Charleroi council appoints mayor
File photo
Charleroi has a new mayor, but it’s a person familiar to the position.
Former Mayor Ed Bryner was elected to return to the post by council at its reorganization meeting Monday. Bryner served the borough as mayor from 2018-21. He also has been a member of Charleroi council.
Bryner, 71, believes he can help borough officials work together.
“I bring a vast amount of knowledge because I’ve been in the position previously,” he said Thursday.
Bryner also is on the board of the Authority of the Borough Charleroi, as well as Mid Mon Valley Transit, and is retired from the former World Kitchen Plant in Charleroi.
Having council select a mayor was necessary because Nancy Ellis won both the mayor’s race and a seat on council, which she opted to accept.
“A majority of the people on the council, people from various organizations, felt I could be more effective on council, having a voice and a vote,” she said.
Ellis nominated Bryner for the mayoral position.
“He’s always been involved in community activities,” she said. “He’s very dedicated to the community and very visible to the community.”
Ernest Merritt, the Republican candidate for mayor in November, was nominated by Councilman Larry Celaschi Monday. However, Merritt only received votes from Celaschi and Councilman Joe Smith at the meeting.
In other reorganization matters, Paul Pivovarnik was elected council president and Jerry Jericho as vice president. John Petrisek was chosen as solicitor, replacing Steve Toprani.
Council’s agenda meetings will be held at 4 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month. The monthly voting meeting remains at 6 p.m. on the second Wednesday.