Legislator introduces bill to oust no-show municipal officials
State Rep. Justin Walsh, R-Rostraver, has introduced an amendment to the Pennsylvania Constitution that would provide a removal process for municipal elected officials who fail to attend public meetings.
In a news release, Walsh pointed at Monessen Mayor Matt Shorraw, a Democrat who has been absent from council meetings for 12 months, and Councilman Gil Coles, who has also missed regular meetings since Feb. 8, 2018.
Coles did vote to renew the city’s insurance policy at an emergency meeting last June.
“Local government cannot operate efficiently and properly if those entrusted with representing the people are no-shows at regularly scheduled public meetings,” Walsh said.
Under Walsh’s bill, a local elected official who misses more than half of scheduled meetings in a calendar year would be subject to removal. Remaining members of the board could ask their solicitor to begin proceedings to vacate the office.
Walsh’s bill has 11 co-sponsors, including 10 Republicans and one Democrat, Joe Ciresi of Montgomery County.
A Constitutional amendment must pass the Legislature in two consecutive sessions before going to voters for approval.
Council asked Gov. Tom Wolf to begin impeachment proceedings against Shorraw, but, according to Councilman David Feehan, the state Senate must initiate the process.
Shorraw, 28, took office in January 2018.
In a lengthy response sent via Twitter message, Shorraw wrote, in part, he was dismayed by those he said have threatened and intimidated him and Coles. He said there is an active, ongoing investigation, and called Walsh “on the wrong side of history.
“If Rep. Walsh is attempting to to do good by the taxpayers in his district, I think it would better serve Walsh to actually (do) something to combat the public corruption and white-collar crime that Councilman Coles and I are protesting, and which has dominated Monessen for decades.”
After Westmoreland County Court filled a council vacancy last August, Shorraw, via email, wrote to the Observer-Reporter, “I have still chosen to stay away from the meetings, as council has been combative, verbally, towards me.”