Jun 13, 2008 By Patty Yauger 4 min read

CONNELLSVILLE – The generosity of a city resident has enabled officials to purchase a police car and continue with the improvements being made at Austin Park. Connellsville City Council took action Thursday to disperse nearly $37,000 endowed to the city by Grace B. Turner and allocated $20,000 for the purchase of a car for the police department, set aside $10,000 for the city park upgrade and earmarked an additional $7,028 for other city parks and recreation projects.

The Austin Park improvement project began two years ago, according to resident Jamie McPoyle, who has overseen the upgrade.

“We got tired of taking buckets to get the water off the field so the kids could play ball,” he said. “I came home one day and decided instead of complaining to do something about it.”

A letter campaign, cash bash, car washes, and other fund-raising initiatives generated some money, but not enough to undertake what he and other volunteers wanted to accomplish.

McPoyle said he began contacting other agencies, lawmakers and local officials to help with the project and eventually received the needed start-up money.

To date, the volunteers have cleared the baseball field area, installed a drainage system, replaced the field surface and erected new fencing.

McPoyle shies away from taking the credit for the improvements and instead targets Roy DeWitt, owner of 3D Development, and resident Michael McKittrick, along with several others, for supplying equipment and volunteering their time to the project.

“Whenever I need anything, these two guys are there,” said McPoyle.

While the initial plan was to improve the baseball field, it has now evolved into improving the entire city park.

An added benefit, commented McPoyle, is that it has brought together the community.

“I’ve come to the realization that we are not only rebuilding a park, but rebuilding a community,” he said. “I have met so many people because of this; it has been amazing.”

The Grace B. Turner funding, said McPoyle, would be used to improve the playground area of the park.

“This is really going to help,” he said.

In related action, council directed the city redevelopment authority to oversee the expenditure of the Austin Park funding.

The police vehicle, meanwhile, will be purchased through the South Hills Area Council of Governments State Purchasing Program at a cost of $22,076. An additional $5,168.75 will be spent for police car accessories. The Grace B. Turner allocation of $20,000 plus an additional $7,244.75 from the department tobacco grant will be used to defray the costs.

In a related matter, council agreed to advertise for the sale of a 2004 Chevrolet Impala and a 1998 Jeep Cherokee, used by the police department.

In other police action, council approved the promotions of Danny Sherbinsky from the position of corporal to sergeant and William Hammerle from patrolman to corporal.

Turning to other matters, council also conducted the following business:

– Added Robert Ruggieri and Peter Jandura, both of Connellsville, to the city recreation department on-call list.

– Agreed to authorize and support the summer swim program sponsored by Nancy Kohler and the summer sports program sponsored by Terry Nicholson. Both activities will be held at the Connellsville Community Center.

– Added Alex A. Fogle, Jessica Ohler, MariAnne Holden, Justin Leonard, Elise Michaux and Jerome Stafford to the Cream of the Trail refreshment stand summer employment list. The six are also to be eligible for other available city employment positions.

– Appointed Lois Hileman to fill the unexpired term of Donald E. Hileman on the Connellsville Senior Citizens Center board of directors.

– Agreed to close certain streets along 11th and Banning streets for the July 20 Annual Italian Bash from 1 p.m. to midnight.