Women's Club Donates To Victims Resource Center

Ann Adams

By JENNIFER LEARN-ANDES jandes@leader.net
 Saturday, January 03, 2004 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 3A 





As predicted months ago, outgoing Luzerne County Chief Clerk Jim Torbik has
made a soft landing with a new job with the county court. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Ditto for outgoing Commissioner Tom Makowski's secretary Kim Valatka. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; County Court of Common Pleas President Judge Mike Conahan made these
appointments, and others, on Friday. The nine posts pay a combined more than
$300,000 in yearly wages. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The jobs were created Tuesday by Makowski, fellow outgoing Commissioner Tom
Pizano and Court of Common Pleas Judge Mark Ciavarella, who voted in Conahan's
absence. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Court representative Paul McGarry said when the new jobs were created that
court officials would advertise the positions in the newspaper so the public
would have a chance to apply, but no ads appeared Wednesday through Friday in
Wilkes-Barre newspapers. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 When asked why Friday, McGarry politely declined comment and hung up. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Conahan didn't respond to requests for comment. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Once positions are legally created, the law allows Conahan to decree
through court order who gets hired; there's no requirement to give the public
advance notification or an opportunity to offer feedback. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Torbik, whose resignation as county chief clerk took effect Friday, will
now be district justice ``central court administrator'' for $55,000 a year. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 His chief clerk position paid $60,249.80, but it was less secure because
the new administration is free to choose a new chief clerk. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The new administration could cut newly created positions for budgetary
purposes. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The court and row officers can then challenge budget cuts in court, leaving
a judge to decide whether or not these departments have the resources they
need to deliver essential services, state officials have said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Torbik, of Wilkes-Barre, will coordinate a new central magisterial court
that will be held daily in the courthouse, McGarry has said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Valatka, of Wilkes-Barre, was hired as a court administration secretary for
$36,000 a year - a $6,000 increase from her previous position. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Conahan also made these appointments Friday: &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 McGarry, Pittston, director of administrative services, $71,527 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Attorney Mark Bufalino, West Pittston, conflict counsel, $24,660 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 James Dougherty, Wilkes-Barre, protection from abuse coordinator, $27,040 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Joseph F. Mussoline, Conyngham, probation officer, salary pending &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Donna Majikes, Exeter, district justice secretary, $21,944 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Conahan also hired two people selected by newly sworn-in Judge Michael
Toole - Paula Zapotoski, Wilkes-Barre, a secretary, $41,825, and Thomas
Marino, Wilkes-Barre, tipstaff, $36,299. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Jennifer Learn-Andes, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at
831-7333. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Familiar Names Get Jobs In County Court Despite A Pledge To Do So, No Ads Were Run So That Anyone From The Public Could Apply.