A firing of a Luzerne County official Thursday led to some serious controversy.
Rick Wren has been head of veterans affairs in Luzerne County for five years now but all that changed suddenly.
Wren said it was just a mistake, a mistake that cost him his job.
"For 33,000 veterans speaking for him on his behalf, we need this individual," said Sam Greenberg of Kingston.
One by one, veterans from around Luzerne County stood and spoke at Thursday morning's county commissioner's meeting in favor of Rick Wren.
He has been head of veterans affairs in Luzerne County since 2005.
"I was privileged to sit on the committee that gave the recommendation for his appointment for his position and it was probably one of the best things that I have ever done," said Neno Sartini of Kingston.
"One time I had to go to veterans affairs, I said, 'How you doing Rick?' He said, Pretty good. Want to come with me?' I said, 'Will you buy me a coffee?' I said, 'Sure, where we going?' He said, 'I have to go to Hunlock Creek to buy groceries for a veteran. He's out of food,'" said Bob Alper of Kingston.
Despite those pleas, Luzerne County commissioners voted two to one to fire Wren.
"What did he do wrong? Specifically? What?" Alper asked.
"Out of respect for Mr. Wren's rights, we cannot discuss personnel issues, nor will we," said Luzerne County Commissioner Maryanne Petrilla.
Newswatch 16 spoke with Wren by phone. He said he was fired because of a mistake involving a $70 county receipt. He didn't think it was a fireable offense, still he wants to move on now.
"We have to just put it to bed and move forward. The issue is not me. It is the care and need of our veterans," Wren said.
Commissioner Greg Skrepenak voted not to fire Wren and said what happened Thursday was clearly wrong. "It would appear to me that someone wanted him gone. They found a way to get rid of him and the next day he was gone," Skrepenak said.
County leaders said they will immediately start searching for a replacement for Rick Wren.
As for Wren, he said he will continue to work with veterans in the future.
Rick Wren has been head of veterans affairs in Luzerne County for five years now but all that changed suddenly.
Wren said it was just a mistake, a mistake that cost him his job.
"For 33,000 veterans speaking for him on his behalf, we need this individual," said Sam Greenberg of Kingston.
One by one, veterans from around Luzerne County stood and spoke at Thursday morning's county commissioner's meeting in favor of Rick Wren.
He has been head of veterans affairs in Luzerne County since 2005.
"I was privileged to sit on the committee that gave the recommendation for his appointment for his position and it was probably one of the best things that I have ever done," said Neno Sartini of Kingston.
"One time I had to go to veterans affairs, I said, 'How you doing Rick?' He said, Pretty good. Want to come with me?' I said, 'Will you buy me a coffee?' I said, 'Sure, where we going?' He said, 'I have to go to Hunlock Creek to buy groceries for a veteran. He's out of food,'" said Bob Alper of Kingston.
Despite those pleas, Luzerne County commissioners voted two to one to fire Wren.
"What did he do wrong? Specifically? What?" Alper asked.
"Out of respect for Mr. Wren's rights, we cannot discuss personnel issues, nor will we," said Luzerne County Commissioner Maryanne Petrilla.
Newswatch 16 spoke with Wren by phone. He said he was fired because of a mistake involving a $70 county receipt. He didn't think it was a fireable offense, still he wants to move on now.
"We have to just put it to bed and move forward. The issue is not me. It is the care and need of our veterans," Wren said.
Commissioner Greg Skrepenak voted not to fire Wren and said what happened Thursday was clearly wrong. "It would appear to me that someone wanted him gone. They found a way to get rid of him and the next day he was gone," Skrepenak said.
County leaders said they will immediately start searching for a replacement for Rick Wren.
As for Wren, he said he will continue to work with veterans in the future.
