On June 11, Tyrone Borough Council voted six to one to dismiss former borough manager Nathan George, it’s hard to say if anyone could have predicted the amount of media coverage and public reaction the issue has generated.
The story dominated the front pages of The Daily Herald, five out six editions between June 11 and June 17. It also generated a number of front page stories in another newspaper and received coverage on WTAJ-TV, Altoona and WRTA radio, Altoona.
More than two dozen people showed up at the borough’s municipal building for a June 11 special council meeting. Some of those in attendance including George offered public comment prior to council taking its vote on the agenda item described as “borough manager-employment status.”
After the meeting, a number of people spoke with George, including some who offered public comment and as well as others in attendance. Petitions have also been circulated at businesses in Tyrone. The petition requests “an investigation regarding the activities of the Tyrone Borough Council” in connection with George’s termination.
The issue also generated several “Letters to the Editor” which appear on pages eight and nine of today’s Daily Herald.
George has retained an attorney, Joseph Cavrich of Hollidaysburg, but he has not decided whether or not he would file suit against the borough for what he contends are improper actions including violations of the Pennsylvania Sunshine Law and the borough’s home rule charter.
Cavrich has indicated there are other issues involved which he is not at liberty to reveal at this time which are separate from the Sunshine Law and home rule issues.
“There are more components which have not yet come to light,” said Cavrich.
George is contending he was dismissed by council during an executive session on June 8. Council voted on the issue in public at the special June 11 meeting and terminated him with cause effective immediately. George sat with the general public from the beginning on the special meeting, rather than taking his normal seat in the inner sanctum of the council chambers.
Typically, employees such as the finance director, the solicitor, the borough manager and secretary are seated facing the council when meetings are conducted in the large council chambers.
George indicated he had no reason to sit in his normal seat, since, in his mind, he had already been terminated. He has said he was not at his office on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday of last week.
“He was not instructed to sit anywhere by council,” said Cavrich.
The Daily Herald placed a call to the borough on the afternoon of June 10. Information from the borough’s secretary indicated George was not in and was not expected to be in on Friday, June 11.
Cavrich indicated he had received no documentation from the borough as of Thursday regarding the last day George had received his salary.
Cavrich also referred to statements made earlier this week by Mayor Patricia Stoner.
“I think the mayor’s comments are telling evidence of her mentality,” said Cavrich.
She stated in an earlier Daily Herald article, “We functioned for 11 months without a borough manager.”
She was referring to the period of time after the previous borough manager left his position in February 2003 and when George became the most recent manager in January of this year. During that period, Stoner was the acting borough manager.
“This shows the conduct of what we believe to be the borough’s all along,” said Cavrich. “They don’t want a borough manager, even though their charter says that’s what they need and they should adhere to it.
“It is not my intent to try this in the ‘court of public opinion’ as the mayor has said,” explained Cavrich. “It’s to see Nathan is treated fairly in accordance with the laws.”
The mayor has sent a letter to the editor, which appears in today’s edition, offering additional comments. However, under the advice of borough solicitor Larry Clapper, she and other borough officials including council, have been advised not to comment in terms of the specifics related to George’s dismissal.
“In terms of further public comment, decisions will be made relatively quickly, Cavrich told The Daily Herald. “It’s going to take an effort on both sides.”
He was hopeful but not optimistic something could be worked out between his client and the borough.
