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College Corner: Tunkhannock’s Sohns helping lead FDU-Florham field hockey

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Dems unveil impeachment procedures, GOP calls process unfair

<p class="x_xxxmsonormal">HARRISBURG &#8212; Gov. Tom Wolf has pulled Department of Corrections Secretary John Wetzel off the process surrounding proposed closure of the State Correctional Institution at Retreat and called for a more thorough review of the move.</p><p>In a statement released through gubernatorial spokesman J.J. Abbott on Tuesday evening, Wolf also indicated that more public feedback will be scheduled with respect to the plan.</p><p><a href="https://www.timesleader.com/news/760397/wetzel-apologizes-lawmakers-want-doc-head-ousted-anyway" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The governor&#8217;s actions follow calls by Northeastern Pennsylvania lawmakers for Wetzel&#8217;s ouster</a> after profane remarks caught on video during a hearing about closure plans &#8212; and after Wetzel apologized for the remarks earlier Tuesday.</p><p>&#8220;In response to concerns about the process surrounding the SCI Retreat potential closure, the Department of Corrections (DOC) is developing an expanded schedule of community meetings to gain more input from employees, businesses, legislators, and community leaders,&#8221; Abbott wrote.</p><p>The statement did not indicate when or how soon such meetings might take place.</p><p>&#8220;These changes are being developed to provide reassurance to the community about the thoroughness of the department&#8217;s review, that the process is fair and neutral, and to help instill confidence the process is adhering to the provisions of Act 133,&#8221; Abbott added.</p><p>Act 133 of 2018 was passed in part due to a previous attempt to close SCI-Retreat and other state prisons in 2017. It requires public comment and investigation into the economic impact of closing correctional facilities prior to any such closures.</p><p>Wolf&#8217;s administration and the DOC in August <a href="https://www.timesleader.com/news/754073/wolf-sci-retreat-is-best-suited-for-closure" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">announced their current proposal to close </a><a href="https://www.timesleader.com/news/754073/wolf-sci-retreat-is-best-suited-for-closure" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">SCI-Retreat</a>, which is located in Newport Township.</p><p><strong>Remarks in focus</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.timesleader.com/news/759179/support-for-sci-retreat-overflows-at-hearing" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">A public hearing was held Oct. 17 at Greater Nanticoke Area High </a><a href="https://www.timesleader.com/news/759179/support-for-sci-retreat-overflows-at-hearing" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">School</a>. That was where Wetzel&#8217;s remarks were made in a private aside to a colleague caught on tape of the event.</p><p>&#8220;You know what? This does suck. I wish I didn&#8217;t have to close this (expletive),&#8221; Wetzel is heard saying in <a href="https://www.timesleader.com/news/759820/lawmakers-blast-pa-corrections-head-for-profane-quip-about-sci-retreat-closure" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">a video posted to social media last week by state Rep. Gerald Mullery, D-Newport </a><a href="https://www.timesleader.com/news/759820/lawmakers-blast-pa-corrections-head-for-profane-quip-about-sci-retreat-closure" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Township</a>.</p><p>&#8220;It is what it is,&#8221; Wetzel says softly to DOC Executive Deputy Secretary for Institutional Operations Tabb Bickell, who was seated next to him at the hearing.</p><p class="x_xxxmsonormal">Wolf has put Bickell in charge of the process related to SCI-Retreat&#8217;s future in what Abbott described as &#8220;an inclusive, transparent process moving forward,&#8221; noting that Wetzel will no longer participate in the process.</p><p class="x_xxxmsonormal">&#8220;Bickell will lead community meetings, present the comments from the meetings to Department of Corrections leadership and meet with Governor Wolf to ensure he is confident the process meets both the spirit and letter of the law,&#8221; Abbott added.</p><p class="x_xxxmsonormal">On Monday, state Sens. John Yudichak, D-Plymouth Township, and Lisa Baker, R-Lehman Township, released a statement indicating further review of the video revealed Wetzel&#8217;s remarks actually went beyond what was initially reported.</p><p class="x_xxxmsonormal">After &#8220;it is what it is,&#8221; he told Bickell: &#8220;Honestly, we&#8217;re just making it look like I&#8217;m paying attention&#8221; and &#8220;I just want people to think that I&#8217;m paying attention.&#8221;</p><p>&#8220;No, I get it, I get it,&#8221; Bickell is heard responding, the lawmakers said. &#8220;You remind them to be respectful of your time.&#8221;</p><p><strong>Lawmakers sought ouster</strong></p><p>On Tuesday afternoon, the DOC released this statement on behalf of Wetzel:</p><p>&#8220;During the SCI-Retreat closure hearing, I made several comments that were inappropriate and insensitive to the process and the people sharing their comments and concerns about the potential closing of SCI-Retreat. I am very sorry and deserve all the criticism for my comments.</p><p>&#8220;Unfortunately, my comments have created a distraction from what is most important &#8212; the staff and community. I&#8217;ve said it before, closing a prison is one of the most difficult decisions I&#8217;ve had to make. I respect the process and will continue to work through it as directed by the legislature, analyzing and considering the community and staff concerns before making a final decision.&#8221;</p><p>But that apology came too little, too late for several area legislators.</p><p>State Reps. Mullery, Mike Carroll, D-Avoca, and Eddie Day Pashinski, D-Wilkes-Barre, sent a letter to the offices of the governor and Wetzel saying Wetzel should be removed as DOC head.</p><p>&#8220;What are we, or anyone hearing such a comment, to think about the sincerity, professionalism, or empathy of the person making this statement? Secretary Wetzel confirmed what many believed, that neither he nor your administration take Act 133 seriously,&#8221; the trio wrote.</p><p>&#8220;Upon making his comments, Secretary Wetzel removed all doubt that he possesses the ability or temperament to remain in his position and make an unbiased recommendation regarding the closure of SCI-Retreat.&#8221;</p><p>Abbott&#8217;s statement about changes to the process and Wetzel&#8217;s removal from that process followed a few hours later.</p><p>Yudichak responded to the announcement by saying he had spoken with Wolf and Wetzel, criticizing the administration for treating the people of Luzerne County &#8220;disrespectfully.&#8221;</p><p>&#8220;Governor Wolf has listened to our concerns and removed Secretary Wetzel from the decision to close SCI-Retreat and will restart the Act 133 process to ensure the people of Luzerne County who are fighting for their jobs and their communities are appropriately heard by the Department of Corrections.</p><p>&#8220;As the process evolves, I will continue to work with Senator Baker to ensure that the Administration is being held accountable to the requirements of Act 133,&#8221; Yudichak concluded.</p><style>
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<div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/web1_AF5AAC90-B312-48A4-B8E8-7BC2BE283423_ne20191029184510607-4.jpeg">
<div class="neCaption">State Sen. John Yudichak addresses Pennsylvania Department of Corrections Secretary John Wetzel, center, and Executive Deputies Tabb Bickell, left, and George Little during a public hearing on SCI-Retreat at Greater Nanticoke Area High School on Oct. 17. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/web1_AF5AAC90-B312-48A4-B8E8-7BC2BE283423_ne20191029184510607-4.jpeg</photo0><caption0>State Sen. John Yudichak addresses Pennsylvania Department of Corrections Secretary John Wetzel, center, and Executive Deputies Tabb Bickell, left, and George Little during a public hearing on SCI-Retreat at Greater Nanticoke Area High School on Oct. 17. </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><subheadMeta>Governor also vows more public input on prison&#8217;s future</subheadMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Roger DuPuis, Bill O&#8217;Boyle and Kevin Carroll</p><p>rdupuis@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div>

Wolf pulls Wetzel off Retreat closure process