Donora council to hear residents’ concerns
Donora Council President Dennis Gutierrez
Larger-than-normal crowds have been turning out for Donora council meetings, as was the case Dec. 14.
DONORA – A new majority on Donora Borough Council is vowing to improve transparency in the business office and become more in tune with the concerns of borough residents.
With a new council president at the helm, council is scrutinizing every line item in the 2016 budget and considering making changes in the way in which borough business is being conducted.
“I can’t promise a gas station or a grocery store, but we can improve on the way we do business,” council President Dennis Gutierrez said this week.
Gutierrez said he plans to reorganize “everyday activities” to ensure they accommodate each department.
“The people of Donora asked for a change. We can’t be sitting here a year from now with the same problems,” he said.
Donora’s downtown economy has suffered greatly since the Donora-Webster Bridge closed several years ago. A major employer, PolyCom Huntsman, closed in the borough in 2013, followed by the closing this month of Donora Lumber.
Residents are seeing larger sewer and garbage bills, in part because of the PolyCom shutdown, causing residents to complain to council about those issues.
“It’s not something we can control,” Gutierrez said. “What we can change is how we respond to the changes. We have to take the future in our own hands.”
Donora Councilman Gilbert Szakal Jr. is organizing a town hall meeting to bring community and church leaders together to discuss problems as council decides what changes need made in the local government.
“It seems like there is a separation between the community and council,” Szakal said.
“Yes. Change is scary,” added Gutierrez.
The town hall meeting will be held at 6 p.m. March 9 in the borough social hall at 601 Meldon Ave.