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Lackawanna County commissioners accept Matt McGloin resignation amid dispute over replacement process
Summary
The Lackawanna County Board of Commissioners accepted Commissioner Matt McGloin's resignation and faced public criticism and internal dispute over how his replacement would be chosen, with several speakers and at least one commissioner calling the nominee-selection process opaque and potentially improper.
The Lackawanna County Board of Commissioners on March 5 accepted the resignation of Commissioner Matt McGloin, effective as submitted, and heard public criticism and internal dispute over the process for naming his successor.
The resignation was moved and seconded during the meeting and approved by voice vote. Commissioners said the court of common pleas will oversee the replacement process consistent with state law.
The issue drew a string of public comments accusing commissioners and other local actors of using a closed or “backdoor” process to present a short list of candidates to the court. ‘‘I see a coup,’’ said Lorraine Cummings, a resident who addressed the board during public comment. Another attendee, Bob Ball of Scranton, told the commissioners: ‘‘You owe them an apology’’ for criticizing the process used by local Democratic officials to assemble the candidate list.
A speaker during the meeting criticized the selection steps as presenting a ‘‘tainted process’’ to the court and said that handing the court a short list of candidates ‘‘was not fair to the court, the good citizens of Lackawanna County, or legitimate interested applicants that were ignored and turned away.’’ The speaker urged compliance with state law and transparency in the selection process.
County leaders framed the resignation as a moment to move on and refocus on the county’s business. Commissioners said the county must continue work on its fiscal challenges and that the court of common pleas has the statutory role in overseeing the appointment process for a departing commissioner.
Public commenters also used the meeting to raise broader concerns about county governance and finances, including the recent tax increase and a perceived pattern of interim appointments in county offices. Several speakers urged transparency from county leaders and for the court to consider all interested applicants.
The county took no additional formal action on the replacement at the March 5 meeting; commissioners said they await the court’s review and decision.
