Walter wants the records

Luzerne County Controller Walter Griffith continues his quest to bring order out of the chaos that passes for government in Luzerne County. Today's TL story says he has instructed the 70 plus departments to provide his office with all contracts, deeds, vehicle and equipment titles, bills of sale and any other records of property owned by the county government as required by law.

The Controller’s Office did not have copies of several contracts that have come under scrutiny in recent months, including ones for a River Common video, the Wyoming Valley Airport management company and a county records improvement consultant, he said.

Griffith has recently been in the news a lot lately and some people have accused him of grandstanding. I'm reminded of the old adage "Sunlight is the best disinfectant." I say every time he finds a problem he should make it public.

He wants the Sheriff's Department to account for all the firearms that are in their possession after it came to light that they were selling machine guns and other weapons without approval. Acting Sheriff Charles Guarnieri has been stonewalling.


Former Sheriff Michael Savokinas agreed to the Tommy gun sale in August 2009, and the transaction was completed after Savokinas resigned and Guarnieri became acting sheriff in September. Solicitor Vito DeLuca has said only county commissioners can approve sales of property, including firearms issued to the sheriff's office.

Records submitted by Guarnieri show the sheriff's office sold 42 handguns to sheriff's deputies in May and January. Those sales totaled $5,150.

He has also stopped outrageous bonus payments to a select few Sheriff's Deputies.

Other items under scrutiny are cell phones and driver's licenses.

I always said Walter was a pain in the ass and that is a good thing.