County Council Candidate Profile

Rick Morelli
I am proud to say that I am the only candidate who has been involved with the Luzerne County Home Rule process from day one. Over the past 2 ½ years, I have studied many home-rule counties / cities, interviewed county employees / elected officials and worked on making this county transition as smooth as possible. During my work with Home Rule I have built a proven track record of being open, transparent and ethical to the taxpayers. I feel that my work on the Government Study Commission and Home Rule Transition Committee give me the unique knowledge and experience to ensure this new form of government moves in the right direction.

 

Like most citizens in Luzerne County, I am disheartened by the corruption that that has embarrassed our county!! The lack of accountability and wasteful spending that has taken place has gone on for much too long. Now that the voters chose a new direction for Luzerne County, it’s time for new voices, innovative approaches and fresh ideas.

 

 

  • Treasurer of the Home Rule Government Study Commission – As a member of the study commission who helped draft this new charter, I bring a unique knowledge and experience of what the new government charter entails.  I understand the complexity of the new policies and procedures that need to be implemented as well as the many challenges that lie ahead. I can bring a unique experience to this council that no other candidate can offer.
  • Member of the Home Rule Transition Team – Knowledge and understanding of the Home Rule county organization structure. I helped write the recommended ethics code, administrative code and personnel code of the new county government.
  • Chairman of the Home Rule Transition Personnel and Recruiting Subcommittee – Experience in the recruiting process regarding the county manager and division head positions.
  • Masters Degree in Finance – Saint Joseph’s University
  • Bachelors Degree in Finance – Villanova University
  • Over 16 years of experience in the financial services industry.   I have experience in working with municipal budgets of over $100 million and making tough decisions in finding ways to save taxpayer money.
  • Owner and operator of my own business – Experience in being able to run a business.
  • Over 6 years of government experience – Understanding of government policies and procedures, budgets, contract negotiations, grants and personnel codes.


Why are you a Republican?

I have been a Republican all my life and voted in every election since I was 18. My values and beliefs are consistent with the majority of the same values and beliefs of the Republican Party. Although I am Republican, I am an independent Republican. I don’t and will not vote with the party just because the Republican Party says you should vote a certain way.


What past experiences qualify you to serve on the County Council?  

·      Treasurer of the Home Rule Government Study Commission – As a member of the study commission who helped draft this new charter, I bring a unique knowledge and experience of what the new government charter entails.  I understand the complexity of the new policies and procedures that need to be implemented as well as the many challenges that lie ahead. I can bring a unique experience to this council that no other candidate can offer.

·      Member of the Home Rule Transition Team – Knowledge and understanding of the Home Rule county organization structure. I helped write the recommended ethics code, administrative code and personnel code of the new county government.

·      Chairman of the Home Rule Transition Personnel and Recruiting Subcommittee – Experience in the recruiting process regarding the county manager and division head positions.

·      Experience in working with municipal budgets of over $100 million.

·      Masters Degree in Finance – Saint Joseph’s University.

·      Bachelors Degree in Finance – Villanova University.



Did you support the home rule in the last election?  Why or why not?

YES. I was the Treasurer of the Home Rule Study Commission and I support the Home Rule Charter because I feel that this new government will hold more people in the county accountable. The current charter is outdated and obviously has a allowed too many holes in the system for corruption and the misspending of tax-payers dollars to take place.


What do you see as the most important challenge facing Luzerne County and how do you plan on addressing that challenge?

There are many important issues that need to be addressed (budget shortfall, debt, restructuring of offices, etc) but in order to address them properly the most important thing that needs to take place immediately is the hiring of a qualified, ethical county manager who has the qualifications and experience to run this new county government and to make it efficient. It is important to get the right people in place so that we can cut waste and have an efficient working county government working for us.

Once the proper individuals are in place, the goal should then be to cut out the waste and make Luzerne County Government more efficient. Luzerne County first needs to improve its credit rating which will then help allow us to refinance our bonds which in turn will help bring down the $450 million in debt.


Another important task is to have a good working relationship with the judicial branch. Even thought there are separation of powers, all branches need to work together to find ways to cut waste and improve on accountability.