For those who don’t know, the two outgoing commissioners (Kelly (R) and Loomis (R) ) voted to terminate Justin Taylor (D), the popular and effective head of the Economic Development Department in Susquehanna County. Freshman (now returning) Commissioner Warren (D) stating at the time that she was not going to be a part of the “Old Boy Network” voted against the termination. The department was taken over for a short time by Elizabeth Janoski, who was Taylor’s secretary. After her departure, the commissioners decided to employ the Central Bradford Progress Authority.
As the name implies, the Central Bradford Progress Authority is not based in Susquehanna County. It has its offices in Towanda, very near Senator Roger Madigan’s (R) office. Currently, the contract with Susquehanna County ends around December 31, 2007. The outgoing commissioners extended the initial term of the contract to coincide with their term in office. The executive director of this organization is Anthony Ventello who does not reside in Susquehanna County, nor does he have any allegiance to this county other than his paycheck as the results of his tenure show. Recently, there was another photo-op which indicated a nice sized grant for Susquehanna County. Make no mistake, this was to pay a portion of Central Bradford’s expenses, rather than Susquehanna County.
Oh yes, earlier this year, the Economic Development office, which was located at 31 Public Avenue in Montrose was CLOSED. Thus, if you want to discuss economic development with someone, you need to call a toll free number to reach the Central Bradford Progress Authority in Towanda. It would be interesting to note whether it was the commissioners’ decision and/or Mr. Ventello of Central Bradford for this ridiculous event to occur. It certainly does not seem that the present (outgoing) commissioners actually support economic development in this county despite 4 years of glad-handing and photo-ops to the contrary.
In any event, the incoming commissioners Warren (D), Allen (D) and Giangrieco (R) are now faced with the decision to continue with the outsourcing of the economic future of this county or take the initiative bring this department back to Susquehanna County and find a staff who actually cares about more about the future of this county rather than a paycheck.
To be fair, it is noted here that Mr. Taylor, at the time of his departure was Mayor elect of Carbondale. A mostly ceremonial position at the time which paid about $1,800 per year. Mr. Taylor used his expertise and has obtained grant after grant to further the City. If he had not been terminated, would he have done the same thing here? Although we will never know the definitive answer to that question, common sense says that Economic Development would be a whole lot further ahead had he remained, even for another year.
If the readers of this blog have any concern about the economic future of this county, you should be letting the incoming commissioners know that this crucial department should be returned to Susquehanna County, not handed off to an adjoining county who is competing for the same dollars and clients.
Suggestions as to who could best fill that post are completely open for discussion, although one person stated that even the Scranton Chamber of Commerce would do a better job than the Central Bradford Progress Authority.
And one final note on this subject, the entire economic development board should be replaced. They are a puppet board who have no real sense of direction. Not only are they accomplishing nothing, they are standing in the way (possibly deliberately) of meaningful progress. You should attend a meeting to see this for yourself.