Pocono News Section

Luzerne County sheriff fallout

Luzerne County sheriff fallout - Wednesday, September 2, 2009 at 4:21PM EST

Wednesday, Sep 2, 2009 @ 04:21pm EST

The future of the Luzerne County sheriff's office is in the hands of Governor Ed Rendell.

Governor Rendell's office says it's mulling over options to replace Michael Savokinas.

The former Luzerne County sheriff resigned Tuesday.

Frank Holena of Harveys Lake says he wasn't surprised.

"He just seen the writing on the wall from everybody else. It's politics, basically. It's been like that for how many years here?" said Holena.

By law, only the governor can replace a resigned county sheriff.

Rendell's office says the governor is evaluating his options.

A spokesman says Rendell can pick a replacement with senate approval.

The other option: let the second in command take the helm.

Right now, that's chief deputy sheriff Charles Guarnieri.

Mike Tesauro of Wilkes-Barre says news of the resignation spread quickly.

"I would probably hope for the best that they replace the sheriff," said Tesauro.

Luzerne County commissioner Maryanne Petrilla says county leadership is ready for a changing of the guard.

“Work with them as much as needed to get the office running like it should be and to let the employees know that there's direction and let them know we're not abandoning them," said Petrilla.

Petrilla drew comparisons from the sheriff's resignation to last years Luzerne County jail warden's retirement.

She said a new warden was appointed this year and according to Petrilla things have been running smoothly.

By law, that position was county appointed.

Rendell's office gave no timetable for his decision on the new sheriff.

The Luzerne County Republican Party wants an immediate replacement timetable.

The party sent a letter to Rendell asking for a special election.

That would place a candidate on this Novembers ballot.

If no replacement is named, the next sheriff's election is November 2011.