Jan 8, 2008 By Patty Yauger 4 min read

CONNELLSVILLE – In a surprise move Monday, Connellsville City Council accepted the resignation of yet another city solicitor as it reorganized for the year. Solicitor Gretchen Mundorff, who served as legal counsel for the city since 2006, tendered her letter of resignation from the position, stating the action was taken after “some thought and prayerful consideration.” The letter did not cite any specific reason for her departure.

In the letter read by city clerk Antoinette Tesauro, Mundorff stated that she was honored to have served the “great people of the city of Connellsville.”

To council, Mundorff asked that the panel put aside “their differences” and begin to work together “with unity and purpose” to accomplish great things for the city.

The letter dated Friday was made a part of a packet distributed to council prior to the start of the meeting.

Mundorff had attended council’s Dec. 13 meeting and later had issued an opinion concerning the panel’s requirement to meet Monday to comply with the Third Class City Code.

Mayor Judy Reed had set the reorganization and business meeting for Jan. 15. However, the code mandates reorganization must take place the first Monday of January, said Mundorff in earlier correspondence.

Councilman Brad Geyer, meanwhile, said that Mundorff was dedicated to the position and the city.

“It is with a heavy heart that we have to do this,” he said. “In all the people we come across as a city, very few have the love and the passion for the city as Gretchen Mundorff has.”

Councilman Charles Matthews also touted Mundorff’s dedication to the city.

“Gretchen has done a fine job the past two years,” he said.

After council approved Mundorff’s resignation, it then approved the immediate hiring of attorney Thomas A. Bowlen to fill the vacancy at a salary of $15,000. Bowlen is a partner of the Connellsville law firm of Horewitz, Cordaro, Bowlen and Miele.

Matthews questioned the term for the new solicitor, noting that the Third Class City Code states the position is for four years and begins in May, but Reed’s resolution did not specify the length of the contract.

Reed responded that it has been the practice of council to appoint a solicitor in January during reorganization. She said it was necessary to take the action because of Mundorff’s resignation.

Matthews suggested that Bowlen’s first duty be to investigate whether council was taking appropriate action concerning the hiring of another solicitor.

“Again, we’re appointing a solicitor at the last minute; (former solicitor) Joe Ferens resigned at the last minute and now we have (Mundorff) resigning,” he said. “It seems to be a habit.”

The exodus of solicitors, said Geyer, is disconcerting.

“Residents should be aware that this is our fourth solicitor in six years,” he said. “It is not a good thing for the city and with all of the actions and all the opportunities coming our way, that needs to start with a basis of a good solicitor to make sure we’re doing things the right way.”

Following the meeting, Geyer said that he was not officially informed of Mundorff’s resignation until he reviewed his packet of information prior to the start of Monday’s meeting or advised that Bowlen would be her replacement.

Bowlen will have his work cut out for him, Geyer said.

“(The ongoing city projects) carry over from one year to the next,” he said. “This is going to be a challenge for Mr. Bowlen.”

In other reorganization action, Reed reappointed Councilman Terry Bodes as director of accounts and finance; Councilman David McIntire as director of public health and safety; Geyer as director of parks, recreation and buildings and Matthews as director of public improvements.