MERCER Commissioners hire lawyers for the public

The commissioners also made some appointments to boards and committees.
MERCER, Pa. -- County commissioners have awarded contracts to five attorneys to provide legal services to defendants who cannot be represented by the Public Defender's Office.
They are Randy Hetrick, 65 cases at $26,000; Jarrett Whalen, 50 cases at $20,000; Paul Powers, 25 cases at $10,000; Ted Isoldi, 20 cases at $8,000; and David Graham, 15 cases at $6,000.
They also approved a contract with Atty. Lori Ross for $13,000 to provide legal counsel to children involved with juvenile probation and Children and Youth Services who cannot be represented by the Public Defender's Office.
Directors: Commissioners appointed Denny Puko and James Rust as Mercer County Conservation District directors for four-year terms to run from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2006.
They also ratified a housing agreement between the Mercer County Prison Board and Warren County Jail for $50 per day per prisoner.
They hired Traci Michaels and Sherwood Raymer as full-time correctional officers at the county jail at $10.77 per hour and Sherry Penzerro as afternoon supervisor at the E-911 Center at $25,3021 per year.
They also accepted the recommendation of the prison board to create a part-time clerical position for cost collections in the Intermediate Punishment Program.
Preserving courthouse: Commissioners named these people to serve on the Courthouse Preservation Committee:Thomas Darby, Timothy Bennett, F. William Knecht, Judge Francis Fornelli of common pleas court, Dean Alexander, Earl Miller, Atty. Donald McKay, William Philson, Shirley Ibbs and John Johnson. Commissioners will next meet Thursday.