Wvc Hockey Stars Win All-state Honors

Anna Sereta 
Dec. 9, 1994 
Anna E. Sereta, 81, Of Peace Street, Hazleton, Died Friday Morning At 
Hazleton-st. Joseph Medical Center.

By MARK GUYDISH and LISA SCHEID; Times Leader Hazleton Bureau
 Sunday, December 11, 1994 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 1A 





HAZLETON -- The city's plan to add a police captain's position is just the
latest in a series of incidents that has fractured the morale of officers,
police union officials said last week. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 But Mayor John Quigley, whose term ends next year, said the union is simply
using the morale issue as "the opening salvo of Campaign '95." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Union officials complained at Thursday night's council meeting that the
city plans to fill a soon-to-be-added captain's position with a candidate from
outside the Hazleton department. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 That plan combined with previous problems prompted approximately 40 members
of the Pennsylvania Fraternal Order of Police, including eight to 10 Hazleton
police officers, to attend the meeting, said state Fraternal Order of Police
attorney Diane Shepard. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "We've been receiving little to no satisfaction and it was getting to the
point that (the police officers) just don't know where to go," Shepard said.
She said that morale problems within the 26-member department began in 1988 in
a dispute over merit promotions and have continued since. She offered to
provide the council with a list of grievances filed by the union, but had not
produced the list by the end of the week. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Under Hazleton's government charter, the mayor controls the police
department and is not required to report negotiation or grievance details to
council. Police Chief James Joseph was not available for comment. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The officers' visit was "an appeal to council to step in and resolve what
is going on" within the police department, said state Fraternal Order of
Police President Francis Bascelli. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Quigley, however, accused Councilman Mike Marsicano and the police union of
political grandstanding. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "It was a rather well-orchestrated demonstration," Quigley told council
members after the FOP's presentation. Then speaking directly to Marsicano,
Quigley said, "Mike, you did a splendid job, and I congratulate you." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Marsicano first raised the police morale issue at a council meeting earlier
this year, but denied any political motivation. He has not commented about his
mayoral aspirations. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Quigley said he prefers to promote a current Hazleton police officer to the
new captain's position. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "There's never been a plan to go outside the department," Quigley said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 But Hazleton police union President Mark Koch said, "Never was the FOP
approached on this, never were the members told of the appointment and advised
how to apply. Never were the members advised as to the requirements for the
position." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Quigley said Friday he had not seen a complete job description for the
position, so it is too early identify the job's requirements. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Quigley also said the police officers show at the council meeting was
staged to hurt him politically. He said some officers alleged morale problems
when he was up for re-election in 1991. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Shepard said the officers have no political aspirations. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "I would say our motivation is not political in any form, shape or manner,"
Shepard said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Quigley said the city and police union's recently completed contract
negotiations resolved many of the the union's concerns. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "I don't know if there is a morale problem in the department," Quigley
said. "I would put this department against any. When I came into office in
1988, we didn't have a car that could make it to Wilkes-Barre. We had no
ammunition and no training. I think we've brought this department a long way. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "There may be a difference of opinion and philosophy," he said. "They are
not thrilled with Chief Joseph's management style. Show me an organization
where everyone likes the boss, and I'll show you an ineffective boss." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 On Friday, Shepard said she hopes a planned meeting between the union,
mayor and police chief will help resolve any remaining problems. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "I'm hoping that mayor and chief and whomever else knows now we need to

Morale Dropping, Hazleton Police Say 
To Mayor John Quigley, Politics Is At The Root Of 
Department Complaints About How A New Captain's 
Position Is To Be Filled

Morale Dropping, Hazleton Police Say To Mayor John Quigley, Politics Is At The Root Of Department Complaints About How A New Captain's Position Is To Be Filled