Episode 70: Lackawanna County Budget Crisis– Chris Chermak, PJ LaBelle, Carlon Preate & Len Dobrzyn

In this hard-hitting episode of What A Week, we dive into the ongoing budget crisis in Lackawanna County with an incredible panel of guests who’ve dedicated themselves to tackling this issue head-on. Joining us this week are Republican Commissioner Chris Chermak, his solicitor PJ LaBelle, retired CPA Carlon Preate, and retired professional Len Dobrzyn. These individuals have worked voluntarily over the past five years as part of a Budget Study Commission led by Commissioner Chermak to address the county’s financial woes. The discussion comes at a critical time, as the Democratic commissioners, Matt McGloin and Bill Gaughan, prepare to pass a 33% tax increase—a figure that many, including our guests, believe is unnecessarily high. The Budget Study Commission has proposed ways to reduce the tax increase to just over 6%, with even more savings potentially on the table. We explore how the county got to this financial crossroads, including the behaviors and decisions that led to the current predicament. Our guests provide an inside look into the behind-the-scenes challenges and political dynamics that complicate solutions. Importantly, they share actionable ideas for moving forward and ensuring taxpayers are not unfairly burdened. We also discuss the partisan divide in county governance, with Commissioner Chermak seeking collaboration but reportedly being boxed out by the Democratic majority. Additionally, we cover the inappropriate comments directed at private citizens and Commissioner Chermak during recent public meetings, shedding light on how these behaviors impact public trust and governance. This episode is a must-watch for anyone concerned about fiscal responsibility, local politics, and the future of Lackawanna County. 🎧 Tune in now and join the conversation! Support Us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/whataweekpodcast #LackawannaCounty #BudgetCrisis #TaxIncrease #ChrisChermak #LocalPolitics #FiscalResponsibility #WhatAWeekPodcast #Transparency #Accountability #CommunityAction