SUNBURY - Attorney John P. Muncer, who was laid off late last month as a Northumberland County assistant district attorney after many years of service, will be returning to county employment March 1 to succeed his longtime friend, the late James J. Rosini, as assistant solicitor.
Northumberland County Commissioners Vinny Clausi, Stephen Bridy and Rick Shoch approved hiring Muncer on Tuesday afternoon at a salary of $33,133. Rosini, a prominent attorney and former county judge and district attorney who received the same salary as Muncer, was killed Feb. 8 in a violent two-vehicle crash in Everglades City, Fla., that also claimed the lives of his wife, Patricia Rosini, his brother, William Rosini, and William Rosini's companion, Deborah Korbich.
The commissioners initially offered the assistant solicitor position to James Rosini's daughter, Attorney Paige Rosini, but she declined. Clausi said Paige Rosini appreciated the offer to succeed her father, but said she was quite content in her role as a county public defender.
Bridy said the commissioners believe Muncer's experience and knowledge of the county will be a tremendous asset to the county.
"Mr. Muncer is the right man for the job," Bridy said. "We certainly didn't want to go out of the county for an assistant solicitor and his many years with the county will definitely help us."
A door opens
Muncer, 52, of Sunbury, said he's looking forward to the challenges of becoming assistant solicitor, although he wishes it was under different circumstances. "Jim and Pat were good friends of mine for many years. They will be sorely missed," he said.
Muncer has been an attorney for 28 years, 27 of which he has been employed with the county.
"One door closed and another one opened," he explained. "I don't have any animosity against the commissioners. This is a new opportunity for a fresh start and I thank the commissioners for showing confidence in me to succeed Mr. Rosini."
Muncer was a county assistant district attorney for more than 20 years under District Attorney Tony Rosini and former district attorney Robert B. Sacavage, who is currently the county president judge. He was a member of Teamsters Local 64 as an assistant district attorney.
Tony Rosini was forced to lay off Muncer when the county salary board eliminated one of his five assistant district attorneys Jan. 25 as part of cost-cutting measures. Muncer's salary and benefits as an assistant district attorney totaled $81,800.52.