As voting got underway today, Lackawanna County voters may want to set aside some extra time.

A combination of state and local judicial races, municipal and school board contests, referendum questions and judicial retention votes means most voters will find an unusually lengthy and busy ballot at the polls.

It all potentially adds up to a lot of ovals to blacken.

Polls opened at 7 a.m. and will remain open to 8 p.m.

Marion Medalis, director of the Department

of Elections, reminded county voters to check both sides of their ballots as all will have races on the front and back.

“You have to pay attention and look at both sides,” she said. “That’s the key thing. Review it and take your time.”

Aside from the controversial question on countywide reassessment, there are a number of other races of interest on the ballot.

Chief among them is the hard-fought contest for district attorney.

Democrat Mark Powell and Republican Gene Talerico are squaring off in the first contested general election battle for top county prosecutor since Republican Andy Jarbola, now a county judge, defeated Democrat Harry McGrath in 2001.

Although the Democrats’ more than 2-1 edge over Republicans in registered voters would appear to favor Powell, history is on the side of Talerico. Republicans have held the district attorney’s office for 46 years.

Another closely watched race is in Scranton, where first-term Democratic Mayor Bill Courtright is being challenged by Republican Jim Mulligan in a rematch of the race four years ago.

Libertarian Gary St. Fleur and independent Giovanni Piccolino, who were both knocked off the mayoral ballot by challenges, are waging write-in campaigns.

Medalis attributed the length of the ballot to the vagaries of the municipal election cycle.

Among the local municipal positions voters will fill today are all of the tax collector posts across the county, plus all of the mayoral positions with the exception of Carbondale, she said. This is also the year when judges and inspectors of election are chosen at the precinct level.

Voters statewide are electing judges to the Supreme, Superior and Commonwealth courts and will decide whether to retain three Supreme or Superior court judges.

At the county level, Judge Julia Munley, who was appointed to the bench, is unopposed for election to a full 10-year term, and Judge Trish Corbett is seeking retention to her third term. Some voters will also elect magisterial district judges.

In addition to the county reassessment question, voters statewide will decide whether to let the Legislature enact a law allowing school districts, municipalities and counties to exclude the entire assessed value of each primary homestead or farmstead in their jurisdictions from taxation.

Voters in Clifton Twp. will decide whether to add two more members to their Board of Supervisors.

It will be a decidedly chilly day, with a high only around 48, AccuWeather meteorologist Paul Walker said. However, it should be dry, with the precipitation moving across Pennsylvania expected to stay south of the Scranton area.

The only polling place change from the primary election is in Dickson City, where voters in Ward 3, Precinct 3, will cast their ballots at the borough Municipal Building, 901 Enterprise St. They voted at the First National Bank on Main Street in May.

Contact the writer:

dsingleton@timesshamrock.com;

570-348-9132

Polling places open today from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voters who have problems voting or see questionable practices can call:

Lackawanna County: 570-963-6737

Luzerne County: 570-825-1715

Monroe County: 570-517-3165

Pike County: 570-296-3426

Susquehanna County: 570-278-4600, ext. 4090

Wayne County: 570-253-5978

Wyoming County: 570-996-2224

To find your polling place, visit www.votespa.com and click on the “Find Out Now” link below “Where is my polling place?”

Lackawanna County Commissioner Patrick O’Malley urged voters to cast ballots on the reassessment question despite a Commonwealth Court ruling this morning that invalidated the referendum.

The ruling means the county commissioners do not have to follow the outcome of today’s vote on whether the county should borrow up to $13 million to establish new values used to calculate property taxes for 101,000 parcels of land across the county.

O’Malley said it’s important that people still vote on the matter, however, so that commissioners can gauge the will of residents, which will assist them in making the correct decision “for the benefit of taxpayers.”

The Commonwealth Court issued its ruling at about 10:30 today. It not immediately explain its reasons, but said its opinion would follow later.

Several voters in Scranton and Dunmore who voted before the Commonwealth Court ruling was issued said they still cast ballots on the referendum even though they did not know yet if they would count.

“This is a hot issue,” said Estella Tirelli, a resident of the Hill Section of Scranton who cast her vote at the United House Apartments on North Washington Street.

Tirelli said she voted against the referendum because she is concerned about the impact reassessment will have on elderly homeowners.

Janet Bennett, 78, and her husband, Walter, 81, of Dunmore said they also voted against the referendum. They are on a fixed income and are concerned their property taxes will increase.

“We’ve owned our home 50 years,” Janet Bennett said. “We don’t know what impact reassessment will have on it.”

Commonwealth Court considered the county’s appeal of the Oct. 31 ruling from a panel of three county court judges who declared the question null an void.

In a 2-1 vote, Judge James Gibbons and Senior Judge Robert Mazzoni agreed with insurance executive Chuck Volpe and farmer Keith Eckel, who said the question was vague, misleading and confusing. Senior Judge Carmen dissented from the majority.

The referendum question reads: “Shall the Lackawanna County Commissioners incur debt not to exceed $13 (Thirteen Million) Dollars solely for the purpose of conducting a countywide revision of assessment so that all real estate within the county will be assessed at a predetermined ratio of 100 percent of a new base-year value?”

Frank Ruggiero, attorney for Volpe and Eckel, said he was confident the appellate court would uphold the decision.

“The trial court did a fantastic job. They issued a well -reasoned opinion based on the facts and the law,” Ruggiero said.

Ruggiero said the ruling leaves commissioners two options: They can rework the question and put it back on the ballot in the next election, or they can opt to decide the issue of reassessment on their own through an executive order.

Commissioners Jerry Notarianni, who supports reassessment, and Laureen Cummings, who opposes it, attempted to get a vote on the matter earlier this year, but neither of them could gain O’Malley’s support to second their motions. That prompted O’Malley and Cummings to vote to place the issue on the ballot.

Cummings said she was deeply upset by the court rulings. She fears the county will now face one or more lawsuits from property owners and/or municipalities who have already threatened to sue if the county does not reassess.

