Gavlick

Gavlick

Tired of ads? Subscribers enjoy a distraction-free reading experience.
Click here to subscribe today or Login.
<p>Parsnik</p>

Parsnik

Contacted Monday, David Parsnik said he has no comment on his sudden decision to resign as Luzerne County administrative services division head the day before.

In a related matter, county Acting Manager Romilda Crocamo announced she has appointed county Human Resources Director Angela Gavlick as interim administrative services division head.

Crocamo informed council of Parsnik’s resignation, effective immediately, Sunday evening.

Crocamo did not state a reason for the abrupt departure, thanked Parsnik for his contributions to the county and wished him the best.

Parsnik had been in the division head position since May 2013. One of eight top county division head positions, the head of administrative services oversees elections, human resources, purchasing/acquisition, information technology, licensing/permits, records, grant writing, community development and tourism.

He had started working for the county as security chief in August 2010 and was promoted to 911 director in February 2011.

Parsnik’s current annual compensation was $90,874, according to the county’s position budget.

Gavlick was hired as county human resources director in August 2016. When announcing her hiring at that time, prior county manager C. David Pedri said Gavlick was a certified senior human resources professional and had most recently worked as corporate human resources manager at Jack Williams Tire Company Inc. She previously had been employed as human resources manager at Lowe’s Home Improvement and had owned Gavlick Personnel/Black Tie Staffing in Kingston for 15 years, he had said.

Temporary division heads can serve up to 90 days under the county’s home rule charter, which means someone else would have to be named if a permanent division head is not appointed within that period.

Council must confirm the manager’s nominee for permanent division head appointments, the charter says.

Councilwoman Linda McClosky Houck said Monday she does not believe any nomination for the administrative services division head should be made until council hires the next county manager.

“That’s a crucial job, and the division heads are supposed to be the manager’s team,” McClosky Houck said.

Crocamo said she wholeheartedly agrees with that viewpoint and had not planned to nominate anyone.

Council won’t be selecting a manager until next year.

The county’s seven-member citizen Manager Search Committee set a Feb. 1 target date to will seek, screen and recommend qualified manager applicants to council for its consideration.

While council hires the manager, the charter requires the outside committee to “recommend the candidates it believes are the most qualified.” Charter drafters asserted the involvement of an independent committee at the start of the process would make the selection more impartial.

Reach Jennifer Learn-Andes at 570-991-6388 or on Twitter @TLJenLearnAndes.