Oct 14, 2002 By Patty Shultz 2 min read

CONNELLSVILLE – Police and the city recreation department are seeking the location of a sign taken Friday from East Park. A park pavilion was recently dedicated to the memory of former city clerk William Hughes, and the plaque placed in the picnic area was removed sometime between noon Thursday and 8:30 a.m. Friday, according to Councilwoman Chris Wagner, director of the city’s parks and recreation department.

“A recreation department worker had gone down to the park, as they do every day, and discovered the sign had been taken,” said Wagner. “No one was given permission to take it down.”

George Kosisko, department foreman, said worker Paul Traynor contacted him shortly after arriving at the park and informed him of the theft.

“It wasn’t ripped off the wall,” said Kosisko. “It looks as though someone used a screwdriver and took the screws out and then used a hammer to tap the wood back in place.”

Kosisko said because of the controversy over the placement of the sign, he and other department members have been checking the pavilion specifically for the placard.

“I’ve checked with Bill’s father, who lives near the park, and he did not take it down,” he added. “We looked everywhere, along the hillside and up and down the stream. It’s not in the park.”

Wagner had unveiled the sign during the Oct. 3 rededication of the park as a tribute to Hughes, who had secured the initial grant that, along with matching funds, was used to complete renovation work at the site.

The wooden, engraved sign was purchased through donations contributed by private citizens.

Last week, Wagner moved to have council authorize the Hughes pavilion designation, but Mayor Judy Reed, along with council members Judy Keller and John Whalen, abstained from voting on the motion.

The park is city-owned property.

Wagner said street department director Councilman Bruce Jaynes and department foreman Vernon Ohler also were contacted concerning the whereabouts of the sign but had no knowledge of its location.

A theft report was filed late Friday with the police department.

“Everyone that I have spoken to about this is appalled just like I am,” said Wagner. “It is unbelievable that someone would do something like this.”

Anyone with information concerning the removal of the placard or its location should call the police department at 724-628-2501.