“We tried to do our job and come up with a solution,” Cummings said. “We’ve been inundated with threats of lawsuits . . . I guess that is going to come to fruition.”

Notarianni opposed putting the reassessment question on the ballot. He maintained the language on the question was worded in a fashion to ensure it would be defeated.

“How do you expect someone to vote for something they don’t understand?” he said. “If it is done properly and people are educated properly, they will be in favor of it.”

Contact the writer:

tbesecker@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9137;

@tmbeseckerTT on Twitter

PLAINS TWP. — Mohegan Sun Pocono has announced a new Irish pub and eatery will open in the winter of 2018 near the main valet entrance.
 
Somerville Construction is building the new Molly O’Sheas, a venue that will feature authentic Irish decor, live weekend entertainment, a dining menu and beer and whiskey menus.
 
“We’re beyond thrilled to open this new location inside Mohegan Sun Pocono for our guests,” said Erica Tessier, vice president of marketing for Mohegan Sun Pocono. “The nightlife at our property already has fantastic stops like Breakers and Bar Louie, and to now round it out with Molly O’Sheas is very exciting. We think it will quickly become a popular stop for friends and family to enjoy great company, food, drinks and service.”
 
Some of the beer menu highlights at Molly O’Sheas will include Guinness, Smithwicks, Harp, Strongbow Hard Cider, Killian’s Irish Red and Yuengling Lager.
 
For whiskey lovers, Molly O’Sheas will have everything from Jameson to Tullamore Dew.
 
On the eatery side, the pub will serve up comfort appetizers and entrees such as Irish nachos, homemade chips, sheperd’s pie, bangers and mash, ruebens and a variety of sliders.
 
It will be open Mondays and Thursdays, 4 p.m. to midnight; Fridays, 4 p.m. to 2 a.m.; Saturdays, noon to 2 a.m. and Sundays, noon to midnight.

DICKSON CITY, Pa. (AP) — A national pet store chain says it's investigating the death of a dog that was attacked in the grooming area of one of its Pennsylvania stores.

Betty Miller of Scranton tells WNEP-TV that she dropped off her dog, a 12-year-old Bichon named Brewster, at a PetSmart in Dickson City to get groomed. A short time later, she says a vet called to let her know that Brewster had been killed in an attack by another dog.

Miller says the attacker was a pit bull. She says she doesn't understand how the store allowed the dog to come near her pet. She says Brewster was "bait" for the other dog.

PetSmart says it's "truly saddened" by the incident and is investigating whether there were any violations of its policies and procedures.

Democrat Mark Powell has declared victory over Republican Gene Talerico in the race for Lackawanna County district attorney.

Powell, 53, has 23,389 votes to Talerico's 21,618, with 154 of 163 precincts reporting.

Talerico, 50, is a former first assistant district attorney of 16 years. Powell is a civil litigator and criminal defense attorney of 27 years.

"The voters have spoken," Powell told supporters at Nosh in Dickson City. He called his decision to run "the best decision of my professional life."  

The race was the first contested race for the district attorney's job since Andy Jarbola won in 2001.
District attorneys serve four-year terms and make $175,573 a year. A Democrat has not had the job since 1971.
Check back for updates.

UPDATE: Mulligan concedes mayor's race

------------------------------

Democratic Mayor Bill Courtright's lead has widened his lead again with most of the city's precincts reporting in the Scranton mayor's race.

Courtright leads Republican Jim Mulligan 7,216 votes to 6,811 votes.

In a city still 3 to 1 Democratic, Mulligan has shown respectably, but if he needs to close the gap soon. Courtright supporters are now feeling pretty confident of victory for their mayor, who would win his second four-year term in the $75,000-a-year job.


Soon after 10 p.m., Mulligan conceded the race.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania voters are giving their approval to a constitutional amendment that could eventually lead to property tax cuts.

The measure gives legal authorization for state lawmakers to pass a law to let local governments exempt the full value of homes from taxes.

But legislators would have to figure out how to replace the revenue should they take such a step.

Three hours after the polls closed, results were too close to call in contested judicial races for state Supreme, Superior and Commonwealth courts.

The biggest statewide contest pits Democratic Allegheny County Judge Dwayne Woodruff against Republican Supreme Court Justice Sallie Mundy for a seat on the state's highest court.

A former Dunmore councilman and two incumbents won three open seats on the council Tuesday, according to unofficial election results.

Former board member Tom Ehnot was the top vote-getter in the council race.

“I’m very excited, happy to win and looking forward to working with my fellow council members and keeping Dunmore moving in the right direction,” Ehnot said.

Ehnot previously served on the board from 1996 to 2000 and was appointed as councilman in 2013 to replace Vito Ruggiero, who had become borough manager.

Incumbents Tom Hallinan and Carol Scrimalli also won two of the three, four-year open seats. Dunmore council members are paid $3,000 annually.

Hallinan, who will serve his second term, said he plans to keep up the progress Dunmore has made, including improving streets, supporting the police and fire department, “and continuing in keeping our taxes down,” he said.

Paul Nardozzi, who previously served six terms on council, lost Tuesday. He congratulated the winners, who he called “fine folks.”

“Everybody who ran had the best interest of Dunmore at heart, as did I,” Nardozzi said.

Councilman Tim Burke defeated long-time Mayor Patrick “Nibs” Loughney in May and will now serve as mayor. The mayor’s salary is $6,000 annually for a four-year term.

Contact the writer: kbolus@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5114; @kbolusTT on Twitter.

DUNMORE

Borough council

(Vote for three)

Tom Ehnot (D/R) 2,474

Carol Scrimalli (D/R) 2,361

Tom Hallinan (D) 2,319

Paul J. Nardozzi (R) 1,231

Council, two-year

Michael Hayes (D/R) 2,721

Mayor

Tim Burke (D/R) 2,761

Controller

Andrew A. Genovese (D) 2,494

Tax collector

Louis A. Paciotti Jr. (D/R) 2,867

School board

(Vote for four)

Michael T. Coleman (D/R) 2,231

Michael Sid Hallinan (D/R) 2,110

Michael H. Butler (D/R) 2,081

John V. Summa (D/R) 2,077

In a four-way race for three Scranton City Council seats in Tuesday’s election, incumbents Bill Gaughan and Pat Rogan and former school board member Kyle Donahue, all Democrats, defeated Republican Tony DiBileo.

