Senior judge tosses Northumberland County’s appeal of row officer injunction
By Eric Scicchitano, The News-Item, Shamokin, Pa. | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
In a ruling issued Monday and filed Thursday in the county prothonotary's office, Senior Judge
He added that what also must be considered is the potential impact on the offices themselves, noting that staffing had already been cut.
"The reference in the testimony that suggested that a public servant was little more than an hourly worker in the service industry not only suggests profound ignorance of the responsibilities of the office, but a lack of a full appreciation of American history -- a history which, unique to other countries in the world, rests solely on the blood and sweat of public servants," Grine wrote.
"The county code was enacted to offer guidance to local governments, but it also was intended to provide protection to public servants. In no other forum is the necessity of that protection as evident as the forum presented to this court on
That was the date Grine granted a preliminary injunction to coroner
The four filed a civil lawsuit in October following a decision that month by commissioners
The injunction stalled the action and Grine's decision will allow the row officers' lawsuit to move forward in the
Grine said evidence favoring the plaintiffs meets six criteria justifying such an injunction: irreparable harm would occur before the matter would be addressed in court, there is no harm to the defendants by granting an injunction, it wouldn't change the county's financial standing as it were immediately prior to when the cuts were approved, plaintiffs' right to relief is clear in that the controller position, held at the time by
"As each office performs a public service, and the allocation of resources and administrative responsibilities remains the same as it was in 2013, the public interest has not only not be adversely affected, but has been bolstered. The public will earn a benefit from the continuation of the current office holders in their duties at their prior salaries and with their prior benefit plans," Grine wrote.
At a glance
A look at the changes to salaries and health benefits for county row officers that were approved
- County commissioners:
- Coroner:
- Prothonotary:
- Register and recorder:
- Sheriff:
- Treasurer:
- Controller:
- District attorney:
Health care: All elected officials would be required to pay 50 percent of the cost of health insurance beginning with their new term.
Single plan:
Two-party:
Family:
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