More empty seats in the Valley
The summer months are typically a time to take a much needed break from the rigors of life and get away for some rest and relaxation.
As family vacations are planned, it’s not uncommon to see some empty seats here and there at local governmental meetings during the season. But when there are more empty seats than filled seats for too long, it can become a crippling problem.
Such is the case in yet another Mon Valley community, and those empty seats in Charleroi are causing not only frustration among some council members and residents, but possibly resulting in some very costly issues for the borough.
Nearby, officials in Monessen have been struggling with the inability to pay bills for months and came dangerously close to a government shutdown late last month as the mayor and one councilman there refused to attend meetings, preventing a quorum.
We’ve already implored Monessen Mayor Matt Shorraw and Councilman Gil Coles to stop walking away from their responsibilities. And now we need to turn our attention to neighboring Charleroi.
Charleroi Council had to cancel its regular monthly meeting last week because there weren’t enough board members present to have a quorum.
There were some important items on the agenda, including voting for a new president and two new representatives for the police board. But more importantly, council members were expected to vote on a resolution authorizing a signatory in relation to the Charleroi stormwater project with the Department of Transportation to secure the funding for the $900,000 project.
According to Jamie Protin, a representative of Mackin Engineering, that funding could be in peril if council fails to complete the authorization, and waiting to do so at next month’s meeting may be too late.
Absences from meetings start to impede the business of the community, and put into jeopardy financial stability, and in this case, could be a loss of nearly a million dollars for a project very much needed in the borough.
Charleroi Council member Larry Celaschi said officials there are missing meetings “right and left,” and Councilman Randy DiPiazza said it was an “embarrassment for Charleroi.”
“This is not what the residents asked for. When they vote us into office, they vote for you because they feel you are of strong character and vote what’s in the right interest of the borough and the people who live here,” he said. “We’re starting to look like some of the other communities.”
We couldn’t agree more with DiPiazza. While we understand that those elected as township supervisors, school directors, mayors, borough managers, councilmen and other positions may need to miss a meeting occasionally, whether they are paid or not, they have a responsibility to those they are serving to be there and conduct the business of the community.
You made that promise. Show up and keep it.
And there’s no shame in stepping down when you find the political arena has become too burdensome. We are certain that move would garner much more respect than another empty seat behind your name plaque month after month.
Elected officials in Charleroi, in Monessen, and in all municipalities in our area, remember back to the box next to your name on the ballot. You were hopeful that people would show up and check it. They did. And now it’s time to return the favor.
Show up and vote for them.