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Politics & Government

Few Explanations Offered for Dismissal of County Voting Official

Joseph Passarella had led the county's Voter Services department since 1994. He reportedly was terminated Wednesday.

Montgomery County officials were tight-lipped Thursday about the circumstances surrounding the apparent dismissal Wednesday of Joseph Passarella, who had run the county's Voter Services department since 1994.

Passarella's termination was first reported Thursday morning by The Intelligencer, which cited unnamed sources who said Passarella was called into a noon meeting by unspecified county administrators on Wednesday and informed he was being immediately removed from his post.

County Commissioner Leslie Richards, who also serves as chair of the county's Board of Elections, cited the county's policy of declining to comment on "personnel issues" when asked Thursday about both Passarella's departure and whether there were issues within the Voter Services department that merited his dismissal.

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Passarella's name appeared on the county's salary board listing Thursday morning as an involuntary termination, dated Thursday. He had been earning a salary of $71,983 per year.

Asked whether Passarella's actions merited dismissal, County Commissioner Bruce Castor said he "did not have to make that decision."

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"I was informed this morning that [Passarella] had decided to leave the county of his own accord and it was called an 'involuntary termination' for purposes relative to unemployment benefits," Castor said at a press conference following the regularly scheduled Board of Commissioners meeting Thursday.

Following his remarks at the press conference, Castor was advised by Ray McGarry, the county solicitor, to avoid commenting on personnel issues. Castor then said he was aware that Passarella was being dismissed but declined to comment on whether he had been consulted about the move.

Without addressing Passarella's dismissal specifically, Board of Commissioners chairman Josh Shapiro sought to place the move within the context of the county administration's desire to review and potentially overhaul all county government operations.

"This is part of an ongoing effort that we have had to look at every aspect of county government and ensure that we have the best leadership in those posts and that we're operating as effectively and efficiently as possible. That process has been going on for 15 months, and it will continue to go on for the next several years," Shapiro said.

Shapiro said that for the moment, the Voter Services office was being led by Lauren Lambrugo, the county's chief operating officer, who also serves as the chief clerk for the Board of Elections. 

"She has clearly demonstrated an ability to do everything in county government and do everything very well," Shapiro said of Lambrugo.

"Interim management team" in place while permanent replacement sought

Shapiro and Richards each declined Thursday morning to say how or when the position would be permanently filled, or whether the opening would be publicly posted.

"We do not have a concern in the interim about how that office will be run," Shapiro said. "Once we make a determination about the future, we'll let [the press] know about it."

Later Thursday, county spokesman Frank Custer notified reporters via email that Passarella's former position had been posted on the county website.

Until the position is filled, the department will be led by an "interim management team" comprised of Lambrugo, Voter Services solicitor David Robinson, and Michael Paston, whom Custer said is "on loan from his position as archives and print shop manager." Paston will be the department's "acting director."

Those three people met with the department's employees Thursday afternoon to discuss the leadership changes "and to answer any questions they might have," Custer said.

County Republicans: Passarella "a man of the highest integrity"

News of Passarella's dismissal elicited a harsh response from the Montgomery County Republican Committee, which issued a statement Thursday afternoon.

"In firing Joe Passarella, Josh Shapiro and ‘me-too‘ Leslie Richards have proven themselves to be nothing more than 'wanna be' Philadelphia-style political bosses," said Robert J. Kerns, chairman of the MCRC.

"In spite of their high-minded political rhetoric, they chose to fire a man of the highest integrity and with a record of managing elections without so much as a single glitch."

In response to Kerns's comments, Custer said Passarella's dismissal "was not political in any way."

"Republican Commissioner Bruce Castor in public comments today said he was aware of the action and supported it. At the Montgomery County Salary Board meeting the vote, which ratified the action, was unanimous with two Democrats and two Republicans voting for it.  It is ironic that the only Republican with firsthand knowledge of the situation supported the action, while the only one complaining is the head of the Republican Party," Custer said in a emailed statement.

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