Council approves memorial and art piece construction
CONNELLSVILLE — Connellsville City Council has approved the construction and installation of a memorial to a Civil War hero and a piece of art that will commemorate the region’s ties to coal and coke.
The council members authorized Michael Parlak, a member of Boy Scout Troop 101, to place a monument honoring Samuel Johnson, a Medal of Honor recipient during the Civil War, at the Veterans Plaza adjacent to City Hall on Arch Street.
The Eagle Scout project is to be completed in conjunction with the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Antietam, where Johnson captured two of the flags of the 1st Texas Infantry Regiment on Sept. 17, 1862.
Johnson’s 9th Pennsylvania Reserve soldiers encountered the Texan soldiers in a cornfield near Antietam Creek, located in Sharpsburg, Md., and during the battle, the Texas state colors fell to the ground, according to historic records.
During the recovery of the flags, Johnson was struck by fragments of an artillery shell to his right leg, but managed to return to his commanding officers and turn over the Texas colors.
The completed monument will be dedicated during a Sept. 17, 2012, ceremony.
Council additionally accepted plans for the “From Coke to Spokes” art piece created by Jodi Best of Confluence that will be placed at the intersection of First and Third streets.
When completed, the 8- by 8-foot sculpture will have three replica coke ovens with a variety of circular shapes to represent the smoke from the ovens transitioning into bicycle wheels.
It is unclear how soon the project will be completed.
Turning to other matters, council also conducted the following business:
n Appointed Gregory Lincoln and Sunshine Bubarth to a five-year term on the Connellsville Recreation Board and Leigh Ann Lincoln to a three-year term on the board.
n Named Gary Barker to the Connellsville Housing Authority with his term to expire in January 2016.
n Authorized the advertisement and sale of a 2000 BMW motorcycle used by the city police department. Sealed bids will be received until Aug. 17.
n Agreed to transfer ownership of the city’s fire department Engine 2 fire truck to New Haven Hose Volunteer Fire Co.
n Will request proposals for a 3- to 4-year contract to collect garbage within the city.
n Introduced a property tax exemption ordinance for those purchasing or renovating certain city buildings or the construction of a new building. The ordinance is available for review at City Hall.
n Awarded a contract to R&J Network of Connellsville for the purchase of a telephone system for the city in the amount of $12,250.