LUZERNE COUNTY -- A Hazleton man running for Luzerne County Council will not be allowed to serve on council if elected, according the county’s Home Rule Charter.
Mark Rabo, a contractor from Hazleton, also sits on the board of the Luzerne County Redevelopment Authority. The county’s charter says anyone who serves on a county board is not allowed to serve in a county elected office for one year after leaving their board position.
“All I ever wanted to do was better the county,” Rabo said.
County councilman Jim Bobeck says the reason for that rule is to prevent a revolving door of county officials.
“At least be one year removed, so no way it would ever look like you were attempting to enrich yourself or unfairly take advantage of the governmental process,” Bobeck told Newswatch 16 while explaining the rule.
If Rabo wins a seat on county council, the Luzerne County Election Board said that would create a vacancy on council. The election board said that vacancy would be filled either by an appointment by council or a judge, or there could be a special election.
“All of which is terribly cumbersome, time-consuming, and may leave a seat on council vacant,” said Dr. Thomas Baldon, the election board’s vice-chairman.
But all of that isn’t stopping Rabo.
“I’m still campaigning,” Rabo said. “I’m still going to run for county council.”
Rabo is among four Republican candidates running for six county council seats.
The primary election is Tuesday, May 19.