Whitecavage resigns at special meeting, reappointed to serve remainder of Pietkiewicz’s term
SHENANDOAH – An appointed borough councilman who was defeated in November’s election will serve another two years after he was re-appointed to a longer vacant seat Thursday night.
Michael Whitecavage, a former councilman and mayor, was previously appointed to council in August after John “J.T.” Thomas resigned.
Thomas’s term was set to end at the end of 2023 and Whitecavage ran for the seat in November’s election and was defeated.
Earlier this month, Councilman Leo Pietkiewicz resigned with two years remaining on his term and council requested letters from those interested in filling the seat.
Council first intended to fill the seat at the December regular meeting until it was pointed out that they must advertise for the position after a seat is vacated, not before, and the matter was tabled until Thursday’s special meeting.
As of Thursday’s meeting, Whitecavage’s letter was the only one received, council said.
He resigned his current seat and was reappointed to Pietkiewicz’s vacated seat and sworn in by Mayor Andrew Szczyglak.
In the public portion of Thursday’s meeting, Robert Shumski, Turkey Run, questioned why the matter was on the agenda, citing a print newspaper article by a reporter who was not present at Thursday’s meeting.
Shumski said the article, covering the regular December meeting, cited Catizone as saying the matter would be handled in January, not a special meeting in December.
Catizone did not make such a remark at December’s meeting when the vacancy was discussed, according to an audio recording of the meeting.
Responding to Shumski, Catizone said she is not the exclusive voice for council and said it would “likely” be handled in January, but it is at council’s discretion to handle it earlier.
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