Mahoning pursuing end to DeLong health insurance

March 22--MAHONING TWP. -- The township's labor attorney planned to file a petition in common pleas court this week requesting the township no longer pay for health insurance for former supervisor and secretary-treasurer Christine DeLong.

Supervisor T.S. Scott said at Monday's supervisors meeting that attorney Melissa Kelso previously asked DeLong's attorney to ask his client to voluntarily drop her health coverage by the day of the meeting. But on Saturday, Kelso received correspondence from the other attorney who said he no longer represented DeLong and that another attorney was representing her. But Kelso heard nothing from that attorney, Scott said.

"We all agreed we're not going to give her more time," he said.

He said Kelso would then file the court action.

Scott, who brought up the subject in answer to a question from resident Sue Kauwell, said the township meanwhile is continuing to pay DeLong's health insurance.

"It's the prudent thing to do," he said, explaining that if the township didn't pay for the insurance and the court disagreed with the petition, the township would be liable to pay if she had a catastrophic illness.

The supervisors decided last month to pursue the legal action to end DeLong's coverage. The township pays $1,100 per month for her health insurance.

Solicitor Ryan Tira said then the township also would try to get back the money it had paid for DeLong's health insurance since she retired as secretary-treasurer in July.

DeLong was secretary-treasurer for more than 20 years and also simultaneously served as a supervisor for 18 years before losing to Bill Lynn in the 2015 primary. As a supervisor, she faced months of criticism from residents, who said she didn't answer their questions and wasn't forthcoming with information on the budget and other issues. They also had been critical of her combined salary and insurance differential of $82,272 a year.

Officials have not said specifically why they want to end the payments. Tira would only say it was in the best interest of the township to seek the court action.

Email comments to [email protected]. Follow Sylvester on Twitter @JoepSylvester

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