LACKAWAXEN, PA — Pike County District Attorney Ray Tonkin addressed Lackawaxen residents regarding two major cases at a township meeting on March 18. The first to be addressed was the case of Shawn Marie Roe, past township secretary/treasurer, who was dismissed in 2013. Roe was recently charged with the misappropriation of approximately $200,000 of township funds over her decade-long tenure in her position. Roe has been charged with six felony counts by the state. Tonkin said that pre-trial motions have been completed and discovery, during which Roe’s defense obtains access to the state’s evidence, is next. Generally, he said, the time period between the charges being filed and the trial is approximately a year, and she was charged in December 2014. While the public did have an interest in knowing how long her potential sentence might be, Tonkin was unable to comment on the issue. The trial is expected to be open to the public, and Tonkin expects to keep the Lackawaxen Board of Supervisors apprised of events as they unfold.

Tonkin also touched on the case of Eric Frein, accused of murdering a state trooper. Tonkin emphasized that he intends to approach this as a capital murder case and, as such, is seeking the death penalty. While Gov. Tom Wolf did recently pass a moratorium on the death penalty in Pennsylvania, Tonkin stated that this affects only current death row inmates who have exhausted all appeals and does not affect cases currently being tried. This case is anticipated to move much more slowly than the norm, considering its scope. Tonkin received 10,000 pages of documentation from the Pennsylvania State Police alone. It is unknown at this time whether the case will be tried in Pike County or moved to another venue.

In old business, Operation Safe River continues. The township received a $1,000 grant to implement this pilot program that seeks to enhance safety on the Lackawaxen River. Signage will be placed on the river every half mile in order to facilitate emergency response to anyone needing assistance on the river where communication can be difficult. Mapping of the markers is due to be completed this week and property owners will be contacted when the markers are set to be placed on private land.

There was quite a bit of discussion regarding township finances. One resident requested detailed numbers regarding the past and present pay of supervisors Robert Cocchi, Richard Krochta and Mike Mancino. Cocchi was absent from the meeting, but Krochta gave an account of each supervisor’s pay and how each is set. Another continuing issue is the suggested implementation of a residents’ committee to oversee the use of township funds. Krochta explained that, currently, the township’s funds are being audited in conjunction with the Roe investigation, and that the township is implementing the suggested controls that are being recommended to them as part of the audit. Moving into the future, Krochta said the commissioners are open to suggestions and currently offer complete financial transparency to the township residents.