Ford City Council Works to Amend Relations with Mayor
Rather than figuratively sitting across the table from Mayor Marc Mantini (on right), Council President Kathy Bartuccio and Councilwoman Vicki Schaub are working to mend the relationship with Ford City Borough’s official by listening to his ideas in committee settings.
By Jonathan Weaver
The past few years, Ford City Borough Council and Mayor Marc Mantini have not had an amicable relationship – which has led to public disputes, accusations and more headaches.
Last week, Ford City Borough Council President Kathy Bartuccio and Councilwoman Vicki Schaub addressed several of the unresolved issues with Mayor Marc Mantini during a committee session at the Borough office.
After the last Borough Council meeting, Schaub set up a meeting with the mayor to go over some ongoing financial issues and get the mayor’s input.
“How do you (Mayor Mantini) think we can come up with this money? I know economic development is very important, and there’s a lot of work going into this, but where do we get money to do these things and get the town back into shape?” Schaub asked. “There’s so much.”
The three officials discussed grant projects and looking for future grants, the water plant and current water infrastructure problems and the contentious full-time police reduction.
“We have to work together – we haven’t been working together,” Mayor Mantini said. “There have been a lot of mean things done. No more secrecy.
“A lot of these are pertinent,” Mayor Mantini added.
Schaub said grant writing for new projects will be addressed soon.
“We already lined somebody up - they don’t want their name mentioned, but they’re going to do it at no charge to the borough. I had sent a list of 16 items to research,” Schaub said.
“I myself do a lot of research with grants, but it’s good to have someone who’s worked with that and knows what needs to be done and what you can get. This person knows the ins-and-outs of grants – this was their job. There is work being done.”
In the past few years, Ford City Borough has also received grants for the Early Intervention Program, alley repaving and regarding the Armstrong Trail, Borough Manager Eden Ratliff said.
“Anyone who thinks the Borough hasn’t gotten grants is misinformed,” Ratliff said.
The council members also discussed with Mayor Mantini the new water plant and why the Department of Environmental Protection recommended council members not misuse money received for local water service in other budget areas like has been done in the past.
To rectify the need of that money, Schaub pondered contracting out Borough equipment – such as the dump truck.
“I’m trying to think of other ways to bring in revenue and combine services in other areas,” Schaub said.
In regard to the reduction of local full-time police coverage, Mayor Mantini maintains that he was not informed of the committee’s recommendations to reduce or eliminate the police force and contract with the Pennsylvania State Police troopers.
“We have to sit down about this – we can’t just get rid of the police,” Mayor Mantini said. “There are better options.
“I know the value of law enforcement – all you have to do is talk to me. I have some ideas, but no one has approached me. I think I’ve been very humble since I’ve been mayor,” Mayor Mantini said. “I have an obligation to the citizens, to protect the citizens.”
Schaub – the police committee chair - presented financial police statistics and an example scenario that could lead to new full-time police options, such as with a working chief and more part-time officers, at a rate less than the Borough is currently paying.
“It’s sad, but we’ve got to start showing some tough love and making some cuts,” Schaub said. “We hate to see anyone lose jobs, but we have to get into this century and start working with technology.”
She also pinpointed financial rates with labor and police attorneys that have been necessary in recent years – including with Solicitor Anthony Vigilante.
Before the meeting concluded, Bartuccio and Schaub expressed their willingness to continue hearing ideas from the mayor in committee settings and keeping each other informed.
Each of the council members contributes in different ways, Council President Bartuccio said, such as with insurance, contracts, budgeting and checks-and-balances.
“We need to work together to get more done instead of all this fighting,” Bartuccio said. “We have a lot of other ideas – (Mayor Mantini) can help us with some, too.
“We want (Mayor Mantini) to.”
Schaub (who estimated she researches 40-60 hours per week) said committees – such as finance, economic development or streets – are set up based on the council member’s strengths
“I do believe here you have some very good thoughts. Some of these are the first I’ve heard of them - I wish I would’ve heard of them months ago,” Mayor Mantini said.
Borough Council as a whole unit will meet again next week at the Ford City Public Library.
By Flamingo1, July 9, 2015 @ 7:50 AM
I think you want to change the headline to FC wants to Mend….not Amend.
By Joe Public, July 10, 2015 @ 4:31 AM
That is a positive step for the future of Ford City.