Dormont council appeals decision on police chief's demotion
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A civil service commission in Dormont overturned the borough council's demotion of former police chief Phil Ross last week, and two days later, the borough's labor attorney appealed the decision to Common Pleas Court.
At a meeting Monday night, Councilwoman Joan Hodson, Mayor Thomas Lloyd and a few dozen residents wanted to know why there was no public council vote on whether to appeal.
"I do think that you do have to vote on this," said resident Gary Young. "You can't just do it under the table, like you are doing now."
The two-hour meeting ranged from heated to absurd, with yelling from residents, bickering among council members and a 30-minute impasse at the end of the meeting when council Vice President Laurie Malka struggled to get the votes necessary to adjourn the meeting.
Yet again, as has been the case over the past several months, it was police issues that prompted a rancorous meeting. And the main topic on Monday was the demotion of the former police chief.
The borough council voted 6-1 in March to demote Officer Ross, who had served as chief for two years and had been in the department for 27 years.
Officer Ross appealed the demotion to the borough's Civil Service Commission. His lawyer, Scott Lautner, said the dispute was the result of a personality conflict with Gino Rizza, the borough manager.
Mr. Rizza, assistant manager Ian McMeans and council President Kim Lusardi testified at the six-hour hearing that the demotion was due to Officer Ross' failure to fulfill his duties as chief.
The civil service commission unanimously decided in favor of Officer Ross July 26 and ordered him reinstated.
And last Thursday, labor attorney Chris Gabriel filed an appeal in Common Pleas Court on behalf of the borough. The appeal argues that the civil service commission's decision should be overturned because it is not supported by substantial evidence and because the commission usurped the role of the council.
First Published August 4, 2011 5:06 am
