Jan 5, 2018 2 min read

After reading the front page article Tuesday on the resignation of  Tim Solobay as the state fire commissioner, I feel compelled to write this.

First and foremost, sexual harassment on any level, be it in governmental service or in the private sector, should never, ever be tolerated. If, in fact, unwanted, unsolicited physical and verbal incidents occurred, then it is incumbent upon Solobay to address these issues immediately.

If the incident as described occurred more than six years ago, it should have been addressed by Sharon Wilson, Solobay’s chief of staff when he was in the state Senate. I can understand the hesitancy of Rachel Moore, the former staffer who said Solobay slapped her on the butt, to address the issue in 2011. But she was approached by PennLive and agreed to be interviewed, outlining in detail the alleged misconduct.

The question: Why, after six years, did the issue resurface?

I’ve worked with Solobay in political campaigns, on local economic issues, infrastructure concerns, and, of course, on issues affecting organized labor. He’s always conducted himself in a professional manner in the nearly 40 years I’ve known him. Am I a supporter of Solobay? Most certainly. But, as I’ve stated previously, if the allegations against Solobay are true, he needs to deal with them, and do so immediately, without hesitation.

Barry L. Andrews

Washington

Andrews is vice president of the Central Labor Council for Washington and Greene counties.