Charleroi councilwoman censured for ‘improper actions’

By TAYLOR BROWN
tbrown@yourmvi.com
A Charleroi borough councilwoman was censured Wednesday for “improper actions against another council person.”
Following a lengthy business meeting Wednesday, Councilwoman Jeannine Motycki called for a motion to censure fellow Councilwoman Jody Cheplic.
Councilwoman Nancy Ellis seconded the motion, but before a roll call vote was taken, other council members wanted answers.
Council President Mark Alterici appeared to be familiar with the problem, but said he thought it was a personal matter.
“I am not sure this is borough business,” Alterici said. “It seems to me this is something that should be done individually.”
Vice President Jerry Jericho seemed to agree.
“What is the use of censuring someone if there are no penalties,” Jericho said. “I agree with Mark. It sounds like a personal thing.”
Motycki said she considers it to be borough business, but did not elaborate much further.
“It was not a personal thing, it was made very public,” Motycki said.
Borough Solicitor Steve Toprani said Motycki was within her right to call for the motion, and if there was a second, it could be put up for a vote — although no financial or disciplinary action would be required.
When an elected official is censured it does not remove them from office.
A censure is a formal statement of disapproval intended to be put on the record.
“It is my right to do that, I did it, and now we have to vote on it,” Motycki said. “No one else has to know what it is about, because we know what it is about.”
After council sought more clarity on the motion, Motycki offered a detailed explanation.
Ultimately, the problem stems to 2018 when Motycki and Cheplic were sworn into office and volunteered to take a newly-elected officials class.
Motycki said shortly before the class started she became ill for several weeks. She also had to have emergency surgery.
“This is not what I wanted to do, but this is what it has come down to,” Motycki said. “Everyone knows I did not go to the school. Everyone knows I was sick.”
Motycki said Alterici requested medical documentation, but her attorney said she did not have to provide it as there was not a resolution or ordinance requiring her to attend.
“You requested documentation, my lawyer said I did not have to provide that,” Motycki said. “I have been relentlessly asked to pay it. All you have been questioned for me to pay it. All of you have told Councilwoman Cheplic there is no ordinance, that you can’t make me pay it and that I don’t have to pay it.”
The class was $225 and paid for by the borough.
Motycki said there was not a problem paying for the class, but she now refuses after years of pestering, she said.
“It was brought up two years ago, not publicly, and it has been relentless every since,” she said. “If I had not gotten pushed and pushed and pushed the money would have been paid back a long time ago.
“But you know what they say, ‘Don’t poke the bear because eventually the bear will fight back.’ I had no problem paying it, but so much has gone on since then, I am finally saying why should I? I have gotten beat up, I have gotten knocked down, everyone knows it is not a private thing.”
Motycki said she is ready to move forward.
“I want it to stop today. I want it to end. I want (to pass) this motion that she is censured for improper actions against me,” Motycki said. “I want this to end tonight.”
Most council members agreed.
“I don’t want to hear about this from anyone again,” Alterici said. “I am sick of hearing about it.”
Jericho said he is “fed up.”
“Everyone in this damn room has said something on Facebook or did something that is out of hand,” Jericho said. “ We have to do what is right for Charleroi, not try to find the fault in others….If you are here for any other reason than Charleroi get the hell out of the room.”

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See the video from the council meeting on www.monvalleyindependent.com.