Year In Business Was Full Of Promise

Abduction Attempt Reported

Saturday, December 27, 1997 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 





Prothonotary's professionalism in dealing with public beyond reproach &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Recently your paper published two articles concerning Thomas Merrel in his
capacity as Deputy Prothonotary for the Court of Common Pleas of Luzerne &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; County (Dec. 3 and Dec. 13)I met Mr. Merrel in the Prothonotary's Office in
January of 1980 when working for Legal Services of Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Many of the cases I dealt with concerned domestic violence. I'd never been to
the Courthouse, let alone the Prothonotary's office before, but was taken
every step of the way for the filing of the paperwork by a gentleman whose
name is Tom Merrel. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 During the intervening 17 years, I have had many occasions to be present in
the Prothonotary's office when someone has needed assistance in obtaining the
paperwork for a Protection from Abuse Order or an Appeal from a Magistrates's
Decision, obtaining a Passport, or merely in search of information concerning
a file, record or location of another Courthouse office. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Each time, Tom Merrel waited on that person, provided them the assistance
they needed and even a suggestion or two in order that they might accomplish
their task a little more easily. Even persons who were upset or even
belligerent were waited on in a patient and professional manner. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I really cannot reconcile the description of Tom Merrel contained in your
recent articles with what I have observed for many years. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Your newspaper has had reporters in and out of the Prothonotary's office
during the entire 26 years Tom Merrel has been employed. Not once, at least
that I can recall, has anyone questioned his dedication, professionalism or
work ethic in serving the people of Luzerne County. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Michael R. Mey &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Forty Fort &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Prothonotary's Professionalism In Dealing With Public Beyond Reproach 
Recently Your Paper Published Two Articles Concerning Thomas Merrel In His 
Capacity As Deputy Prothonotary For The Court Of Common Pleas Of Luzerne 
County (dec. 3 And Dec. 13).

Prothonotary's Professionalism In Dealing With Public Beyond Reproach Recently Your Paper Published Two Articles Concerning Thomas Merrel In His Capacity As Deputy Prothonotary For The Court Of Common Pleas Of Luzerne County (dec. 3 And Dec. 13).