Lawrence Co. treasurer seeks to fill vacant posts

NEW CASTLE, Pa. —  Lawrence County Treasurer Ron Patrick wants to fill some vacant positions with an independent contractor.

Patrick, who was named treasurer by Gov. Ed Rendell after the former treasurer Gary Felasco was sent to prison for stealing from his office, has asked county commissioners to approve a contract with Marian Baeckel of New Castle. She is to be paid $11 an hour for 28 hours of work each week.

Patrick was left without a deputy treasurer after the retirement of Cathy Toscano, a longtime county employee who did not win the county Democratic nomination for the job.

In his first week on the job, Patrick fired the second deputy treasurer, Gloria Conti. Conti was the star witness in Felasco’s embezzlement trial. Patrick will remain county treasurer until January when a newly elected treasurer will take office.