Municipal News

Last Updated on Monday, 30 May 2016 18:14

By Jill Brown

Council members remained mostly optimistic at the May 12, 2016 6 p.m. Donora Council meeting. While residents had good points to make, they also had their complaints, as is the normal order of business. Turnout was fine, however.

A former Donora mayor, Anthony Massafra, returns to Council with words of advice.

Public address began with former Donora Mayor Anthony Massafra, who left office in ’94, speaking about the current city conditions. He said, “The downtown committee has some vacancies that need to be filled… It would be nice to paint the white and yellow lines in the street so they look fresh. We need to buy a good PA system (for the council meetings) so people can hear. That’s part of the reason we don’t get a good turnout. They need to do something to this [borough] building—scrubbing, painting. We can bounce back better.”

President of Council Dennis Gutierrez interjected, “I would be glad to sit down with you and talk. We have to keep this to 3 minutes.”

Jim McDonough, resident and business owner, said, on a good note, “I’ve had to call the police for actions out of my control and they were professional and swift. Thank you.”

In the Mayor’s Report, Donora Mayor Donald Pavelko stated, “Tonight, I’m going to focus on all the positives in Donora. The citizens of Donora are protected by the most respected law enforcement officers in the region. If you have an emergency, they will be there, even though they are underfunded.”

He continued, “Also, things look promising that Donora is going to be home to an educational program and will have new businesses there, too. Above all else, Donora is people—good people.”

Gutierrez added, “I’m very proud to be part of what is going on in Donora. We cannot do it ourselves. We need your help—your participation.”

In conclusion, it was announced that a Town Meeting is to be held on June 8, 6 p.m., in the Social Hall of the Borough of Donora’s Municipal Building Complex. Please attend to discuss community concerns. Topics to be discussed include education of Donora residents pertaining to the Borough’s permit requirements of the Public Education Outreach Program, and the Public Involvement Participation Program requirements of the Borough’s DEP-mandated storm water separation program.