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Hall resigns from council
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SHAMOKIN — Claiming his efforts to return the city finances to solvency and save jobs were impeded by fellow members of Shamokin City Council, Garth Hall has decided to resign after serving in the position for only 9 months.
Hall said he submitted his resignation to Mayor Ronald “Lum” Bradley at City Hall on Monday night, just hours after his recommendation for a new city clerk was denied.
During a special meeting at 4 p.m., council hired David Kinder of Shamokin to replace David Bohanick as city clerk at a salary of $35,000. Hall cast the lone dissenting vote.
In his letter of resignation e-mailed to The News-Item on Monday night, Hall stated, “On this date, I appealed to the council to accept my choice of a replacement for the city clerk position due to the applicant’s knowledge and history of application of both finances and use of the Quickbooks program. My recommendation was denied.”
Hall did not identify the person he recommended for the city clerk position.
He continued, “As Shamokin’s financial director, with 22 years of computer experience and previous financial management for my previous employer, I realize that my efforts to return the city finances to solvency and save jobs are being impeded and I can no longer be effective.
“I hereby submit my letter of resignation as a member of Shamokin City Council.”
Bradley and Councilmen R. Craig Rhoades, George Rozinskie Jr. and Michael Snyder reserved comment about Hall’s resignation because they had not yet seen it.
The mayor said council will have 30 days to replace Hall with a fellow Republican. Bradley also is Republican, while Rhoades, Snyder and Rozinskie are Democrats.
In his letter addressed to Bradley, Hall added, “At your request, I ran for the office of councilman to assist the city in a time of financial distress. In January of this year, I was appointed director of finances. After review of the city’s revenues and obligations, I warned council that the city was on a path leading to bankruptcy and I presented a motion to have the city enter the early intervention program. Although there was some reluctance by members of council, the motion was passed.
“A preliminary report provided by the Pennsylvania Economy League (PEL) verified my assessment of the city’s finances. A preliminary draft of the completed PEL report, received a few weeks ago, verified that the city’s present budget could not be maintained and recommendations were presented that, hopefully, would lead to solvency.
“Prior to receiving the report, I had taken the initiative to investigate ways to increase the city’s revenues. I learned that one of the reasons revenues were being lost is because only two city wards had assessors.
“I also learned of a program provided by the Municipal Revenue Service that could provide an immediate infusion of 90 percent of revenue from delinquent real estate taxes. The city’s treasurer is currently exploring the process, which would make those funds possible.
“Recently, our current proficient and experienced city clerk submitted his resignation. Eight applicants provided resumes and were interviewed for consideration. Most of these candidates were familiar with Quickbooks Financial software to some degree or another.
“The city just received a $35,000 PEL grant to link the treasurer’s office to the city clerk’s office, which would provide real-time financial status of the city’s finances. The Albert B. Melone Co., Certified Public Accountants, recommended using the Quickbooks software, which they would tailor to municipality requirements. Even though the yearly service charge was one-fifth of the current Prism System being used by the city clerk, there was extensive opposition by some members of council who have little or no experience with computers or financial backgrounds.”
Hall said he submitted his resignation to Mayor Ronald “Lum” Bradley at City Hall on Monday night, just hours after his recommendation for a new city clerk was denied.
During a special meeting at 4 p.m., council hired David Kinder of Shamokin to replace David Bohanick as city clerk at a salary of $35,000. Hall cast the lone dissenting vote.
In his letter of resignation e-mailed to The News-Item on Monday night, Hall stated, “On this date, I appealed to the council to accept my choice of a replacement for the city clerk position due to the applicant’s knowledge and history of application of both finances and use of the Quickbooks program. My recommendation was denied.”
Hall did not identify the person he recommended for the city clerk position.
He continued, “As Shamokin’s financial director, with 22 years of computer experience and previous financial management for my previous employer, I realize that my efforts to return the city finances to solvency and save jobs are being impeded and I can no longer be effective.
“I hereby submit my letter of resignation as a member of Shamokin City Council.”
Bradley and Councilmen R. Craig Rhoades, George Rozinskie Jr. and Michael Snyder reserved comment about Hall’s resignation because they had not yet seen it.
The mayor said council will have 30 days to replace Hall with a fellow Republican. Bradley also is Republican, while Rhoades, Snyder and Rozinskie are Democrats.
In his letter addressed to Bradley, Hall added, “At your request, I ran for the office of councilman to assist the city in a time of financial distress. In January of this year, I was appointed director of finances. After review of the city’s revenues and obligations, I warned council that the city was on a path leading to bankruptcy and I presented a motion to have the city enter the early intervention program. Although there was some reluctance by members of council, the motion was passed.
“A preliminary report provided by the Pennsylvania Economy League (PEL) verified my assessment of the city’s finances. A preliminary draft of the completed PEL report, received a few weeks ago, verified that the city’s present budget could not be maintained and recommendations were presented that, hopefully, would lead to solvency.
“Prior to receiving the report, I had taken the initiative to investigate ways to increase the city’s revenues. I learned that one of the reasons revenues were being lost is because only two city wards had assessors.
“I also learned of a program provided by the Municipal Revenue Service that could provide an immediate infusion of 90 percent of revenue from delinquent real estate taxes. The city’s treasurer is currently exploring the process, which would make those funds possible.
“Recently, our current proficient and experienced city clerk submitted his resignation. Eight applicants provided resumes and were interviewed for consideration. Most of these candidates were familiar with Quickbooks Financial software to some degree or another.
“The city just received a $35,000 PEL grant to link the treasurer’s office to the city clerk’s office, which would provide real-time financial status of the city’s finances. The Albert B. Melone Co., Certified Public Accountants, recommended using the Quickbooks software, which they would tailor to municipality requirements. Even though the yearly service charge was one-fifth of the current Prism System being used by the city clerk, there was extensive opposition by some members of council who have little or no experience with computers or financial backgrounds.”
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