LACKAWANNA COUNTY, Pa. — "We were disappointed, obviously. We do not stand for any violent, hateful rhetoric in Lackawanna County. We don't condone it. We will never condone it," said Lackawanna County Commissioner Bill Gaughan, addressing the social media comment that's made waves across the country.
Lackawanna County Community Relations Manager Rick Notari is now on suspension for his words surrounding the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.
The comment was made on 'X' formerly Twitter.
"It's out of hand now, but we have to unite. We have to come together. We can agree to disagree, but we can leave that for debates. Our country was built on unity and Democracy. This is out of control," said Commissioner Chris Chermak, (R) Lackawanna County.
Commissioner Chris Chermack is the highest-ranking Republican in Lackawanna County.
He says it's important to reach across the aisle to get things done for the people who live here: "If there's a pothole in front of your yard or in front of your house, it's not a Democratic or Republican pothole. It's just a pothole. We have to take care of everyone. My goal is to work with everyone, and I have, and I've proven that for the past five years. That's where I stand."
The Lackawanna County Commissioners call for unity as northeastern and central PA is expected to be a major focus for both President Joe Biden and President Trump on the 2024 campaign trail.
"It doesn't need to be violent. We can talk to each other not talk at each other. We're better off when we understand the other side, and there's not this hateful rhetoric out there. So, we need to just tamper things down and lower the temperature in the country," said Commissioner Gaughan.
“Lackawanna County’s government serves all of its residents regardless of their political affiliations,” Commissioner Matt McGloin said. “An attempt on a former president’s and current presidential candidate’s life is a time for the country to come together to condemn political violence, rather than deepen existing divisions through inappropriate commentary on social media.”
Rick Notari remains suspended indefinitely after that comment circulated on social media.
Lackawanna County says the situation is now a personnel matter, so it will not comment on where exactly it stands.