The Herald, Sharon, Pa.

Breaking News

Local News

October 22, 2012

Critic rips into 6-year deal for 2

By Tom Davidson Herald Staff Writer

SOUTH PYMATUNING TOWNSHIP — It’s either a long-term deal that provides a level of stability with South Pymatuning Township’s two unionized employees or it’s a sweetheart deal that benefits a select few there, where complaining and fielding complaints is a mainstay of monthly supervisors meetings.

The contract is between the township and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) union that represents township secretary Karen Presley and road crew member Burt DeVries.

It was approved last Tuesday despite an outcry from township critic Kurt Toth.

“They should be ashamed and embarrassed of themselves,” Toth said Sunday. “I asked how (it) benefits the taxpayers.”

The six-year pact includes 3-percent raises each for the first five years and passes any increases in health care costs onto the employees through hikes to their co-payments, Supervisor Mike Nashtock said.

“He’s entitled to his opinion, we have our opinion,” Nashtock said of Toth.

Toth was also critical about a misstep by Nashtock during the meeting, when he described the contract as a five-year deal.

“I misspoke at the meeting, obviously,” Nashtock said Sunday. “I had no reason to mislead anybody.”

The contract was approved by Nashtock and Supervisor Brian Geisel. Supervisor Mark Presley abstained from the vote because he is married to Karen Presley.

It will stand as approved last week, Nashtock said, dismissing rumors that the pact would be voted on again during a special meeting at 5 p.m. Tuesday. Supervisors will begin budget talks then, Nashtock said.

The pact is a bad deal for taxpayers, Toth said.

“It’s too lengthy,” he said.

The contract replaces a three-year deal that expires at the end of the year. Prior to that, Presley and DeVries had worked under terms of a seven-year pact that was also unpopular with some South Pymatuning Township residents.

“A seven-year union contract is out of line,” Toth said. “I truly believe if you’re an elected official you should do the right thing for the taxpayers.”

Text Only
Local News
  • Council takes ‘baby step’ toward exiting Act 47

    For 26 years, Farrell’s been in financial trouble.

    May 21, 2013

  • Drug tests get tentative board OK

    Carol Sloan, a Hermitage resident, had three concerns about the proposed voluntary student drug testing program in Hermitage schools, one of which was the possibility of spending tax dollars on the program.

    May 21, 2013

  • School board proposes 1st tax hike in 6 years

    Hermitage School Board is proposing the first property tax hike since 2007-08 under a 2013-14 budget tentatively approved Monday.

    May 21, 2013

  • School district facing big deficit and hard choices

    Sharon City School Board on Monday unanimously approved a preliminary budget for the 2013-14 school year includes a $2 million deficit.

    May 21, 2013

  • More than a million in Pa. denied right to vote

    More than 1 million registered voters in Pennsylvania will be barred from casting a ballot Tuesday because the state only allows registered Democrats and Republicans to participate in the primary election.

    May 21, 2013

  • District reserves to cover $500,000 shortfall

    Although Mercer Area School District has a $500,000 shortfall in its budget for the coming school year, school directors do not plan to raise taxes.

    May 20, 2013

  • Yes and no on voter ID

    After another “dry run” of a voter ID law under legal review, Pennsylvania voters might start chafing.

    May 20, 2013

  • Crash claims 21-year-old

    A 21-year-old Sandy Lake man was killed early Saturday when he lost control of his car and rolled it several times on Hadley Road, Perry Township.

    May 19, 2013

  • UPMC to judge: Throw out bias claim

    UPMC Horizon has asked a federal judge to throw out a former employee’s claim that he was discriminated against because of his gender.

    May 19, 2013

  • Judge Christopher St. John Judicial daily double

    This year marks the first time in the county’s 209 years as a judicial district that voters have the opportunity to choose a new judge, while also deciding whether to retain an existing one.

    May 19, 2013 1 Photo