Borough Councilwoman Vicki Schaub (left) explained Bowser’s stance against raising taxes stood out to her during the interview process and led to Schaub’s motion Monday evening. Councilmen Josh Abernathy (middle) and Jerry Miklos also voted in-favor of Bowser.
by Jonathan Weaver
To fill the unexpired term of Scott Gaiser – who resigned in May – Ford City Borough Council held interviews for a new leader and voted during a special meeting last night.
Councilwoman Vicki Schaub motioned for Council to appoint 4th Avenue Businesswoman Beth Bowser.
“There was one thing that stood out to me: she was the only person interviewed that said she was not in-favor of raising any taxes,” Schaub said.
Schaub’s motion was supported by four of the five council members: Councilman Josh Abernathy, Council President Kathy Bartuccio and Council Vice-President Jerry Miklos.
“(Bowser) was the strongest opposition to putting a further burden on the taxpayers. She was most adamant about raising taxes, and that to me is of paramount importance,” Miklos said. “We can’t keep having the good people of this borough move out because the taxes have just continued in an upward spiral.”
“We had some very good candidates overall, and it would’ve been nice if we could’ve combined a lot of the traits, beliefs and opinions of these people and put them into one person, but obviously, that’s not possible to do. I think we all had to make our own selection based on what we considered a priority.”
Councilman Gene Banks opposed the vote, and instead motioned for Council to appoint applicant Tyson Klukan - who is also known throughout the community as part of the Borough Planning Commission.
“We’ve always said that we encouraged volunteerism – we wanted our young people to be involved,” Banks said. “Tyson stepped up and spearheaded a paving project for us. I feel appalled he was not appointed to this Council – he’s already proved himself to us.”
However, he was the only supported in his vote by Councilman Josh Abernathy.
Since Gaiser’s term was to expire at the end of the year, Bowser will only serve until the end of the calendar year or until the new elected officials are sworn in after the November General Election. Schaub suggested that the other six candidates consider running for office again at that time.
Bowser was interviewed July 15 at the Ford City Borough office on 4th Avenue. The other interviews were conducted either also Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday or before the special meeting.
Contacted after the meeting, Bowser said she was “humbled” she was chosen and looked forward to Monday’s work session when she can begin working with the other borough leaders to help Ford City grow.
Bowser works as an independent contractor after establishing “the Hearty Helper” nearly two years ago to assist children, the elderly and those with disabilities and volunteers at Kittanning Church of Christ - where she has been a member since 1996. She said she was interested about 15 years ago to join Borough Council before life took some unexpected twists and turns.
“In my heart, something told me this was the year to get involved,” Bowser said. “I’m very interested in helping make decisions and investigate the options to come to the best conclusion and decisions.
The Ford City High graduate who grew up in the Second Ward was a medical technologist from 1989 until retiring in 2012 from ACMH Hospital.
Former Borough Councilwoman Kim Bish accused the five sitting officials of being in violation of the Sunshine Law since four council members were at interviews for the candidates – a majority of the governing body which would have constituted a meeting and should have been advertised to the public.
“How can you hold committee meetings to appoint a person to represent the Second Ward without the citizens being notified?,” Bish said. “You are illegally doing business, and I will pursue it.”
Solicitor Anthony Vigilante agreed, in principle.
“Generally, I agree – a meeting like that should be in public. That said, just from knowing what the Sunshine Law says in terms of what is defined a meeting, (there are) some issues there about if official action or deliberation takes place,” Vigilante said. “You can make the argument that if no deliberation took place, it wasn’t “a meeting.””
Schaub and Miklos said no deliberation took place.
Bish resigned in January 2014 due to health concerns. Schaub was appointed to fill her seat.
Borough Manager Eden Ratliff congratulated Bowser during his ending comments.
Councilman Gene Banks (right) motioned for Tyson Klukan - a member of the Borough Planning Commission - to be appointed. However, a quorum of council members did not follow suit.