Uniontown taps Bell to head recreation
Harold Bell has known his predecessor, Ken Misiak, for almost 40 years but was surprised when he found out Misiak was planning to retire from his position as Uniontown’s recreation department director. The next surprise came when city Councilman Joe Giachetti asked Bell if he wanted to be the next recreation director.
“It caught me by surprise,” Bell said.
But Giachetti didn’t have to ask Bell twice if he was interested in running the department.
City council accepted Misiak’s retirement, after he headed the department for 34 years, and hired Bell at an annual salary of $11,500 Tuesday.
Like his predecessor and countless other Uniontown residents, Bell spent the summers of his youth reveling at city parks.
He said he went home from Lafayette playground only for lunch and dinner and also played baseball at Bailey Park.
Since then, Bell has coached baseball at Bailey for the last 39 years and has served the city as a fireman, first as a volunteer for 13 years and then as a paid firefighter for the last 24.
With his tenure less than a week old, Bell initially plans to make sure the city has playground directors hired and the baseball program at Bailey ready when schools recess for the summer.
He also plans to stay in contact with the predecessor he respects for some guidance and suggestions when needed.
“I’ll pick his mind, and see if he has any ideas and hopefully keeps me in the right direction,” Bell said. “I want to keep what he started and maybe add to it. We have a good recreation program now. Many kids are involved. It benefits the community.”
Once registration for baseball is complete, Bell said he will find out which playground directors plan to return this summer.
Registration applications are available from Bell at the fire station or by calling Colleen Watson, who runs the baseball program, at 724-439-5704.
Baseball is open to kids 6 to 17 years old.
“There’s no fee to play or apply,” Bell said. “Our only requirement is they show up and have fun.”
His other plans include resurfacing the basketball courts at Bailey and Grant Street parks, possibly with a “rubbery” playing surface that is supposed to reduce knee stress.
He said he researched the softer surface on the Internet and hopes to find a local court with the material so he can take a look at it.
Bell’s long-range goal, which he shares with Misiak, is a recreation center for winter basketball and classroom space for tutoring, computers or other community activities.
“We need one, but we need more than just a basketball court. We need an evening center and a community center,” Bell said. “It would be good for the kids.”