Controller hopefuls discuss work hours

By Jennifer Learn-Andes jandes@timesleader.comLuzerne County Reporter

Do the Luzerne County controller candidates intend to spend eight hours a day in the office?

The question came up during this week’s League of Women Voters debate.

Attorney Nanda Palissery, of Dallas, said he finds the question about whether he will be a full-time controller “offensive.” He didn’t commit to a day-time work schedule but said he’s willing to open the office some nights and possibly weekends to increase public access to records.

Palissery said he has strived to do the best job he could as an attorney, husband and father and would do the same as controller.

“My level of commitment – I’m offended by the fact that it’s scrutinized,” Palissery said.

Conyngham resident Alice Coffman, who has her own accounting business, said she won’t work conventional hours but said the Controller’s Office will take priority.

“Will that mean I’m in that office everyday eight hours? I’m not going to sit here and promise that to you, because I don’t think that that is likely. I’m going to be there as many hours as it needs,” Coffman said.

She said she will make sure staffers completed delegated assignments. Coffman said she is a workaholic and logged 700 hours from Feb. 1 to April 15.

“When I have a commitment, I keep it. That’s the equivalent to about 70 hours a week for 11 weeks straight, seven days a week. If I did it for my clients, I can do it for you,” she said.

Edward Brominski, a former teacher and Luzerne County commissioner, from Swoyersville, said he is retired and will be in the office all day, often more than eight hours. He said he will routinely show up for work at 7:15 a.m. and stay until the evening if needed.

“I plan to be a full-time controller, and if it means 24 hours a day, I’m committed to it,” Brominski said.

Robert Sypniewski, a business owner from Dallas, said he will be in the office during the day.

“My answer is yes for one reason: You put me there to serve. How dare me then on your time do my business?”

Sypniewski cautioned against candidates who won’t make the commitment.

“If we have this uneasy – you know we’re not sure, we’ll be there when we could – folks, it ain’t going to happen.”

Walter Griffith, an auto repair business owner from Wilkes-Barre, said he will be in the office from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and later, “every single day.”

“For $38,000 a year, which is probably double what a normal citizen of this county makes, if I can’t commit to you to be in that office every single hour that you would be in your job, then shame on me,” Griffith said.

Griffith said no candidates should be offended by the question.

Fairview Township resident Bob Morgan, who works in the financial services field, wouldn’t commit to a traditional workday. He said he is available to clients at all hours at their convenience, available 24/7 by cell phone. He said he’d support expanding to evening hours in the Controller’s Office.

“I think we sometimes get too focused on the idea that we’re there from a certain time to a certain time. The reality is: Can you do the job? Do you have the ability to do the job?” Morgan said.

Morgan is running unopposed on the Democratic ticket.

The other five candidates are competing for the Republican nomination on May 19.

Did you miss the controller candidate forum? Read a summary of their responses to some of the questions at www.timesleader.com.

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