Prothonotary’s Office Reorganized with Deputy Retirement

by Jonathan Weaver

An upcoming retirement has led to several promotions within the Armstrong County Courthouse Prothonotary’s office.

Within the last month, Armstrong County Courthouse Prothonotary Brenda George, President Judge Kenneth Valasek and County Human Resources Director Dan Lukovich came up with the plan to effectively promote six full-time employees within the full-time office, including a promotion to cover the retirement of longtime First Deputy Vickie Bowersox.

Bowersox, who has worked in the office for 39 years, will voluntarily retire Thursday, April 16. George has worked with Bowersox her entire career and complimented Bowersox on her work.

“I know she was contemplating retirement, but she gave me her official notice about (four) weeks ago,” George said.

Commissioner Chair David Battaglia also complimented Bowersox based on the consistent high-level she performs while George is busy training or at out-of-town conferences at least twice per year.

“Such a quality employee,” Battaglia said. “39 years really says a lot.”

George spoke on the nine action items voted on before the Salary Board decision last week.

“I will have, as of April 16, lost five employees. We are reorganizing – I’m spending all this time in training,” George said. “It is now affecting the way that court is handled – I don’t have enough staff to handle court.

“For example, Monday (March 9) was jury selection and two things happening at one time and didn’t have enough staff to cover it,” George continued. “We are very busy – (March 11) I had court starting at 9AM with 68 cases on the arraignment list, whereas before we maybe had 30-35. Our case load has substantially increased.”

George also addressed the hourly salaries of many of the employees, but Commissioner Battaglia said pay increases must be a accurate reflection of each department’s individual budget – especially while considering benefits including healthcare and pensions and without damaging the morale of other employees.

“At the end of the day, we can’t give raises just to keep people – that’s not fair to the taxpayer or to the current workers,” Battaglia said. “We’re holding the line on salaries, so we have to work within our own budgets.”

Current staffing difficulties are reportedly occurring in the Domestic Relations department.

“All this is supported by Judge Valasek and (Brenda) George,” Lukovich said. “(Judge Valasek) stressed the urgency to make sure that the Prothonotary’s office is staffed and trained. There’s so much change over in the courts that the judge wants to see more stability.

“I think the plan that Brenda has come up with…is a way to retain these people.”

A Department Clerk II was also promoted to Department Clerk III after the new position was created based on her experience.

The office – which maintains the civil and criminal court records – currently employs eight full-time and two part-time personnel.

The salary changes were effective last week.

 

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