Longtime Donora councilman appointed borough mayor
DONORA – A longtime Donora councilman was appointed mayor of the borough Thursday. The office became vacant after the former mayor moved to an assisted-living center in a different municipality.
Donald Pavelko said council unanimously appointed him mayor to replace John “Chummy” Lignelli, 93, who resigned Sept. 11 after holding the title for two decades.
“My number one goal is to restore pride in Donora,” said Pavelko, 59, who will be retiring soon from the state Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Weights and Measures.
“There are a lot of good people in Donora,” he said.
Pavelko said he is seeking ideas from residents on ways to help solve local problems, and that he is preparing his objectives as mayor.
He said he had no plans to make changes in the local police department, except he wants to attempt to add a detective to the force.
Pavelko has been on Donora Council for 15 years.
Lignelli missed his first council meeting in August when he was hospitalized. He later relocated to The Residence at Hilltop in Carroll Township.
Pavelko will serve as mayor until Jan. 1, 2017, unless he is elected to another term in the 2016 general election.