Halcovage Steps Aside as Schuylkill Commissioners Chairman

During Wednesday’s Schuylkill County Commissioners work session meeting, embattled George Halcovage “stepped aside” as Commissioners Chairman. Then-vice chairman Boots Hetherington was voted in as Chairman of the Commissioners board in his place.

“I don’t need a job. I’m here to serve,” Hetherington said.

Halcovage will stay on as County Commissioner, it appears, for the duration of any potential litigation which involves him and women filing complaints of sexual harassment, verbal abuse, and disciplinary abuse.

On Tuesday, Schuylkill County Solicitor Glenn Roth released a report suggesting Halcovage was guilty of violating 3 separate county employee policies, including sexual harassment.

Halcovage Steps Aside as Schuylkill County Commissioners Chairman

Though that Solicitors report says Halcovage did violate 3 workplace policies, he can’t be fired like a regular employee at the Schuylkill County Courthouse. His removal from office can only come from himself (through resignation), criminal conviction, or impeachment.

Halcovage denies the allegations and appears ready for a legal battle over them.

“During this time, I’m going to be stepping aside as chair,” Halcovage said at the top of the work session meeting. He said he wanted to step aside as Chairman of the Commissioners board “as not to distract from the business of the county.”

He indicated he’d stay on the board through the course of any potential litigation that may come from the workplace allegations against him.

Halcovage then handed the gavel to fellow Commissioner Boots Hetherington to preside over the Public Comment portion of the work session meeting.

ALSO READ: 

• Solicitor Says Schuylkill County Commissioner Halcovage Violated Sexual Harassment Policy
• Hess Says Halcovage Should Consider Stepping Down as Schuylkill County Commissioner
• Schuylkill Commissioner Halcovage Vehemently Denies Sexual Harassment, Discrimination Allegations

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