Gray to leave the public spotlight for private practice
Gerald Gray, who has been the Presque Isle County assistant prosecutor for six years, has resigned his position at the county courthouse and will be re-entering private practice in June. Gray submitted his letter of resignation April 29, which will be effective at the close of business in the prosecutor?s office May 31. Prosecutor Don McLennan told members of the finance committee of the development last Thursday and copies of Gray?s letter were distributed to four county commissioners Friday at their last regular meeting of the month. ?My six years serving Presque Isle County with this office have been very rewarding,? he stated in his letter.
GRAY COMMENDED the staff of the prosecutor?s office — Val Pardike, Terry Koss, and Marie Wisniewski — for their dedication to serving the citizens of the county, ?our friends and neighbors,? Gray said, reading the two-paragraph letter to the commissioners. ?Although faced with an increasing case load and duties, you have continued to provide outstanding services, assuring justice and the needs of the victims and the communities,? Gray stated.
?I hope to continue these attributes learned in my tenure as assistant prosecutor as I return to private practice and public service in other roles.? The motion to accept the resignation was made by District 3 commissioner Mike Darga and approved on a unanimous vote. ?I would like to thank you…on behalf of the constituents of my district for your services,? said Darga. ?Very well done.? Ch
BEFORE GRAY took the job in 1998, the county had a difficult time keeping someone in the office, and based on comments from last Friday?s meeting, the chairman believes the price of a replacement could be a high one because Gray didn?t accept medical benefits from the county. ?The bad news on this is going to be his medical coverage was through his wife,? Bruder said. ?He did not collect that from us, so if we hire somebody new, we probably cannot get anybody any cheaper than the current one (Gray).?
The cost to the county for the new assistant prosecutor could be as much as $900 more a month, or more than $10,000 a year, if Gray?s replacement accepts the family medical plan. Gray replaced John Rishar, who was being paid $24,000 a year plus benefits, and resigned to take another position downstate when a pay increase to $40,000 a year was denied. At the time of Rishar?s resignation, the prosecutor?s office had been through 11 assistant prosecutors in 13 years. Bruder said, ?Those are the things we?ll have to look at.?