Nov 4, 2002 By Judy Reed 5 min read

I am writing in response to an editorial (concerning construction on West Crawford Avenue), “Connellsville doesn’t need a bully for mayor.” The construction, changing or altering of any building or structure cannot be commenced or undertaken until a permit is obtained. The first step in obtaining a building permit in Connellsville is to make application to the city clerk. The application is given to the five-member planning commission.

This application, complete with plans, is then voted on at a public meeting. Then the city clerk issues the building permit, signed by the chairman and secretary of the planning commission, to be displayed on the building. This is all outlined in city law, Ordinance No. 736.

Residents began calling me and asking what was being built on the five-corner intersection of Connellsville and stating that it appears to be too close to Route 119 to be safe.

This construction is a three-story, 40-plus-foot-high structure that is intended to be an electronic billboard. Currently, work has been stopped.

I reviewed the building permit application at the city hall business office.

The date on the application, the date of approval by two planning commission members, and a photocopy of an unsigned/incomplete building permit were all dated on the same day, May 20. However, there was not a planning commission meeting held on that day.

I then scheduled a meeting with the former city clerk and code officer. The code officer said that building plans were not included with the application when she reviewed the application. The city clerk said that he also had not seen the plans until after the fact.

I contacted PennDOT and was told that it only issues permits for signs and not buildings. I was informed that the city clerk, by letter dated Aug. 23, 2002, told PennDOT that Mr. Strickler had a building permit issued by the city to build this structure.

After talking with three planning commission members, it was discovered that the building permit, displayed at the work site was unsigned and that no vote had ever been taken at a public meeting to approve an application for this three-story building.

Mr. Strickler knows the procedure for obtaining a building permit as he had been a planning commission member for many years.

He would have been unable to vote on this permit application. Three members informed me that they never voted on this request and that he couldn’t vote on it. How did he get the building permit?

I spoke with PennDOT officials including Mr. Dufalla, the city clerk, city business office employees, the code officer, John Whalen, director of public health and safety, members of the Planning Commission (one member did not return my calls), county zoning board members; county Commissioners Vicites and Cavanagh, state Sen. Kasunic and solicitors for the city and planning commission.

In September, Mr. Whalen contacted the code officer and requested that a stop-work order be issued because of the improprieties.

The work on this structure was not stopped. Then Mr. Whalen requested that the city clerk issue a stop work order and nothing was done.

The action taken by council to authorize the city solicitor file an injunction with the courts to have all work stopped and request that this building be removed was not a “rush to judgment.”

This action was in response to the community and its safety, the planning commission members asking the mayor to handle the problem, the importance of the permit application and process, and to protect the interests of the city.

The mayor, council or planning commission members are not attempting to be judge and jury. The bottom line is that Mr. Strickler knew the process for obtaining a building permit and does not have a permit to build. As mayor, l felt I needed to resolve this to ensure that procedures were followed.

Mr. Strickler was replaced as a member of the planning commission. The term of a member is four years and the terms are staggered to avoid major changes at any one time.

The former administration had four members’ terms expiring at the same time. So I had been attempting to determine the commission member whose term expired January 2002.

The city clerk researched the history of the appointments and reported to me on April 17, 2002 of his findings. Members are appointed by the mayor and subject to the approval of council.

Thus, a position on the planning commission existed since January 2002. At the September council meeting I attempted to make my appointment but was advised by the solicitor to go back and correct the appointment dates for the other two members. This was done at the October council meeting. Mr. Strickler was replaced by a vote of council in accord with the above.

It must also be noted that on July 24 at 7 p.m. I met with the planning commission board members with Mr. Strickler present and updated them on my meetings and correspondences with PennDOT and changes that will be taking place at that intersection.

If I am “bullish” it’s on protecting the public and making Connellsville a safe and pleasant community to live.

Judy Reed is the mayor of Connellsville.