New code enforcement officer hired in Charleroi

By TAYLOR BROWN
tbrown@yourmvi.com

Two new employees clocked in for their first shifts for Charleroi Borough this week.
On Monday, Jeremy Hepple, a Charleroi volunteer firefighter, started training for his new position with the current code enforcement officer Bobby Whiten Jr.
Whiten submitted his retirement resignation to council last month, effective May 28.
Hepple was hired for the position during an agenda meeting last week and began his training on Monday.
In less than three days on the job, he has written more than 50 citations and presented his first report to a pleased borough council on Wednesday.
“There is a new sheriff in town,” Council President Mark Alterici said.
Hepple will work full-time in the position as an at-will employee.
Whiten worked part-time in the role for nearly two years, working to clean up the borough, and Hepple is ready to pick up where Whiten will leave off later this month.
Alterici said several applicants applied for the position, but Hepple stood out.
“He is picking up things really quickly,” Alterici said. “And, as a firefighter, he has a good knowledge of the fire code, which is really helpful for the job. He already had a good relationship with Bobby so the transition has been smooth. We’re happy.”
Councilwoman Jody Cheplic, who oversees code enforcement, said he seems to be fitting in.
“I stopped in on Monday to check in to see how he was doing and he told me he is either smarter than he thinks or learning really fast,” Cheplic said. “But he seems to be doing a fine job so far and Bobby has been working with him.”
As Hepple took to the streets making sure residential properties and business were in compliance, the borough’s new street foreman Brooks Fox was also getting his feet wet on the first day of his new job.
Fox will replace current street department foreman T.J. Urda.
Both men attended their first meeting Wednesday and are ready to get to work in the borough.
“I am excited for the job and ready to serve the good people of Charleroi,” Fox said.

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