Mayor Reed loses battle
On the facing Opinion page, Connellsville Mayor Judy Reed explains why she stepped into a planning commission matter and vacated the term of one of its members. Reed provides justification, but as we previously said her means did not justify the end. Either way, a Fayette County judge and the Connellsville Planning Commission both took actions this week that countered the mayor’s premature actions.
This all started when a planning commissioner member Randy Strickler began building a three-story structure, complete with electronic billboard, at the intersection of routes 201 and 119. Reed claims that people began to object and questioned the validity of his permit, as it did not have the required signatures. Further digging found that the planning commission, as a body, had never voted on the permit.
These are grave concerns that gave the appearance that Strickler as an insider might have circumvented procedures. There was nothing wrong with Reed raising these discrepancies.
Where she erred was to wade into the review, calling for a halt to the construction and ejecting Strickler from the commission panel. There are procedures in place and Reed should have let them play out.
Strickler filed a lawsuit seeking to be reinstated to the planning commission and Fayette County Judge Steve Leskinen ruled in his favor. Reed attempts to justify his removal by claiming that the expiration of members’ terms weren’t properly staggered. If that is the case, then she ought not have given the appearance of connecting Strickler’s removal with his lack of having a legitimate building permit.
As to the permit, he now has it. The planning commission – with Strickler abstaining – voted unanimously to allow the construction to move forward. All those residents of whom Reed claims objected to the appearance and safety of the building failed to appear. Reed was the sole objector. Forty appeared in his support.
Reed at least now recognizes that this is over. She said she would instruct the city solicitor to stop legal proceeding that she initiated to halt the construction. Reed should also recognize that her battle methods need refined. By handling the permit this way, not only did she lose in court and before the planning commission, she failed to gain an answer to the most important question: How did Strickler obtain a permit with two members’ signatures without the application ever appearing before the planning commission?