Matt McGloin’s Sudden Departure from Boston College
In a surprising turn of events, former Lackawanna County Commissioner Matt McGloin has resigned from his newly acquired position at Boston College’s football program. Citing unforeseen impacts on his family, McGloin’s decision has sent ripples through both his personal life and the political landscape of Lackawanna County.
The Resignation and Its Immediate Impact
McGloin, who stepped down from his role as a Lackawanna County commissioner to join Boston College, announced his resignation from the offensive analyst position on Wednesday. According to ESPN reporter Pete Thamel, Boston College head coach Bill O’Brien confirmed that McGloin’s decision was driven by family reasons.
“This week I made a difficult and life-changing decision without full awareness of the consequences it would have on my wife and young children,” McGloin stated. He further elaborated, “I truly believed that my decision to accept a role in Boston would be good for my family, but upon further consideration the timing of such a move proved to be less than optimal.”
The Political Aftermath in Lackawanna County
McGloin’s political resignation has triggered a process to fill the resulting commissioner vacancy in Lackawanna County. This process has already sparked contention between Democratic Commissioner Bill Gaughan and Lackawanna County Democratic Party Chairman Chris Patrick.
Under the county’s Home Rule Charter, the county party’s 31-member executive committee has five days to submit a list of three potential appointees to the Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas judges. The judges will then select one to serve the remainder of McGloin’s term, which ends on January 3, 2028.
Gaughan has already announced his support for Dunmore Mayor Mark “Max” Conway Jr. to replace McGloin, urging the committee to include Conway on the shortlist.
McGloin’s Career and Future Prospects
Before joining Boston College, McGloin had a notable college career at Penn State, where he played under Bill O’Brien in 2012. His move to Boston College was seen as a reunion between coach and former star player. However, McGloin’s future plans remain unclear following his resignation.
It is uncertain whether McGloin can rescind his resignation as commissioner or if he would want to. However, state law does allow former public officials to be reappointed to their previous positions if the reappointment does not result in a higher salary than when they resigned.
The Broader Context and Financial Challenges
McGloin and Gaughan, who won their elections in 2023 and took office in January 2024, have been grappling with significant financial challenges inherited from previous administrations. In November, they approved a nearly 33% county property tax hike to address a projected $29 million structural budget deficit.
The tax hike has been a point of contention, with both Patrick and Democratic state Sen. Marty Flynn mentioning it in discussions about filling the commissioner vacancy. Patrick also highlighted the upcoming countywide property reassessment, which could lead to higher tax bills for some property owners.
Looking Ahead
As the Democratic Party aims to maintain its majority in the commissioners’ office in the 2027 elections, Patrick emphasized the importance of electing Democrats despite the financial challenges. “And my job as the Democratic committee chairman is to elect Democrats, and I’m looking at ’27 and I’m looking at keeping that office blue in ’27, in spite of a 33% tax hike and in spite of reassessment next year,” Patrick stated.
Gaughan, on the other hand, defended the tax hike as a necessary measure to address the inherited financial mess. “When you walk into a situation where you inherit a huge mess like we did — the millions of dollars of unpaid bills, the $37 million structural deficit — you have to take action, and we did,” he said.
Conclusion
Matt McGloin’s resignation from Boston College due to family reasons has significant implications for both his personal life and the political landscape of Lackawanna County. As the county navigates the process of filling the resulting commissioner vacancy, the focus remains on addressing the inherited financial challenges and maintaining political stability.
For more insights into the political dynamics of Lackawanna County, visit https://theflash24.com/lackawanna-county-democratic-party. And for updates on McGloin’s career, keep an eye on https://theflash24.com/matt-mcgloin-career-updates.
This story was sourced from www.thetimes-tribune.com.
What are your thoughts on McGloin’s decision? How do you think the commissioner vacancy will impact Lackawanna County’s political future? Share your opinions and stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
