Oct 11, 2002 By Patty Shultz 3 min read

CONNELLSVILLE – A majority of the city council has nixed plans to dedicate a park pavilion in memory of a former city employee. Although Mayor Judy Reed and council members Judy Keller and John Whalen abstained from casting a vote on Tuesday, solicitor James Fitzsimmons said the motion to designate the East Park site as the William E. Hughes pavilion, offered by Councilwoman Chris Wagner, failed to garner sufficient support to pass.

While an abstention from voting does not signify a yes or no to a measure, the Third Class City Code requires three affirmative votes for the passage of a resolution or ordinance, according to Michael Foreman, policy specialist for the state Department of Community and Economic Development, Governor’s Center for Local Government Services.

“Therefore, the motion would require three votes to pass,” he said.

Wagner said she was disappointed that the three council members did not support the measure. Councilman Bruce Jaynes joined Wagner in voting in favor of the motion.

“I’m deeply saddened for the family and friends of Bill Hughes,” she said. “Bill worked very hard on this project, and if weren’t for his dedication, East Park would not have been renovated.”

Hughes served two years as city clerk until 2000, when he took a township managerial position in Clarion County. He died unexpectedly in May after suffering a heart attack.

Keller declined to comment as to why she abstained from voting on the measure.

During his tenure as city clerk, Hughes secured a $250,000 grant through the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for the East Park renovation project, which was completed last month.

The grant was matched with contributions from Allegheny Energy, financial support from the Fayette Enterprise Commission (FEC), two legislative grants and funding designated from the city’s Community Development Block Grant allocation.

Wagner had stipulated in her motion that the action be retroactive to Oct. 3, the date a ceremony was held to rededicate the 1940s-era park and designate the pavilion.

Whalen earlier said he was disappointed that the ceremony had not taken place on a weekend so that more families could attend, but Wagner said the Thursday date was scheduled to accommodate members of the Hughes family who no longer reside in the city, along with representatives of the funding agencies and contractors that completed the work.

“I did not choose the date. It was the only one that fit the schedule

of those to be honored,” Wagner said.

About 50 people attended the ceremony.

Wagner said donations from various individuals allowed for a sign with Hughes’ name engraved to be purchased for the pavilion. The wooden sign was unveiled at the ceremony.