For those who have been following the comments of the 7/25 post, the heading of this post comes as no surprise. Without getting into the specifics of what may (or may not) have occurred between Attorney Raymond Davis, a county employee and the commissioners, the fact remains that a petition was filed against Attorney Davis which was shortly thereafter discontinued. Several who read and write on this blog believe Attorney Davis was wrongly accused. Based on the postings on this subject, this writer has to agree.
As noted by justabumpkin, the law community as well as posters to this blog expressed grave concern about the potential for conflict of interest issues with the (now) minority commissioner. It appears that their concerns were probably well founded. One poster noted that this may be the tip of the iceberg. Great. Three and a half more years of this?
There is a simple answer to the minority commissioner’s (or any commissioner for that matter) participation in the appeals board, where there is a conflict of interest. In other counties, Lackawanna being the example here, they have a pool of private citizens who, on a rotating basis, make up the appeals board. Yes, they are paid. However, in the case of Susquehanna County, a much smaller pool could be generated, and used where conflicts of interest or other inability of a commissioner to serve exists. Thus, a full board could exist at all times. In the long run, it would almost certainly be less expensive to the taxpayers than a suit against the county, such as we are currently probably facing from Raymond Davis.
Now the ball is in Davis’ court. If a suit is filed by Davis, it would cost the county taxpayers money to defend against. This writer believes that the although Davis would have a reasonable chance to prevail, the cost to the taxpayers, and him professionally (money is NOT the issue here) could exceed a positive outcome.
Maybe the situation could be resolved by both Ms. Warren and Mr. Giangriecco making a public apology to Mr. Davis and resolving to correct the conflict issues as they currently exist. But that would be too simple…
So, let the games continue with the taxpayers on the hook to pay for the egos involved here. What a waste of your money and mine.
A public apology from Little Mussolini himself? Are you kidding? You don’t understand the extent of ego and narcissism you’re dealing with here. Commissioner Warren? Perhaps, though I doubt it. Were it to be given I believe Attorney Davis would be satisfied and forego any civil suit against the county.
While there are no doubt a lot of readers of this blog, might I suggest also letters to the editor of our local newspapers on the wastefulness of this ego-motivated fiasco. Quite frankly, there’s a lot more circulation of an important issue there. Covering both bases wouldn’t hurt.
There will be no public apology. There will be no answers. There will be no accountability. It is a sad testament to the current commissioners that they so willingly slander a good man - and then eliminate his ability to respond — like a drive-by shooting — the Commissioners have fired there shots, got their press coverage, and are squealing around the corner with glee and laughter as Attorney Davis is left with the injuries.
I agree that letters to the editors are in order — as many as possible — and perhaps the press will dig deeper into this whole affair.
Today, a reader of this blog shared a comment made by Attorney Davis regarding the current disaster. The comment made by Davis was that “This is far from over”.
Write your letters to the editor sooner than later. This matter needs to be totally exposed to the light of day. The residents and taxpayers of Susquehanna County need and deserve answers.
As predicted, the Independent today reported that the County is going ahead with “ITS” appeal of Giangrieco’s dismissal from the Assessment Board of Appeals. For heaven’s sakes, WHY should the taxpayers pay for an appeal that arises SOLELY from Giangrieco’s PRIVATE LAW PRACTICE and his insistence on crossing the ethics and conflicts line time and time again??? LET HIM PAY THE FREIGHT ON HIS OWN APPEAL!!! This is totally out of line and the public should be outraged!
On the Clean and Green scene, the County has announced it will be rolling back taxes on lands where EITHER stone quarries have been permitted OR gas wells drilled. This is a sudden shift in longstanding policy as the Assessment Office has long been excepting out of C&G only the actual acres used in the stone quarry operation. Apparently now a stone quarry will result in rollback of ALL the enrolled land. How is this in compliance with the PA Constitution’s requirement of uniformity in taxation? On this issue both the quarrymen and gas lessors should be up in arms.
At this rate the commissioners will soon have the entire populace outraged, if they haven’t already. We warned you.
So what are the mechanics for filing a complaint with the Disciplinary Board regarding Mr. Giangrieco’s actions? Or is there sufficient cause at this point?
By the way, this post has struck more than a few nerves. This is the most viewed of any post in the history of this blog.
Thanks for reading - and keep posting!