SUNBURY - Northumberland County District Attorney Tony Rosini and Register and Recorder Mary Zimmerman met with county Commissioners Rick Shoch and Stephen Bridy Thursday afternoon to voice their concerns about plans to eliminate a position in each of their offices.
Commissioner Vinny Clausi did not attend either session.
"Commissioners Shoch and Bridy listened to me and gave me the opportunity to explain how losing an assistant district attorney would adversely affect my office," Rosini said.
"They did not make a decision and I told them to make sure they gather the right information so they can make the right decision."
Zimmmerman, who is scheduled to lose a data entry clerk as a result of the cuts, reserved comment about the meeting.
Shoch, who serves as commissioner chairman, said both meetings went pretty well, although they became "heated" at times. "They presented their arguments and rationale for keeping the positions and we heard them out," the commissioner said. "We will take their opinions into consideration before voting at the salary board meeting Jan. 25."
Bridy agreed that the meetings went well.
"We listened to their side of the story and I plan to do more homework on the positions before voting at the salary board meeting," Bridy said. "I want to make sure we make the right decision for the taxpayers."
Neither Bridy nor Shoch said how they will vote on the positions.
Clausi said he didn't attend the meetings because "his mind is made up" about eliminating the two positions.
"Last week, I invited Mr. Rosini to talk with us, but he chose to go to the press before our meeting," Clausi said. "We have already disputed our opinions in a public forum. There was no reason for me to be there today (Thursday) because my mind is set to eliminate the positions in the district attorney and register and recorder's offices. I'm committed to do what's best for the taxpayers. Everybody has to sacrifice a little bit."
Clausi said he hopes Shoch and Bridy support him to eliminate the positions at the next salary board meeting.
Proposed budget
On Tuesday, the commissioners approved an amended 2012 proposed budget totaling $71.6 million that calls for a tax increase for the first time in nine years. The 1.95-mill general fund increase is expected to generate $1.4 million to cover a projected deficit in excess of $1 million.
The spending plan also calls for general fund cuts totaling $286,000 in salaries and wages for nine positions.
The commissioners have not yet identified the other seven positions being eliminated.
While the commissioners claim the elimination of the positions are justified, Rosini and Zimmerman think otherwise. They not only stressed the need to keep the positions, but also were very upset with the way they were informed about the cuts.
Rosini and Zimmerman said a memo announcing the cuts signed by county human resources director Joseph Picarelli was slipped under their office doors Tuesday morning by chief clerk Gary Steffen.
The memos request Rosini and Zimmerman to notify the commissioners' office within 15 days which position they choose to eliminate. The memo states that the commissioners reserve the right to cut the lowest paid position if no action is taken within 15 days.
The cuts would be effective Feb. 10.