During her second community meeting in Hazleton on Monday, Luzerne County Manager Romilda Crocamo discussed many topics, including the recent April 23 primary election.
Crocamo expressed her pride in the way the election was carried out and commended all the staff who contributed to its success at the Hazleton One Community Center on East Fourth Street.
She also talked about the increased cooperation between county departments and other government agencies at different levels.
Crocamo gave an example of increased collaboration within the county by mentioning that the request for employee volunteers to assist the election bureau received an overwhelming response this time, with too many volunteers.
She also mentioned the upcoming establishment of an infrastructure management platform that will centralize information about all county-owned roads and bridges.
Departments such as GIS/mapping, planning/zoning, roads/bridges, and engineering are working together to gather and organize the data in a way that will be easily accessible to staff. Any new updates or reports will be added to the database in the future.
Head of the county's Operational Services Division, Jennifer Pecora, informed the group that the county has around 120 miles of roads and over 300 bridges.
In an example of external partnerships, Crocamo mentioned that the council is expected to vote on an “agility agreement” with PennDOT District 4 and the county road and bridge department next week. This proposal involves reciprocal work between entities on each other’s infrastructure, such as pothole patching or vegetation trimming for the same value or cost.
She mentioned that this initiative is part of a comprehensive strategy to collaborate with the state and local governments to reduce costs and utilize resources more effectively.
In relation to Hazleton, Crocamo praised the county active adult center in the city’s downtown, calling it “exceptional” and “the gold standard across the state.”
Crocamo mentioned that she has been working to visit each center run by the county’s Area Agency on Aging and has noticed that these facilities are crucial for many elderly residents to socialize and get a meal.
County District Attorney Sam Sanguedolce, council Chairman John Lombardo, council Vice Chairman Brian Thornton, and Council members Patty Krushnowski, Jimmy Sabatino, and Brittany Stephenson were also present at the meeting.
Crocamo told the audience that the county is lucky to have Sanguedolce as the District Attorney, emphasizing that she collaborates with him daily and witnesses the challenges he faces in the courtroom and on the streets, highlighting his concern for victims.
She mentioned that the county currently has an “inquisitive and enthusiastic” council, which she prefers over a “detached” council more focused on making an impression at public meetings.
County officials encouraged attendees to apply for positions on county boards, authorities, and commissions, as well as to consider signing up to be poll workers in elections.
Former county council member Elaine Maddon Curry, who is involved with the Hazleton One Community Center, offered the use of the facility for county poll worker training. Maddon Curry informed Crocamo that successful training had been provided there in the past by a former county election director, but had then been discontinued.
The Hazleton One Community Center, run by the Hazleton Integration Project, offers educational, cultural, and athletic programs for children and families who don't have enough money.
Curry was told by Crocamo that the county will agree to that proposal.
Crocamo said that the purpose of the conversation is why they have these meetings.
Crocamo is organizing meetings in different places in the county to inform people about county issues. Her first meeting was in Nanticoke in March.