Donora ends year with no quorum, no budget

By TAYLOR BROWN
tbrown@yourmvi.com
Donora’s newly elected council members will have to pass the borough’s 2020 budget as only one member showed up at Monday’s scheduled meeting ready to vote.
Council President Jane Ackerman was the sole member to attend the session.
Council members Cindy Brice, Mike McDowell and Edward Parquette were absent along with outgoing councilmen John Conger, Dennis Gutierrez and Gib Szakal.
Ackerman was joined by Mayor Jim McDonough and borough Solicitor Steve Toprani, in addition to at least half a dozen residents who patiently waited for the meeting, which was set to begin at 10 a.m.
Moments later, Toprani told the audience the special meeting may not happen due to lack of a quorum.
As recommended by the Pennsylvania Borough Association, Toprani advised waiting 15 minutes for other council members to arrive.
The 15 minutes came and went without anyone else showing up.

To read the rest of the story, please see a copy of Tuesday’s Mon Valley Independent, call 724-314-0035 to subscribe or subscribe to our online edition at http://monvalleyindependent.com.