Friday, December 23, 2005
Judge Dominick Motto gave the commissioners the four-lawyer list.
By VIRGINIA ROSS
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Lawrence County commissioners said they want to be sure services provided by four attorneys are needed before commissioners agree to pay them $20,000 each for the next year.
At their weekly caucus Thursday, commissioners discussed entering into agreements with Michael Frisk, William Panella, Joseph Kearney and Brandt Bythrow, all New Castle-area attorneys, for professional services in legal cases.
The county chooses several attorneys every year to represent defendants in various criminal cases in the event lawyers in the county public defender's office are unavailable, or if their representation of a defendant could be considered a conflict of interest for the attorney or the public defender's office.
"Do we need this many attorneys?" Commissioner Steve Craig asked.
The proposed agreements with the attorneys calls for them to be paid the $20,000 a year for an unlimited number of criminal cases, excluding murder cases, that are assigned by the court.
Commissioners said president Judge Dominick Motto of common pleas court recommended the four-lawyer list.
Essentials
"I don't have anything against these four individuals, but I agree we need to look at what's really necessary," said Commissioner Ed Fosnaught.
Commissioners had intended to vote on the matter at their weekly public meeting Tuesday but agreed to remove the item from the agenda until they have an opportunity to review the issue more closely.
In other matters, the commissioners plan to vote Tuesday on whether to make these reappointments:
UGerald Senchak of Taylor Township to the Lawrence County Municipal Authority for a term running Jan. 1, 2006, to Jan. 1, 2009.
URyan Kegel of Ellwood City to the Lawrence County Redevelopment Authority, Jan 1, 2006, to Jan. 1, 2010.
UDean Kind of Plain Grove Township and Frank Telesz of Washington Township to the Lawrence County Planning Commission, Jan. 1, 2006, to Dec. 31, 2009.
Commissioners are also considering appointing Thomas Dean of New Castle to the county municipal authority from Dec. 31 to Jan. 1, 2008. He would replace John Razzano, who died earlier this year.
Also, commissioners are considering James Conner of Scott Township for the planning commission for a term beginning Jan. 1 and ending Dec. 31, 2009. He would replace Jim Haas of Neshannock Township. Haas is not seeking reappointment.