A council term runs four years with an annual salary of $12,500.

Gaughan topped the field to win his second term. Rogan finished in second place to land his third term. Placing third, Donahue will be new to council, according to unofficial results.

“I’m happy that the people of Scranton have the confidence in me to send me back for another four years,” Rogan said. “All in spite of the Scranton Times editorial board” that didn’t endorse him.

The Times-Tribune endorsed Gaughan and Donahue..

The winners will join Republican Wayne Evans and Democrat Tim Perry on the five-member council in January.

The election will change council with Donahue succeeding Joe Wechsler, who lost in the Democratic primary.

Gaughan often has been a strident critic of Mayor Bill Courtright and many of his policies and leadership, while Wechsler, the council president, Rogan and Perry have tended to back the mayor. Evans at times has bucked Courtright.

During the council campaign, Donahue and Gaughan voiced similar themes, particularly criticism of Courtright’s handling of the sewer sale completed in December and its post-closing period.

Gaughan and Donahue note the city faces potentially serious fiscal hurdles from separate, pending lawsuits, including one challenging the city’s unlimited taxing ability and another questioning the legality of disbursements of sewer-sale proceeds. A loss of one or more such lawsuits could cost the city tens of millions of dollars.

“We have real issues. We’re all going to have to work together and try to figure them out,” Donahue said. “That doesn’t mean agree all of the time. Nobody agrees 100 percent of the time.”

“There’s a lot of difficult situations that lie ahead,” Gaughan said. “I hope every council person thinks their own way and votes their own way.”

Meanwhile, Scranton Tax Collector Bill Fox ran uncontested and won a second, four-year term.

Contact the writer:

jlockwood@timesshamrock.com;

570-348-9100 x5185;

@jlockwoodTT on Twitter

SCRANTON

City council

(Vote for three)

 Bill Gaughan (D/R) 10,290

 Pat Rogan (D/R) 8,743

 Kyle Donahue (D) 8,296

Anthony DiBileo (R) 5,049

Tax collector

 Bill Fox (D) 10,418

The Dickson City mayor and Throop’s former mayor were elected to borough council seats tonight in their quests to move from largely ceremonial positions to roles providing more hands-on authority over municipal business.

After serving two terms on Dickson City Borough Council then switching to mayor the last four years, Stanley Prushinski won a four-year term on council, along with incumbents Robert Hall and Richard Cesari — with Ken Krouchick trailing, according to unofficial returns. Dickson City council members earn $4,000 per year.

Prushinski said it was tough to adjust to a role he described as being largely a figurehead after having more influence over borough business as a councilman.

“Anything you do as mayor, even with the police department, you have to go through council,” he said. “I was so used to previous 8 years — we put up a new building, didn’t raise taxes — I was used to getting things done.”

In Throop, Wayne Williams stepped down as mayor in February to fill a vacancy on borough council and won a two-year term as councilman Tuesday. Although he said he enjoyed being mayor, Williams expressed some similar sentiments to Prushinski.

“I wanted to actually get stuff done in my community,” he said. “You need to have a little bit of power and a voice to accomplish it.”

Former state Rep. Frank Shimkus was appointed mayor to succeed Williams but announced last month he is resigning to take Steve Corbett’s old WILK talk radio slot. Shimkus still appeared on the ballot Tuesday, but his Democratic primary opponent Joe Tropiak ran a write-in campaign.

Shimkus still advocated on social media that people vote for him anyway in hopes that council would appoint his wife to replace him.

“Please fill in the bubble for me!” Shimkus wrote on Facebook Monday. “If indeed I win, council will appoint someone to serve for the next two years. My wife Gabrielle would apply to be appointed so some of the programs I had planned can continue along with ideas and leadership from her.”

Unofficial returns listed Shimkus receiving 363 votes, but 428 write-in votes were cast in the race. The Lackawanna County elections department was unable to say how many votes went to Tropiak Tuesday night.

Vincent Tanana, Michael Chorba, Rich Kucharski and James Barnick also won four-year terms. Throop council members earn $1,850 annually.

In other contested races in the Midvalley, Republican Archbald Councilman John Shnipes Jr., lost his seat, with Francis Burke, Joseph Simon and Brian Gilgallon winning four-year terms. Council members there earn $2,500 annually.

For Jessup council, incumbent Joe Mellado won a four-year term in addition to Peter J. Larioni, Roberta Galati and Gregg Betti, with Joshua Seamans trailing. Jessup council members make $1,875 per year.

In the Jermyn mayor’s race, Republican Anthony Fuga Jr., defeated Jerry Bruno. In the council race, Democrat Kristen Dougherty was the top vote-getter, and Republican Cindy Stephens edged out Democrat Robert Parks III, by three votes.

ARCHBALD

Tax collector

(Vote for one)

Katie Grogan Noldy (D) 1,604

Brad Loff (R) 485

Borough council

(Vote for three)

 Francis X. Burke (D/R) 1,514

Joseph Simon (D/R) 1,339

 Brian Gilgallon (D) 1,285

John Shnipes Jr. (R) 910

Mayor

 Shirley Grabin Barrett (D/R) 1,750

Controller

 William D. Durkin (D/R) 1,693

BLAKELY

Borough council

(Vote for three)

 Joseph Munley (D/R) 1,146

 Jeffrey Cruciani (D) 1,116

 Louis R. Parri (D) 1,029

Mayor

 Jeanette Acciare-Mariani 1,320

(D/R)

Tax collector

 Deborah Vitkus Rotell (D) 1,240

DICKSON CITY

Borough council

(Vote for three)

