By Al Lowe
The Pittsburgh Tribune Review
DORMONT, Pa. — More than 70 firefighters — including members of Dormont, Mt. Lebanon, Castle Shannon, Brentwood and Oakdale fire departments — showed up Monday to watch Dormont Council unanimously reappoint Dennis Davis as borough fire chief.
After the meeting, Davis called council’s initial decision last month not to reappoint him “a misunderstanding.”
“I’m glad they re-examined the evidence,” he said. “I never tried to hide anything.”
Noting the attendance of his fellow firefighters, George Nelson, president of the Dormont Volunteer Fire Association, told council: “As you can see, we all stick together.”
One positive aspect of the controversy was “that we got to know the fire department,” said Council Vice President Laurie Malka.
Council initially voted 6 to 1 against Davis’ reappointment because he didn’t attend meetings when he served as emergency-management coordinator from 2003-07.
“Denny makes mistakes,” Nelson said, noting that council failed to name anyone as emergency-management coordinator from 2008 to the present. “Council was a little lax, too.”
Nelson said the Dormont Fire Department will celebrate its 100th anniversary this year. He noted that for 99 years, council always voted to approve the officers elected by the volunteer members.
He and others applauded when council voted 6-0 for Davis’ reappointment.
In other business, council unanimously agreed to allow Residential Resources Inc. to use a former group home, at 1432 Kelton Ave., as an Allegheny Intermediate Unit-operated school for eight students with mental and physical disabilities.
At a hearing before the meeting, Susan L. Grant, who will be the school’s supervisor, said the goal is to improve independent-living skills for students with moderate to severe needs who have completed their senior year in high school.
Under supervision, students will do volunteer work, search for employment and shop at local grocery stores. They will be transported by bus each day to the school, which will be closed during evenings and weekends.
The building will display no signs and have three parking spaces, said Grant, who was accompanied by attorney Dana McCarty.
Council member Drew Lehman was absent from the meeting.
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