`two Wolves' Seeks New Trial 
Judge To Issue Ruling In Child Abuse Case

Arlene Nieman 
Feb. 17, 1996 
Arlene C. Nieman, 69, Of North Pennsylvania Avenue, Wilkes-barre, Died 
Saturday At Wilkes-barre General Hospital.

By MITCH MORRISON; Times Leader Staff Writer
 Tuesday, February 20, 1996 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 1A 





GOP county commissioner Joseph "Red" Jones hopes to restore unity to the
splintered county Republican organization that has struggled as the minority
party since the early 1960s. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 When Jones, 57, replaces outgoing GOP party chairman John Gallagher this
spring, he will become the first Republican official to serve as both
commissioner and party chairman since Jim Post held both spots in the
mid-1960s. Jones is expected to run unopposed at the party's county convention
in June. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; But unlike Post, Jones takes over a demoralized party that is cash poor,
out-registered and deeply divided. Most recently, the party was humiliated in
county elections, where it once again failed to win a single row office and
lost in the commissioners contest. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 It's been eight years since the Republicans controlled the board of
commissioners, and three decades since the Grand Old Party ruled the row
offices. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "I grew up in the era of Gov. John Fine in the 1950s. In those days the
Republicans had all the patronage and all the money," Jones recalled. "If we
let people know we are sincere about reviving the party, I think we can come
back and be viable." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Jones says he doesn't expect to suddenly transform Luzerne County into
Republican territory over his two-year term. His goals are more modest, yet
still daunting: to rebuild the party's organization. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "I'd like to make our party more viable and competitive," said Jones, a
former Lake Lehman School Board member. "We have to strive for a two-party
system, which we don't have today." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 That means re-energizing the party's younger faction -- ages 25-42 -- like
attorney Bob Davison, who coordinated the Jones/Jim Phillips election bid last
fall, as well as insurance agent Tom Ruskey and stock broker Bill Lewis Jr. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 That means persuading bankrollers like businessmen Lou Pagnotti III and Joe
Salvo, Gov. Ridge adviser Pat Solano and attorney Sandor Yelen -- who dabble
more in state and national politics -- to take a greater interest and help
underwrite the local party. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 That means reversing the Democrats 3-to-2 registration edge. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 But even under the most upbeat scenario, the Republican Party's role as the
nagging younger sibling to the Democrats is unlikely to change, says
Democratic commissioner Frank Crossin. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "This is a Democratic county. It's shown in all of the elections for the
last three decades and it's going to remain Democrat," Crossin said. "Good
government breeds good politics. People here are satisfied with the government
they're getting." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Victory from defeat &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Jones' emergence to the party's top spot was fast and furtive. Before
November, Jones was a four-time loser for county offices. His blemished
profile changed with last fall's victory. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Thus, when three-term chairman Jack Gallagher announced he wanted out,
Jones was eager to grab more power. He lobbied Gallagher, party vice chairman
Pat Judge and other local activists for support. They did. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The 13-member executive committee met Feb. 12 at Marianacci's Restaurant in
West Wyoming. There, Judge nominated Jones as chairman. Fifth District
chairman Tom Reese second it. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 With little discussion Jones won the nod, with Judge retaining the vice
chairmanship. Two dissented -- third district chairman Emil Posluszni and
fourth district chairman Ed Mera. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "It was a cut and dry deal," Mera complained. "It came so fast you could
tell it was a set up." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Mera did not nominate another candidate, but said he would have tapped Tom
Warkomski, a former party chairman. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Mera said the party needs drastic surgery -- by keeping Judge as vice
chairman, the executive committee approved only cosmetic touch-ups. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "The party needs a complete face lift." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Praise from the party &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Other Republicans -- from the disenchanted younger activists to
high-profile veteran insiders who have stepped away from local politics --
were enthusiastic about Jones' rise to party boss. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "Red will be good for the party," said attorney Bob Davison, who was a
staffer for Presidents Reagan and Bush. "He listens well and he can come up
with a consensus. ... Red will bring people back to the party." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Businessman Joe Salvo and Lou Pagnotti III, of Pagnotti Enterprises in West
Pittston, called Jones the "ideal person" to unify the party. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "There is a perception that a select few orchestrate the process," said
Pagnotti, who spent Monday with Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Philadelphia. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "Red needs to change that and create a feeling of openness and fairness as
to how business of the party is conducted," he added. "I find Red to be a
trustworthy man of integrity." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Salvo added: "If Red asks me to help I certainly will. ... With the
leadership of Red Jones and Pat Judge, the party will be on the move." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Analysis &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Red Jones &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Jim Post &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

`red' Jones' Goal Is To Make Gop A Player In County Politics 
Out-registered, Out-spent And 
Out-muscled, The Local Republican 
Party Has Floundered Around 
Election Time. But Jones, Who Will 
Take The Reins Of The Party This 
Spring, Thinks He Can Change All That

`red' Jones' Goal Is To Make Gop A Player In County Politics Out-registered, Out-spent And Out-muscled, The Local Republican Party Has Floundered Around Election Time. But Jones, Who Will Take The Reins Of The Party This Spring, Thinks He Can Change All That