Monday, May 17, 2021

Schuylkill County Sheriff Limits Commissioner Halcovage's Access to Courthouse


Last week, Schuylkill County Sheriff Joseph Groody's Office sent a letter to County Commissioner George Halcovage notifying him about his limitations within the Courthouse.
On Thursday, Sheriff Groody's Solicitor James C. Bohorad provided Halcovage with a hand-delivered letter after a meeting was held on Wednesday, May 12th between the County's Row Officers.

The meeting was held as a result of the Sexual Violence Protective Orders entered against Halcovage by Judge Robert J. Eby on May 5th, 2021.

The meeting included Maria Casey, Clerk of Courts, Sharyn Yackenchick, Acting Controller, Bridget I. Miller, Prothonotary, Ann Dudish, Recorder of Deeds, and Linda L. Marchalk, Treasurer to discuss Halcovage's ability to access the Courthouse.

The elected Row Officers of the County have called for Halcovage to work from home, his resignation, and his impeachment.

"The aforementioned Row Officers and Sheriff Groody unanimously agreed at our meeting to terminate your identification card and further restrict your access to the Courthouse," Bohorad said in the letter.

The letter to Halcovage informed him that starting, Monday, May 17th, his access would change. The changes included his personal parking space being relocated to a spot directly outside the main entrance to the Courthouse, and he would be required to enter the building through the main entrance and pass through security in the same manner as the general public.

His access is also limited to Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., and in addition, he must exit the Courthouse only through the main entrance.

A ban of Commissioner Halcovage is still on the table to be discussed as the letter also stated Sheriff Groody would be meeting with Judge Baldwin and Commissioners Hess and Hetherington to discuss that soon.