SUNBURY - The Democratic nominee for Northumberland County prothonotary told county Commissioner Vinny Clausi to back off the alleged "personal attacks" on her family while the commissioner seeks health care information from the City of Shamokin.
Meg Bartos, the wife of Shamokin City Clerk Steve Bartos, addressed Clausi Tuesday afternoon during the commissioner meeting to condemn what she calls the commissioner's "tactics of bullying, intimidation and personal assaults."
"I am here to tell you today that my family is off limits and any further attacks by you or anyone else on my family will not be tolerated," she said.
Clausi and Steve Bartos clashed Monday night at the city's regular meeting, when Clausi called Bartos a "dirty man" and Bartos called Clausi a "chief clown."
During Monday's meeting, Clausi asked if two of Bartos' children - the family lives in Mount Carmel - were hired to work at the city pool, and Steve Bartos told the commissioner he was out of line for bringing his children into the dispute.
"No employee, elected official or citizen of Northumberland County should have to endure this type of intimidation by one of its public officials," Meg Bartos said Tuesday, noting she would not be intimated by the commissioner.
She added, "My sons are not subject for public debate or ridicule, and only a callous and uncaring individual would even think of using them for political advantage in an election."
While she spoke at the podium, Clausi said nothing. He didn't say anything after Bartos finished speaking.
Clausi, a Democrat, is backing Republican candidate Justin Dunkelberger for the prothonotary's office against Meg Bartos, also a Democrat.
Bartos said she is running for the elected position based on her qualifications and ability to perform the duties.
"I would be happy to debate my opponent on any of the relevant issues related to the prothonotary's office, including his or my qualifications," she said. "However, I will not tolerate any more personal attacks by my opponent or my opponent's attack dog, Commissioner Clausi."
At the Monday night meeting, Clausi also questioned Meg Bartos' performance acquiring a grant for Shamokin estimated between $375,000 and $450,000 to hire a new police officer for three years.
The application failed after it was only partially received, according to a U.S. Department of Justice spokesman. Information specific to the city's budget was never received by the department. Both Meg Bartos and her husband say the application website crashed as the June 4 deadline expired.