Lackawanna County employee suspended for ‘inappropriate remark’

LACKAWANNA COUNTY, Pa. — “We were obviously disappointed. We do not tolerate violent, hateful rhetoric in Lackawanna County. We do not tolerate it. We will never tolerate it,” Lackawanna County Commissioner Bill Gaughan said of the social media comment that has sparked national outrage.

Rick Notari, community relations manager for Lackawanna County, has been suspended because of his comments about the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.

The comment was made on “X”, formerly Twitter.

“It’s gotten out of control now, but we need to unite. We need to come together. We can agree to disagree, but we can leave that to debate. Our country was built on unity and democracy. This has gotten 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 work together across party lines 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 Democrat or Republican pothole. It’s just a pothole. We have to take care of everyone. My goal is to work with everyone, and that’s what I’ve done and proven over the last five years. That’s what I stand for.”

Lackawanna County Commissioners are calling for unity as northeast and central Pennsylvania are expected to be a focus for both President Joe Biden and President Trump in the 2024 election campaign.

“It doesn’t have to be violent. We can talk to each other, not talk to each other. We are better off when we understand the other side and there is no hateful rhetoric. So we need to contain the situation and calm the mood in the country,” said Commissioner Gaughan.

“Lackawanna County government serves all of its residents, regardless of political affiliation,” said Commissioner Matt McGloin. “An attempt on the life of a former president and a current presidential candidate is a reason for the country to come together and condemn political violence, rather than deepen existing divisions with inappropriate comments on social media.”

Rick Notari remains suspended indefinitely after this comment made the rounds on social media.

Lackawanna County says the situation is now a personnel matter and does not want to comment on the exact status of the matter.