Stephen Lungen has a Right to be Angry

by: Bill Liblick

Sullivan County District Attorney Stephen Lungen is irate. Our highly respected prosecutor feels that his office has become a stepchild when it comes to receiving sufficient funding for his office.

During the past several years our courtrooms have been plagued with increased crime. The average Sullivan County resident just has to walk into a local courthouse on any given day, and they will leave in shock and disbelief.

All criminal legal actions handled in Sullivan County are assigned to the District Attorney’s office. The increased number of proceedings they are confronted with on a daily basis has become devastating. 

To prosecute a case successfully each and every case must undergo research and preparation. Judges I speak with say they are amazed by the ever growing number of indictments.

Assistant District Attorney James Farrell recently discussed with me the number of proceedings he and his colleagues are assigned to in a given week and the amount of time they devote to successfully prosecute a crime.

Knowing they could all earn six figure salaries in the private sector, our Assistant District Attorneys continue to prosecute, because they are steadfast in their drive to turn Sullivan County into a safe and secure place to live. People like Farrell honestly believe they can make a difference, and they are. But, they must also be adequately compensated and treated with respect by Sullivan County officials.

It is very disheartening to hear legislators agree with Lungen that his staff is underpaid, and yet they still refuse to do anything about it.  Empty promises and sympathy does not go a long way when one has bills to pay.  How can anyone blame Lungen for being enraged with the way the District Attorneys office is being dealt?

In contrast, Sheriff Michael Schiff talking about the financial allocations for his office was quoted as saying, "we're team players, and we'll take what we can get." Although Schiff happens to be right, he must be reminded that the Sheriff’s Office has seen several new positions created, while the District Attorney’s office has not. 

I trust Schiff will not be a “team player” if the county does not approve the salary increases his Deputies are asking for. Hopefully he will rightfully protect and defend their interests, just like Lungen is doing right now for his staff.

Even more absurd in all this is the huge amounts of money the county awards in two legal aide contracts. Lungen claims that we are in essence paying more to defend criminals than we are to prosecute them. He correctly points out that legal aide attorneys earn as much or even more than his prosecutors, and are not as overworked.

Sullivan County is in a financial mess. Every department head is pleading their case for money. There has been little outcry from the public because there is nothing we can do to change things. Residents are disgusted with a county that is sinking deeper and deeper. There was no discussion from County Manager David Fanslau or the legislature on our current financial crises during the election, because they did not want it to play a factor.

Stephen Lungen is a hardworking-dedicated professional who works to make a difference. It becomes frustrating dealing with elected and county officials who are unwilling or maybe incapable to do the same.

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