News

March 19, 2009

Petition filed to oust 2 WASD candidates

Hearing today to determine if Wyoming Area School Board hopefuls should be off ballots.

By Sherry Long slong@timesleader.com
Staff Writer

The names of two candidates seeking Wyoming Area School Board positions might not appear on the primary ballot in May.

A hearing is scheduled in Luzerne County Court this morning to determine whether the names of candidates James P. Dennis and David Yarick should be removed from the Republican and Democratic ballots. Attorney Michael Butera filed a petition to remove the names on behalf of two incumbent candidates, charging Dennis and Yarick did not file appropriate state financial forms by the required deadline.

Dennis, a former Wyoming Area school director, contends he filled out all of the forms and submitted the paperwork by the required date.

The Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission requires school board candidates to file the commission’s Statement of Financial Interest form no later than March 10, which also is the last day to file a petition to appear on the ballot.

“I am certainly aware that I have to submit it. There is no reason they shouldn’t have received it,” Dennis said, noting he mailed the financial interest form on March 6 before leaving the next day with his family for a vacation.

The form requires candidates, public officials and some public employees to identify their position in a government entity, occupation, real estate interests, creditors, income sources, any gifts received and financial interest in any for-profit business.

“They want to know if you have an interest in a corporation or if you owe money to anyone, or if you take gifts from anyone. The public has a right to know. If you are going to run for public office, people have a right to know where you are coming from,” Butera asserted.

A letter dated March 12 from Wyoming Area Superintendent Raymond Bernardi confirmed Dennis and Yarick didn’t file the paperwork on the correct day.

Butera filed the petition Monday for his clients, current Wyoming Area directors Gerald Wall and John LaNunziata, who are seeking re-election. Butera said his clients completed and submitted their paperwork on time.

Butera also contends Dennis’ name should be removed because he did not fully answer all the questions on the state financial forms.

Sherry Long, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 829-7159.

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