There is a surge of civic interest and new blood in Greenville, a town coming to grips with revelations that its public money may have been misused for years and no one caught or prevented it.

Five of seven council members were sworn in for the first time last week.

One of the newcomers, Councilman David P. Henderson, earlier this week called for a criminal investigation of the borough's past fiscal practices.

Borough Manager Kenneth S. Weaver, who also assumed his post last week, already has promised changes in the way the borough manages its money and keeps its books.

But borough officials aren't the only ones staring down problems facing Greenville.

At least two civic-minded groups have sprung up this month, while a third could make an impact this election year.

An advisory committee to council was the brainchild of Weaver, according to Doug Riley, who co-chairs the committee.

The white-collar committee has met twice and is made up of leaders from various professional fields. Riley, executive director of Greenville Area Chamber of Commerce, said the other members include banker Ken Turcic, Thiel College President Dr. Lance A. Masters, insurance agent Jim Bittel and accountant Bob Sherbondy. President Richard S. Houpt is the council rep to the committee.

"We will look at the borough's processes and procedures and assist council however we can," Riley said.

"We are adamant about looking at everything. Whatever comes out, comes out. Nothing will be hidden or swept under the rug," Riley said.

"It's obvious that mistakes have been made. We want to determine how these problems occurred and how to correct them, and then move on from there," Riley said.

Among the problems, the borough used about $500,000 -- and possibly more -- of a $3.67 million bond that was floated for a multi-million recreation and revitalization project to cover day-to-day expenses; that money must be replaced. Also, former Borough Manager Peter D. Nicoloff received at least $18,300 in salary advances before he resigned in October and did not clear a $14,600 debt until last week.

In its first formal action Thursday night, the Greenville Preservation Association approved its name. The association has about a dozen members, according to spokeswoman Lorrie Smith, who launched an unsuccessful bid for council last year.

Ms. Smith stressed that the association is an apolitical group. Its top priority is attracting people to Riverside Park, especially after the new sports complex in West Salem Township is completed, she said.

New Parks Manager Eric Bielata attended the association meeting Thursday night. "He was very open with us and very enthusiastic," Ms. Smith said.

She hopes the association will incorporate as a nonprofit group within the year, elect a board, build its base and bring concerts and festivals to the park. Another priority of the group, she said, will be "rallying support for the new council and borough manager."

A third group is in the works. Carmen Surano said he hopes to organize a Greenville Democratic Committee this year. Partisan committees have not been active in the heavily-Republican borough for years.

Generating support for Democrats won't be the first uphill battle for Surano. In addition to losing a bid to unseat Republican incumbent Mayor Clifford Harriger by 99 votes, Surano was a key player in a fourth group that formed after council approved the first of two tax hikes to support the bond issue.

The Committee of Concerned Taxpayers -- which began railing against borough taxes, spending and officials in late 1999 -- is not as active or visible as it was prior to the November election, but some of its members have not given up their watchdog efforts.

Regarding the committee's civic efforts, Surano said, "It's too bad we didn't do a better job (of exposing the borough's fiscal problems). Being novices at all of this, we probably didn't scrutinize all of the records the way we should have.

"But we are headed in the right direction now," Surano said.