Oct 14, 2002 3 min read

We had hoped for Connellsville’s sake that when voters ousted its last mayor that the days of bully leadership would be over. Sadly, that isn’t the case. Mayor Judy Reed this week showed that if she is set against something she will use power to get what she wants. Reed might be on the right track in questioning the validity of a permit that allowed a planning commission member to build a monstrosity of an electronic billboard at a main city intersection. Reed might be right in claiming it poses a safety hazard by cutting into drivers’ sight lines. Reed might be right that the people of Connellsville absolutely hate the way Randy Strickler’s sign and building looks.

But Reed was dead wrong in aligning with two council members to instigate legal action to remove both the sign and Strickler from the planning commission. The city solicitor and the planning commission’s solicitor both advised that these actions were premature and possibly stepping over the bounds. She should have listened.

The planning commission already announced that it would call a special meeting to review the method of how Strickler obtained a building permit and to decide whether it was valid. That is the role of the planning commission. If Strickler attempted to use his position on that board to bypass the regulations, then the other members should be appalled and call him on it.

Planning commission solicitor Kirk Sohonage has already reviewed the permit. He found that the building and sign meet the guidelines and that it was approved by the city’s code enforcement officer, city engineer and PennDOT. What is lacking is formal action by the commission and the question of why two planning commission members signed it without that action.

Strickler’s comment that he didn’t know how it was overlooked – “It was my permit, but I don’t know how it got by us.” – seems lame. But the planning commission should have a chance to review the circumstances.

If the mayor then thinks something odd is occurring she should call for further investigation and explore what steps she and council have a legal right to take and follow the trail until she is satisfied.

What Reed and company did in rushing to judgment is akin to squirting gasoline onto charcoal because they lack the patience to wait. There is a process that should be followed in sorting out whether Strickler did anything wrong. Fanning the flames merely sends everyone into a tizzy of overreactions. Already the city clerk has resigned because Reed directed him to scrutinize all building permits approved by the planning commission.

In yanking Strickler from the planning commission even though his term would not have expired until 2006, Reed is sending a strong message. Members of all the city’s boards and commissions must wonder if she will remove and replace them with her hand-picked people if she isn’t pleased. This isn’t the way it is supposed to work. Most of these positions are held by community-minded residents who volunteer their services to make decisions they believe are best for Connellsville. They don’t need a mayor hovering over every detail, ready to pounce without hearing all the facts.

Connellsville spent years with a mayor of just that sort. It’s the very type Reed campaigned against.