New Donora pavilion to be named for former NFL star Towler
A new pavilion being built at Palmer Park in Donora will be named in honor of “Deacon” Dan Towler, who played in the NFL in the 1950s.
Council unanimously approved the motion to name the pavilion after the former football star at Thursday’s meeting.
Council President Cindy Brice said there was a motion by a previous council to name Pavilion 1 after Towler.
“That got pushed aside,” Brice said. “So, we decided that when we were getting this new pavilion that we would make it black and orange in honor of the Donora colors and that would be the pavilion to have his plaque put on.”
Towler was born in Donora and played football at the old Donora High School and Washington & Jefferson College before going on to play for the Los Angeles Rams.
Towler was a two-time All-American at W&J, leading the nation in scoring in 1948 with 133 points. He was inducted into that school’s athletic Hall of Fame in 1999. He played for the Los Angeles Rams from 1950-55, leading the NFL in rushing in 1952 with 894 yards.
Brice said there is still work to be done at the pavilion, including landscaping.
In related business, council approved the purchase of 13 eight foot and two six foot ADA picnic tables at a cost of $13,975. Previously undedicated Local Share Account funding will be used to cover the cost of the tables.
Council also approved the purchase of eight trail cameras with HD infrared capabilities for use in dump site locations to assist code enforcement.
“We have a couple of spots that are known dumping grounds in Donora,” Brice said. “In the last year, there’s been an uptick with people dumping stuff. We’re going to have the cameras situated in a couple of different places where we think they dump. That way, we can try to get a license plate and try to figure out who they are.”
Also Thursday, the first reading took place to amend a borough ordinance that will establish fines and penalty amounts charged on late rental registration applications.
“Our ordinance does not spell out what the penalty is,” said Michael Thornton, borough administrator.
Other motions approved by council included:
Hiring Dana Harris as a part-time police officer, retroactive to May 3.
Using 2025 liquid fuels funds to have El Grande Industries of Donora mill and pave Park Road at a cost of $11,900.
Purchasing a new utility trailer for a new Bobcat Zero-Turn mower at a price not to exceed $2,800.