BEAT REPORTS
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A more advantageous strategy for the party could be keeping Petrilla exactly where she is until after the November general election. That allows Gov. Ed Rendell to appoint a Democrat to serve the last two years of her term. It also prevents a special controller election this fall and avoids any risk of the Democrats losing the controller seat to a Republican.
The rumors already are swirling as to who could get that commissioner appointment for the rest of the year.
Some of the early contenders include retired state representative Tom Tigue, current Clerk of Courts Bob Reilly, county prison board chair Wister Yuhas and August Piazza, the former Wyoming Valley West superintendent and also a former member of the Pittston Area School Board. Piazza also has been mentioned as a possible candidate for controller in a special election should Petrilla receive the appointment to replace Luzerne County Commissioner Todd Vonderheid.
Petrilla does not plan to express any interest in the seat until after next week s primary election. Should she receive the Democratic nomination to replace outgoing Vonderheid, accepting an appointment provides a unique opportunity. As commissioner, Petrilla would likely receive much more media exposure in the months leading up to the general election.
Consalvo s credentials
Last week, it was erroneously reported here that Luzerne County Coroner Dr. Jack Consalvo cannot serve as an expert witness at trial.
Although the county district attorney s office has rarely used Consalvo as an expert since his 2006 appointment, Consalvo can serve as an expert because he is a board-certified forensic medicine physician. Consalvo just has to be present for the autopsy and assist the pathologist conducting the examination.
That ability, along with Consalvo s credentials to interpret medical records and offer expert opinions on the cause of death, is prominently mentioned in a direct-mail advertisement recently issued by Consalvo s campaign. The mailer showcases one apple in front of three others with the words one stands out to hammer home to voters Consalvo is the only physician in the coroner s race. The other Democrats in the race, John Corcoran and James Desiderio, are funeral directors. There is no Republican candidate.
What Consalvo s mailer neglects to point out is that he is not a forensic pathologist. As a result, Consalvo cannot perform autopsies for the county like the late Coroner Dr. George Hudock.
During Consalvo s first year in office, autopsies and examination services cost county taxpayers $77,940, according to the county budget. In 2007, the coroner s office has budgeted $75,600 for autopsies and related expenses. The average cost of an autopsy is $1,500.
But when Dr. Hudock was still performing autopsies in 2005, the autopsy and examination budget was $30,000. Only $11,925 of that amount was spent and $3,500 was after Hudock s death.
No double duty
Bruce Reilly, an assistant Wilkes-Barre City fire chief and Democratic council candidate in District B, could be forced into early retirement.
Should Reilly be successful in next week s primary election against incumbent Councilman Tony Thomas and Ray Arellano, and then go on to defeat his Republican challenger in the fall, he can no longer be a firefighter.
The city s charter prohibits council members from working in any other paid position with the city during their tenure.
Reilly pledged to retire from the fire department if elected. His 26 years of service make him eligible for a pension.
The winner of the Democratic primary in District B will face the winner of the Lisa McGlynn-Cope and Vincent Guarneri race for the Republican nomination to represent the Rolling Mill Hill and Iron Triangle neighborhoods, as well as parts of South Wilkes-Barre and the downtown.
James Conmy covers politics. He can be reached at 821-2118.
Related: BEAT REPORTS
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BEAT REPORTS: from www.citizensvoice.com
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