Chris Chermak

Lackawanna County commissioners Brenda Sacco and Chris Chermak authorized hiring Scranton School Director Jenna Strzelecki — who also is Pittston city's business administrator — as the county's new human resources director, even though Commissioner-elect Thom Welby will soon replace Sacco in office. Welby called Strzelecki 'fabulous.' Commissioner Bill Gaughan said the hiring was an example of 'backroom politics.'

Lackawanna County went to court Friday to delay by a year the implementation of new property values developed during reassessment the last three years, but county President Judge James Gibbons quickly denied the request in a one-sentence order without further comment.

Attorney Marielle Macher, whose clients forced Lackawanna County to reassess its more than 102,600 properties, says no to county request to delay implementing new values a year. The values are supposed to go into effect Jan. 1.

In a letter to a lawyer who sued the county to force reassessment, a Lackawanna County lawyer argues notices of new values sent to taxpayers didn't contain the current values for comparison as required by state law.

The Lackawanna County Board of Commissioners unanimously voted Wednesday to obtain a line of credit of up to $5 million to cover social services program bills as the state budget stalemate continues.

Lackawanna County Commissioner Brenda Sacco says she will respect the result of the special election for county commissioner Tuesday if the result is 'lawful.'

Lackawanna County Commissioner Bill Gaughan argues the letter may signal efforts to invalidate the special election for commissioner Tuesday. County Solicitor Paul James Walker denies that.

Supporters of former board chairman Bill Gaughan decry Lackawanna County Commissioner Brenda Sacco's ascension to chair.

The Lackawanna County commissioners have called a reorganization meeting for Monday, an unusual time, because reorganization normally take place after commissioner elections. Commissioner Bill Gaughan said his colleagues, Brenda Sacco and Chris Chermak, plan to replace him as chairman of the Board of Commissioners.

Luzerne County Manager Romilda Crocamo accused Lackawanna County Commissioner Bill Gaughan of 'grandstanding' and 'bush league' behavior in dispute about the counties paying for local police to supplement federal and airport security. Airport officials backed Gaughan.