By Jennifer Learn-Andes jandes@timesleader.com
Luzerne County Council member Kendra Radle is seen in a file photo. Regarding the DA’s race, Radle on Tuesday argued council should be proactive seeking further clarification on an ‘extremely complicated legal issue.’
Times Leader file photo Listen to this
In a surprise move, a Luzerne County Council majority voted Tuesday to retain outside legal counsel and seek a court ruling on whether the district attorney’s race should be on the November general election ballot.
Republican Sam Sanguedolce, previously first assistant DA, was automatically appointed to fill the post March 25, when Stefanie Salavantis resigned because she is running for county judge.
The Luzerne County Convention & Visitors Bureau is set to move to the long-vacant former train station in downtown Wilkes-Barre before the end of this year.
On Tuesday, county council voted 9-2 to approve a five-year agreement with Market Square Properties Development LLC to move the visitors bureau to the former Central Railroad of New Jersey Station near Wilkes-Barre Boulevard and East Market Street.
The visitors bureau, which currently rents office space at 56 Public Square, will move to the former train station by Dec. 15, according to the agreement.
The bureau will lease 2,100 square feet of space on the first floor of the station for $2,700 per month.
Litigation filed against Luzerne County over a recent dispute centered on the district attorneyâs office will be withdrawn, District Attorney Sam Sanguedolce announced Thursday.
The issues that sparked the litigation have been resolved, Sanguedolce said in an open letter to county residents and county council.
However, the crux of the controversy â conflicts between the county charter and state law â remains unresolved, Sanguedolce said.
Former District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis and Sanguedolce, then the first assistant district attorney, filed a petition in county court on March 19, 10 days after council declared the district attorneyâs seat vacant when Salavantis filed a nominating petition to run for county judge this year.
There appeared to be no major developments Thursday in the controversy over whether the Luzerne County district attorneyâs position is vacant.
County council declared the position vacant on Tuesday after longtime District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis filed to run for a seat on the county court of common pleas in the May 18 primary.
The county charter stipulates that a district attorney must resign if he or she files a nominating petition for another office. Salavantis said she will resign once she is certified as a candidate for judge, later this month.
Late Tuesday night, Salavantis said councilâs action forced her to seek legal counsel for her office. The same night, council Chairman Tim McGinley said he expected the dispute would lead to litigation.
Luzerne County Council’s decision to declare the office of county district attorney vacant led to chaotic maneuvering Wednesday, with the district attorney’s office sending seemingly contradictory memos to local police