W-B City Council to mayor: terminate LAG towing contract
By: Joe Holden
Updated: January 25, 2013
Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County- In a break with tradition that received rounds of applause, city council unanimously voted to request termination proceedings begin against LAG owner Leo Glodzik, the city's towing contractor.
After months of reports and allegations that Glodzik violated terms of his contractual agreement with the city, council members demanded the investigation into LAG be "put on the fast track."
"We cannot let this continue on," said an adamant Bill Barrett, council chairman. "I want this done now. This needs to be resolved." Barrett stared down Mayor Thomas Leighton (D) for most of his comments on the continuing LAG saga. Barrett called the litany of complaints made about LAG to the city "reasonable suspicion" enough to terminate.
While he voted in favor of beginning due process proceedings, Councilman Mike Merritt first requested a timeline be implemented.
"The only way we can move forward is to tie a due date to this," said Merritt.
Glodzik defended his business practices. He welcomed the continued inquiry.
"If there are mistakes, I want to correct them," said Glodzik. "I do welcome this review board and we'll talk about it."
Following the meeting, Leighton believed council had only voted to hasten the probe into LAG until reporters informed him of council's intent to initiate termination proceedings.
Leighton pledged to continue discussions with Glodzik to address the concerns of council members.
Glodzik told council members, when asked about the perceived violation of his contract by failing to keep records for six years, that Chief Gerard Dessoye in 2005 said he didn't need Glodzik's set of records. "I know more about the cars than you do," Glodzik claims Dessoye said. Following the council meeting, the I-Team's Joe Holden pressed further: "Did the chief of police instruct you in any way, shape or form to not keep records?" Glodzik responded, "He told me he doesn't need the records because he already has them." Holden followed up, "So did you stop keeping records on your own?" Glodzik replied, "Yes I did."
Law enforcement sources said the record-keeping process described by Glodzik was highly unusual.
Efforts to reach Dessoye on Thursday evening were unsuccessful.
Leighton holds the sole authority to terminate the towing contract.
After months of reports and allegations that Glodzik violated terms of his contractual agreement with the city, council members demanded the investigation into LAG be "put on the fast track."
"We cannot let this continue on," said an adamant Bill Barrett, council chairman. "I want this done now. This needs to be resolved." Barrett stared down Mayor Thomas Leighton (D) for most of his comments on the continuing LAG saga. Barrett called the litany of complaints made about LAG to the city "reasonable suspicion" enough to terminate.
While he voted in favor of beginning due process proceedings, Councilman Mike Merritt first requested a timeline be implemented.
"The only way we can move forward is to tie a due date to this," said Merritt.
Glodzik defended his business practices. He welcomed the continued inquiry.
"If there are mistakes, I want to correct them," said Glodzik. "I do welcome this review board and we'll talk about it."
Following the meeting, Leighton believed council had only voted to hasten the probe into LAG until reporters informed him of council's intent to initiate termination proceedings.
Leighton pledged to continue discussions with Glodzik to address the concerns of council members.
Glodzik told council members, when asked about the perceived violation of his contract by failing to keep records for six years, that Chief Gerard Dessoye in 2005 said he didn't need Glodzik's set of records. "I know more about the cars than you do," Glodzik claims Dessoye said. Following the council meeting, the I-Team's Joe Holden pressed further: "Did the chief of police instruct you in any way, shape or form to not keep records?" Glodzik responded, "He told me he doesn't need the records because he already has them." Holden followed up, "So did you stop keeping records on your own?" Glodzik replied, "Yes I did."
Law enforcement sources said the record-keeping process described by Glodzik was highly unusual.
Efforts to reach Dessoye on Thursday evening were unsuccessful.
Leighton holds the sole authority to terminate the towing contract.
