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By CHRIS JOHNSON chrisj@leader.net
 Tuesday, January 04, 2000 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 1A 





Previously quiet about the controversy surrounding his residency, Crestwood
School Board member David Ginocchetti fired back at critics Monday,
questioning their motives and defending his election. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Meanwhile, those critics - board members Eric Aigeldinger and Bill Jones -
have redoubled their efforts to force Ginocchetti off the board. During the
holidays, they sent letters to county and state authorities alleging that
Ginocchetti ``falsified his true residence before the election. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; ``Because of ... the inaction of the county's election bureau to remedy
this apparent miscarriage of justice, we would like to request independent
investigation of this district's procedures,'' the letter said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 County Commissioner Tom Makowski has said that only the county Court of
Common Pleas could overturn an election and someone impacted by the election
would have to file suit for the court to consider it. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Ginocchetti's registered address for both the May and November elections
was 3 Summit View Drive, Fairview Township. Ginocchetti sold that house in
July, but said Monday he has a key and a friendly agreement with the new
owners whereby he can come and go as he pleases. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 He said he splits his nights between there, a couch in the office of his
business - Gino's Shoe Store in Fairview Township - and a Wilkes-Barre
apartment he rents for his son, a senior at King's College. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``Let me state categorically that I did not falsify my residency before the
election and that I do reside in the district,'' Ginocchetti wrote in a
statement to newspapers Monday. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Jones said he and Aigeldinger are challenging Ginocchetti's residency
because district residents still ask them about him. ``People want some
answers, and they're afraid to go up in front of the (school) board and say
anything.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Ginocchetti said their quest is political. Crestwood Advocates for
Responsible Education, a group that says it advocates conservative financial
management, has a 5-4 majority with Ginocchetti on the School Board. Jones and
Aigeldinger are in the minority. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``I assure you that I do not swing ... for the majority,'' Ginocchetti
wrote. ``CARE fronts and swings only for the 2,600 plus Crestwood constituents
who supported them in the (Nov. 2 election).'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 He also accused Jones and Aigeldinger of being influenced by a small group
of Crestwood teachers with whom they socialize. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``Your Shalimar (Motel &amp; Lounge) cohorts must be really concerned about
their upcoming Crestwood teachers contract for both of you to be spending so
much of your time focusing on my personal affairs,'' Ginocchetti wrote. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In response, Aigeldinger said, ``I live in a small town here, you know
everybody ... What are you supposed to do, pick and choose your friends?
What's his point?'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Ginocchetti offered to talk with any residents who have questions about
where he lives. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``The public has not once called me, harassed me or been indifferent,''
Ginocchetti said. ``The public supports me.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The letters from Jones and Aigeldinger were addressed to the state Office
of the Attorney General, District Attorney David Lupas and the state Bureau of
Commissions, Elections and Legislation. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Lupas said he opened the letter Monday evening and hadn't had a chance to
investigate the complaint. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Call Chris Johnson at 829-7226.

Residency Issue Nags Crestwood 
School Board Member David Ginocchetti Blasts Critics Monday, And In Statement
To Newspapers Asserts That He Does Reside In The District.

Residency Issue Nags Crestwood School Board Member David Ginocchetti Blasts Critics Monday, And In Statement To Newspapers Asserts That He Does Reside In The District.