Donora names police chief

By KRISTIE LINDEN

klinden@yourmvi.com

Donora Council voted to reinstate the position of police chief and then to promote an officer to fill the role, while keeping police Superintendent Jim Brice in his existing position.

The move was a surprise addition to the agenda Thursday night — for at least two council members, Cindy Brice and Donnie Pavelko. But all other council members seemed to know it was coming and voted in favor of the motions with no discussion.

New police Chief Mike Parry also knew about it in advance and was at the meeting along with his family.

In two motions that were not on the agenda and were not part of last Thursday’s public workshop meeting, council Vice President Janie Ackerman moved to reactivate the position of police chief, which was deactivated about 40 years ago, and Councilman Joe Greco then moved to promote Officer Mike Parry to the position.

When Councilwoman Cindy Brice asked what it meant that they were adding the position of police chief, Greco said the moves would do nothing to the current position of Jim Brice, that nothing would change for him. Greco said it was merely to add ranks within the department.

Greco said he might come back next month and ask council to promote officers to the rants of sergeant and lieutenant as well.

Cindy Brice and Councilman Donnie Pavelko voted no against the position of police chief.

“Again, here we are,” Pavelko said. “We had a work session last week and nothing was discussed. I’m getting tired of this. I’m tired of having to vote on things I know nothing about, so I’m going to vote no.”

Greco, Ackerman, council President Mike McDowell and councilmen Ed Parquette and Sonny Lawson voted in favor.

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