“Concerned Resident” Appointed Mayor in Ford City
A majority of Ford City Borough Council elected Jeff Cogley as the new Mayor during last night’s special meeting. Cogley was not at last night’s meeting, but will be sworn in soon.
by Jonathan Weaver
Ford City Borough’s next mayor is a known community volunteer and said last night he is willing to confront local drug use and crime head-on.
During Borough Council’s special meeting last night, a major of council members appointed Jeff Cogley to fill the vacancy left by Marc Mantini.
Mantini was elected to a council seat during the November General Election and opted to serve in that capacity.
Cogley –a 25-year resident formerly a Chairman on the Zoning Hearing Board – said he was confident after his interview with three council members Wednesday.
“With a lot of things that have been happening, I just thought it was time to get involved again and hopefully help build and get the town on the right track, where it needs to be going for the future, Cogley said.
“I’ll try to do the best job I can do,” he added. “I’m looking forward to the challenge and the opportunity.”
The Class of 1983 Ford City High grad retired in December 2003 as a Company Executive Officer (First Lieutenant) in the Pennsylvania Air National Guard. One service during his career included coordinating emergency efforts at the Armstrong County Courthouse during the Blizzard of 1993.
Cogley has worked for ATI since 2006. He has been known in the community from involvement in Ford City athletics – including little league, youth football, the high school football boosters and the hockey boosters.
“I’m not afraid to get involved,” Cogley said.
Cogley’s main responsibility after being sworn in will be managing the Borough part-time police department. He said he has already talked with Interim Police Chief Freel.
“Looking forward to working with him and hopefully rebuilding this police department. I feel we can work together and do the right things,” Cogley said.
Cogley – who was also previously a candidate to replace Scott Gaiser on Borough Council - was appointed after he received four out of six votes – from Mantini, Councilwoman Beth Bowser, Vice-President Tyson Klukan and President (and Acting Mayor) Carol Fenyes
Mantini thanked the six candidates that applied before the deadline. He encouraged those not appointed to help the municipality on other boards or volunteer committees.
“The majority (of candidates) were great people, but what I liked about Mr. Cogley was his military background. And he interviewed well, too,” Mantini said.
Bowser said she nominated Cogley “for several reasons,” but also was impressed by his continued interest in serving the municipality.
“It’s nothing against the other candidates – they had their good points too. I just felt at this point in time, Jeff was the best person to fill the job for the next two years,” Bowser said.
Tyson Klukan was one of the council members at Cogley’s interview and also saw that Cogley would be “very proactive” against drugs.
“I believe that he will make a significant impact on the Borough,” Tyson said. “It’s time to see some fresh faces, different ideas and thought processes.”
Fenyes said it has been “non-stop” since she was sworn in a few weeks ago.
“Literally non-stop. But it’s been a lot of fun, exhilarating,” Fenyes said. “The people we’ve been working with are wonderful, bright people; a joy.”
Councilwoman Kathy Bartuccio was the only elected representative to nominate and vote for former councilwoman Vicki Schaub.
Bartuccio said she was “very disappointed” Schaub was not appointed.
“I felt she was the most-qualified candidate,” Bartuccio said. “She’s worked on many of the ordinances, been on Council, lived in Ford City for a number of years and she’s very active in the community. Any problems, she goes above-and-beyond to resolve them.”
Schaub, who was present at last night’s meeting, also looked to reorganize the police department
“The Mayor is to make sure the ordinances are enforced – that’s not been done for 10 years,” Schaub said. “I wanted to be part of reorganizing the police department.”
Schaub will serve on the Civil Service Commission for the next two years.
Councilman Ray Klukan was the only councilmember to nominate and vote for John M. Lux, Sr.
Other candidates for mayor included Greg Dinko and Andrew Tylinski.
