Oct 5, 2013 4 min read

A look at some of the headlines gracing the pages of the Observer-Reporter and Waynesburg Republican this week in Greene County history:

Manzo accusations won’t hurt campaign, DeWeese claims

State Rep. Bill DeWeese was back in his district Thursday campaigning door to door, a day after his former chief of staff alleged DeWeese knew taxpayers’ money was being used to fund political campaigns.

His opponent, Republican Greg Hopkins, also was out knocking on doors, believing that while fallout from the accusation may help him, it doesn’t guarantee a win.

DeWeese’s former chief of staff, Mike Manzo, testified Wednesday he believed DeWeese was aware public money was being used to encourage legislative aides to volunteer for Democratic campaigns.

Manzo, who is expected to plead guilty for his role in the bonus scheme and is cooperating with prosecutors, made the allegation during a preliminary hearing for two people charged in the case.

Manzo was the first person to accuse DeWeese of knowing about the system under which taxpayer funded bonuses were illegally paid to staff.

As he has in the past, DeWeese Thursday denied he had any knowledge of the activities.

A grand jury conducted a thorough investigation, interviewing 200 members of his staff and offering many immunity and “I was not implicated” in any of these matters, DeWeese said.

Children in need will get clothes through new state department

WAYNESBURG – For a few moments Monday, the reception area at Greene County Community Action Southwest resembled a children’s clothing store, as a myriad of tiny pants, dresses and shirts were on display.

The nonprofit agency was simply showing off the first fruits of a new state department, the Governor’s Cabinet on Children and Families, which was formed to look after children’s needs.

In the next few weeks, about $5,000 worth of new outfits will filter into the agency, which will then give the clothing to poor children.

“And, the best news is: There’s more to come,” said Lance Simmens, executive director for the department, which was formed by Gov. Edward Rendell’s executive order Sept. 18.

Statewide, Simmens expects to receive $1 million in children’s clothing in the next several years through the state’s relationship with Kids in Distressed Situations Inc. (KIDS). Retailers and manufacturers donate clothing and other children’s merchandise from a previous year’s product line to KIDS, which then distributes the items to agencies such as the new governor’s cabinet.

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Construction project nears completion

MT. MORRIS – A multi-tenant building being constructed at Meadow Ridge Business Park near Mt. Morris should be ready for occupancy before the end of the year.

Work on the 20,000-square foot building, which is being constructed by Regional Industrial Development Corp. of Pennsylvania, is expected to be finished next month, said Lee Gevaudan, RIDC director of development.

Site development, including construction of the parking lot, and the basic structure of the building have been completed, Gevaudan said. “In November, it should be done,” he said.

Greene County hospital administrator resigns

WAYNESBURG – Michael N. J. Flinn has resigned from the position he has held for the past 11 years as hospital administrator at Greene County Memorial Hospital.

The hospital board of directors accepted Flinn’s resignation during a meeting Sept. 27, and appointed associate administrator Steven A. Mariner as acting hospital administrator.

Flinn, contacted at his home Wednesday evening, declined to comment on his reason for resigning from the position.

Board chairman Harry J. Cancelmi said Flinn had given “no lengthy explanation” in offering his resignation to the board, and declined to comment further on the matter.

Cancelmi said that during Flinn’s tenure the hospital completed a new addition, and attracted many more doctors, including specialists, top the staff.

High school construction advancing

The final sections of steel are being placed this week in the Central Greene School District’s new senior high school.

They are going up in the gymnasium wing, and once in place and covered, the entire building will be under roof.

Howard A. Craft, school district business manager, said construction is progressing well on schedule, with July 15, 1969, having been set as the conservative date for completion of the entire building.