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By MELISSA M. JANOSKI melissaj@leader.net
Friday, February 04, 2000 Page: 1A
Gov. Tom Ridge on Thursday nominated West Hazleton Mayor Dan Guydish to fill
the vacant Luzerne County controller’s office, a move that would give the
Hazleton area a voice in the courthouse power structure. Guydish must be
approved by two-thirds of the state Senate. State Sen. Charles Lemmond,
R-Dallas, said he is confident Guydish will be confirmed. Ridge nominated a
fellow Republican. If Guydish is confirmed, Republicans would hold half the
row offices in the Democrat-dominated courthouse. The controller’s seat has
been vacant since Democrat Tom Pizano resigned at the beginning of January to
become a county commissioner. Guydish said he was honored by the nomination
and hopes to be a non-partisan watchdog for the taxpayers. “My main goal is
to be accountable for Luzerne County.” The controller oversees payment of
the county’s bills. The controller is paid $36,562 and oversees a $460,000
budget and 13 employees. Guydish, 54, taught civics to junior high school
students in the Hazleton Area School District for 30 years before retiring. He
was a West Hazleton councilman for several years before being elected mayor in
1994. With the help of a full-time administrator, Guydish oversees a $1.2
million municipal budget. A Ridge spokesman, Tom Charles, said Guydish was
chosen for his executive experience, leadership skills and education. “He’ll
be a good fit for that spot.” Guydish said he is glad his appointment would
bring a Hazleton presence and an additional Republican row officer to the
courthouse. There have been few county officials from the Hazleton area. The
most recent Hazleton area row officer was Prothonotary Eugene Duffy, who was
defeated in 1997. Guydish’s appointment would give the Republicans control of
half of the county’s row offices, or quasi-independent elected positions other
than commissioner, judge or district justice. Republican Prothonotary Carolee
Medico took office in 1998. Republicans Sheriff Barry Stankus and Recorder of
Deeds Mary Dysleski took office in January. Luzerne County Republican Party
Chairman Lynette Villano said Guydish’s appointment would improve the party’s
position. County Democratic Party Chairman Jim Bach disagreed. Bach, the
county deputy treasurer, said the Republicans will not gain any strength from
an appointed position. Guydish said it is too soon to say if he will run for
controller in 2001. Guydish must resign as mayor before he is sworn in as
controller. That might not happen immediately. By state law, the West
Hazleton Council will appoint a new mayor to serve until the position appears
on the 2001 ballot, according to the Pennsylvania Association of Boroughs.
That decision must be made within 30 days of Guydish’s resignation. Council
President Bob Fiume said he has not considered prospective appointees.
Call Janoski at 831-7331.