By Marcia Moore
The Daily Item
SUNBURY — Kevin Gilroy has been named temporary successor to Northumberland County Treasurer Ronald L. Chamberlain, who will resign July 30 for health reasons.
County Republican Party Committee Chairwoman Beth Kremer said Wednesday that six people were interviewed for the position by the executive committee, composed of Chamberlain, Commissioner Kurt Masser, Controller Chuck Erdman Jr., Vice Chairman Tony Phillips, Ellie Rees and Jonathan Adams, and Gilroy was offered the job Wednesday.
"Our hope was to find somebody who could start immediately as first deputy and work with Ron for about a week before taking over as acting treasurer," she said.
Once Chamberlain is out of office, Gov. Edward G. Rendell will have 90 days to appoint a replacement to fill the spot until the term expires at the end of 2011.
"We hope the governor will appoint our replacement," Kremer said, adding the committee was impressed with Gilroy's credentials and demeanor.
An independent insurance agent from Paxinos, Gilroy has 30 years of banking experience that included serving as vice president of Sovereign Bank in Danville and regional manager of the Pennsylvania National Bank in Pottsville.
He's been active in the community, serving in the past as chairman of the Regional Economic Development Council of Central Pennsylvania and as director of the Northumberland County Housing Authority and Central Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce.
Chamberlain announced last week his decision to retire from the $53,834-a-year job before the end of his second, four-year term due to ongoing health problems.
It was medical issues that kept him out of the office for six weeks recently.
He returned to work July 12 after the lengthy absence when Shari Benick, the first deputy who worked with him for six years, resigned amid claims that she may have stolen $1,500 from the office, which handles $12 million to $15 million funneled from various county departments.
Erdman said he confronted Benick about the financial irregularities on July 8, and she made some undisclosed statements to him. The matter is still under investigation.
Kremer said the candidates interested in the treasurer's position "haven't seemed concerned" about the ongoing probe.
"They know checks and balances and things have to change in the office," she said.
The potential replacements expressed concern about staffing, and Kremer said party officials are discussing the issue with the commissioners and she's confident a second full-time employee will be added to work with the incoming treasurer and clerk Lucille Shierant.
A part-time employee was hired to help staff the office for four weeks during the transition.
n E-mail comments about this article and Northumberland County news to mmoore@dailyitem.com.
