Meeting calmer without police, Harhai or Coles
By KRISTIE LINDEN
klinden@yourmvi.com
Tuesday’s redevelopment authority meeting in Monessen lacked the drama — and police presence — of January’s meeting.
Last month, city Administrator John Harhai and Councilman Gil Coles attended the meeting to the shock of existing board members and Councilwoman Lois Thomas, who serves as board liaison for the city.
Harhai and Coles are not members of the board and haven’t attended meetings in the past, according to board member Ron Mozer and Chairman Lou Mavrakis.
Harhai announced he was at the meeting because he was the executive director of the redevelopment authority, but Mavrakis said he refused to recognize any such position.
Harhai and Coles were accompanied by three police officers. Thomas said police Chief Jim Smith ordered the police presence at the request of Mayor Matt Shorraw, who didn’t attend the meeting.
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