 Robert E. Hall Jr. (D/R) 961

 Richard Cesari (D/R) 891

Stanley Prushinski (D) 813

Ken Krouchick (R) 745

Mayor

 Robert W. Maccallum (D/R) 1,184

Controller

 Barbara Keegan Mecca (D/R) 1,039

Tax collector

 Geraldine J. Prushinski (D/R) 1,106

JERMYN

Mayor

(Vote for one)

Anthony Fuga Jr. (R) 302

Jerry Bruno (D) 203

Borough council

(Vote for two)

 Kristen Dougherty (D/R) 343

Cindy Stephens (R) 251

Robert P. Parks III (D) 248

Tax collector

(Vote for one)

 Ann Marie Desanto (D) 335

Christine Price (R) 175

JESSUP

Borough council

(Vote for four)

 Joe Mellado (D/R) 1,101

 Peter J. Larioni (D/R) 1,063

 Roberta Galati (D/R) 1,034

 Gregg Betti (D) 941

Joshua Seamans (R) 615

Mayor

 Joseph J. Buckshon Jr. (D/R) 1,206

Tax collector

 Genie Lupini (D/R) 1,308

Controller

 Robert Wasilchak (D/R) 1,201

MID VALLEY SCHOOL DISTICT

Region 1 (Vote for two)

 Steven Vituszynski (R/D) 606

 James Devoe (R/D) 543

Region 3 (Vote for two)

 Brian M. Foley (R/D) 553

 Mary Ruth Gaffney Tanner (R/D) 640

THROOP

Borough council

(Vote for four)

 Vincent Tanana (D/R) 431

 Richard T. Kucharski (D) 422

 Michael Chorba (D/R) 418

 James Barnick (D/R) 370

Wayne Williams (R) 213

Two-year

 Wayne Williams (D) 581

Mayor

Frank Andrews Shimkus (D/R) 363

Tax collector

Adam F. Nosak (D/R) 821

Voters tasked two incumbents and two political newcomers with trying to solve the problems of the Scranton School District.

Katie Gilmartin and Barbara Dixon will join current directors Robert Casey and Mark McAndrew on the Scranton School Board. Frank Torquato, who said he never expected to win, came in last place, according to unofficial vote results. Each of the four-year terms are unpaid.

The new board faces extreme financial challenges, including passing a balanced budget by the end of December. Even if the district can close a projected $25 million hole in the 2018 budget, the district still faces a general fund deficit expected to reach $40 million by the end of the year. Closing the budget gap for next year will lead to job losses and program cuts in 2018. The state placed the district on financial watch status this summer — the first in a series of steps that could eventually lead to state receivership.

Gilmartin, the top vote-getter, said she’s excited to get started.

“There’s nowhere to go but up. We just have to put our heads together and be reasonable,” she said. “I think we can do it. If we work together and cut out the nonsense, we can get a lot done.”

Dixon, a retired principal, said she is eager to make the tough decisions ahead.

“I just can’t wait to get in there and roll my sleeves up and assess where we’re at,” she said. “After 30 years invested in the district, I have a chance to hopefully make some kind of difference.”

Last month, state Auditor General Eugene DePasquale issued a scathing audit report, claiming the district budgeted recklessly, gave health insurance to nonemployees, paid unapproved rate increases to its no-bid bus contractor and provided questionable payouts to former employees.

Casey, who won election to his second term, said he wants to make strides to correct the errors of past school boards.

“The two new members of the board will have to learn on the fly,” Casey said. “It’s going to be difficult, but I think when we act as one... we can solve some things.”

McAndrew said he knows many tough decisions are ahead.

“I’m looking forward to working with every other director to move the district in the right direction,” he said.

Contact the writer: shofius@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9133; @hofiushallTT on Twitter

SCRANTON

School board

(Vote for four)

 Katie Gilmartin (D/R) 9,959

 Mark McAndrew (D/R) 8,466

 Barbara Dixon (D/R) 7,977

 Robert Casey (D) 6,978

Frank Torquato (R) 4,969

In a race dominated by sewer talk, Scranton voters rewarded Mayor Bill Courtright for the city’s improved financial picture by reelecting him, according to unofficial results from the election Tuesday.

With all but one of the 48 city precincts reporting, Courtright led Republican lawyer Jim Mulligan by 405 votes. Courtright’s margin narrowed from 2013 when he defeated Mulligan by 1,553 votes, but remained more than large enough to earn the mayor a second four-year term in the $75,000-a-year job.

Looking at times like he would burst into shed tears of joy, Courtright thanked family, friends and other supporters gathered at the Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel, long a symbol of the city’s slow-going renaissance.

“Four more years, four more years, four more years,” they chanted as Courtright stepped up to a podium in the hotel’s main ballroom.

“So this isn’t a victory for Bill Courtright, this is a victory for the city of Scranton,” Courtright declared. “We did the right thing for the city of Scranton and we’re going to continue to do the right thing for the city of Scranton.”

Courtright singled out members of the city’s Indian community — the city’s “fast-growing community,” he called it — for their support and thanked his cabinet for the city’s financial progress.

“So we’re going to celebrate tonight and get back to work tomorrow,” he said.

Courtright credited his victory to better-than-anticipated support in the city’s Green Ridge and Hill Section neighborhoods, a point Mulligan conceded in an interview. Courtright said people tired of the extended controversy over his $195 million sale of the Scranton Sewer Authority.

“I think they saw the city moving in a positive direction, especially financially,” he said. “It’s something I heard (as he went door to door). So many people were pleased when I knocked on the door that we’re finally going to get rid of that distressed label that we have.”

Residents also praised his street paving and savings from new LED streetlights, something “I really didn’t think the people would take grasp of,” he said.

A disappointed Mulligan, who hoped to become the first Republican elected mayor in 20 years, thanked his supporters for allowing him to take “an incredible journey.” With his large family around him in a ballroom at Posh — directly across Mulberry Street from City Hall — he applauded Courtright for his victory.

“I want to thank all the people of Scranton, even those who didn’t support me because the city is facing a number of serious challenges and we need to be united,” he said. “And so I would ask, as you leave here tonight, that we stand united and support Mayor Courtright as he goes forward.”

