Toole Makes Bid to Be Controller: He Would Replace Petrilla, Who is Leaving Post Next Month to Become County Commissioner.
By Edward Lewis, The Times Leader, Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
Dec. 5–Alleged misuse of debit-card purchases by several Luzerne County officials has put the controller’s office in the spotlight.
But that’s not the reason why former Pittston city clerk/administrator Wil Toole wants to become the next financial watchdog for Luzerne County.
Toole, 64, said he got interested in the controller’s position when then-controller Steve Flood used money from the county employee pension fund to pay legal fees in a defamation lawsuit.
Flood was sued by ASCO Financial Group Inc., a former county pension fund manager and overall advisor, regarding comments made on a radio show about the handling of the pension fund.
“These types of wrongs need a watchdog,” Toole said.
Toole sent a letter to Gov. Ed Rendell and state and county officials expressing his interest to replace Controller Maryanne Petrilla when she resigns to become county commissioner next month.
Rendell will nominate someone to fill the vacant post, and the state Senate must confirm the nomination with a majority vote.
Petrilla, a Democrat from Butler Township, secured 33,915 votes for commissioner in the general election. She received the most votes among the four candidates for commissioner.
Rendell must fill the post within 90 days of receiving Petrilla’s resignation letter.
Petrilla’s controller replacement will serve through the end of 2009.
Toole said he’s interested in serving two years.
“I would like to have two years to try to accomplish some things, to try to fix what’s broken,” Toole said. “If that could be done in two years, I’d be happy to go off into the sunset.”
If his goals aren’t satisfied, Toole said he’ll meet with party leaders and decide to run for a four-year term as a Democrat or as an Independent.
Other names that have been mentioned to replace Petrilla are Ashley Mayor Rick Oravic, former state legislator Tom Tigue and former Wyoming Valley West School District Superintendent August Piazza.
Oravic, Tigue and Piazza could not be reached for comment on Tuesday.
The county controller is paid $36,562 per year to monitor county spending and audit row offices. The controller sits with the commissioners on the Salary Board, which creates job positions and sets salaries. The controller also serves with the commissioners and treasurer on the Retirement Board, which oversees the $220 million employee pension fund.
Toole served as Pittston city clerk/administrator from 1985-97, and had been the Democratic committee chairman in Pittston from 1978-97.
Edward Lewis, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 829-7196.
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