LAWRENCE COUNTY State senator fights coroner nomination

The state senator said he will only vote for a qualified Democrat to fill the job.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- It appears that the governor's nominee for Lawrence County coroner will not get the necessary votes in the state senate to take the job.
State Sen. Gerald LaValle of Rochester, D-47th, said he will ask his fellow Democrats to oppose the nomination because he believes a Democrat, not a Republican, should fill the post.
On March 19, Gov. Mark Schweiker recommended Theo O. McCracken, 75, of Beckford Street, a retired Lawrence County funeral director and a Republican, fill the post. The governor's recommendation must be approved by at least two-third of the state senate, or 33 members. There are 29 Republicans and 21 Democrats in the state senate.
LaValle, who represents most of Lawrence County, said he will ask fellow Democrats not to vote for McCracken. He noted that, as a common courtesy, party members will not vote for a governor's nominee without approval from the senator in that district.
Reason for opposition: "My position is the people of Lawrence County elected a Democrat to that position and there are at least two or three Democrats interested who are qualified," he said. "I think the same would apply if the position were held by a Republican. It's certainly not a personal thing with Mr. McCracken. He's an outstanding guy. The fact is we have to do things in Harrisburg that represent the will of the people."
Russell S. Noga, acting coroner, and Roger M. DeCarbo Jr., both Democrats, have expressed interest in the post.
The coroner's job was left vacant when J. Russell Noga retired Dec. 31. His son has been acting coroner since that time.
McCracken's name was submitted to the governor by the Lawrence County Republican Party, said Norman A. DeGidio, party chairman.
Search committee: A 14-member search committee interviewed four candidates -- three Republicans and one Democrat -- and by majority vote agreed to submit McCracken's name, DeGidio said.
LaValle said Russell S. Noga will likely remain as acting coroner until the term expires in 2003. The state senator said he will only vote for a gubernatorial nominee if a qualified Democrat is named.
cioffi@vindy.com