SUNBURY -- Just weeks before a new board of commissioners takes office in Northumberland County, the squabbling goes on after four years of bickering between leaders.
Incumbent Republican Commissioner Rick Shoch and newly elected Republican Sam Schiccatano are suing to have their salaries returned to $61,000 a year.
The new board of commissioners in Northumberland County does not get sworn into office until January 4, but they are already making waves.
Republicans Rick Shoch and newcomer Sam Schiccatano are suing Northumberland County to change salaries for some elected officials.
"Mr. Schiccatano is not even in office yet and is filing a lawsuit. That's insane," said current Commissioner Vinny Clausi.
Back in 2013, commissioners voted to slash the salaries of eight row officers by almost 50 percent. Those row officers included the three county commissioners.
Commissioner Rick Shoch voted against the salary cuts. Now he and incoming Commissioner Schiccatano want to reverse that decision.
"I have stood up for other people when they have been wronged and so it shouldn't come to any surprise to anyone that I'll stand up for myself as well," said Commissioner Shoch.
The lawsuit says Commissioners Vinny Clausi and Steve Bridy acted illegally when they voted to reduce the salaries. Bridy and Clausi denied this at a news conference.
"This time we're going to fight to the bitter end because the taxpayers are paying a lot of money for this," said Commissioner Clausi.
In the lawsuit, Shoch and Schiccatano say the cuts were politically motivated. But Clausi and Bridy say that's not the case.
"The political class think that they're crazy, they're crazy. I'm worth more than that. Well, I'm sorry. It's called public service for a reason," said Commissioner Bridy.
Democrat Kym Best is the third commissioner on the new board. She says she is disappointed that she was not given a copy of the lawsuit and does not feel suing the county is the right way to go.
"I was really hoping we would be a more transparent and communicative and collaborative board," Best said.
Some of the salary cuts have already taken effect. The commissioners are set to see their salaries reduced starting in the new year.
Shoch says he and Schicatano must now go before a county judge, but there is no date set.
Clausi says he will make a motion having to do with the lawsuit at a commissioner's meeting on Tuesday, but he would not say what that motion is.