The sewer system sale to Pennsylvania American Water Co. deeply riled voters. Mulligan repeatedly criticized Courtright not only for selling the sewer authority, but also for the $3.1 million paid to lawyers for the deal, many of whom contributed to the mayor’s campaign. Mulligan’s chief target was the $200,000 paid to Edwin Abrahamsen, who contributed more than $42,000 to Courtright’s election campaigns, far more money than anyone else. Mulligan said Courtright broke the city administrative code by never seeking other proposals for the legal work Abrahamsen did.

Courtright, who also chose Abrahamsen for $200,000 worth of work on a major Scranton Parking Authority restructuring, said he never broke the law because authority money paid the lawyers.

The mayor fired back by questioning Mulligan receiving about $90,000 worth of health insurance benefits during five years as sewer authority co-solicitor, despite a state law that forbids appointed officials from receiving the benefits. Mulligan said he took the benefits because the sewer authority offered and approved them, but the mayor said an authority lawyer should know the law that governs it.

Courtright also criticized Mulligan for collecting more than $250,000 in legal fees from the sewer authority while twice facing liens for failing to pay sewer bills, for past overdue parking tickets and past failures to pay debts, which produced lawsuits by companies trying to get their money back.

Mulligan said he’s like a lot of people who sometimes fall behind on their bills.

Courtright argued the city had to sell the sewer system to avoid bankruptcy and highlighted the real possibility the city could shed its 25-year-old state-imposed financially distressed status in three years if all continues to go well .

“Twenty years of progress in less than four years,” Courtright’s campaign boasted, paraphrasing a Pennsylvania Economy League description.

Mulligan promised to end what he called corruption in City Hall and said he would expand the city’s tax base by recruiting West Coast businesses looking for an East Coast presence.

“Maybe they can’t afford Manhattan, but they can afford Scranton,” he said.

SCRANTON

Mayor

(Vote for one)

 William Courtright (D) 7,216

Jim Mulligan (R) 6,811

Lackawanna County voters turned an overwhelming thumbs-down on reassessment in Tuesday’s election, a result rendered little more than a straw poll by a state appeals court decision early in the day.

With all of the county’s 163 precincts reporting, the ballot question that would authorize the county to borrow up to $13 million to perform the first comprehensive revaluation of all land and buildings in the county for the first time in almost 50 years failed 66 percent to 34 percent, according to unofficial results.

It was, however, an outcome without weight.

In a ruling released around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday — 3½ hours after polls across the county opened — Commonwealth Court upheld an Oct. 31 decision by a panel of three county judges that invalidated the ballot question and declared its results null and void.

Commissioners Patrick O’Malley and Laureen Cummings, who voted to put the issue on the ballot, expressed disappointment with the state court’s ruling.

As the votes rolled in Tuesday night and it became apparent the ballot question would be defeated, both O’Malley and Cummings suggested voters have had the final say on reassessment, whether the courts recognize the results as valid or not.

Calling it “democracy at work,” O’Malley said county voters are smart and deserved the right to decide whether the county performs a reassessment.

“This is what I wanted to see — just how the people would vote. ... I wanted the people to speak, and I think they spoke,” O’Malley said.

Cummings, who opposes reassessment and pushed for the question’s defeat, said the final tally will show that people “just don’t want” reassessment.

“I think the numbers speak for themselves at this point,” Cummings said.

O’Malley said the commissioners will hold a press conference today to talk more about the ballot question results.

The question asked: “Shall the Lackawanna County Commissioners incur debt not to exceed $13 (Thirteen Million) Dollars solely for the purpose of conducting a countywide revision of assessment so that all real estate within the county will be assessed at a predetermined ratio of 100% of a new base-year value?”

The Commonwealth Court decision grew out of a challenge filed last month in county court by insurance executive Chuck Volpe and produce farmer Keith Eckel, who argued the referendum language was vague, misleading and confusing. In a 2-1 ruling, county judges agreed.

In voiding the question and the results, Senior Judge Robert Mazzoni and Judge James Gibbons branded the wording “unintelligible.” Senior Judge Carmen Minora dissented from the majority decision.

Commonwealth Court rejected the commissioners’ appeal and affirmed the county court ruling in a brief, two-sentence order. The state court said an opinion in support of its order would follow, but it had not been filed as of Tuesday night.

Lackawanna County has not performed a comprehensive reassessment since 1968. That makes its assessed values, which are used by the county, municipalities and school districts to calculate real estate taxes, the second oldest in Pennsylvania.

Proponents contend a revaluation of the county’s 101,000 properties is needed to restore uniformity to assessed values that have grown increasingly out of whack over the past 50 years, resulting in some property owners paying far more than their fair share of taxes and others paying far less.

Contact the writer: dsingleton@timesshamrock.com, 570-348-9132

No 26,488

Yes 13,456

DURYEA

The owner of a popular Luzerne County restaurant announced on Tuesday he’s closing by year’s end.

AuRants will serve its last customers on New Year’s Eve, said chef and owner Dave Ciminelli. Known for his tattooed arms and signature dishes, Ciminelli will work with area chef Michael Langdon, who is building his own restaurant, Alter House in Clarks Summit, set to open in February.

Ciminelli said after eight years of running the business, much of it on his own, he wants to hone his craft and creativity.

He and Langdon have complementary styles, Ciminelli said, and he expects they’ll collaborate well together.

— JON O’CONNELL

SCRANTON

Man indicted on

robbery charges

A federal grand jury indicted a homeless man on charges he robbed the Honesdale National Bank in Olyphant on Oct. 20.

John Ryall, 38, entered the bank wearing a ski mask and carrying a gun and demanded tellers put money in a bag, according to Scott Twp. police. Tellers gave him $5,255, according to officials. The robbery was thwarted by a customer, who slammed Ryall into a wall and stripped him of the mask, gun and money, leading Ryall to flee. Officers captured him a short time later.

Police initially charged Ryall with robbery, aggravated assault, terroristic threats and other offenses. The case was referred to federal authorities. A grand jury issued an indictment Tuesday charging Ryall with one count of bank robbery.

