Lawrence Co. hires ex-mayor to be new elections director

STAFF REPORT

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — Lawrence County commissioners have hired a new director of elections.

L. Edward Allison, a Bessemer resident who was mayor of that borough from 2001 to 2005 and was a council member from 1984 to 1993, will take over the office of voter registration and elections Monday, said Commissioner Dan Vogler. Allison does not hold an elected office now, Vogler said.

County officials chose him from a field of more than 40 applicants, Vogler said.

That pool was narrowed to a list of 13 people, he said. From those 13, commissioners chose two final candidates.

Vogler said Allison was division controller for Dixon Ticonderoga Co., a corporation that manufactures artists’ supplies and products, from 1990 to 2003.

He was controller for New Castle Refractories Inc., a manufacturer of ceramic refractory products, from 2003 to 2006.

From 2007 to the present, he has worked as an independent consultant.

Vogler said commissioners took into account his strong budgeting, organizational, human resource and grant-writing skills and experience.

The county salary board will meet Tuesday to establish Allison’s pay, Vogler said, but it’s expected he’ll be paid from $42,000 to $43,000.

He is taking over the elections office after the retirement of Marlene Gabriel last week.