Arguments Continue On Monessen City Council

In their first meeting with a limited number of residents allowed to attend, Monessen City Council picked up right where they left off before the Covid-19 pandemic shut meetings down to public attendance. Councilwoman Lois Thomas waited until the very end of the meeting to address accusations made about her by City Administrator John Harhai in an executive session held after a workshop last week. Thomas addressed claims by Harhai that she met privately with a Westmoreland County Common Pleas Judge in late 2018 before her appointment as councilwoman.  Thomas called the accusation a bald faced lie. Thomas went on to tell of a physical attack of Councilman Tony Orzechowki. The ordeal lasted nearly 20 minutes with audience members asking Harhai for his response. He had none. Thomas called on council to change and practice new ways of thinking or Monessen will remain the laughing stock of the Mon Valley. In matters directly related to city business, council authorized a Police Accountability and Affairs Board made up of four appointed citizens and the Mayor. Council voted down a measure to repeal an ordinance to bring accountability to council members and their duties. The current ordinance allows for fines for city employees and council who do not carry out their responsibilities to attend council meetings. The motion failed 3-2 and council will look to draft an ordinance that will be stricter and carry heavier fines.