Latest news with #GeraldSmurl
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Flood project now on hold in Scranton
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A long-awaited flood project that would prevent damage to homes has hit a major roadblock in one local community. People living in Scranton's Green Ridge section have been dealing with damage from the crumbling Meadow Brook waterway for decades. While the project was supposed to begin soon, it's not going anywhere until property owners give their approval. The two-mile stretch of waterway cuts through parts of Dunmore and Scranton to provide flood relief during heavy rains. Much of it, though, runs beneath homes, 47 homes to be exact. In order for the $12,000,000 state-funded project to begin, people living there need to sign easement agreements giving temporary or permanent access to their land. But so far, only three have signed, leaving the project stuck in limbo. 'It's pretty important. If a pipe is crumbling underneath your property, I believe by us replacing it, the city replacing it, it will increase the value of your property,' said Scranton Council President Gerald Smurl. The issue of property value is, apparently, a major factor when it comes to the challenges the city faces in getting these signatures. GED program returns to Lackawanna County prison Lackawanna County's recent tax reassessment has boosted the appraised value of many homes in the area, leading some residents to look for more compensation for the easements. 'It's an easement. We're not taking the property from them, and this is just to fix something that's broken under your property,' Smurl added. Smurl believes the longer it takes to begin the project, the higher the risk of a collapse under one of the affected properties. One resident 28/22 News spoke with who hasn't yet signed, says he's fine with the amount the city will compensate him, but he has a few conditions that must be met first. 'I want the property put back the way it is right now, with a new wall in the backyard, which they are going to replace when they come through,' Scranton resident Albert Young said. He says he will sign the easement once he has these conditions in writing from the city, ensuring that his carport and blacktop will be replaced and that his property has the proper drainage to prevent flooding. 'Everyone should take a look at what is offered, and let's just get this project finished,' Young added. Until all 47 property owners sign the easement agreements, the project won't get underway. Smurl tells 28/22 New that even if this project gets the green light, it will take around two years to finish. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
City council President Smurl withdraws as candidate for reelection
Scranton City Council President Gerald Smurl withdrew as a candidate for reelection, citing an issue with certain signatures on his nomination petitions. Smurl, an incumbent Democrat, said he withdrew those petitions Monday. 'It came to my attention over the weekend that some of my campaign people got a bit overzealous … and actually got signatures that were not verified,' Smurl said. 'All it means is they didn't actually see the people sign a few of these.' Smurl described the handful of signatures in question as valid but said he didn't want the mistake to become an issue. 'It's not right,' he said. 'I wouldn't accept it if somebody else did it and don't expect any to accept it because I did it.' Smurl said he's exploring whether he might still be able to pursue reelection as an independent candidate. But his exit from the Democratic primary field changes the dynamic in an election year where three of council's five seats — those currently held by Smurl, Democratic Councilman Bill King and Democratic Councilman Tom Schuster — are up for grabs. King is not seeking reelection this year. Smurl's withdrawal leaves six candidates vying for three Democratic nominations to appear on November's municipal election ballot: Schuster, Virgil Argenta, Patrick Flynn, Frankie Malacaria, Sean McAndrew and Todd Pousley. Republican Marc Pane is also running for council. Check back for updates.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Meadow Brook Flood Protection Project receives final approval
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Residents in a flood-prone section of the Electric City are one step closer to fixing the problem. The Meadow Brook Flood Protection Project received the final vote of approval at the Scranton City Council Meeting on Tuesday and now the project will begin this spring. The project will replace aging stormwater infrastructure that's around 70 years old. Also given the first vote of approval on Tuesday is a Storm Water and Drainage Improvement Project set to begin this spring in the city's east mountain area. Expert gives tips to improve heart health for American Heart Month City officials say replacing drains and creating better channeling for runoff can't come soon enough. 'Everybody that the pipe runs through their property, they would benefit. I don't know how old the pipe is up there, but if it's rotted through and one yard caved in, you can bet it's going somewhere else next. So it's the right thing to do now, is, we have the money for it let's get it done,' said Scranton City Council President Gerald Smurl. City officials say the East Mountain Project will help better control stormwater runoff, keeping it off the roadway and out of people's yards. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
