LAWRENCE COUNTY MHMR director to receive $10,000 raise

The board created a new assistant district attorney position.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- A $10,000 raise has been given to Lawrence County's Mental Health and Mental Retardation office director.
John Klenotic will receive $5,000 now and another $5,000 on Jan. 1.
The increase was made by county salary board based on Klenotic's request. The extra money is coming from state grants.
County Commissioner Brian Burick suggested the increase last week after receiving a written request from Klenotic.
Burick said since word got out of Klenotic's request, he has received letters of support from people such as Common Pleas Court Judge Dominick Motto, who is on the MHMR advisory board, and Dr. Dennis Nebel, director of the Lawrence County Human Services Center.
Burick said last week that Klenotic is the lowest-paid MHMR director in the region.
Commissioner Roger DeCarbo said he agreed to the raise because it wasn't coming out of county real estate taxes and noted that the county likely wouldn't find anyone to replace Klenotic at his present salary. He is paid $49,000 a year.
"We either give it to you or the guy who replaces you," DeCarbo said.
Who objected
But county Commissioner Ed Fosnaught said he would not support the increase because he believed others in the county also deserve raises. He did praise Klenotic for his work.
"Until we have the ability to do something for all of them, I'm very uncomfortable doing for one," Fosnaught said.
Controller Mary Ann Reiter was the deciding vote saying she initially was against the raise. She said an editorial in the local newspaper changed her mind.
"I believe you are worth every dollar of this. I too feel strongly that the others need raises, but there will never be a time in county government when we can put all of these raises into effect," she said.
The county salary board also agreed to create one full-time assistant district attorney position at $42,500 a year. The salary and benefits will be paid for by a grant from the federal government.
District Attorney Matthew Mangino said he has been interviewing candidates and all are aware the job will be eliminated when the grant ends.
cioffi@vindy.com