Luzerne County Government

July 9, 2010

Former deputy sheriff named to assist prothonotary

Arthur Bobbouine draws praise from new boss Carolee Medico Olenginski.

By Jennifer Learn-Andes jandes@timesleader.com
Luzerne County Reporter
Jennifer Learn-Andes on Facebook   |   @TLJenLearnAndes on Twitter

Luzerne County Prothonotary Carolee Medico Olenginski has appointed Pittston resident Arthur Bobbouine as her new deputy.

He replaces Bob Sypniewski, who was recently terminated.

Bobbouine has worked in county government management before, as chief deputy sheriff under former sheriff Barry Stankus from March 2005 through 2007. Bobbouine lost his position when Mike Savokinas took office as sheriff in January 2008.

The 34-year-old has bachelor’s degrees in history and political science from the University of Scranton and a law degree from the Penn State Dickinson School of Law. He is currently employed as an instructor in the criminal justice and paralegal program at Fortis Institute in Forty Fort.

Bobbouine will begin his new job today.

Medico Olenginski, a Republican, said she’s known Bobbouine a long time and believes he has a strong work ethic.

“He’s a great person and comes highly qualified. I’m confident that Art will be a positive force to move the office forward with integrity and peak performance,” Medico Olenginski said.

Bobbouine also has experience working with computers, which will help in her plans to allow people to file and view documents electronically over the Internet so they don’t have to visit the office in person, she said.

"I’m glad to get back to working for the people of Luzerne County," Bobbouine said. "I think Carolee’s doing a good job in her quest for good, open and honest government."

Bobbouine, who is a member of the county Republican Party organization’s executive committee, said he will be able to hit the ground running because of his past experience in the sheriff’s office. The prothonotary’s office handles civil court records, and county sheriff deputies serve some civil court documents.

He also said he’s also familiar with union contracts and the structure of county government.

“I’m not going to be starting at the ground floor,” he said.

Bobbouine unsuccessfully ran for a state House 118th District seat in 2006.

He is married to the former Trish Sgarlat, and the couple has one son, Arthur Primo, 3.

Sypniewski had filled the $36,050 deputy position since Medico Olenginski took office in January. Medico Olenginski said she terminated Sypniewski on the advice of her solicitor, Sam Stretton.

Stretton said Thursday that he does not want to discuss the specifics because the termination is a personnel matter.

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