‘It has been an honor to serve:’ Lycoming County DA to resign Friday
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Lycoming County District Attorney Tom Marino will resign from the position, effective Friday, he announced in a press release Wednesday, calling the decision "a mix of sadness and gratitude."
Marino cited a "combination of health reasons" for the "difficult decision" to step away.
"As I reflect on my career, I am reminded of the opportunities I’ve had to serve this great community," Marino said in the release.
"After graduating from Dickinson Law in 1988, I was honored to become the District Attorney of Lycoming County in 1992, a position I held until 2002. During that time, I worked tirelessly to uphold justice and protect the citizens of this county," the release continued.
"My journey didn’t end there. I went on to serve as a U.S. State Attorney and later as a member of Congress, representing our community’s interests at the national level," Marino wrote.
Marino was re-elected to the position of District Attorney, a position he said "has truly been my favorite of all the offices I’ve held."
"While it’s hard to leave behind a job I love, I take comfort in knowing that I have an exceptional staff who will continue to serve this county with dedication and excellence," Marino wrote.
"I want to express my deepest gratitude to the people of Lycoming County for entrusting me with this position. It has been an honor to serve as your District Attorney, and I will truly miss this job," he said in the release.
Current First Assistant District Attorney Martin Wade will fill the void left in Marino’s absence, he said, voicing his confidence that Wade "will lead the office with integrity and commitment."
"I have every confidence that the county will be in good hands under his leadership," Marino said.
"Thank you again for the opportunity to serve. I will always cherish the memories and experiences I’ve had as District Attorney of Lycoming County," the release concluded.
“People say 'why are you doing this,' well this is my way of giving back,” Marino told the Sun-Gazette following his 2023 election.
“Unbeknownst to me at the time, Lycoming County launched my career when they elected me the D.A. the first time. Then I was on to U.S. Attorney, then I was on to congress, and now I want to make a full circle back and say, 'thank you,'” he said at the time.
"I’ve had a good run," Marino told the Sun-Gazette Wednesday.
Even in retirement, Marino plans to keep busy between spending time with his first grandchild and performing charity work, he said.
Though Marino owns a vacation home in Florida, he said he plans to continue living locally.
Marino said the office is in a good place to carry on upon his resignation, adding the office is now fully staffed.
"The two things I hope they get running soon is the central processing that I pushed hard for and built, that would allow police to bring somebody in, drop them off and get back out on the street, and the child advocacy center I want to put together. I’ve given them to the two people I think can run with it, and hopefully we’ll get it done," he said.
Marino envisions the advocacy center as a place for children who have to testify in court.
"We’ll have a facility where kids that we need to testify, particularly in child abuse cases, that will have enough money to be able to hire psychologists and psychiatrists and people to protect these kids as well," the D.A. said.
"We’re in good shape," the DA said, noting that the project was recently offered a $300,000 grant.
"I think we have a facility that we can get into, and we’re in the middle of the paperwork that we have to go through, and hopefully that’ll get finished not long after I’m gone," Marino said.