—TERRIE MORGAN-BESECKER

CARBONDALE

Man found dead

in Carbondale

A man is dead after an incident on North Scott Street on Tuesday night.

Crews responded to a building on the street to find a man wedged between a forklift and a trailer, Carbondale fire Chief Chris Pezak said.

Lackawanna County Coroner Tim Rowland said it is believed the man either fell or collapsed from or near the forklift. The man is from Scranton and was born in 1981, Rowland said.

Carbondale police are investigating. An autopsy is pending, Rowland said.

— CLAYTON OVER

Incumbents had a great election day in the Abingtons.

Sitting councilmen, supervisors and school board members swept contested races in the region, with Scott Twp. being the sole exception. Clarks Green saw three incumbent councilmen retain seats. Councilman Alan Hughes, the top vote getter in the borough, cited good chemistry among the group as a reason for the success Tuesday.

“We have a nice council and mayor and we’ve worked (well) together and been able to be fiscally responsible, paving roads and improving infrastructure without raising taxes,” Hughes said.

Hughes had 318 votes and councilmen William Toms and Joseph Barrasse notched 282 and 278 votes respectively, according to unofficial results. Former councilwoman Maureen O’Dea Palmer garnered 244 votes, not enough to win a seat. Clarks Green council members serve four year terms and are paid $1,800 annually.

While a sitting supervisor did not win reelection to the Scott Twp. board of supervisors, a familiar face will take office in January.

Former supervisor Michael Giannetta, running as an independent, garnered 743 votes Tuesday, more than enough to defeat Republican Supervisor Edward Hlavaty and Democratic challenger Bob “Rocko” Mroczka. Hlavaty netted 338 votes and Mroczka 400 votes, according to unofficial results.

Giannetta previously served on the board of supervisors before losing to Supervisor Steven Russell in 2015. He could not be reached for comment Tuesday night. Scott Twp. supervisors serve six year terms and earn $1,500 annually.

Abington Heights School Director Louise Brzuchalski also won reelection Tuesday night, defeating Cheryl Scandale-Murnin 3,141 votes to 2,254 votes. Brzuchalski could not be reached for comment Tuesday night.

Abington Heights school board members serve four year terms and are not paid.

In other contested races in the Abingtons area, Benton Twp. Republican Supervisor Larry Seymour staved off a challenge from Democrat Robert Pawlukovich and Greenfield Twp. Republican Supervisor Joseph Slebodnik defeated Democrat Gerald Snyder Jr.

In Ransom Twp., Republican Al Myers won election to the board of supervisors, defeating Democrat James Murphy Jr.

Township supervisors in Benton, Greenfield and Ransom townships serve six year terms. Benton Twp. supervisors earn $25 a meeting. Greenfield and Ransom township supervisors earn $1,800 and $1,875 a year respectively.

Contact the writer: cover@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5363; @ClaytonOver on Twitter

ABINGTON HEIGHTS
SCHOOL DISTRICT

AT LARGE, VOTE FOR ONE

 Louise C. Brzuchalski (D)

3141

Cheryl Scandale-Murnin (R) 2254

Region 1

 Michele M. Tierney (R/D) 1730

Region 2

 Michele M. Pusateri (R/D) 1655

Region 3

 Jeanne Cadman (R/D) 1266

BENTON TWP.

Supervisor

(Vote for one, 2 candidates)

 Larry Seymour (R) 337

Robert Pawlukovich (D) 242

Tax collector

 Donita Wright (R) 497

CLARKS GREEN BOROUGH COUNCIL

4-Year

(Vote for three, 4 candidates)

 Alan Hughes (D/R) 318

 William Bill Toms (D/R)

282

 Joseph Barrasse (R) 278

Maureen O’Dea Palmer (D) 244

Council, two-year

 David J. Rinaldi (D/R) 362

Mayor

 William Thorburn (D/R) 389

Tax collector

 Mary V. O’Brien (D/R) 376

CLARKS SUMMIT

Borough council

(Four-year, uncontested)

 Gerrie Fitzgerald Carey (D/R)

952

 Patrick Williams (D) 758

 M. Vincent Cruciani (R) 758

(Council, two-year)

 Frank Besten (D) 831

Mayor

 Herman R. Johnson (D/R)

1098

Tax collector

 Kathy Drake (D) 929

DALTON

Borough council

 Leonard C. Peters Jr. (D/R)

229

 Jared Gard (R) 203

 John W. Montgomery (R) 192

 Gus Vlassis (R) 190

Mayor

 Aaron T. Holzman (R) 269

Tax collector

 Margaret Peg Sheppard (R)

269

GLENBURN TWP.

Auditor

 Ellen Clendenning (R) 6-year term 251

Susan K. D’Amato (D) 2-year unexpired term 227

Supervisor

 William Wicks (R) 180

Tax collector

 Georgiann Eccleston (I) 227

GREENFIELD TWP.

Supervisor

(Vote for one, 2 candidates)

 Joseph G. Slebodnik (R) 348

Gerald J. Snyder, Jr. (D) 303

Auditor

 Charlie Lubash (D) 471

Tax collector

 Donald J. Flynn (D/R) 578

LACKAWANNA TRAIL SCHOOL DISTRICT

Region 1

Kevin J. Mulhern (R/D)

Region 2

Adrian Bianchi (R/D) 431

Region 3

Deborah C. Naylor (R/D) 408

Philip R. Stark (R/D) 359

LAPLUME TWP.

Supervisor, six-year

 Thomas A. Dickinson (R)

75

Supervisor, four-year

 Bruce A. Van Fleet (D) 75

NEWTON TWP.

Supervisor

 Kevin Carr (D/R) 541

Tax collector

 Jennifer Kwiatkowski (D/R)

540

NORTH ABINGTON TWP

Supervisor

 Gary R. Wilding (R) 134

Tax collector

 Betty L. Opsasnick (R) 131

RANSOM TWP.

