It's Thanksgiving eve but instead of heading to the grocery store or traveling to grandmother's house several folks attended the Luzerne County commissioner's meeting and they were talking turkey.
People wanted to talk about the budget and about which county contracts are now under investigation and about the commissioners themselves.
There were more people than seats at the regularly-scheduled commissioners meeting in Luzerne County.
Ed Gustitus of Kingston wants a line-by-line showing of where county money is going.
"You're like a bunch of drunken sailors! And I was in the Navy, I know! They spend money they don't have and have a good old time. And that's what's going on here," Gustitus said.
As far as a 2010 budget goes, there isn't one yet. The commissioners said they haven't figured a way out of a $16 million deficit.
"We've got a problem with the budget. The budget should have been here, on display for 20 days but it's not ready," said Commissioner Maryanne Petrilla.
People also wanted to talk about accountability, especially in the wake of an incident last week when federal agents paid a visit to the courthouse, eventually taking boxes out of the county manager's office.
There is no official word what that was all about but it spawned questions about county contracts the FBI is currently investigating.
"What I'd like you to say to me to take back to the people on my block in Nanticoke is either a, I don't care what you think about us, or b, if I see some sort of wrongdoing I will do something about it," said Carl Larson.
"I can't sit here at point fingers. I can't say I wasn't here because I was and I feel terrible about that. If I know something I'll come forward and hold myself accountable," Commissioner Greg Skrepenak told the crowd.
Also addressed at the meeting was the termination of Luzerne County's head of human services. Commissioners voted Wednesday to fire Doug Richards.
He tried to resign last week but when he refused to answer questions about certain county issues he was let go.
People wanted to talk about the budget and about which county contracts are now under investigation and about the commissioners themselves.
There were more people than seats at the regularly-scheduled commissioners meeting in Luzerne County.
Ed Gustitus of Kingston wants a line-by-line showing of where county money is going.
"You're like a bunch of drunken sailors! And I was in the Navy, I know! They spend money they don't have and have a good old time. And that's what's going on here," Gustitus said.
As far as a 2010 budget goes, there isn't one yet. The commissioners said they haven't figured a way out of a $16 million deficit.
"We've got a problem with the budget. The budget should have been here, on display for 20 days but it's not ready," said Commissioner Maryanne Petrilla.
People also wanted to talk about accountability, especially in the wake of an incident last week when federal agents paid a visit to the courthouse, eventually taking boxes out of the county manager's office.
There is no official word what that was all about but it spawned questions about county contracts the FBI is currently investigating.
"What I'd like you to say to me to take back to the people on my block in Nanticoke is either a, I don't care what you think about us, or b, if I see some sort of wrongdoing I will do something about it," said Carl Larson.
"I can't sit here at point fingers. I can't say I wasn't here because I was and I feel terrible about that. If I know something I'll come forward and hold myself accountable," Commissioner Greg Skrepenak told the crowd.
Also addressed at the meeting was the termination of Luzerne County's head of human services. Commissioners voted Wednesday to fire Doug Richards.
He tried to resign last week but when he refused to answer questions about certain county issues he was let go.
