Canonsburg Mayor receives Kentucky Colonel Award
Canonsburg Mayor Dave Rhome was presented the Kentucky Colonel Award during Monday’s council meeting.
The highest honor bestowed by the governor of Kentucky, the award recognizes noteworthy accomplishments and outstanding service to community, state and nation. The award dates back to 1933, and is issued by the nonprofit organization, the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels.
Rhome, who has served as mayor for 16 years, was touched by the award.
“I’m humbled. I’m honored,” he said. “I receive the recognition on behalf of all of the people that I work with day in and day out. I’ve never lost track of working together because it will build a better community than what it was yesterday.”
Rhome was nominated by former Canonsburg resident Bob Schmidt, who lives in Kentucky and is also a Kentucky Colonel.
“He’s such a giving person,” Schmidt said of Rhome. “He’s so unselfish. He truly loves the community. He’s done so many great things. I have friends who don’t live in Canonsburg anymore who are going back to town to see all of the great things that are happening. It’s a vibrant community and it’s all due to his vision of improving the community for the people of the community.”
Rhome was quick to mention that his accomplishments have not been achieved alone.
“I’m a team player versus an individual,” Rhome said. “I’ve had a good vision. I know what I expect to make Canonsburg better than what it was then and now. I work with the team concept and I think when the governor elected me to be a colonel, he felt I met that criteria.”
Council President Rich Russo said the honor serves as recognition for Rhome and the borough.
“He was eager to thank the team, because everybody is working hard on this revitalization of Canonsburg,” Russo said.
In other business, council voted 4-3 to hire a new coordinator of community initiatives. Russo said the job will be offered to Canonsburg resident Linda Romano. The part-time position will pay about $15,000 to $20,000 a year.
Russo said Romano has a background in community service and as an administrative assistant.
Voting in favor of the motion were Russo, Eric Miller, Eric Chandler and R.T. Bell. Voting against were council members Diane Richey, John Severine and Edward Yorke.
The position is intended to fill the void created when Lisa Scarmazzi resigned as director of economic development in August.
Russo said the hope is for the coordinator to begin working by the beginning of July.