Supervisor

(Vote for one, 2 candidates)

 Al Myers (R) 245

James J. Murphy Jr. (D)

110

Tax collector

 Lenay Blackwell (R) 293

SCOTT TWP.

Supervisor

(Vote for one, 3 candidates)

 Michael Giannetta (I) 743

Edward R. Hlavaty (R) 338

Bob Rocko Mroczka (D) 400

Tax collector

 Michael Ciuccoli (D) 1155

Auditor

 John D. Ward (D) 863

SOUTH ABINGTON TWP.

Supervisor

 Mark T. Dougherty (R) 1289

Tax collector

 Scott R. Thorpe (D) 1402

WAVERLY TWP.

Supervisor, six-year

 William J. Byron (D) 361

Supervisor, two-year

 Ronald A. Whitaker (R) 320

 Ilona Thurston (D) 360

WEST ABINGTON TWP.

Supervisor, four-year

 Richard Schirg (R) 77

Clifton Twp. voted down a referendum to increase the board of supervisors from three to five members at the polls Tuesday.

Unofficial results show 200 votes against the increase and 145 in favor.

Incumbent supervisor June Ejk, a Republican, defeated Democrat challenger Craig “Woody” Wood, winning 182 votes to his 172 for the six-year term. She was the lone supervisor pushing for a larger board.

She blamed an opposition campaign that said more supervisors would cost taxpayers more. Clifton Twp. supervisors are paid $1,800 annually.

“Supervisors don’t get that kind of pay to have raised the taxes,” she said, adding that she looks forward to six more years of serving the community.

The only other contested North Pocono area races were in Jefferson Twp., where voters gave Republican Jason B. Hollister 255 more votes than Democrat John L. Peters Sr. for the six-year township supervisor term. Supervisors earn $1,875 annually.

Hollister said he is honored voters chose him. He aspires to increase transparency and modernize the township, he said.

“The township website’s drastically in need of an overhaul,” he said. “The last meeting minutes that are currently posted there are from 2014, so there’s really been a lack of interface that the residents have with the local government.”

Republican Karen Theobald bested Democrat Nancy C. Utter in the tax collector’s race, with 55 percent of the vote. Tax collectors earn 5 percent of what they collect.

In the auditor’s race, Republican Dolly Canterbury beat Democrat Paula Lee Sorg for the six-year term. Auditors are not paid.

Contact the writer: joconnell@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9131; @jon_oc on Twitter.

CLIFTON TWP.

Supervisor

(Vote for One)

 June Ejk (R) 182

Craig Woody Wood (D) 172

Referendum to increase size of board of supervisors by two additional supervisors

 NO 200

YES 145

Tax collector

 Susan Grab (D) 269

COVINGTON TWP.

Supervisor

 Marlene Beavers (D/R) 422

 Thomas M. Yerke (D/R) 386

Tax collector

 Kate Tierney (D/R) 502

ELMHURST TWP.

Supervisor

 Merle Lyon (R) 126

JEFFERSON TWP.

Supervisor

(Vote for one)

 Jason B. Hollister (R) 595

John L. Peters, Sr. (D) 340

Tax collector

(Vote for one)

 Karen Theobald (R) 643

Nancy C. Utter (D) 534

Auditor

(Vote for one)

 Dolly Canterbury (R) 635

Paula Lee Sorg (D) 427

MADISON TWP.

Supervisor

 Philip Setzer (D/R) 411

Tax collector

 Donna Smith (R) 417

MOSCOW

Borough council

 Arthur Pencek (R) 332

 William P. Heim (D) 315

 Dan Hanna (D) 298

Mayor

 Rosemarie Warner (D/R) 440

Tax collector

 Constance A. Sanko (D/R) 462

NORTH POCONO SCHOOL DISTRICT

Region 1

 Tony Cantafio (D/R) 481

 R. Mark Powell (D/R) 466

 Carl P. Scartelli (D/R) 454

Region 2

 Howard McIntosh (D/R) 975

ROARING BROOK TWP.

Auditor

 Catherine Schield (R) 334

Supervisor

 Tony Jordan (D/R) 396

Tax collector

 Ann Marie Strempek (D) 345

SPRINGBROOK TWP.

Supervisor

 Jason C. McLain (R) 409

 Mary A. Nicosia (D) 278

Tax collector

 Cheryl Bosley, (D) 423

THORHURST TWP.

Supervisor

 Charles Stout (D) 122

Tax collector

 Tammara Berry (D) 111

A former Old Forge School District teacher who was fired by the school board in March will now serve as a school director, according to unofficial results.

Christopher Cesare Thomas, who also served as a principal from 2009-2016, said he submitted his letter of resignation to the district on July 19 in order to run for school board. As a director, Thomas will serve a four year term with no salary.

“I have the letter, and they have the letter,” Thomas said. “July 19, I resigned my position in the Old Forge School District.”

According to the Old Forge Board of Education’s meeting minutes from March 22, director Frank Scavo, who ran unopposed for a two year term, motioned for Thomas’ termination. The Times-Tribune also reported in April that Thomas was fired in March.

“I can confirm to you in fact that Mr. Thomas was terminated at the meeting,” Scavo said.

Scavo never heard of a resignation or saw a letter of resignation, he said. On Tuesday, he was unsure of the official reason Thomas was fired.

Thomas wanted to run for school board to improve the district by instilling new leadership and ideas, he said.

“It’s been about a message of making our school great again,” Thomas said.

