Who Has Gas?

WB DPW Gas Pumps

It was reported this week that the city of Wilkes-Barre is missing 17,880 gallons of fuel.  Someone or a few some one's have absconded 7,600 gallons of diesel fuel and 10, 260 gallons of regular petrol.  Based on the average price of fuel here on the East Coast, the total dollar amount of fuel pilfered is around $61,620.  No wonder the city is broke!  Now call me cynical, but didn't the city have any type of system in place to keep track of their fuel?  The answer is they do, but no one is following the procedure!  Neither Mayor Tom Leighton or DPW head Ken Pahler have filled out the log that indicates how much fuel they are taking.  Of course, this does not surprise me on bit.  In the story published in The Times Leader, Wilkes-Barre officials were startled to find out about the missing fuel.  Startled!  Startled!  ARE YOU FREAKIN' KIDDING ME!  Why would they be surprised since the top dogs of the city are not adhering to the tracking system that is in place.  The mayor and other city officials tap the city gas station when the use their cars for official city business.  My guess is they are tapping it for more than that.

WB Mayor Tom Lehighton

If you have ever driven by the city DPW on North Pennsylvania, you will rarely see any life there, especially by the wide open gas pumps.  In fact, there is a sign posted by the pumps that says Self Service.  So, who is stealing the fuel?  My guess would be just about everyone that works for the Wilkes-Barre DPW.  It might even be people pulling in off of the street to fill up.  As you all know, I am a fan of Mayor Leighton but c'mon Tom, follow the rules.  You are supposed to rule the city by example and just taking the gas without logging it in is wrong.  If it wasn't for The Times Leader, this theft would have continued to go on unnoticed.  When the TL notified city officials, they said that they would have to investigate further and then take corrective action.  I wonder if the corrective action will include filing theft charges against themselves.  This is just another example of the type of "free and easy" government that we have around here.