By Liz Zemba
The Tribune-Review
UNIONTOWN, Pa. — Uniontown City Council on Tuesday voted to lay off seven of its 13 paid firefighters, prompting a councilman and the mother of one of the firefighters to allege the action was politically motivated.
Indicating the layoffs are necessary for financial reasons, Mayor Ed Fike and councilmen Blair Jones, Francis “Joby” Palumbo and Curtis Sproul voted in favor of the layoffs.
“It’s a financial matter,” said Palumbo, who along with the others said they hope to recall the firefighters if funds become available. “It would put us in the hole a great amount.”
Councilman Gary Crozier voted against the layoffs. He said the city should have considered layoffs in the street department or other departments not involved with public safety before cutting firefighters.
In addition, Crozier said he feels that money is available in the budget to pay the firefighters’ salaries. He went on to allege unidentified individuals advised him Fike pursued the layoffs as a “vendetta” against the fire department.
His remarks prompted similar allegations from a woman in attendance, Caryl Nypaver.
“You said you were embarrassed, and you would get your way,” Nypaver alleged. “You said you would take him down.”
Nypaver is the mother of Myron Nypaver, who was among the seven firefighters who were laid off.
Fike denied the allegations, indicating he “never said that.” He said the layoffs are necessary for financial reasons, with more changes aimed at cutting costs to follow. He said his ultimate goal is to roll back millage increases that were implemented last year when the city announced it was broke.
Three firefighters, David Ross, Brian Vansickle and Robert Leiberger Jr., will be laid off effective Dec. 11. The other four, Richard Lint, Todd Fullem, Scott Conn and Nypaver, will be laid off effective Dec. 31.
Chuck Coldren, fire chief, said the cuts will have a negative impact on operations, putting the safety of firefighters and residents at risk. He said he will continue with efforts to secure a grant that will allow the firefighters to be recalled.
In an unrelated matter, Fike announced changes to the manner in which residents will be permitted to speak at the close of council meetings. He said individuals who wish to speak on similar subjects will have to choose one spokesperson to represent their views, and the spokesperson will be limited to five minutes.
Fike, who said he believes the change is permitted by law, said it is needed because public comment at past sessions has put council in a negative light.
“In the past, I allowed open comment at the end of every meeting as a courtesy,” Fike said. “I feel this courtesy has been taken advantage of. I cannot tolerate this body to be made a mockery of.”
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