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Savokinas
WILKES-BARRE – Gov. Ed Rendell has two options – appoint a successor to former Luzerne County Sheriff Michael Savokinas’ seat, or not appoint anyone.
If the governor chooses to not appoint someone, Chief Deputy Sheriff Charles Guarnieri will remain in the post until Savokinas’ term is up in 2011.
Savokinas sent a letter to Gov. Ed Rendell notifying him of his resignation Tuesday. Rendell could appoint an interim sheriff, but Savokinas specifically requested that the governor keep the seat open until the next election cycle and allow Guarnieri to run the office.
Barry Ciccocioppo, spokesman for the governor, said Rendell has the authority to appoint someone to fill the vacancy
“If the governor chooses to make an appointment, that would require Senate confirmation,” Ciccocioppo said. “Or, the governor could choose to not make an appointment and the deputy sheriff would assume the office.”
Ciccocioppo said there is no legal option that would allow the governor to call for a special election. He said the governor has not given any indication on what action he intends to take.
“He is still reviewing all options,” he said.
Contacted in his office Wednesday, Guarnieri said he could not discuss the matter because he was working on the office budget.
“I have been given a one-day extension to get this completed,” he said. “I really don’t have time to discuss any other matters.”
Luzerne County Commissioner Chairwoman Maryanne Petrilla said she has not sent a letter to Rendell requesting he make an appointment.
“But if the governor asks me, I would implore him to fill the spot,” Petrilla said. “The sheriff’s position has been abandoned. It’s imperative that we get someone in there with extensive law enforcement experience and management experience to straighten that office out.”
Petrilla said the next sheriff needs to be a “strong leader.”
Former county sheriff Barry Stankus said he would seriously consider running for the office again. Stankus, 58, of West Pittston, is a Republican candidate for borough council. He served as county sheriff from 2000 until the end of 2007.
George “Nipper” Nowakowski, 71, retired state police investigator and former candidate for county sheriff, said he is interested in the post. Nowakowski, of Duryea, said he will seek the support of the sheriff’s deputies for the job.
“The place is in turmoil,” Nowakowski said. “I want the deputies to make up their minds; if they want me there I would definitely consider it, but I definitely want their input.
Nowakowski said he is aware of unhappiness among the ranks of the sheriff’s office.
“If the deputies are interested in me, then I am interested in them,” he said.
Luzerne County Republican Party Chairman Terry Casey issued a release Wednesday calling on Rendell to hold a special election as soon as possible to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Savokinas. Casey pointed to the ongoing “unrest and instability” in county government as a reason for the governor to act swiftly.
“With the current political climate and the growing mistrust and disappointment in county government, it is crucial that the position of Luzerne County Sheriff be filled by a duly elected individual,” Casey said. “Luzerne County residents deserve to be the ones who determine who will fill that crucial position.”
Casey said he hopes the governor renders a decision soon and would like to see the position placed on the ballot for the Nov. 3 election.
“It doesn’t seem right that a resigning official should be the one to determine who runs the sheriff’s office,” Casey said. “I also do not think the governor should name an interim sheriff to fill the rest of the term. As long as this position is an elected one, it is only right that the people have a say in who fills it.”