SUNBURY – The end of Northumberland County’s Clausi/Bridy administration might also bring the end of one lawsuit filed against the county. New commissioners, who have promised to support the weatherization office, may bring the assurances workers sought in court.
Employees filed suit in May against Northumberland County and commissioners Vinny Clausi and Stephen Bridy after the two voted to privatize the department and layoff all employees. Northumberland County has asked for a delay in the case brought by employees of the Weatherization Office after that vote.
In a letter to the court Wednesday, attorney Brian Leinhauser, who represents the county, says funding from DCED arrived just two days prior to scheduled layoffs in the department. Now that the office has received its DCED allocation and employees are not at risk of losing their jobs, Leinhauser wants the court to delay discovery until after a new board of commissioners is installed. He cites the “definite change in leadership” in the county as a reason to request a 90 day stay. Commissioners Clausi and Bridy are not running for re-election.
Avoiding costly discovery in the face of candidates who have stated their commitment to the weatherization program is “in the best interest of the tax payers of Northumberland County.” (Jennifer Wakeman)