Dziak Jr. to fill late grandfather’s seat

BY MICHAEL J. RUDOLF

Wyoming County Press Examiner

FALLS TWP. - Eugene J. Dziak Jr. was named Thursday as township supervisor to take over the seat left vacant by the death of his grandfather, Eugene Dziak.

The elder Dziak died Saturday, Oct. 24, at the age of 77. He had served as supervisor for 42 years.

Dziak Jr., 30, is also the son of Eugene J. Dziak Sr., who is currently the director of the Wyoming County Emergency Management Agency.

Dziak Jr. said he learned of the appointment when one of the other supervisors stopped by his house after the meeting.

"I was really honored when I found out," he said.

He added that he wants to carry on the commitment to the community that his grandfather embodied.

"He was a guy that always cared about the people before himself, and I'm kind of the same way too," he said.

The newly-appointed supervisor explained that he didn't seek the office, the thought of serving had crossed his mind. He said earlier this year, when his grandfather became ill, they discussed the idea.

"He said, ‘Someday maybe you can take over the reins,'" Dziak Jr. said.

Dziak Jr. said he has no particular goals as supervisor for the moment, other than to do the best job possible.

"It's going to take a while to learn everything," he said.

According to supervisor chairman Robert Kenia, Dziak Jr. will serve the remainder of his grandfather's current term, which expires in January. What happens after that depends on the result of Tuesday's election.

The elder Dziak, who was first elected in 1961, was still on the ballot for re-election. Results of the balloting were not available at press time.

According to Flo Ball, the county elections director, any votes cast for the late supervisor would be counted. However, she said if he is the top vote-getter, the seat would be declared vacant and the remaining supervisors would have to make a new appointment in January.

If another person gets more write-in votes than the elder Dziak, though, that person would be considered the winner, Ball said.

Dziak Jr. said he would like to serve a full six-year term as supervisor. He planned to hand out write-in stickers at the polling place on Tuesday.

Dziak and his wife Becky have three children. He works as a diesel mechanic for PennDOT in Lackawanna County.