SUNBURY - James J. Rosini, a Shamokin attorney who was a former Northumberland County judge and district attorney, has been hired as the county's new assistant solicitor.
Northumberland County Commissioners Merle Phillips and Vinny Clausi agreed to hire Rosini at a salary of $34,127 following an executive session Tuesday afternoon. Commissioner Frank Sawicki, who did not sign the hiring sheet for Rosini but participated in an executive session discussion about the hiring, opposed the appointment because of a conflict of interest he claims exists because of Rosini's initial involvement as an attorney in a coal mineral rights case involving the county.
The 65-year-old Rosini, whose appointment became effective Wednesday, will not receive benefits for the part-time position.
"I've always been involved with county affairs in the different roles I've held here, and I look forward to the opportunity to participate," Rosini said Wednesday evening.
Rosini, who resides in Coal Township, has "experience and familiarity with Northumberland County" because of his former roles, the county said in an announcement about the hiring Wednesday morning.
Most recently, Rosini has been a part-time public defender and works in a private practice at the Rosini Law Firm in Shamokin with his daughter, Paige Rosini, who also is a county public defender. Rosini said that will not deal with criminal cases while serving the county. "I don't think there would be a conflict, but I don't want to be in the position to do that, and work with county affairs and my private practice," he said.
The new assistant solicitor, who has been a member of the Pennsylvania and Northumberland County bar associations since 1972, served as a county judge for 1 1/2 years after being appointed to the bench in the mid 1980s to replace Judge Peter Krehel, who lost a retention election. He also served as county district attorney for eight years prior to serving on the bench.
Sawicki's opposition
In an e-mail sent to The News-Item early Wednesday afternoon, Sawicki explained his reasoning for opposing the appointment.
"I have the highest regard for Attorney Jim Rosini and I am impressed by his resume," he said. "However, Attorney Jim Rosini was counsel for the owner of land who sought quiet title to coal mineral rights via the Northumberland County court system. This action of quiet title resulted in a lawsuit between Northumberland County commissioners and Natalie Mountain Estates Inc., as successor in interest to Robert J. Rosini."
Sawicki said the suit involves substantial sums of potential coal royalty payments to Mount Carmel Area School District, Mount Carmel Township and Northumberland County. He stated, "Although Attorney Rosini is no longer involved in this litigation, I believe it is in the best interest of Northumberland County taxpayers that the choice of another attorney for assistant solicitor is prudent. Therefore, I did not support the appointment of Attorney Jim Rosini."
"I have the utmost respect for Commissioner Sawicki as well," Rosini said in response. "If you take into consideration my time as a judge, district attorney, public defender and private practice, someone will come up that will have a conflict with the commissioners. Any lawyer would have that in a county this size. I would recuse myself from anything to do with that case, so I don't see the issue."
On Wednesday morning, Clausi stated, "I believe Mr. Rosini will be an asset to the county with his vast legal experience. He's a very smart man."
Phillips added, "I have a great deal of respect for Mr. Rosini and I have a lot of confidence in him. He has a great reputation and I believe his experience will save the county a lot of money."
Clausi said Rosini was hired after careful consideration and consultation by county solicitor Frank W. Garrigan with the attorney currently representing the county in its lawsuit against Natalie Mountain Estates Inc. Garrigan said Rosini's hiring doesn't constitute a conflict of interest.
Northumberland County Court Administrator Brandy Yasenchak commended the commissioners on their choice of a new assistant solicitor.
"I believe the commissioners made a great decision in their appointment of Jim Rosini," she said. "He is very professional and well respected in the legal community."
Positions separated
Clausi and Phillips wanted to separate the positions of chief clerk and assistant solicitor so there would no longer be a conflict of interest with one person holding both positions.
The assistant solicitor position came open when the county fired Kymberley Best, former chief clerk and assistant solicitor, on March 18. Best had refused to communicate directly with Clausi after the commissioner shouted at her during a workshop meeting on March 8.
Gary Steffen, who had been in charge of the county's workers' compensation department and had previously served as county public safety director after a 28-year career as Point Township police chief, was appointed March 21 as the new chief clerk at a salary of $48,573. Steffen also will receive a benefit package totaling $12,261.48.
Best was earning a salary of $72,885 as chief clerk and assistant solicitor. She also received approximately $17,500 in benefits.
Clausi said the county will save approximately $6,000 per year by hiring Steffen and Rosini to replace Best.
Steffen's former position has not been filled. Rosini is expected to resign as a part-time public defender, which will save the county additional money if the post isn't filled.
Steffen and Best are registered Democrats, while Rosini is a registered Republican.
Clausi and Sawicki are Democrats, while Phillips is a Republican.