Luzerne County Council
Luzerne County Council | |
|---|---|
| Type | |
| Type | |
| Leadership | |
Tim McGinley, Democratic | |
Eugene Kelleher, Republican | |
| Structure | |
| Seats | 11 |
Political groups |
Democratic: 8 seats
Republican: 3 seats |
| Elections | |
Last election | November 7, 2017 (5 seats) |
Next election | Primary: May 21, 2019 General: November 5, 2019 (6 seats) |
| Meeting place | |
 | |
| Luzerne County Courthouse in Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania | |
| Website | |
| [1] | |
The Luzerne County Council is the governing body of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. The council meets at the Luzerne County Courthouse in Wilkes-Barre. There are eleven members on the assembly (eight Democrats and three Republicans). The chairperson is both the highest-ranking officer on the council and the head of county government for ceremonial purposes.[1] When the group is not in session, the officer's duties often include acting as its representative to the outside world and its spokesperson. The current chairperson is Tim McGinley.[2]
History
Luzerne County voters rejected home rule proposals in the past (once in 1974 and again in 2003). However, from 2008 to 2010, corruption plagued the county government. Three county judges, a county commissioner, a clerk of courts, a deputy chief clerk, and a director of human resources faced criminal charges. These events persuaded the voters of Luzerne County to adopt a new form of government. On Tuesday, November 2, 2010, a home rule charter was adopted by a margin of 51,413 to 41,639.[3][4]
The following year (in 2011), the first election for the new government was held. On Monday, January 2, 2012, the previous government (the board of county commissioners) was abolished and replaced with the new form of government (council–manager government). The first members of the Luzerne County Council were sworn in that same day. The first council chairperson was Jim Bobeck.[5]
Election process
The Luzerne County Council is elected by the voters of the county. Nearly half the council is up for election every two years. It rotates between five and six seats. Each council member is elected at-large (to a four-year term). They are limited to three consecutive terms.[6][7] In the May primary, the major political parties (Democratic and Republican) select their top candidates for the general election. For example, those who place in the top five or six become the nominees of their party. Third party (or independent) candidates may also join the race. In the November general election, all political parties/candidates square off on the same ballot. Those who place in the top five or six will be elected or re-elected to council.
Current council members
The following members have been duly elected to the county council by the voters of Luzerne County:[8]
| Council member | Time in office | Party | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tim McGinley | 2012–present | Democratic | Chairperson |
| Eugene Kelleher | 2012–present | Republican | Vice Chairperson |
| Edd Brominski | 2012–present | Democratic | |
| Harry Haas | 2012–present | Republican | |
| Linda McClosky Houck | 2012–present | Democratic | |
| Chris R. Perry | 2018–present | Republican | |
| Sheila Saidman | 2018–present | Democratic | |
| Robert Schnee | 2016–present | Democratic | |
| Stephen A. Urban | 2012–present | Democratic | |
| Matthew Vough | 2018–present | Democratic | |
| Jane Walsh Waitkus | 2016–present | Democratic |
List of chairpersons
The following chairpersons were elected by the council:
| List of chairpersons | Time in office | Party | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jim Bobeck | 2012 | Democratic | [9] |
| 2 | Tim McGinley | 2012–2014 | Democratic | [10][11] |
| 3 | Rick Morelli | 2014–2015 | Republican | [12][13] |
| 4 | Linda McClosky Houck | 2015–2018 | Democratic | First female chair[14] |
| 5 | Tim McGinley | 2018–present | Democratic | [15] |
Former council members
| Name | Time in office | Party | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elaine Maddon Curry | 2012–2014 | Democratic | She did not seek re-election in 2013. [16] |
| Jim Bobeck | 2012–2016 | Democratic | Bobeck served as the first council chair in 2012; he did not seek re-election in 2015.[17] |
| Rick Morelli | 2012–2016 | Republican | Morelli served as the third council chair from 2014 to 2015; he did not seek re-election in 2015.[18] |
| Stephen J. Urban | 2012–2016 | Republican | He lost re-election in 2015 and 2017. |
| Kathy Dobash | 2014–2018 | Republican | She did not seek re-election in 2017.[19] |
| Eileen Sorokas | 2014–2018 | Democratic | She did not seek re-election in 2017.[20] |
| Rick Williams | 2012–2018 | Independent | Williams did not seek re-election in 2017. He remains the only independent councilor.[21] |
References
- ^ http://www.luzernecounty.org/county/row_offices/controller/home-rule-charter
- ^ http://www.timesleader.com/news/local/687527/tim-mcginley-appointed-new-luzerne-county-council-chair
- ^ Voters say 'yes' to home rule - News. Standard Speaker (2010-11-03). Retrieved on 2013-07-23.
- ^ http://www.luzernecounty.org/county/departments_agencies/bureau_of_elections/election-results-archive
- ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UoGiwHEvpA
- ^ http://www.timesleader.com/news/local/681297/five-of-11-luzerne-county-council-seats-up-for-grabs-tuesday
- ^ http://citizensvoice.com/opinion/our-choices-for-luzerne-county-council-1.2264197
- ^ http://www.luzernecounty.org/county/luzerne-county-council
- ^ http://citizensvoice.com/news/bobeck-to-step-down-as-county-council-chairman-1.1341217
- ^ http://standardspeaker.com/news/new-chairman-takes-over-at-county-council-1.1367289
- ^ http://standardspeaker.com/news/county-council-elects-new-chair-1.1352980
- ^ http://standardspeaker.com/news/morelli-named-chairman-of-luzerne-county-council-1.1612486
- ^ http://wnep.com/2015/01/06/morelli-steps-down-as-president-of-luzerne-county-council/
- ^ By Michael P. Buffer (Staff Writer) (2012-07-31). "Luzerne County Council divided over next chairperson – News". Standard Speaker. Retrieved 2017-02-22.
- ^ http://www.timesleader.com/news/local/687527/tim-mcginley-appointed-new-luzerne-county-council-chair
- ^ http://citizensvoice.com/news/haas-will-seek-re-election-maddon-curry-will-bow-out-to-focus-on-hazleton-projects-1.1447165
- ^ http://www.timesleader.com/news/local/495541/luzerne-county-manager-robert-lawtons-job-status-up-in-the-air
- ^ http://www.timesleader.com/news/local/495541/luzerne-county-manager-robert-lawtons-job-status-up-in-the-air
- ^ http://standardspeaker.com/news/luzerne-council-seats-will-be-open-1.2164627
- ^ http://standardspeaker.com/news/luzerne-council-seats-will-be-open-1.2164627
- ^ http://www.timesleader.com/news/local/671875/luzerne-county-councilman-rick-williams-wont-run-again