Charleroi Rotary Club Honors Scholarship Recipient, Welcomes New Superintendent

Last Updated on Friday, 01 August 2014 01:40

On Wednesday, June 18, 2014 the Charleroi Rotarians were visited by Breann Clark and her mother, Michele Clark. Miss Clark is the recipient of the 2014 Rotary Club Scholarship, awarded to a graduate of Charleroi High School.

Charleroi Rotary President Steve Arnowitz (center) meets with Spartan Health Executive Director Patrick Garman and Charleroi Mayor John Mollenauer on July 9, 2014 at the weekly Charleroi Rotary Club meeting.

Breann is entering the nursing program at Waynesburg University and would someday like to work at Monongahela Valley Hospital. Club President Steven Arnowitz congratulated Breann on behalf of the members and all members in attendance wished her well in her future endeavors.

A presentation on behalf of the Borough of Charleroi was made on July 9, 2014. Mayor John Mollenauer addressed concerns about the borough's economic and residential growth. He mentioned that borough officials were actively pursuing businesses that might like to locate or relocate in Charleroi. Mr. Mollenauer was accompanied by Patrick Garmin, who is the Executive Director at Spartan Health Center.

Mr. Garmin is spearheading an effort to solicit funds for the purchase of security cameras to be placed in residential and business areas. The cost for each camera is $250 and the camera feed will be transmitted directly to the Charleroi Borough Police Station. Current plans call for the purchase of 40 cameras. More cameras may be purchased as contributions become available. The Charleroi Rotary Club voted to seek a matching grant through Rotary District 7330 in order to purchase some of the cameras that will be utilized in the borough's effort.

Thanks on behalf of Borough Manager Donn Henderson were also extended to Reverend Kevin Roberts of the First Baptist Church for having local and visiting youth group members complete some clean up and repair projects in the borough.

At the meeting on July 16, 2014 members met the new Superintendent of Schools for the Charleroi Area School District., Mr. Ed Zelich. His background includes teaching and administrative service in Waynesburg. He also served as a principal in the Laurel Highlands School District, and was the Assistant Superintendent for the Chartiers-Houston School district prior to his appointment as Superintendent in Charleroi.

Club members also welcomed Cherie Sears and her daughter, Kimberly. Cherie Sears is the assistant to the District Governor for Rotary District 7330. She was visiting in advance of District Governor Mark Kessler, who is scheduled to attend a meeting in Charleroi within the next few weeks. Kimberly is a recently-returned Rotary youth exchange student. She shared information and observations from her exchange experience in Madrid, Spain.

As a reminder, the Charleroi Rotary Club meets every Wednesday at the Back Porch restaurant in Lower Speers. Meetings begin at noon and are held in the Side Door meeting rooms. New members are welcome. For more information, contact Steve Arnowitz at 412-389-2096 or John Helfenstein at 724-494-3195.