Voters are atwitter about the financial mess and open nepotism in the office of Schuylkill County Prothonotary David Dutcavich.
Dutcavich is not providing his office’s financial records. County Controller Christy Joy wants to see them. He’s asked twice.
Crickets, so far, from Dutcavich.
Dutcavich is retiring at the end of his second term as Prothonotary in November.
Is he trying to run out the clock on his term? Doesn’t seem that way.
He recently fanned flames of suspicion by hiring longtime friend and political ally Al Gricoski as his First Deputy. He’s getting $34,435 per year in that job. Also, he operates a funeral home in Frackville under his name.
Gricoski’s wife is a longtime deputy in Dutcavich’s office.
“The courthouse has always been rife with nepotism and cronyism, but this is a bit much even by our low standards,” one county employee tells me.
“You have a row office essentially being run by a husband and wife team. They’re both friends of a departing incumbent who appears to have something serious to hide. And Al Gricoski wants to be the new Prothonotary? It just isn’t right,” they add.
The courthouse has been plagued by corruption and scandal for many years. That voters are now looking at the Prothonotary’s office with a jaundiced eye. That’s confirmed by the fact that four Republicans are preparing a primary campaign to challenge Gricoski.
Historically, two candidates from one party for a minor row office has been the high-water mark.
Schuylkill GOP Puts Up 4 to Challenge Gricoski for Prothonotary
Larry Padora
Padora operates a well-known Tamaqua bakery.
He’s popular among county conservatives. He is an ardent Trump supporter. And he is a vocal critic of political corruption.
Many in the know view Padora as having the cleanest motive for seeking office – reform. Padora also has the strongest Republican bona fides, and thus the best odds of topping the field.
Jerry Labooty
Labooty owns the popular Greystone Restaurant in Pottsville.
He has the backing of former District Attorney Christine Holman. His agenda for gay rights and other liberal views could be a political millstone in a GOP primary.
Bridget Miller
Miller helps operate the construction company her husband’s family founded.
For years, Miller registered as a Democrat. She only recently switched to the GOP. And, this raises eyebrows among party faithful. More concerning, the family enterprise is enmeshed in civil litigation. The county Prothonotary, in part, oversees civil lawsuits.
This conflict will not sit well with voters on either side of the aisle.
Dan Daub
Daub is chairman of the Schuylkill County Republican Committee.
Observers say Daub, also an ally of Holman, isn’t a serious contender but rather a foil for Labooty.
Six years ago, Daub ran for district magisterial judge to foil for Holman ally David Rossi, the eventual winner.
Candidates for all offices are presently circulating nominating petitions to get themselves on the ballot. The primary is May 21.
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Sower Tity
February 26, 2019 at 11:20 pm
Sounds like it’s time to clean house.
Just a skook
February 27, 2019 at 10:17 am
Larry Padora is the best choice that is for sure. A small business owner who is for the people of the county. Who wouldn’t want that man in office? Not to mention I hear he donates his bread to soup kitchens, and to fundraisers. The middle class guys are always the best. Where does anyone else donate to anything? Oh and not to mention the toys for tots program he runs from his business. Kids, poor and animals this is who this man helps support. How can you go wrong? Best of luck to you Larry Padora. You have my vote.
Just a skook
February 27, 2019 at 10:20 am
Larry sure sounds like the best man for this job. I hear he does wonders for the community also. He has my vote.
Lynne
February 27, 2019 at 1:11 pm
It’s always the same old corruption Nothing changes.
Someone who knows
February 27, 2019 at 3:14 pm
The person who wrote this article is misinformed.
Just a skook
March 13, 2019 at 9:48 pm
How is that?
Kathleen Mcgowan
March 14, 2019 at 1:33 pm
I hafta agree with some one who knows, that whoever wrote this article is terrible misinformed. Its as if that person wants to plant seeds of mistrust for all canidates except ones self(larry). By the way in my humble opinion Bridget (McGowan) miller is with out a doubt the woman for the job, by the way other than running the family business she also has over 20 yrs in the banking industry and is as honest a person ive ever known. VOTE BRIDGET FOR PROTHONATARY.
Just a skook
March 16, 2019 at 8:51 am
I would hope you would want her in office you’re obviously a relative. I would think that it’s terrible if you didn’t. However, I saw the civil cases myself online against their construction company and it’s a known fact she was a democrat in the past. That’s all public record. So I really don’t think anyone is misinforming anyone here just so everyone knows. If you want to look up their civil suits you can go to Schuylkill County prothonotary and search the company name.
Kathleen Mcgowan
March 16, 2019 at 5:40 pm
To just a skook, that is true sure their are some civil cases but that probably holds true for anyone in the home building industry. And yes I am a relative and would like to see her elected because I know what kind of person she is, extremely honest and above board. And she was a dem at one time until the party started drifting to far left. Bridget is totally against abortion, illegal immigration, and strongly believes in the right to own and bare arms according to the second amendment. And lets not forget pres. Trump was once a dem. and I believe one of our greatest republican presidents Ronald Reagan was once a Dem. With that said I wish everyone running for this office the best of luck. may the best person win. VOTE BRIDGET FOR PROTHONOTARY. THERE’S AN OLD SAYING PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN GLASS HOUSES SHOULD NOT THROW ROCKS.
Cc
March 17, 2019 at 1:02 pm
Just to be clear, Waiver of liens and Stipulation against liens are filed with the Prothonatary Office, these are not civil law suits. These are required by all lending institutions when a new home is being built….