Elizabeth Borough: Karen Turner sworn in as new council member

By CHRISTINE HAINES

chaines@yourmvi.com

Elizabeth Borough Council welcomed a new member Tuesday night. 

Karen Turner, 32, was sworn into office, replacing Councilwoman Jocelyn Smrdel, who resigned last month because she’s moving out of state. 

Turner grew up in the Boston area of Elizabeth Township, then moved to Pittsburgh for college. She moved to Elizabeth Borough two years ago, and she and her husband are raising their son, who will be a year old in October.

“I wanted to get involved. I like the way the city is changing. I think there’s a bright future in Elizabeth and I want to make it the kind of place so if he moves away, he wants to come back,” Turner said of her son.

Elizabeth Area Development Corporation President Larry Ross reported that he had a good meeting with county officials Tuesday regarding the final paperwork needed for funds to be released for the EADC to finish the parking lot project at the former Moose Building site.

“I’ll have their documents by the end of the week,” Ross said.

Solicitor Krisha DeMascio asked if the EADC is ready to present the project to the borough planning commission, including having engineer-prepared drawings of the project.

“We’re going to waive our fee for the planning hearing, but we need engineered documents to get the process going,” DeMascio said.

Ross said he hasn’t seen them yet, but the contractor, Minniefield Demolition Services, is providing the engineering services.

“This has been very frustrating for all parties involved,” Ross said.

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