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By Jill Brown

At the July 27, 2015, Monessen Council meeting during public comment, residents and business owners discussed their concerns about blighted property in the area. Council had no easy answers.

Monessen Salvation Army’s Captain Sue Thwaite speaks of the “city in crisis” at the July 27 council meeting.

The owner of Pasta Shoppe, Bernie Fertall, complained of the problem with too many pigeons and the dilapidated building next door is falling down. He cannot obtain insurance because of that.

Monessen Mayor Lou Mavrakis replied, “I’m just wondering if we go in and demo that [bad] building, would it do you more harm or good?”

Councilman John Nestor added, “If something would happen there you would have personal liability.”

Mayor Mavrakis followed up by saying, “Again, as the sale of these buildings (the municipal complex) go through, I would be receptive to help. If we’re successful with that sale, we’re hopeful that you would be included. The first step, we have to clear it with the re-development authority. We have to work it out with them what has to be torn down.”

Captain Sue Thwaite with the Monessen Salvation Army took the podium to state that she wanted on public record the safety concerns she has with the building adjacent to hers. She said, “We’ve got to do something. Our city is in crisis. If there’s damage to our building, we won’t be able to feed people. Something has to be done. I don’t hear a plan.”

Mayor Mavrakis responded by speaking of meetings that are being held to combat blight, saying, “On August 11, there is going to be a ‘blight tour.’ Hopefully, we are going to move forward. We can demo downtown and get this city moving in the right direction.”

Captain Sue restated firmly, “I can’t believe nothing is being done. I don’t hear the plan coming from city leaders.”

Mayor Mavrakis replied, “Captain Sue, we’ll look into it.”

In other business, Councilwoman Patricia Bukowski with the Dept. of Parks and Public Properties made a motion for a request from Castle Blood to hold the 2015 Halloween Parade on Oct. 22nd, 2015 at 7 p.m. Lineup will begin at 6 p.m. near Exxon. Motion was approved.

Also approved was a request from the Monessen Amphitheater Committee to use City Park Walking Track on Oct. 31st , 2015 at 5 p.m. for Monessen Trunk or Treat, requesting the fee be waived.

The mayor thanked the large crowd for coming out and with that adjourned the meeting.

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