Charleroi suspends manager, tables ABC decision

By TAYLOR BROWN
tbrown@yourmvi.com
Amid a large crowd of protestors, the future of the Authority of the Borough of Charleroi was put on hold again Wednesday, but council did make a surprise decision to suspend the borough manager.
As tensions continue to run high surrounding the authority, council agreed last week to table the reading of an ordinance to dissolve the authority until next month – though comments made Wednesday by members of council could mean some sort of deal could be reached before then.
Prior to the meeting, a group of nearly 40 protestors met at ABC and marched along McKean Avenue to the municipal building for the meeting.
As council met in executive session before the start of the meeting, more people began to pack the community room eager to discuss ABC and put pressure on council to leave the authority as it is, without any dissolution or potential lease agreement.
Many in attendance expected talks surrounding the authority to dominate the meeting, but instead the focus shifted to the recent behavior of Borough Manager Matt Staniszewski — and a subsequent motion to suspend him.
Staniszewski was not present at Wednesday’s meeting.
Before any agenda item was discussed, Councilman Jerry Jericho explained that ABC would not be on the agenda.

To read the rest of the story, please see a copy of Thursday’s Mon Valley Independent, call 724-314-0035 to subscribe or subscribe to our online edition at http://monvalleyindependent.com.

Jeff Helsel / Mon Valley Independent
Leading the protest from the Authority of the Borough of Charleroi to the Charleroi Council meeting Wednesday are ABC Vice Chairman Patrick Garmin and Larry Hopkins. The group is protesting any action that involves dissolving the authority