State Legislators “Strongly Urge” Halcovage to Quit

Schuylkill County’s three Representatives in Harrisburg joined others this week in calling for Commissioner George Halcovage to step aside.

State Reps. Jerry Knowles, Tim Twardzik, and Joe Kerwin signed a letter addressed to Halcovage in which they “strongly urge” him to quit and avoid a possible spectacle which would likely still end up in his removal from office.

“Given the admissions you have already made, the reported findings from the Attorney General’s investigation, and the serious allegations made against you, we believe it is in the best interests of all involved – including you, your family, and the people of Schuylkill County – that you resign from office immediately,” the letter reads. “We urge you to focus your efforts on these allegations and caring for your family, with the continued distraction and spectacle of holding office in County Government.”

The State Reps. say they’ll be closely following proceedings in regard to the federal civil lawsuit filed against Halcovage and several other Schuylkill County officials. They say if, at the end, they believe he should be removed office, they use their power to make it happen “with alacrity.”

The letter outlines the numerous ways state government can act to remove a County Commissioner. And it’s the state government, alone, outside of Halcovage, that can force his removal from office.

Absent of any criminal convictions, it’s up to Halcovage whether he will quit as Commissioner. The only other way he’s leaving office, outside of his current term ending in 2023, is by action of the state government.

According to the local State Reps., that can happen in one of several ways:

• Halcovage can be impeached. That starts with charges being filed in the State House of Representatives and a trial in the State Senate. If two-thirds vote to convict, Halcovage would be removed from office; or
• Gov. Tom Wolf can call for the removal of Halcovage for “reasonable cause”; or
• “On the address of two-thirds of the Senate,” Halcovage can also be removed.

These are just the latest calls for Halcovage to resign from office as Schuylkill County Commissioner. In the last 48 hours, we’ve heard from a number of County row office officials who hand-delivered a letter demanding he quit. And on Friday, the County Republican and Democrat Committees each called for Halcovage to step down.

ALSO READ: 

• Schuylkill Courthouse Officials Demand Halcovage Resign
• Schuylkill GOP, Democrats Call for Halcovage Resignation
• Schuylkill Commissioners Ignore Demand They Rescind “Retaliation” Moves in Tax Offices
• “Jane Does” Claim Roth, Bender, Others Knew for Years But Did Nothing
• Courthouse Protest Planned in Response to Schuylkill County Discrimination Lawsuit
• 4 Schuylkill County Courthouse Employees Sue for Harassment, Discrimination
• Jane Doe 2: Halcovage Ruined My Marriage, Made Child Custody Threats
• Shocking Allegations of Sexual Harassment, Cover-Ups, and Political Bullying in Lawsuit Filed Against Halcovage, Schuylkill County Officials

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