LAWRENCE COUNTY Attempt at ouster continues

A letter will be written to the state legislators.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Members of Lawrence County's Council of Governments aren't giving up on their quest to oust county Treasurer Gary Felasco.
The organization wrote to Gov. Ed Rendell last month asking him to start proceedings to remove Felasco from office. Similar letters were written by Lawrence County Commissioners, Lawrence County District Attorney Matthew Mangino and the Lawrence County Townships Association.
COG members received a letter dated June 7 from Leslie Ann Miller, general counsel for Rendell, stating that the governor's office will not get involved until the criminal investigation regarding Felasco is finished.
An identical letter was sent to the Lawrence County commissioners.
But COG members aren't giving up.
Mayor's suggestion
New Wilmington Mayor Wendell Wagner suggested COG members write letters to their state senators and state representatives requesting Felasco's removal.
"We might as well cover all the bases," Wagner said.
A seldom-used article in the state constitution allows the governor and state senate to remove an elected official.
It was discovered in February that Felasco, the county's elected treasurer, had not paid property taxes on his Cunningham Avenue home since 2000. The home escaped the yearly tax sale because improper "court stays" were placed on it in the county computer system.
Pennsylvania State Police are investigating the matter. They are also looking into Felasco's use of county cellular telephones. A telephone issued to Felasco was used to give directions to an adult-oriented party in connection with an Internet site with sexually explicit photographs.
Felasco has said he will not resign. His term ends in 2008.
cioffi@vindy.com