Meeting canceled; Northern Cambria residents still vent

BY JULIE BENAMATI
The Tribune-Democrat

NORTHERN CAMBRIA July 14, 2008 11:29 pm

— About 20 borough residents turned out for a meeting Monday night that never happened.
Borough Council’s meeting was canceled abruptly Monday afternoon after Willie Kelly and Mayla LaMark told Secretary Fred Nastasi they could not attend. Council President Michael Suchar was out of town on a planned vacation, according to fellow Councilman Salvatore “Sam” Taranto.
But that didn’t stop Taranto or Councilman Eugene “Gig” Certo from meeting with residents who came to the meeting to express their anger with how recent incidents involving borough employees have been handled by council – specifically the suspension of police Chief Kevin Stanek and recent charges against street commissioner Dave Suchar.
Felony assault and terroristic threat charges were withdrawn against Stanek in late June, but the chief still faces DUI charges stemming from an April incident. Suchar was charged by borough police after he allegedly got into a fistfight with a resident.
Seated on a bench outside the borough office along Philadelphia Avenue, Taranto and Certo greeted residents who began to arrive at 6:15 – and later invited residents inside.
“I heard there were a lot of people coming to the meeting,” Taranto said. “I wanted to be here to explain to people why (the meeting) was canceled.”
Certo was less understanding.
“I’m totally furious over this,” he said. “This is making us look like fools.”
Some residents agreed.
“This makes our community look terrible,” Carol Jarvis said. “Between the police chief and the street commissioner acting this way, it’s just another black eye for the town.”
James Sabella agreed. He said he came to the meeting to “see what is next” for his hometown.
Leeann Batdorf said she wanted to know what council was going to do about Suchar. He reportedly was off duty at the time of the altercation with Walter Drzal, who is facing similar charges.
“What are you doing about borough personnel fighting in the streets?” Batdorf asked. “We don’t need a street commissioner who assaults the taxpayers.”