A 10th Congressional District candidate for the Republican nomination is "exaggerating" his involvement in C3i's decision to open a facility in Wilkes-Barre last year, the chief financial officer of the international company says.
Luzerne County businessman Chris Hackett, who is vying against Dan Meuser for the nomination in the April 22 primary, has touted throughout the campaign his business acumen and experience in attracting new business to the area.
Hackett operates an insurance brokerage business and owns OneSource Staffing Solutions, a human resource consulting service, with offices in Selinsgrove, Williamsport, Tannersville, Wilkes-Barre and Scranton.
On the campaign trail, he has specifically cited his involvement in aiding C3i, a company that provides customer management and support in New Jersey, Belgium, Bulgaria and India, as well as United Kingdom retailer Boden to Luzerne County.
CFO: Set record straight
He repeated the claim Thursday during a meeting with members of the Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce, despite recent complaints from C3i.
In a letter to the Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce last week, C3i CFO Robert Jones wrote that he wanted to "set the record straight" about who deserves credit for encouraging the company to open an office in Pennsylvania.
Jones disputes Hackett's assertion that he played a key role in bringing the company, which today employs 100 people, to the area.
"This claim is exaggerated and, while we prefer to stay out of politics, we do feel compelled to set the record straight to be sure that credit is given where credit is due," he wrote.
Hackett's deputy campaign manager, Mark Harris, responded: "Along with many others, Chris has been involved in numerous efforts through the Chamber of Commerce and Penns Northeast, to assist companies who are considering relocating to Northeast Pennsylvania.
"And Chris' own companies have created hundreds of jobs in the region.
"If C3i doesn't feel Chris' work with them was especially helpful, we're sorry about that, and they are entitled to their view."
C3i dumped Hackett firm
Jones said Hackett met with C3i officials in Scranton during an initial visit and once the company decided to locate in Wilkes-Barre, Hackett's firm, OneSource Staffing Solutions, was hired to help with recruiting.
However, Jones said, the results were "mixed" and after a few months C3i terminated its relationship with OneSource and handled its own hiring process.
"So, it is a stretch to say that Mr. Hackett was responsible in any meaningful way for bringing C3i to the area," he said.
Boden, the other company Hackett said he helped to relocate to Luzerne County, was more positive about his involvement.
Phil Tiffin, the human resources director at Boden, Friday said the company was "hugely grateful for all the help that Chris and OneSource have given us to establish the new facility in the states."
n E-mail comments to mmoore@dailyitem.com
News
Business leader says Hackett exaggerates role in landing firm
- News
-
-
Lewisburg schools face cuts in personnel, programs
Superintendent Mark DiRocco told the Lewisburg school board Thursday night that a proposed block grant system of school budget funding will run the district short of cash that will have to be made up through personnel and program cuts.
-
Mom: Keller's response left her cold
Like many people, Elise Nicol is concerned about Marcellus Shale and the industry's effects on Pennsylvania's environment. The Lewisburg mother of two cares about it enough that she sent an email to state Rep. Fred Keller, R-85 of Kreamer, asking him to oppose House Bill 1950, which passed the General Assembly on Wednesday.
-
Point Township authority concerned by sewer plant violations
Point Township Sewer Authority members Thursday night expressed concerns about a Feb. 3 letter sent to the Northumberland Sewer Authority by the state's Department of Environmental Protection saying that the borough authority has violated the Clean Streams Act.
-
Persing truck fee idea stalls
While Pennsylvania has passed legislation allowing communities to collect impact fees in 35 counties, Northumberland County is not one of them, and business leaders and lawmakers do not think Sunbury Mayor David Persing's plan to try to do his own version of an impact fee will pass muster.
-
Barber draws a crowd
The talk can be spirited at times, ranging from hunting to sports to home repairs. "You hear all kinds of stories," Gene Koehler, of Riverside, said Thursday as he waited for a haircut at The Masters barbershop, 209 Mill St.
-
State board approves table games at Valley Forge casino
VALLEY FORGE — A casino resort scheduled to open this spring in the Philadelphia suburb of Valley Forge has been approved for table games.
-
Doctors telling more adults: Get out and exercise
ATLANTA — A new study shows more and more U.S. adults are being told by their doctor to get off their duffs and exercise. A government survey found nearly 33 percent of adults who saw a doctor in the previous year said they were told to exercise. That was up from about 23 percent in 2000.
-
Former Northumberland County judge and three others die in Florida crash
EVERGLADES CITY, Fla. -- A former Northumberland County judge was one of four people killed Wednesday afternoon when their car collided with a van at an intersection, according to the Naples News. The victims were identified as James J. Rosini, 66, William J. Rosini, 68, Patricia C. Rosini, 65, all of Coal Township, Pa., and Deborah A. Korbich, 59, of Elysburg, Pa.
-
Warden demotes four bosses
SUNBURY -- Northumberland County Prison Warden Roy Johnson was able to trim about $135,000 in expenses by demoting four supervisors. He said Wednesday that he found a way to cut costs without laying off any staff. "I cut out 120 hours of supervisors' pay each week, but I need to fill the correction officer positions," Johnson said.
-
DJ pumps up audience
Every Tuesday evening, Richard Grogg can be found spinning tunes at possibly the most well-attended dance in Snyder County. A resident at the Selinsgrove Center since 1988, the 57-year-old said the thing he likes most about selecting and playing music is "making people happy." "Some people come up and ask for requests," he said.
-
Agency closes adult center
PENNS CREEK -- Union and Snyder County caregivers have had to look farther and wider for another program that can offer respite because the Agency on Aging can no longer afford to provide the service. The adult daily living center at the Penns Creek Adult Resource Center was a helpful program each week to about eight adults from the area dealing with Alzheimer's and dementia. But it closed Dec. 30.
-
New Berlin pushes to acquire school
NEW BERLIN -- The Borough Council sold the property where the New Berlin Elementary School is to the precursor of the Mifflinburg Area School District for $1 back in 1950. It was deeded to the district for construction of a school.
- More News Headlines
-
Lewisburg schools face cuts in personnel, programs
