News

May 30, 2009

Election board certifies Maynard as Home Rule winner

Eligibility had been questioned because of prior felony conviction.

By Jennifer Learn-Andes jandes@timesleader.com
Luzerne County Reporter
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The Luzerne County Election Board voted Friday to certify Charmaine Maynard as a winner on the county Home Rule Study Commission.

Maynard’s eligibility to the 11-member commission had been questioned because of her third-degree felony conviction 23 years ago.

The state constitution says no person convicted of embezzlement of public money, bribery, perjury or other “infamous crime” shall be capable of “holding any office of trust or profit in this Commonwealth.”

But county Solicitor Neil O’Donnell said the certification is essentially a verification of each candidate’s vote totals.

Anyone opposing Maynard’s election to the seat could file an expedited challenge in the county Court of Common Pleas, O’Donnell said.

Board member Bruce Phillips, also an attorney, concurred with O’Donnell’s opinion.

“We’re not here to put Mrs. Maynard on trial. We’re not here to revisit that or to test the propriety one way or another. There is a statutory procedure for that,” Phillips said.

Board member Sheila Saidman, also an attorney, said the board would be “putting the cart before the horse” by denying Maynard’s certificate of election.

Maynard, of Sugarloaf Township, addressed the board before its vote, reiterating her contention that the $18,000 she was accused of stealing from the St. Clair School District was actually a paper deficit caused by children who did not pay for cafeteria food while she was food service director.

Several people also spoke in her defense, saying she is an honest person who will provide a needed voice on the study commission. One of her supporters, Republican prothonotary candidate Carolee Medico Olenginski, said her previous prothonotary solicitor Sam Stretton is prepared to defend Maynard if anyone tries to remove her from the seat.

Jenkins Township resident Charles Hatchko, who pushed for home rule, said he’s not against Maynard but hopes her felony doesn’t “impede” the home rule movement.

In other business Friday, Swoyersville resident Richard Kamus submitted a petition from 90 borough residents who want the board to find a new 2nd Ward voting location because of concerns about handicap-accessibility at the Swoyersville Borough Building.

Board members said they will review the request.

Jennifer Learn-Andes, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 831-7333.

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