Lackawanna County Democratic Party

Matt McGloin resigned as a commissioner almost two months ago. A three-judge panel listed to arguments Tuesday on how to replace him by lawyers for the county, commissioners Bill Gaughan and Chris Chermak and the county Democratic Party. The judges did not immediately decide.

With McGloin's replacement still weeks away, judges nudge process ahead, finding that Sacco's interests are adequately represented by the Democratic Party.

Six weeks after Commissioner Matt McGloin resigned, county judges still haven't picked a replacement. Unhappy his suggested replacement was ignored, Commissioner Bill Gaughan wants the judges to start a new selection process that would upend the traditional way of filling commissioner vacancies.

McGloin resigned last month and Gaughan wants to county court of common pleas to run the selection process from start to finish instead of allowing the court to choose from three county Democratic Party-recommended candidates.

County common pleas court judges will decide from among Brenda Sacco, James Baldan and Bob Casey

Party chairman Chris Patrick declines to say if he'll start the party's process again or simply submit the same three names he submitted last week.

Court administrator says the common pleas court judges will wait until the remaining commissioners vote to accept McGloin's resignation. The vote is set for Wednesday.

Party chairman Chris Patrick says executive committee chose former county official Brenda Sacco, Olyphant Council President James Baldan and Scranton School Director Bob Casey as the names to submit to the county common pleas court judges.

County officials researching if McGloin could rescind his resignation. County Democratic Party chairman says vote on potential replacements will move ahead as scheduled.

In 13 months on the job, Democratic commissioner voted for 33% tax hike to solve budget crisis and helped county Office of Youth and Family Services regain a full operating license.