation. But that inspection

contradicts a city inspection that found less mold and recommended

use of a cleaning solution.

" I have an awful lot of respect for Mrs. Graham, but it's easy to

say something a year later as to what something looked like, "

Vonderheid said. " I don't have the scientific background to know if

that mold was dangerous or not or what it really meant. We had to

rely on people who have the science (background), and that's what we

went with. I still hope we get the building we like at the right

price. "

The county vacated the building in September 2005 and has decided to

house those offices in three separate buildings – prompting an

outcry from taxpayers about the increased cost.

Minority Commissioner A. Urban said after Wednesday's

meeting that he believes the other two commissioners were looking

for an excuse to get out of the old annex, to the taxpayers'

detriment. He said potential hazards could be pinpointed in any old

building, including the county courthouse.

" They borrowed $31 million in three years to cover debt and they're

entering into leases that are costing the taxpayers even more

money? " Urban said.

In other business Wednesday, commissioners agreed to lease 1,179

square feet of space at Courthouse Towers adjacent to the courthouse

so district attorney's office staffers have room to work on major

cases.

District attorney spokeswoman Carol Crane said the 18-month rental

will be covered by a $21,600 grant. Workers don't have a private

spot to meet in a large group, conduct interviews or spread out

files in complicated cases because the courthouse space is too

cramped, she said.

" It would kind of give us a war room to work in, " she said.

Dallas Township resident Bill also spoke during the meeting,

asking commissioners to investigate a water run-off problem that he

said was caused by county road work.

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Learn-Andes, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at

831-7333.