Published Tuesday, Sept. 28, 1999 Judy Keeley Canon of Hermitage, who lost the Republican nomination for recorder to Rhonda I. McClelland in the May 18 primary, said the situation was disheartening.
"It's sad to see how someone will go to such an extreme to win an election," she said.
Mrs. Canon's comments mirrored those made by Mrs. Felesky, who referred to allegations and charges filed against her husband so close to the Nov. 2 general election as "truly political."
Robert Felesky, 62, of 21 Denaman Ave., West Middlesex, was charged Friday with theft by unlawful taking or disposition and criminal mischief for allegedly stealing signs on May 17 in East Lackawannock Township.
State police issued the summons after the conclusion of a lengthy investigation by police, Mercer County District Attorney James P. Epstein and the state Attorney General's office. Epstein, a Democrat, asked the state to take over the case.
Mrs. McClelland, who will face Mrs. Felesky in the general election, issued a written statement.
"The Sheriff, the District Attorney and the State Attorney General's Office have handled the case given to them by the state police with no prejudice whatsoever to either party," the Grove City Republican stated. "Neither Judy Keeley Canon nor Rhonda Palmer McClelland have been asked to file documents regarding this matter."
Mrs. McClelland cited statements made by Sheriff William Romine last spring that anyone caught taking political signs would face charges. "His message was indicating that no one is above the law," she said.
Mrs. Canon noted the financial loss. "There is so much money involved," said Mrs. Canon of the political signs. "I had 500 signs in different areas." Mrs. Canon, who has twice run for recorder, said she did not know how many signs were taken from the Lackawannock Township area, but was aware signs had turned up missing before. "I thought they had been taken but no one was ever caught," she said.
According to reports, Felesky was seen at 11:20 p.m. May 17 along state Route 318 in Lackawannock Township. A state trooper stopped to investigate and saw campaign signs in the back of Felesky's car.
At that time, Mrs. Felesky said her husband was collecting signs that had been thrown down by road crews as a favor to other candidates. He also had picked up signs for Democratic commissioner candidates Michael Nashtock and Kenneth Ammann, she said.
Mrs. Felesky said her husband had been out late because he didn't have time earlier in the day.
Felesky's preliminary hearing is set for 10 a.m. Oct. 13 before District Justice Ruth French, Mercer.
