Scarmazzi resigns as Canonsburg director of economic development
Canonsburg is in the market for a new director of economic development after Lisa Scarmazzi resigned from the position.
Council met Monday, but there was no motion on the agenda to accept her resignation.
“It wasn’t anything negative that’s going on in town or anything where she thought her efforts weren’t being fruitful,” said Rich Russo, council president. “We didn’t officially vote on it because we didn’t want to give the public any feeling that she left because of something negative. It’s a simple departure.”
Russo said Scarmazzi is moving on to the newly formed Canonsburg Merchants Association.
He said the borough’s economic steering committee will recommend hiring a new person for the job “to continue the efforts and the work that we’ve already got in place to revitalize the downtown.”
Russo said Scarmazzi still will be involved with the borough in her new role.
“I would call it a loss because she’s done great work,” Russo said. “That doesn’t mean we can’t continue those efforts. She will be directly involved in the merchant group that is getting established. They’ll work closely with the borough and closely with the chamber and be a cohesive group that tries to make sure this development is sustainable.”
Scarmazzi could not be reached for comment Tuesday, but previously said she remained committed to what has been done since she was hired in 2020.
“I still want to stay involved,” she said at the time.
The borough will also be welcoming a new borough manager in September.
Russo said council will promote finance officer Billie Bilko to the position to replace the retiring Denise Lesnock, whose last day will be Sept. 9.
Council is expected to vote on the personnel change at its Sept. 9 meeting.
Lesnock has been with the borough in a number of positions for more than 20 years.
In other business, council approved hiring David Williams as a full-time police officer for the borough. Williams will be replacing a retiring officer and will keep the department at 18 members.
Council also approved moving September’s agenda meeting to Sept. 3 due to the Labor Day holiday.