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Look Back: Alfred H. Coon built the first railroad in valley, expanded street car service in the mid-1860s

Luzerne County Manager C. David Pedri said he still expects to choose a finalist for the vacant election director position this week.
				Pedri and other interview committee members interviewed three applicants last week, he said. Four applicants were contacted for interviews, but one withdrew, he said.
				After considering input from the committee, Pedri has said he will present his choice to the county Election Board at its meeting Wednesday. The manager must seek non-binding feedback from the board because county council&rsquo;s administrative code says the manager appoints the election director &ldquo;following consultation&rdquo; with the board.
				Prior election director Shelby Watchilla resigned Dec. 25 to accept a private-sector position.
				The election board meeting will be held at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday. Directions on attending the session via Zoom are posted in the calendar on the main page at <a href="https://www.luzernecounty.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">luzernecounty.org</a>.
				Second election vacancy
				The county has publicly advertised a deputy election director position vacated by the resignation of Dino Ninotti, who also has resigned effective Jan. 21. He is relocating to Maryland to work as an asset manager tracking government equipment.
				Ninotti was hired as election deputy for $42,000 in September.
				The vacancy has been advertised at a range of $40,000 to $44,000 annually under the human resources department career opportunities section at <a href="https://www.luzernecounty.org/236/Human-Resources" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">luzernecounty.org</a>.
				Minimum qualifications include a high school diploma, three to five years of legal/governmental or political experience in an office environment or any equivalent combination. Applications are due Jan. 27.
				Election inquiry
				Council&rsquo;s Election Inquiry Committee will continue its drafting of recommended election procedures and protocols at 5 p.m. (instead of the usual 6 p.m.) Thursday.
				Directions on attending the virtual session are posted under the calendar on the county website.
				Board seats
				Council&rsquo;s Authorities, Boards and Commissions Committee will publicly interview citizen applicants for various outside boards and authorities during a virtual session at 6 p.m. Tuesday, with directions also posted in the county website calendar.
				Council Chairman Tim McGinley encouraged Democrats and Republicans to apply for two county ethics commission seats that must be filled by someone registered in each party.
				Council last week accepted the resignation of Republican ethics commission member Marc Dixon, who resigned because he plans to relocate.
				Applications for board seats are posted on council&rsquo;s<a href="https://www.luzernecounty.org/747/Authorities-Boards-Commissions-Listing" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> authorities/boards/commissions</a> section of the county site.
				County Cares
				Due to concerns about coronavirus spread, the county Cares Commission formally announced last week it will postpone a food and clothing drive it planned in January for those struggling with homelessness and substance use disorder.
				Commission Chairman Matthew Vough said the event will be held in the spring, likely at Kirby Park in Wilkes-Barre instead of the Luzerne County Community College in Nanticoke. However, the community college will remain actively involved as a sponsor, said Vough, a county councilman.
				A date has not been set for the event, which will include access to local services that can help those in need with education, employment, counseling, housing and other essentials.
				The Keystone Mission will continue to collect donations of food and gently used clothing and blankets for the event, he said. The mission is at 290 Parkview Circle in Wilkes-Barre.

Interviews completed for Luzerne County election director position, manager says