Sewage Authority Controller/Board Members Set the Record Straight

Talk of the Town host David Croyle talked to Ford City Borough Municipal Sewage Disposal Authority members Tom Shaffer and Paul Harmon.

by David Croyle

Ford City Borough Municipal Sewage Disposal Authority President Tom Shaffer and Assistant Secretary Paul Harmon appeared on last night’s “Talk of the Town” program to clarify rumors surrounding the resignation of Controller Brenda Vargo.

An article appearing in another local publication last Saturday cited Board Member Ron Dillard and ex-Board member Terry Tokarek stating there was a clash between Shaffer and Vargo resulting in harassment and her resignation came by force. 

Shaffer denied the allegations, stating that he voted for Vargo’s appointment to the sewage authority when he was on Ford City Borough Council.

“The person that wrote  this article didn’t talk to Ms. Vargo and the rest was only opinion (by persons who were interviewed). I think they need to stick to the facts. I think it was ridiculous that it was even printed. I would say [the reporter] needs to do more research. It’s not the first time something was printed about me that wasn’t true by the same other paper.”

Shaffer said that the he disagreed with an employment contract the authority had with Vargo. “I believe it was illegal.”  Sewage authority solicitor Frank Wolfe agreed and the authority decided to eliminate the controller position, voiding Vargo’s contract, and create another position. The newly created position would serve as liaison between residents and the sewage authority.

Vargo called the station after the program aired live on Family-Life TV and WTYM radio. Speaking on the record, she said she wanted to clarify her position.

Vargo

“I wish if people were going to talk about me that they would get the facts straight. Tom made the comment he wished the people would get their facts straight when they talk about him, Yes, I did sell my house. It is public record. I am still a Ford City resident and really don’t have another job. It seems funny how people say stuff and I was never asked any of the questions either. Here we go again with people speculating and saying stuff trying to make the story juicier.“

She said she is planning on staying in the Ford City/Manor Township area, but that she has no intention of applying for another position with the Sewage Authority.

When asked why she left, Vargo would only comment that it was for “personal reasons” and said she just did not wish to work there any longer.  She would not comment on Tokarek’s allegation that she was harassed.

Vargo dispelled rumors that she was considering litigation against the authority because she had hired an attorney. “My contract and Jim’s (Smernick, plant manager) contract were being questioned. They wanted to do away with both contracts. That is the only reason attorneys were involved.” Vargo said attorney was hired for consultation on their position.

A caller as well as Shaffer and Harmon congratulated Vargo for saving the sewage authority money through a planned refinancing of a loan.

Vargo confirmed that an audit for 2009 would have to be complete before the bank could draw up the paperwork to lower the interest rates on two commercial loans held by S&T Bank. “Once the audit is complete, it will have to be submitted to the Board of the bank, then they draw up the loan documents.” The Authority will save $124,000 once the interest rate is lowered.

The next regular meeting of the sewage authority is scheduled for 6PM on August 12. Shaffer said they plan to discuss advertising for a liaison position at that meeting.

“Talk of the Town will be rebroadcast today at 1:00 PM on WTYM radio, 1380 AM.

Councilman Wants Clean Up at Ford City Playground

The Seventh Street Playground was a hot topic earlier this month at the Ford City Borough Public Meeting.

by David Croyle

Ford City Councilman Lou Vergari said residents are complaining about problems at the Seventh Avenue Playground.

“I have had some phone calls from some of the people that live along the Seventh Avenue Playground… the houses that used to be one through nine. They have asked me if the Borough can clean up that hillside. There are some trees that have overgrown onto the roof of their sheds. I was wondering if we can clean it up.”

Councilman Ray Klukan suggested the possibility of summer help crews working on that project.

“The trees inside the playground are leaning over. There are saplings that are growing along the three-foot ledge.” 

“At one time, we had Craig’s Tree Service trim those trees back in approximately 2001. So that is another consideration,” Councilman Ron Dillard said.

Ford City resident Katherine Wilcox discusses the Seventh Street Playground with Council members earlier this month.

Twelfth Street resident Katherine Wilcox described the situation.

“It used to be about nine years ago they had it cleaned off pretty good,” she said. “I always planted flowers and stuff and had it really nice, but I am getting too old to do that now. It is absolutely a mess. We have grape vines and berry bushes, poison ivy, ragweed… some of the worst stuff you have ever saw. It has destroyed one shanty… the roof is completely covered. We are all in our 80s and 90s and can’t do anything about it ourselves anymore.”

Council President John Lux asked for the borough maintenance supervisor to  check with Craig’s Tree Service and give an estimate. Klukan also suggested procuring weed killer and applying it as an immediate alternative.

 “Go ahead and buy weed killer because we have areas along the trail that also needs to be taken care of,” Dillard added.

“Mr. Mayor, is there any reason why that playground cannot be locked after sunset?” Vergari questioned. “When I talk to these people, they are telling me there is some stuff that is going on after dark that shouldn’t be going on.   The police used to open it at sunrise and close it at sunset.”

“We have had a lot of problems up there with vandalism and drugs,” Mayor Marc Mantini answered. “We have had tremendous problems up there.”

Wilcox praised the response of the police force for their response time when they have been called about problems at the playground.

Councilman Rob Mohney said that the Parks & Recreation committee was looking at installing motion detector lights in that area. “They are pricing it out right now,” he said.

Council agreed that the police officers can open the playground at 8AM and close it by 7PM.

What Was the Name of that Alley???

by David Croyle

There are streets and there are avenues. But what are the names of the alleys in Ford City? Council wants to make sure they are named.

Council President John Lux

“We talked about it couple of years ago,” Council President John Lux discussed with Council. “There are certain allies that haven’t been named yet. We need to sit down and get these allies named and put up appropriate signs. We had an incident where an officer fell in one of the alleys and no one could find him because the alley wasn’t named. They had to hunt around until they could find him. We need to get it done as soon as we can.”

Councilman Ron Dillard had the solution. “Our Secretary has expressed the fact that we have used tree names for allies and we should continue that particular fashion.  We should leave the names up to the Secretary and approve them at the next meeting.”

According to Councilman Lou Vergari, all the long allies have names such as Ash, Birch, Cyprus, and Dogwood.  In fact, the names of the alleys have been assigned with names of trees in their alphabetical sequence thus far.

“Every alley going north and south is named after trees,” Vergari said. “Ash is between 7^th Street and 8^th Street. There are alleys that don’t have named behind Klingensmiths or Citizens Bank.”

Not only will unnamed alleys be given a name, but some alleys will become one way.

“I would like to make a motion to authorize Solicitor Wolfe to prepare an ordinance creating one way alleys by the Municipal Building and the Municipal Parking Lot,” Councilman Rob Mohney said. His motion was seconded by Councilman Ray Klukan.

Ford City Councilman Ron Dillard

“I would like that motion extended to include different alleys we talked about in the central part of Ford City that will encompass from school all the way to 8^th Street,” Dillard said. “It would encompass from the 1100 block from 8^th Street to 12^th Street.”

Solicitor Frank Wolfe asked that Council sit down with him and designate which direction the one-way traffic will be assigned to specific alleys.   

Lux described his understanding of the one-way alleys. “Near Klingensmith’s, the one way alley will go from Fourth Ave to the Municipal Lot.  ‘Do Not Enter’ signs will be put at the end of the lot. I have to talk to Mr. Dillard about other alleys. The old drug store that goes behind church between Ford Street and Tenth Street needs to be one way from Fourth Avenue to Fifth Avenue.” 

The draft of the new ordinance will be reviewed by Council at the next public meeting.