Challengers promise to consider courthouse options
By Anya Tikka
MILFORD — Steve Guccini is a lawyer with an insider’s perspective on the courthouse annex controversy.
“We definitely need some courtroom expansion or upgrade,” said Guccini, who, along with David Ruby, recently declared their candidacy for Pike County commissioner. “The facilities we have are not adequate, and security is a big issue.”
In this, both candidates agree with the incumbents and the county sheriff. Guccini and Ruby say their biggest concern is the "welfare and safety of Pike County residents, and being financially responsible."
But they say there are other options for achieving these goals, aside from the much-criticized plan pursued by the county commissioners now in office.
Ruby and Guccini will run as a team on the Democratic line in 2015. They are also want to make the commissioners more accessible to the public by holding meetings in different parts of the county and during the evenings. They also propose to limit term lengths and promise to be nonpartisan with after-election hiring.
Guccini has worked in Family Court for about 15 years, listening to cases and making recommendations to the judges.
“Nationally, we know that when there’s violence in the courtroom," said Guccini, speaking to the security problem in the current courthouse system. "It tends to happen in family court — not in criminal court.”
He's attended hearings in low-security buildings, where a sheriff’s deputy with a hand-held wand scans people as they enter the building.
“Obviously, there have to be security issues, so the question is what’s been proposed?" he said. "Can we do something with the existing buildings with less money?”
Ruby said he is concerned about the cost of the proposed annex, and how the property will be used. He said he and Guccini would like to see as much of Milford's architecture preserved as possible. The commissioners have long proposed that the Kenworthy Building next to the courthouse be torn down, although they have just proposed a new plan to save the building through a land swap (see related story).
Guccini said: "If somebody put it to me hypothetically, there are only two options: one, build the addition as planned and tear down the Kenworthy Building, or two, save the Kenworthy building and don’t have the courthouse modernization, then I would say, 'Tear down the Kenworthy building.' But I’m just not convinced those are the only two options.”
He said the Architectural Review Board and a group of local residents are very concerned over that building. "In a recent meeting, they passed a motion to recommend the borough council hire an independent architect planner to look at alternative proposals," said Guccini.
The candidates emphasized that their focus is not necessarily to protect the Kenworthy but "to meet the needs of the people who operate there, and to provide a facility that will provide in an efficient manner."
The gas boom
Both candidates said they still need to learn more about other local flash points, including the Milford compressor station expansion to handle the abundance of natural gas coming through the expanded pipeline, and the prospect of hydrofracking.
Ruby attended the recent public hearing on the compressor expansion. He said installing an electric device to regulate emissions seems the best solution.
Guccini, who wasn’t able to attend, agreed. “I need to know the facts before I render opinions," he said.
While there is currently no fracking in Pike, Ruby said, “I’m certainly concerned over anything that might impact the environment in Pike County, including water contamination. There has to be some kind of solution in a simple and safe manner, and if it costs a little bit more to do so, then that’s the cost of doing business.”
Guccini added that, "as a general proposition, I certainly think we should tax it if it’s happening, but I’m not sure there are enough large tracts left here.”
Ruby concluded: “We have to make sure it’s safe. I’m not convinced yet.”
The heroin epidemic
Pike County's heroin problem is escalating. Guccini said setting up a special drug court may be necessary.
He said he’d seen some reports that the district attorney, the commissioners, and representatives of the county court system are discussing the possibility.
“Lots of places in the country have them," Guccini said of drug courts. "Talking to lawyers, I think they are effective. The question is, can we set up a good program, and how much it costs."
Guccini has his own law practice in Hawley. He’s divorced with three adult children, Jeffrey, Sara, and Jill, and one grandchild. He lives in Greentown.
Ruby owns an insurance business in Milford and has two adult children, Rebecca in Florida and Michael of Jersey City, N.J., and two grandchildren. His wife, Maryanne, owns Milford Pilates.