Pennsylvania remains the only state in the country where municipal law enforcement officers can't use radar while enforcing speed limits.

The issue isn't dead in the water, however, Jim Thorpe Mayor Michael Sofranko said at a Jan. 20 meeting of the Carbon County Mayor's Association."The former state police commissioner was in favor of it," said Sofranko, a member of the state's local government advisory committee. "I don't know where the new commissioner will line up, but I know the issue before was that the House and Senate wouldn't vote on it."While Sofranko, a Republican, said he had probably attended his last advisory committee meeting since Gov. Tom Wolf, a Democrat, is now in office, he will lobby for a mayor from Carbon County to serve in his place."It's great to have a voice on that committee, and hopefully we'll continue to push for some of these issues, like local police radar and local government impact fee money coming back to Carbon County," Sofranko said.State police began using radar in 1962 and enforces maximum speed laws in 1,714 of the 2,562 municipalities of Pennsylvania. Numerous bills to bring it to the local level have failed over the years."What we have heard over the years is that the overwhelming majority of people oppose it," Sofranko said.The Mayor's Association sent a letter to the state in support of radar for local police.The Radar Coalition of the Pennsylvania State Mayor's Association claims "radar is acknowledged by law enforcement personnel to be the safest, most accurate and most economical speed-timing device."Opponents argue that local departments will use radar to write more tickets and raise revenue.Sofranko said there is a large misconception about how much a local municipality makes when it writes a ticket.The fine may look big at over $100, but municipalities get $12.50 in return."We're not getting rich," said Sgt. Jack Soberick of the Lansford Police Department. "Radar would cost $4,000. We'd be spending two years in tickets to make up for that."The average wage for a part-time officer in the area is $18 per hour."If he has to go to a hearing on a traffic citation, we're losing money on that deal," Sofranko said.In addition, Carbon is one of the only counties in Pennsylvania that has to pay for its citations.Attending the Mayor's Association meeting were representatives from Jim Thorpe, Lansford, Palmerton, Lehighton and Nesquehoning.The group heard a presentation from Marlyn Kissner, executive director at Carbon Chamber and Economic Development Corporation, and Kathy Henderson, director of economic development at CCEDC.Kissner said the chamber's goal is to improve and strengthen the economy and quality of life in Carbon County by providing information, services and advocacy for businesses and the community."We hope you'll encourage businesses in your communities to think of us when things are happening or they are in need," Kissner told the mayors. "When a new business opens, we'll market them and hopefully get 50 to 100 people through that door so they come back and tell their friends."According to Henderson, the economic development arm of the organization aims to help businesses with startup costs and continued growth."We have small-business loans available," she said. "It's great for a business that needs money for purchasing real estate or machinery."Loans range from five to seven years. The interest rate is currently 3.5 percent.