SUNBURY - Northumberland County Commissioner Rick Shoch said he has never summoned an employee to his office and issued an ultimatum, calling the suggestion by fellow Commissioners Stephen Bridy and Vinny Clausi more "theatrics."
Shoch, who was on vacation last week, sent an email to county department heads and employees Monday in response to a memo issued Thursday by Clausi that said, in consideration of employees who have been "uncomfortable" in meetings with "a commissioner," they could request having two commissioners present for any future meetings.
Shoch said in his 673-word email that he discussed the matter with several employees and department heads, including those mentioned in news articles last week.
"Amazingly, none of them indicated they needed a 'plus 1' present in order to feel comfortable meeting with me, and I get the impression from the conversations I've had that most of you recognize these latest theatrics for exactly what they are," he wrote.
He said he predicted such actions from Bridy and Clausi several months ago when he said they would create "the illusion that the person with an opposing viewpoint lacks creditability and is actually the 'enemy' of the people."
Asked for reaction Monday, Clausi said he's upset by the ongoing problems. He said any prior feuding among commissioners during his first four-year term in office was short-lived.
"We had a fight one day, and we would go out for dinner the next. It's not like this" with Shoch, he said. "It just keeps going."
Shoch, asked about Clausi's comment later Monday, said, "He better believe it's different."
DCED grant issue
The latest spat between the commissioners was spurred last month when Shoch noted that the state Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) has questions about grant spending in the county, just as it does in Point Township. Shoch opposed the move by Bridy and Clausi to remove Point Township supervisor Montie Peters from the county planning commission because of their concerns about his dealings with county issues in light of the problems in Point Township, where DCED is asking for missing documentation about $381,000 in grant money related to a federal housing program.
While Clausi said the two situations are a matter of "apples and oranges," Shoch said he was making the point that there are similarities in that DCED is asking for documentation from both entities.
In his email Monday, Shoch said some employees who expressed concerns last week about morale and that he was putting Point Township issues ahead of the county may have been influenced by "an isolated but important mischaracterization" in a July 26 News-Item story. The story, which repeated information from a June 27 article, said Shoch said DCED could not account for some of the county grant money.
"What I did state is what DCED representatives stated to me. That is, that at this point they had identified documentation issues with the administration of the grant, and they do not know how much money the county may be required to repay to DCED," he wrote.
Shoch said he never said money was unaccounted for.
He said in an interview Monday he wasn't aware the same language was used in the earlier story. He acknowledged the reporter may have read that statement back to him, but maintains he didn't suggest money was missing.
His email also said employees may have been influenced last week "by my fellow commissioners, for reasons that I think are obvious to everyone at this point."
DCED in county
Shoch's email said he was particularly disappointed to see Kathy Jeremiah, who deals extensively with grants the planning department, in criticism of him, since he "stood up for her against both of the other two commissioners" several weeks ago.
Shoch in his letter noted employees had considered resigning over the issue. He mentioned by name Gregg Stavinski, director of adult services, whose department is involved with the grant in question, in saying he'd hope he would "set those thoughts aside and continue his dedicated service to the county."
Jeremiah declined comment Monday, saying she hadn't had a chance to speak with Shoch.
Meanwhile, she said DCED auditors were reviewing county files Monday and would return today.
Shoch categorized the 90-minute meeting with DCED as productive, and said he hopes the county will be able to rectify the situation.
Worker reaction
Clausi said Monday he had at least 11 employees asked him why they were getting Shoch's email when they didn't want to be a part of the issue, and he told them to ignore it.
Shoch said Monday he spoke with several employees who expressed their support. As was the case last week, he said he wouldn't name them for fear they'll find "their heads on the chopping block." He said other employees he passed in the hallway Monday gave him "thumbs up."
"When you have a very public attempt to distort the truth of the matter, it deserves a public response," he said. "I don't care one way or another if it makes the situation better or worse."
Intimidation
In his email, Shoch asked employees to consider which commissioner has ever "summoned you or a co-worker to their office and made threats, issued ultimatums or made you feel afraid that you could loose your job if you didn't comply with a demand," a likely reference to Clausi, who said Shoch has zero grounds to make such an accusation.
"The employee I harass is the one who doesn't want to come to work. The employee I harass is the one robbing the taxpayers," Clausi said.
Shoch also suggested employees "talk to your families and as many of your friends as you can about that, and encourage them to go to the polls in three years and cast votes that can change that environment in the future."
Bridy and Clausi said commissioners are not allowed to use county equipment to solicit votes.
"He's walking a fine line," Clausi said. "I'm going to ask the solicitor to look into it tomorrow."
Shoch said he didn't ask people to vote for him, only to vote according to their opinions.
But, he added, "I guess this will be the next thing."