The council, including the former president, vice president, and president pro tem, unanimously voted to remove and replace council leadership.
ARCHBALD, Pa. — A standing ovation and cheers filled the Archbald borough council chambers just moments after councilmembers voted to oust council president Dave Moran, vice president Richard Guman, and president pro tem Marie Andreoli.
“Even though we are fighting so much and this was the doing of those three individuals, it’s still hard not to feel bad about something like this happening, that it had to get to this point,” said Janessa Bednash from Jermyn.
All seven borough council members, including the former leadership, voted in support of restructuring the council. It was a move some councilmembers said was necessary.
“I just think we need to start looking to the future, start trying to move forward, try a new direction, we are stuck and its Groundhog Day all over again,” said councilmember Tom Aniska.
Many residents in the audience were upset with the current leadership, blaming them for allowing the increase in data center proposals in the borough
“You have presided over numerous meetings, scolding residents like children when they voiced their frustrations that were of your making. You have wielded that gavel like a weapon to silence and stamp out opposition,” said Geralyn Esposito of Archbald.
Moments after voting to oust the leadership, councilmembers voted in Louis Rapoch as council president, Joseph Altier as vice president, and Erin Owen as president pro tem.
“Someone told me you have to surround yourself with people you’re going to look forward with,” said Rapoch. “Well, I think we have people we’re going to look forward with in the majority right now.
It’s a decision former council president Moran says he’ll respect.
“Council’s decision to change leadership, that’s council’s decision, and I respect that and I’ll support it and I’ll work with the leadership that’s been appointed.”