NEW CASTLE Elisco plans to seek commissioner's seat
Elisco said he would make the job a part-time position.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Mark Elisco is hoping to move from city council to a seat as a Lawrence County commissioner.
Elisco, 47, of Ryan Avenue, announced Tuesday he will not seek a fourth term on council, but will go after one of the three county commissioners seats up for election in 2003.
Elisco, an assistant principal in the New Castle Area School District, promised a change in county government.
He said he would support hiring a full-time business administrator and making the position of county commissioner a part-time job. Elisco said he would continue his full-time job as a school administrator if elected.
"I always refused to believe that three people elected by popular vote [are] automatically qualified to run a $25 million business. The county needs a business administrator and it needs part time commissioners doing legislative work, and making part-time pay -- not $50,000 per year," he said.
Elisco said his time on city council has also convinced him of the need for regionalization.
Elisco is the first Democrat to publicly announce his candidacy for county commissioner.
Republican Dan Vogler, who is a Neshannock Township supervisor, has also announced he will run for county commissioner in the coming election.