Luzerne County Council’s Legislative Committee to discuss election issues Monday

Luzerne County Council’s Legislative Committee will meet virtually at 5 p.m. today to discuss state-level election issues that were deemed outside the scope of council’s Election Inquiry Committee.

County Councilman Harry Haas chairs the committee, which also includes Councilmen Walter Griffith and Stephen J. Urban.

Monday’s legislative meeting topics include a general need for statewide uniformity and clarity regarding election procedures and the future of no-excuse mail voting in the state.

The committee also plans to review current legislation centered on mail voting.

State Rep. Seth Grove (R-York) also is listed as a meeting guest. Grove is acting House State Government Committee Chairman and recently issued a report on the state’s 2020 election.

All three council members on the legislative committee are Republicans.

The full 11-member county council will hold a virtual voting meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, followed by a work session.

Links to attend both meetings are posted under council’s public meetings online section at luzernecounty.org.

Personnel additions

The county added 21 new employees in January, according to the new monthly personnel report.

Six were hired as 911 telecommunicators at $15.82 per hour, the report said: Joseph Birden, Daniel Enney, Jocelyn Gutowski, Stephanie Nearhoof, Kai Riddick and Stephanie Wychock.

The remaining employees, along with their positions and hourly rate: Samantha Bilardo, Children and Youth caseworker 1, $16.63; Antonio Boone, Agency on Aging IT specialist, $18.17; Mackenzie Gagliardi, district attorney community outreach coordinator, $16.86; Michael Gagliardi, Drug and Alcohol assistant administrator, $28.21; Alyssa Gawlas, Mental Health/Developmental Services accountant, $18.17; Brooke Karpovich, Children and Youth clerk typist, $13.32; Heather Murphy, district attorney ARD coordinator, $15.12; Nicole Napkori, domestic relations clerk typist, $13.30; Liza Prokop, special legal services administrative assistant, $17.44; Denise Rittinger, prothonotary clerk, $15.12; Jay Schectman, planning/zoning transportation planner, $24.87; Maria Grazia Scotto Di Marco, Agency on Aging care manager, $18.17; Giavanna Sico and Katelyn Spellman, assistant public defenders, $28.99; and Carol Thomas, solicitor executive secretary, $21.54.

Departures

Seven workers resigned last month: Aging Agency clerk typist Michelle Lamarca, human services human resources analyst Kendra Malinovitch, Children and Youth caseworker Andrea Youmans, election bureau deputy director Dino Ninotti, purchasing director Mark Zulkoski, district attorney adult victim witness coordinator Ingrid Ritchie and special legal services administrative assistant Veronica Albrecht.

Two workers left under the “involuntary” category: prison corrections officer James Stavridis and 911 telecommunicator Colleen Harding.

The county also had one death, of Children and Youth caseworker Robert Cochran.

Promotions

Two workers changed positions through internal merit hires. Cynthia Sutton will be an Aging agency care manager supervisor at $20.21 per hour, while Andrea Hill is working as interim elections director at $33.08 per hour.