Connellsville hires police officer
CONNELLSVILLE – A neighboring police department veteran will fill a vacancy on the city force following recent council action. South Connellsville Borough police officer John James was named to fill the open position made earlier this year with the departure of Ray Swederski.
James, a graduate of Connellsville Area Senior High School, attended Westmoreland County Community College, where he obtained a degree in criminal justice, and Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
In addition to his part-time police work in South Connellsville, James serves in a similar capacity in Mount Pleasant Borough.
“I think he’ll be a good officer,” said police Chief Stephen Cooper. “He certainly was at the top of my list.”
Cooper said James’ affiliation with the South Connellsville force enabled him to have first-hand knowledge of the officer’s work ethic through joint investigations.
“Because we are adjoining municipalities, we often back them up and they do the same, when needed,” he said. “It has given us a chance to know their officers, including John.”
With his local ties to the community, Cooper said he believes James will remain with the police department.
“He has local ties to the community,” he said. “I believe he’ll be with us for years to come.”
The city Civil Service Commission conducted the testing in April for 26 applicants interested in the position.
“We had some very fine candidates,” said Mayor Judy Reed. “Mr. James came highly recommended by the Civil Service board and Chief Cooper. We’re very happy to have him on the police force.”
James will begin work on Aug. 1.
In other business, council approved a one-year contract with Hoffman’s Boarding Kennels of Delmont for animal control within the city at a monthly rate of $300.
The action was necessitated, said Councilman John Whalen, after the Fayette County SPCA, the city’s previous animal control agency, shut down its operation and cut its ties with the city and other communities. “They cancelled their contract with us, which left us in a position to seek another agency,” said Whalen.
The SPCA, which later reorganized, submitted a bid of $439.15 per month for the service, while Noah’s Ark of Fayette County Humane and Animal of Uniontown submitted a bid of $394.57 per month.
Whalen said in addition to the lower monthly fee, Hoffman’s has also agreed to turn over any collected fines to the city.
In other action, council also:
– Entered into an agreement with Metrocall Inc. to provide messaging devices for the police department at an annual cost of $2,292.95.
– Appointed Bill Coleman, Robert Baer and Bill Baer to the Shade Tree Commission.
– Hired Linda Riggin as a building monitor for the police department.
– Accepted the resignation of Mike Paxinos from the planning commission.
– Scheduled a wellness program meeting for July 29 at 7 p.m.
– Approved the purchase of a commercial lawn mower by the city street department at a cost of $1,901.13.