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I have tried to stay out of politics/county government. But when Luzerne County is about to make a grave mistake by letting Manager Robert Lawton leave, I must speak out.
As I read the Times Leader’s March 21 article titled “Lawton up for another job,” I thought, good for him. As I read further into the story, I could not believe my eyes when I read that county council Vice Chairman Edward Brominski was running around like a chicken with his head cut off, saying: “We’d better start getting a plan in line. There’s no way, shape or form he has any intentions of staying here. We have to take action because he could walk out tomorrow.”
Really?!
He literally ran Mr. Lawton out of town and he didn’t expect him to leave the first chance he could? Mr. Brominski didn’t have a plan in place after he rode him out of town?
Thank god that council Chairwoman Linda McClosky Houck called Mr. Brominski out on this when she stated that most people would look for other employment if a group of bosses regularly told them they were doing a lousy job. She at least understands why Mr. Lawton is “looking.” I thank her for speaking the truth.
Now for your, Mr. Brominski. Are you going to feel like a hero because you may have finally won? Well, let me say this: You didn’t win because Mr. Lawton refused to be the “yes man” that you so desired. This county is trying to pull itself out of debt and disgrace and was making a good start with Mr. Lawton at the helm.
Do you really think anyone is going to want to come to Luzerne County to do this job when they read what he accomplished and it wasn’t good enough for the county?
Do you really think you will be making an upgrade if he were to leave? I think not.
As for the few council members, shame on you for your role in this. If you really want to make progress in this county, do the right thing.
The right thing would be to apologize to Mr. Lawton, thank him for the work he has done so far and beg him to stay.
Lastly, Mr. Lawton, I would hope you will reconsider your options. Those of us who truly see what is happening here have your back. Forget about those who you can never satisfy. I hope I speak for most citizens when I say that we need you to continue the fine work you have done for this county. If you’ve had enough, thank you for trying to make a difference.
In case anyone feels I know Mr. Lawton, I do not. I never met the man. The only dog I have in this race is the desire to live in a county where county government doesn’t continually make the paper for the wrong reasons.
John Kishel
Dorrance Township