Members of the Tamaqua Borough Council paid tribute to the late councilman John “Sonny” Trudich during their regular meeting held Tuesday (March 18, 2014) at the borough hall. Trudich‘s passing comes 6 months after the passing of Tamaqua councilman Kenny Smulligan.
Councilman Tom Cara started the meeting with a prayer, saying, “As we develop friends on council, John Trudich and Kenny Smulligan were friends. Know they can share their friendship in heaven in the company of our Lord. John was a councilman who was for the people. He gave a lot of his time to the community, to the South Ward Playground and the Bungalow – among other things. He always wanted things for his community, and Owl Creek community (where he lived). John was a parishioner of the St. Peter and Paul Church in Tamaqua. He was the cemetery caretaker for 42 years. Father Linkhorst told me that John always did more than he asked of him – and the residents of Tamaqua know that all too well. John was a strong man. We will miss John and may his soul rest in peace.”
“We will miss him very much,” added Tamaqua Borough Council President Micah Gursky.
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Present during the meeting were Mayor Chris Morrison, councilmen Micah Gursky (President), Dave Mace, Tom Cara, Dan Evans, Justin Startzel, solicitor Michael Greek, secretary Georgia Depos DeWire, Borough Manager Kevin Steigerwalt, and Borough Fire Chief Tom Hartz.
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The meeting involved numerous topics; some of which included:
– A letter was read from Gina Hensinger informing the Borough of a candlelit vigil for the late Angela Serfass-Steigerwalt to be held Saturday, June 14, 2014 from 6:30 PM to 8 PM at the Depot Square Park.
– Two residents provided a letter of interest to fill the vacant council seat. They were Jack Kulp and Bob Haggerty. The borough is required to fill the seat within 30 days of its vacancy. Anybody registered to vote and a resident of the Borough for a year or more is eligible. Since it is an appointed position, the appointed councilman would only fill the seat for less than two years, rather than the four year term.
– Kevin Draper, RLA, Project Manager, Urban Research & Development Corporation (URDC) provided an update on behalf of developer Robert Ciccone (who also was at the meeting) regarding their 137-town home project along Owl Creek Road. (Click HERE to view a related Morning Call story dated in 2005).
– Council approved the vacant Meter Reader position to be filled by borough employee John Comisac.
– Steigerwalt mentioned that two single-family homes (27 E. Elm St.) and (537 E. Elm St.) are were exposed to tax sale and are sitting in repository.
– Council approved the lighting upgrade to their aerial building. The contract is with LeNap Solar for $1,700. Steigerwalt said $500 of which will be paid via PPL.
– Ray Sell spoke on behalf of himself and Bob Bachert regarding the future of the North and Middle Ward Playground. Both Sell and Bachert (who have volunteered to take over the park after past organizers gave up the positions last year. They added that they don’t have much funding or equipment to start off with and hope the community steps up in support. The public is encouraged to attend a “new volunteer” meeting for the park this Thursday (March 30) at the Tamaqua Community Arts Center, 125 Pine Street. The council stated their appreciation to both past and new volunteers.
– Steigerwalt brought up the Schuylkill Keep It Pretty planned for April.
– Council agreed to adopted an ordinance decreasing the membership on the Tamaqua Planning Commission from seven to five members.
– Council approved an agreement with TCG Investment Advisory Inc. for the borough’s pension plans.
– Council approved two handicapped parking space applications for 422 West Rowe Street (Karyl Paisley) and 447 Willing Street (Linda Miller).
In addition, scouts with Tamaqua Boy Scout Pack 777 also attended the meeting.
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(Republican Herald story)
(Times News story)
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