Click here to subscribe today or Login.
By JENNIFER LEARN-ANDES jandes@leader.net
Tuesday, October 25, 2005 Page: 3A
Both Luzerne County controller candidates pledge to put in full-time office
hours if they’re elected.
And contrary to courthouse chatter, Democrat Maryanne Petrilla said she
will quit her job as Butler Township manager.
Her Republican opponent, Eric Knappman, said he’ll continue to operate his
residential construction business but will scale it back.
Petrilla said she told Butler Township supervisors before she ran that she
would leave the post if she wins the controller’s office on Nov. 8.
“There’s no way any human being could effectively run both offices,”
Petrilla said. “When I decided to run for controller, I knew it was a position
that would require my full commitment.”
Petrilla said she has offered to help train her township replacement if
elected.
She said she is mulling the possibility of doing some part-time,
grant-writing consultant work at night for extra income. She said she would
not pursue any government grant work that would pose a conflict of interest
with the controller post.
The controller job pays $36,562 annually.
Knappman said he will work on Knappman Construction at night or during
quiet periods, but stressed the controller job would be his first priority.
Knappman said he successfully juggled a full-time job and the construction
business in the past. He said he wants to keep his private business going
because it would be his livelihood after public office.
“I will be a full-time controller. I’ll put the hours in,” he said.
Board of Commissioners Chairman Greg Skrepenak publicly criticized
Controller Steve Flood last week for not showing up for work since he lost the
Democratic primary in May.
It is common knowledge among county employees that Flood seldom spends time
in the office. He maintains that he works on county business from his home and
business.
Flood owns rental properties and an antique auction business – ventures he
said he put on the back burner to focus on controller duties.
Controllers and other row officers don’t have to put in a set number of
hours, because they’re elected posts. Some row officers work full shifts every
day; others rely more on deputies or other workers to handle day-to-day
business.