The (Towanda) Daily Review, May 9

Towanda Review seeks documents regarding county resignations

BY THE REVIEW

The Daily & Sunday Review on Thursday, May 8, formally asked Bradford County officials for documents pertaining to the departure from employment of Kevin Losinger, warden, and William Lavelle, director of Human Services.

Both men resigned, according to the county. However, no explanations of the circumstances have been made public.

Earlier this week, The Review orally asked for copies of the letters of resignation and was denied. Mark Smith, chairman of the commissioners, said the actions were personnel matters and were not required by law to be disclosed. He said the county was protecting itself from exposure to any litigation that might arise.

In his letter to Smith, Review Editor Ronald W. Hosie disputed Smith’s claim that the information was not a matter of public record, and requested copies of the letter of resignation for each individual, any settlement agreement between either individual and the county, and other written agreements between either individual and the county, including employment contracts, if any.

“I believe the above documents are essential components of the county’s decisions regarding the two individuals named above and therefore constitute public records pursuant to Pennsylvania’s Right to Know Law…,” Hosie wrote.

Current Pennsylvania law allows the county five business days in which to respond.

In additional comments for publication, Hosie said he found it troubling that two high county officials could leave county government under such a cloak of secrecy.

“One man was in charge of a controversial and troubled institution, the jail, and the other oversaw an operation whose budget constituted nearly one-third of the county’s total annual budget of nearly $60 million,” Hosie said, adding:

“County officials must understand their obligation to their constituents to be completely open and transparent about the county’s operations. They are paid for by taxpayers’ money. As it stands now, the public has been denied an explanation for the sudden departures of two key executives in recent weeks. Rumors are swirling. The Review wants to ensure that the county clear the air and set the record straight.”

The Review’s formal request was sent to Smith via certified mail, return receipt requested. Hosie also informed Smith in a telephone message that the letter had been mailed and that the Review would publish a story about it.

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