17 Aug City Confidential: Week of August 12, 2018

Scrantonians know what a pain it can be commuting I-81 to and from work on a good day.  This week’s heavy rain caused a waterfall that flooded and closed the road near River Street.  The shutdown may have been on the minds of those who gathered at City Hall Wednesday night to discuss PENDOT’s plan to conduct massive rehabilitation work next year in the vicinity of the Central Scranton Expressway.  It looks like another winter of slow going on one of the region’s busiest stretches of highway.

Some City Hall insiders are smarting over news that Pat Hinton, city licensing, inspection, and codes manager, signed a lease last July to turn an unused Nay Aug Park restroom into a private business. Hinton wants to serve lattes at a new coffee shop not far from the hospital commuter lot. He received a generous ten-year lease (first two years free, $250 per year afterward) from the Scranton Municipal Recreation Authority.  Enter Councilman Bill Gaughan, never afraid to criticize, publicly calling on the state to investigate whether Hinton ran afoul of the city’s ethics code.

The members of the Scranton School Board have had a week.  The day after speculation that  they cancelled a public meeting for more than bad weather Senator John Blake came through big. The veteran lawmaker announced he had secured from Governor Tom Wolf an additional $6 million in aid for next year’s budget. Slightly half of what they need to close an $11.5 million deficit. Bob Lesh would be forgiven for dancing in his water filled basement.

Tuesday’s state grand jury report rocked many in the city. The sexual abuse suffered by thousands and the Catholic Church’s complicity in covering it up is a tragedy. Bishop Emeritus James Timlin was revealed to have covered up the rape and abortion of an underage girl. The ninety-one year old city native is a beloved local icon. The revelations will leave a lasting stain on his career of service to the Diocese of Scranton. Bishop Joseph Bambera issued a video statement where he prayed for forgiveness, reconciliation, and comfort for the victims of these disgusting crimes.