Jul 18, 2018 3 min read

CHARLEROI – Tensions were high at Monday’s special Charleroi Council meeting, where members voted to reappoint its president and two police board representatives.

Former President Jerry Jericho was elected over Randy DiPiazza for the lead role. Jericho and Jeannine Motycki were reappointed to the regional police board. At an agenda meeting July 5, Councilman Larry Celaschi made motions to remove Jericho as president and he and Motycki as police representatives. Jericho, Motycki and Heidi Cramer didn’t attend that meeting, and the motions were approved by Celaschi, Jody Cheplic and Randy DiPiazza. Councilwoman Debbie Buck abstained.

Near the end of the meeting, Buck handed a letter of resignation to Jericho after tempers flared and doors slammed. Buck said the behavior of fellow council members was anything but respectful after she missed a July 12 council meeting due to a work emergency. Buck was one of four council members that did not attend the meeting, resulting in its cancellation due to lack of a quorum.

Buck said she sent a text to a borough official that she would not be able to attend the meeting. “I received a message from Jody Cheplic, and it was very disturbing,” she said. Cheplic apologized for the message and said she let her emotions affect her.

Buck added that other council members seemed to have no respect for her, saying DiPiazza called her unprofessional and Celaschi said she shouldn’t take her borough paycheck.

“Here is my $105 check and my letter of resignation,”she said.

Jericho said he didn’t want to accept the letter. “I really wish you wouldn’t do this. I wish you would rip it up in front of me.”

Celaschi said he never mentioned a name when making the comment. DiPiazza said, “Hey everyone here, I got something to say. It’s pretty good when outside sources, people who don’t live in the borough, people that don’t own property in the borough, tell these people how to run a meeting.”

After more heated discussion, DiPiazza walked out and slammed the door.

Though bickering dominated the meeting, council did approve a resolution to begin the bidding process for a stormwater maintenance project. The $975,000 project is being funded by a Federal Highways Administration grant. Celaschi questioned cost overruns.

Jamie Protin, a representative from Mackin Engineering, said the firm will be watching the costs and will be keeping council informed. He added if there would be unexpected costs that the borough could either fund it with money from the Local Share Account or items will be cut to keep the cost at budget.