The Herald, Sharon, Pa.

Local News

December 11, 2009

UPDATE: Councilman tapped to be borough’s new mayor

By Courtney L. Anderson

SHARPSVILLE — It’s a time of transition in Sharpsville.

With Borough Manager Mike Wilson retiring next month, council last month named former Mayor Ken Robertson to fill his shoes. And on Wednesday, council tapped one of their own to replace Robertson.

Alex Kovach, 65, of 1136 W. Ridge Ave., was unanimously selected as the borough’s new mayor. Kovach immediately resigned the council seat he’s held for 22 years.

Council Vice President Robert Piccirilli said Kovach did a “wonderful job” as a council member and said he looked forward to working with him as mayor.

An outspoken member of the board, Kovach has gone toe-to-toe with his fellow councilmen on issues in the past. The mayor’s duties do not include a vote on issues.

“We finally silenced Alex,” President Tom Lally joked.

“My greatest asset is I’m a hard-headed hunky,” Kovach said after he was appointed.

Kovach, a General Motors retiree, said he decided to go for the mayor’s job to open up a seat on council for Chris Combine, who lost this year’s primary.

“I was looking at this young guy just voted out,” Kovach said, and recommended to the remaining council members that they appoint Combine to fill the council seat he’ll leave empty.

Outgoing council President Tom Lally said council will take letters of interest from people who want to be considered for the opening.

Kovach will have to be reappointed as mayor at the borough reorganization in January to keep the job. Then he’ll serve two years until the next municipal election. He said he plans to run for the job again if he’s “still alive.”

Residents Gary “Gus” Grandy and Robert Rice also expressed interest in the mayor’s job.

The meeting was full of good-byes and well wishes as longtime borough secretary Connie Raymer is retiring and it’s the end of Lally’s tenure.

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