Scranton Financial Crisis Heads To Court

Scranton, Lackawanna County--   Attorneys for Mayor Chris Doherty and City Council were in Lackawanna County Court Thursday morning in the latest development in the ongoing budget battle in the Electric City. Mayor Doherty is trying to force council to approve his recovery plan so he can balance the budget. Council argues that they have a better plan that will eliminate or at least reduce the proposed 78 percent tax hike contained in Doherty's plan. Attorney Paul Kelly who represents the Mayor said, "We are hoping to work this out before it goes to court on August 3rd but the wheels are in motion." Boyd Hughes, who represents Council, sad, "The Judge looked over the complaint and we are getting what we expected now it's onto August Third." Sam Vitris who is the President of the unon that represents D.P.W. employees said, "We are very concerned we want this to be worked out.We don't want payless paydays and we are worried about services for the citizens." The city has a $16 million dollar budget hole to fill wth two very different plans to resolve that deficit.