paterra stuff
Despite questions surrounding his residency Charleroi Council President Frank Paterra will continue to lead the borough until he is removed from his position – legally or otherwise. Paterra’s residency was first publicly questioned during the borough’s first agenda meeting of the year by Councilman Jerry Jericho.
Following those accusations, the Mon Valley Independent filed several Right to Know Requests with the Borough of Charleroi and the Authority of the Borough of Charleroi to try to confirm or deny the allegations.
While some of those requests were granted and others were not, the MVI also visited the home in person to knock on the door and see the condition of the property and spoke to Paterra directly for answers.
Paterra contends, after sharing personal health information dating back to last November, that those concerns and ongoing rehabilitation have forced him to temporarily live with family while he is on the mend.
Additionally, he contends mold in the home has to be properly removed and other work needs to be completed before he came move back in – which he intends to do. Still, some residents and council members say those explanations are not good enough and do not comply with the law — they want him to vacate his seat.
Others, including residents and council members, want to help and do not feel he is wrongly seated.
Like many other disagreements between council members in the Magic City, it is not immediately clear how this will play out.
During a voting meeting Wednesday, former Charleroi Code Enforcement Officer Jeremy Hepple offered a solution.
“So I missed the public shaming last week on your (Paterra’s) behalf,” Hepple said. “But, being a veteran, I have gathered a few gentleman that are willing to get your house back up in order and I am sure we can come up with some fundraising or donations to get you moved in so everyone can shush.” Paterra appeared humbled, and thanked Hepple for that offer.
“Thank you very much,” he said. “That is very kind of you. I didn’t expect to get sick. I was dying and the
CHARLEROI • A2 FROM A1 house was dying at the same time. I’m sorry it has become such an issue.
“I do love Charleroi and this community. I served as the mayor for four years and have been on council. When I got sick last year I thought it was best to step down and was on the mend. I do live at 818, it is my residency and I do plan to move back in. But thank you very much for offering to help.”
Resident Nikki Sheppick, on the other hand, has a different perspective.
“Due to the article (in the
MVI ) and due to the PA code, I am sympathetic, but I would like to hear discussion from each of our elected officials and legal counsel regarding the matter,” she said before handing out a printed copy of laws found in the Pennsylvania Borough Code to members of council for review.
“She said she would like us to say something, and all I want to say is, I agree with the article,” Jericho said. “Frank, I sympathize with your sickness you had and I hope you have a long life, it’s nothing personal, but the law is the law. You are not living there. From here on out, and even from before, I feel anything you vote on should be null and void.
“This will go farther and it could cause a lot of problems for Charleroi.”
Paterra questioned Jericho. “Are you the law?” he asked.
“No, I did not say I was the law, it was in the paper today, someone did very good research,” Jericho said.
“Well you can do what you want to do, I am going to proceed with this meeting,” Paterra said.
Before moving on to the agenda, Councilman Larry Celaschi also provided input, saying it not the first time Jericho has attempted to remove someone from office.
Celaschi cited one instance regarding an appointment to the Authority of the Borough of Charleroi in which the residency of a candidate was in question and another instance last year when allegations involving Mayor Greg Doerfler surfaced.
“Now here we are at number three with Frank,” Celaschi said. “If you were here last week, I did not want him (Paterra) to disclose his health information, but he voluntarily did this through the newspaper. If you read that and read different parts of it, Frank has every right to be sitting here as council president or as a councilman.”
Celaschi said he has met with the district attorney and private legal counsel to discuss the matter.
“I was very encouraged and very confident with what they had to say regarding this matter,” Celaschi said. “So I challenge anybody. You have the right to try to remove Council President Paterra if you feel that is the route you want to take. Everyone has free will to do so.”
Celaschi said Paterra will be president and a councilman “today, tomorrow and for the remainder of his term which is up at the end of this year.”
Councilwoman Nancy Ellis also offered encouraging comments to Paterra, specifically his service in the military.
“I want to thank you for your service, it is because of your service and the service of our other veterans that we are able to gather here tonight to have freedom of assembly, freedom of speech, we have freedom of expression because of veterans who have served overseas to protect our freedoms,” Ellis said. The public comment portion of the meeting was then closed as Paterra moved forward with the agenda that included a handful of voting items: To approve the remaining municipal list of expenses from 2022 totaling $51,040; the list of 2023 municipal expenses totaling $72,577; re-advertising for bids for a former code enforcement vehicle; an appointment to the zoning hearing board and vacancy board and the first reading of ordinance 1045 that will implement sections of the Strategic Management Planning Program.
A motion to reopen the 2023 budget was tabled.
Paterra will remain in his position as president through Dec. 31 when his appointed term ends, unless he steps down or a petition is filed in Washington County Common Plea Court to have him removed.