Contact the writer: flesnefsky@timesshamrock.com, 570-348-9100 x5186

MOOSIC

Borough council

✓Charles Maurer Jr. (R/D) 1,230

✓ James Thomas (R/D) 1,168

✓ James J. Norton (R/D) 1,112

✓ John Tilberry (R/D) 1,053

Mayor

✓ James Segilia (D/R) 1,425

Tax collector

✓ Bryan J. Fauver (D/R) 1,419

OLD FORGE

Mayor

(Vote for one, 2 candidates)

✓ Robert J. Legg (D) 1,593

Michael Komensky (R) 902

Borough council

(Vote for three, 4 candidates)

✓ Bob Semenza (D) 1,595

✓ James J. Hoover (R) 1,562

✓ Joseph Lenceski (D) 1,553

Robert W. Hughes (D) 774

Borough council, two-year

✓ Rick Notari (D/R) 2,028

Tax collector

✓ Gary A. Propersi (D/R) 2,169

Controller

(Vote for one, 2 candidates)

✓ Louis Mancuso (D) 1,406

Kim Butts-Bucari (R) 851

School board

(Vote for four, 5 candidates)

✓ Alisha Marmo (D/R) 1,665
✓ Patrick Aulisio (D/R) 1,655

✓ Joan Wilk (D/R) 1,360

✓ Christopher Cesare Thomas (R) 1,302

Kelly Dougher-Tansley (D) 1,091

School board, two-year

✓ Frank Scavo (D/R) 1,753

TAYLOR

Mayor

(Vote for one, 2 candidates)

✓ Ted Praschak (R) 717

Richard Bowen (D) 663

Tax collector

(Vote for one, 2 candidates)

✓ Luann Krenitsky (D) 815

Pamela Sparacino (R) 504

Borough council

✓ James Digwood (R/D) 980

✓ Kenneth F. Mickavicz (R/D) 915
✓ Chuck Mckeel (R/D) 913

✓ John Tigue (R/D) 913

RIVERSIDE

School board

✓ Barbara Fedor (D/R) 1,959
✓ Carol K. Armstrong (D/R) 1,954

✓ Tara Meredick (D/R) 1,907

✓ Dan Nenish (D/R) 1,699

Incumbents fared well in the few contested Upvalley races Tuesday, but a political newcomer claimed a seat on the Valley View School Board, according to unofficial election results.

In Region 3, Democrat Tina Jezuit beat Republican James Moran by 206 votes to claim victory in her first ever political race.

“To be honest, it’s a dream come true,” said Jezuit, who holds a degree in elementary education from the University of Scranton and founded two local nonprofit organizations to assist children battling cancer and hunger, respectively. “I don’t have any of my own children, so the next natural progression for me, after lobbying in Harrisburg and Washington, D.C. for kids’ rights, was to bring that home and help kids in Valley View School District.”

Meanwhile, in Region 1, incumbent board members Ellen Nielsen and Tom Owen, with 40.75 percent and 37.25 percent of the vote, respectively, claimed victory against challenger Maria Ruby, who earned 21.54 percent of the vote. School directors serve for 4-year terms and do not collect a salary.

In Olyphant, where four candidates faced off for three borough council seats, incumbents Gerard Tully, 857 votes; David R. Krukovitz, 726 votes; and Jimmy Baldan, 699 votes, all Democrats, won reelection. Republican challenger Lauren Telep finished fourth with 603 votes.

“Myself and the rest of council, we work very hard in trying to keep our community happy with the work we’re doing,” Tully said after winning his fifth term. “Working together ... works to the advantage of the town.”

Olyphant hasn’t raised property taxes in more than 20 years and plans to undertake a major paving project in the coming years, Tully said. Members of Olyphant Borough Council are paid $2,500 per year and serve 4-year terms.

Finally, in the race for Fell Township Tax Collector, Democrat Carol Barrese bested Republican Kirsten Arendt by 96 votes. The township’s tax collector earns an annual salary of 5 percent of taxes collected and serves a 4-year term.

Contact the writer: jhorvath@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9141; @jhorvathTT on Twitter.

CARBONDALE AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT

Region 1

 James Dovin (D/R) 560

Two-year unexpired term

 Lynnette Lepre-Vandeusen (D)

502

Region 2

 Paul M. Kaczmarcik (D/R) 446

 John Jigger Jordan (D/R) 422

Region 3

 Cindy Turonis-Artone (D/R) 465

Two-year unexpired term

 David J. Osborne (D/R) 462

CARBONDALE

City council

 Mary Lagana (D) 901

 John Masco Jr. (D) 802

Two-year term

 Tom Voglino (D) 880

 Walter Martzen (D) 877

CARBONDALE TWP.

Auditor

 Sandra Russo (D) 193

Supervisor

 Paul N. Figliomeni (D) 218

Tax collector

 Mary Ann S. Gonsauls(D/R)

232

FELL TWP.

Tax collector

(Vote for one)

 Carol Barrese (D) 308

Kirsten Arendt (R) 212

Supervisor

Six-year

 Joseph Trichilo (D) 418

Supervisor

Six-year uncontested, four-year

 Andy Gorel (D/R) 448

LAKELAND SCHOOL DISTRICT

Region 1

 Mark Solomon (D/R)1,052

Region 2

 Patrick Gallagher (D/R) 472

 Aurelio Catanzaro (D/R) 423

Region 3

 Stan Bednash (D/R) 1,181

MAYFIELD

Borough council

 Janice R. Joyce (D/R) 300

 Maryanne L. Petrokonis (D/R)

275

 Diana Campbell (D/R) 274

Mayor

 Alexander J. Chelik (D/R) 318

Tax collector

 Diane Bachak (D/R) 338

OLYPHANT

Borough council

(Vote for three)

 Gerard Jerry Tully (D) 857

 David R. Krukovitz (D) 726

 Jimmy Baldan (D) 699

Lauren T. Telep, (R) 603

VALLEY VIEW SCHOOL DISTRICT

Region 1

(Vote for 2)

 Ellen Nielsen (D/R) 1,421

 Tom Owen (D) 1,299

Maria Ruby (R) 751

Region 3

(Vote for 1)

 Tina Jezuit (D) 846

James Moran (R) 640

VANDLING

Borough council

 John T. Carachilo (D) 111

Mayor

 Joseph Brady (D) 125

Tax collector

 Mary Ann Risboskin (D) 134

OLYPHANT

Mayor

 John Sedlak Jr. (D) 963

Tax collector

 James A. Liparulo (D) 1,051

Controller

 Robert L. Hooper (D) 953

VALLEY VIEW SCHOOL DISTRICT

Region 2

 Joseph F. Mondak (D/R) 1,263