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<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; The attorney chosen by Mayor Tony George to fill a spot on his staff said he&#8217;s still interested in the job despite city council&#8217;s refusal to support him.</p><p>George choose Peter Moses for the assistant city attorney and sought council&#8217;s support on the appointment through a resolution. But at <a href="https://www.timesleader.com/news/503634/wilkes-barre-council-refuses-to-vote-on-mayors-appointment-for-assistant-city-attorney" target="_blank">council&#8217;s regularly scheduled public meeting Thursday night</a>, the five-member panel sat silent and no one spoke up to support a motion to put the agenda item to a vote.</p><p>&#8220;I&#8217;m familiar with what happened last night,&#8221; Moses said Friday. &#8220;I look forward to the appointment.&#8221; He referred further questions to the mayor and city attorney Tim Henry.</p><p>George could not be reached for comment.</p><p>&#8220;I will be conferring with the mayor,&#8221; said Henry, who attended the council meeting and Tuesday night&#8217;s work session at which the appointment also was discussed.</p><p>Council&#8217;s decision not to proceed could be traced back to Tuesday night&#8217;s work session, when the appointment came up for discussion. Council chairman Bill Barrett pointed out the mayor wanted to appoint Moses &#8220;with the advice and consent of council.&#8221; But, he said, none of the council members&#8217; advice was sought and no one was even given a copy of Moses&#8217; resume beforehand to review.</p><p>Still, Henry gave his assurance that Moses, mostly known for his criminal defense work, was qualified for the job that paid $52,500 a year plus benefits and had no set hours. He also said the mayor has the ultimate say on the appointment even without council&#8217;s consent and advice.</p><p>Henry came under fire for his support of Moses at the council meeting. Resident Matthew Ford accused Henry of a conflict of interest for serving as city attorney and assistant city administrator and advocating for Moses.</p><p>Ford said Henry also neglected to inform the council it has the power under the city charter to remove Moses.</p><p>&#8220;What he&#8217;s doing is criminal right now and we need an independent counsel to advise this city council of their legal opinions,&#8221; Ford said.</p><p>He also said he prepared a draft complaint against Henry that council can send to the state Supreme Court Disciplinary Board.</p><p>&#8220;Obviously I disagree with everything he said,&#8221; Henry responded.</p><p>Despite the accusations Henry said he would not retaliate against Ford with any legal filings.</p><p>&#8220;That comes with the territory,&#8221; Henry said.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Moses </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/web1_moses_peter.jpg</photo0><caption0>Moses </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Jerry Lynott</p><p>jlynott@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Jerry Lynott at 570-991-6120 or on Twitter @TLJerryLynott</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Wilkes-Barre mayor’s choice for city attorney says he’s looking forward to appointment