Commissioners to hire guards for county jail

MERCER, Pa. -- Mercer County commissioners were expected to hire today 10 part-time guards for the county jail.
The 10 were chosen from a field of 150 applicants in an exhaustive selection process, which included drug, background and psychological tests, and a physical exam.
Hirees are Michael Lytle and Cynthia Reed of Hadley; Douglas Barlett and Scott Kaltenbaugh of Greenville; Mary Lane of New Castle; John Harris and Erin Resele of Sharon; and Bonnie Schoonmaker, Sheryl Gregory and Scott Garner of Mercer.
They will start at $9.98 per hour.
Commissioner Gene Brenneman said at Wednesday's agenda meeting part-time guards are hard to keep and two of the new ones have already resigned, one to take a full-time position elsewhere.
Commissioners said some of those hired are minority candidates, but they would not be more specific. Commissioner Olivia Lazor said the county is forbidden by law to take into account anything but qualifications when hiring.
Administrative services director Bill Boyle said 12 applications have been received to replace Jim Thompson, who has resigned as public safety director.
Applications are being accepted through Friday for that post.