Row office races are shaping up

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

Candidates are starting to line up for three Luzerne County row offices that are up for grabs on May 19, particularly the controller seat that has been vacant since became a county commissioner last year.

Russ Bigus, a Dallas Township business owner and Democrat, said he will run for county controller.

Also seriously considering runs for the seat are Democrats Bob Morgan, a financial adviser from Mountain Top, and Wil Toole, a former Pittston city clerk/administrator. Local attorney Nanda Palissery, a Republican, said he’s also considering seeking the post.

“We need some competency in the courthouse. I think I might be able to bring some order,” he said.

Republican contenders are also expected for controller as well as the other seats – prothonotary and register of wills, said county Republican Party Chairman Terry Casey.

“A number of people on the Republican side have expressed interest,” Casey said. “We plan on having a pretty full slate of candidates, and we think we’re going to have strong candidates.”

Deputy controller A.J. Martinelli, who has been serving as acting controller in Petrilla’s absence, has said he would not run for the spot.

The controller is supposed to make sure all expenditures are properly approved and documented.

The controller also holds a powerful seat on the county’s Salary Board, which sets non-union salaries and creates and eliminates jobs. The controller also serves with the commissioners and treasurer on the Retirement Board, which oversees the employee pension fund, which was last valued at $149.9 million.

Prothonotary Jill Moran, a Democrat, said she has not decided if she will seek a third term.

Wilkes-Barre Area School Board member Maryanne Toole, a Democrat, said she is “99 percent” learning toward running for prothonotary. The 67-year-old Plains Township resident worked as an elementary school principal for 32 years and is a part-time faculty member at King’s College.

Register of Wills Dottie Stankovic, also a Democrat, said she will run for a fifth term. Stankovic said her office generates revenue and has no audit deficiencies.

“I love my job,” Stankovic said.

All three seats carry four-year terms. The annual pay is roughly $36,500 for the prothonotary and controller, while the register of wills receives about $2,000 more.

Bigus, 37, said he was approached by members of both political parties about running for controller. The public is “uneasy” about county government, he said.

“I would like to build up the public trust and get a real grasp of the financial crisis in the county,” said Bigus, who serves on the Dallas School Board and the West Side Career and Technology Center Joint Operating Committee.

Bigus, who unsuccessfully ran for state representative last year, said he would provide an independent voice, though he stressed that there’s a need for “teambuilding within the dome.”

Morgan, 46, said it’s “very likely” that he will run.

Wil Toole, 65, said he was the only interested contender who applied for the controller seat last year, but Gov. Ed Rendell never nominated someone to the seat. Toole said he has publicly raised numerous concerns about county government.

“The only way I can get them to take action is to become part of the process,” Toole said. “I don’t have a burning desire to get out of retirement, but I have a burning desire to see government run properly.”

Candidates may circulate nominating petitions from Feb. 17 to March 10, according to the county election bureau.

Staff writer Terrie Morgan-Besecker contributed to this report.

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