Pocono News Section

Inauguration Day in NE & Central PA

Inauguration Day in NE & Central PA - Monday, January 7, 2008 at 11:00AM EST

Reported by: David DeCosmo
Monday, Jan 7, 2008 @11:00am EST
It's Inauguration Day throughout Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania and the new leaders of Lackawanna County government officially begin their work today.

Democrats Mike Washo and Corey O'Brien took their oaths of office before hundreds of supporters at the Scranton Cultural Center this morning. They will hold their first meeting this afternoon and already plan to address a number of priorities, including the need to secure new voting machines for Lackawanna County.

"We've got to get those voting machines. That's a very immediate thing. And the second thing is the budget. I see those 2 things as 2 of our most immediate priorities and we're working on both of them," said Washo.

"At 1 o'clock today we are announcing or adopting a code of ethics which will change the way the county does business for centuries. Our plan is to eliminate the ability of elected officials and county employees to accept gifts," added O’Brien.

Commissioner O'Brien indicates he'll nominate Washo to serve as Majority Chairman. The Democrats replace Republicans Bob Cordaro and A.J. Munchak. Cordaro was voted out of office in November, while Munchak will now serve as Minority Commissioner.

Meanwhile, four Lackawanna County row office holders took their oaths of office earlier this morning. They include Ed Karpovich, Lackawanna County Treasurer, Mary Rinaldi, Clerk of Judicial Records, and Joseph Brennan, Lackawanna County Coroner. All 3 are incumbents.

Ken McDowell also took his oath of office as Lackawanna County Controller. His predecessor, John Mellow, claims McDowell is not legally eligible to serve and is considering a legal challenge. McDowell is leaving his job as Scranton's Tax Collector to take office and Mellow claims McDowell should be forced to wait a year before serving as Controller.

It's also Inauguration Day for the new Mayor of Williamsport. Gabe Campana took the oath of office along with several elected row office officials. Campana is a grade school teacher who is taking a 4-year unpaid leave of absence to lead the City of Williamsport.

Campana served on city council since 1996 and at 44-years of age, becomes one of Williamsport’s youngest mayors in the city's history.