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July 5, 2008

Meuser, Hackett trade barbs before their debate

By Bill O'Boyle boboyle@timesleader.com
Times Leader Staff Writer
Bill O'Boyle on Facebook   |   @TLBillOboyle on Twitter

Republican congressional candidates Chris Hackett and Dan Meuser will debate tomorrow but began to exchange words Monday.

The Back Mountain men are battling for the right to challenge incumbent freshman Democrat Chris Carney in the 10th District.

Last week, Hackett criticized Meuser for a fine levied against Meuser’s company, Pride Mobility Products, in 1997 for hiring illegal immigrants.

The Meuser camp accused Hackett of injecting negativism into the campaign since Hackett had said he looked forward to a positive campaign.

“It is not an accusation, but rather a matter of fact that Hackett’s campaign manager called and harassed former Pride employees for one reason – to dig up dirt on Dan Meuser,” said Meuser’s campaign manager, Eric Wallace. “In the same breath that they say they are running a positive campaign, additional members of the Hackett campaign badger Dan’s neighbors.”

Hackett said he is just looking for answers.

“I don’t think it was negative when we asked for clarification on the hiring practices of Meuser’s company,” Hackett said. “You don’t get fined unless you knowingly hired illegals. I think it’s fair to get answers to legitimate questions so the voters of the 10th District can make an informed decision on who they want to represent them.”

Meuser sees the debate as an “opportunity to share with the people of Wyoming County and the 10th District my experience in creating and protecting jobs while president of Pride Mobility, my conservative values, and my vision for the area.”

Hackett said he hopes a large crowd turns out Wednesday night.

“We continue to do what we think we need to do to be successful on April 22,” Hackett said. “We will keep delivering our message of our conservative values to the voters.”

Mark R. Zimmer, a Honesdale attorney and former Wayne County district attorney who is supporting Hackett, raised the issue of Pride Mobility’s hiring practices.

Meuser refused to release documents and maintained the three workers provided false information, including fake Social Security numbers, when hired. Federal immigration authorities fined the company $41,000. Pride Mobility paid $23,000 and the case was closed.

10th District

What’s next?

Encompasses parts of Lackawanna, Luzerne, Lycoming and Tioga counties and all of Bradford, Montour, Northumberland, Pike, Snyder, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Union, Wayne and Wyoming counties.

A debate between Republican congressional candidates Chris Hackett and Dan Meuser will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Tunkhannock Area Middle School, 200 Franklin Ave., Tunkhannock. The event is open to the public.

Bill O’Boyle, a Times Leader staff wrier, can be reached at 829-7218.

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