LAWRENCE COUNTY Under fire over former tax director

Repairs to McConnell's Mill Bridge are estimated at $150,000 to $200,000.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Lawrence County commissioners say they are still searching for a forensic accountant to investigate the county tax claim bureau.
"First and foremost, we need a complete understanding of what events transpired in the tax claim office over the last four years," Commissioner Steve Craig said.
Commissioners came under fire from visitors at Tuesday's special meeting at Lincoln High School in Ellwood City for the tax claim office and its former director Gary Felasco.
"Mr. Felasco has to go. I'm sure everyone in this room agrees," said Rosemary Henderson of New Castle. She was one of about 75 people in attendance at the special evening meeting. Commissioners are meeting once a month at various school districts in the county.
Removed from post
Felasco had been the county tax claim bureau director, but commissioners removed him from the post when they learned he had not paid property taxes on his Cunningham Avenue home since 2000. His files were marked "court stayed" in the computer system preventing the property from going to sheriff's sale.
Felasco has said he had no excuse for not paying his taxes and did not instruct anyone to mark his properties "court stayed."
Felasco remains the county's elected treasurer and chairman of the Lawrence County Housing Authority.
Residents were calling for Felasco's removal from both positions.
"Along with Felasco, I've got to believe that everyone who worked in those offices knew and should be held accountable, too," said Dewey Lutz of New Castle.
"Since the prior board of commissioners appointed Mr. Felasco to the housing board, why can't you as commissioners get him out of there?" asked Mary Ellen Jessell of New Castle.
Pat May of New Castle added that people are very uncomfortable with Felasco and Donald Conti, the husband of Felasco's deputy treasurer who also had a stay on his property taxes, being on the county housing authority board.
Commissioner Dan Vogler said they are waiting for the Pennsylvania State Police to complete their investigation of the county tax claim bureau. He said the county commissioners have no power to remove another elected official.
Vogler noted that they can petition common pleas court to remove Felasco from the county housing authority board, but they must present a case pertinent to his duties on the housing authority when asking for his removal. He said they have no case involving the housing authority.
Residents also questioned the status of the county nursing home, Hill View Manor.
Commissioner Ed Fosnaught said the Pennsylvania State Police have an ongoing investigation into that matter. The home closed earlier this year after a failed sale to private buyers. County officials contend about $150,000 is missing from the home's accounts.
County commissioners have filed a civil lawsuit against those who wanted to buy the home to recover the money.
In other business, commissioners declared McConnell's Mill Bridge an emergency. The covered bridge was damaged earlier this month when a tree fell on it.
Fosnaught said the estimate repairs will cost $150,000 to $200,000.
Craig said they are looking into the county's insurance and are applying for a state legislative grant to help pay for the repairs.
Fosnaught said they hope to have the repairs done this summer.