The issues seem to be building in Linesville with the latest the resignation of Mayor Christopher R. Seeley, who resigned from his position as mayor on July 27th, a night when borough council met in special session.

Seeley had served as mayor since 2005, one of the youngest mayors in the United States at the time, Seeley just concluding his high school years. He was re-elected to a 4-year term in November of 2009.

Seley’s resignation came just weeks after long-time police chief George Davis retired from his position as contract talks were going on. Reportedly a main issue in the talks was the length of his contract typically 3 years.

Davis, in retiring, was approved to have his medical insurance paid for until he reaches Medicare age in about 4 years.

Council, then at its early July meeting, appointed part-time police officer David Overman, as as head of the police department, whether as chief or officer in charge, at 30 hours a week. Overman was also working part-time at Conneaut Lake Regional Police Department.

An opening then occurred at Lake and Overman opted to take that full time position.

Seeley told the Community News that he was unsure of what was happening with the police department. He suggested that council may have been considering the appointment of someone who has worked part-time before, an older more experienced officer. As of the time of his leaving, Seeley thought one part-timer, a newly trained officer, was on staff; Another may also be available.

The one known item is council, upon approval of Seeley’s resignation, appointed councilman Ron Harper to the position of mayor, so someone would be in charge of the department. That removes Harper from his council seat opening a vacancy there to go along with the resignation of Tom McGrath who has been absent the past several meetings anyway.

Thus there are two open spots on council at this time. No communications were received from the borough requesting people to step forward to serve on council, the council also in appointing Harper, apparently deciding they did not want to ask if anyone in the borough might be interested in serving. There is no requirement they need to do that.

The borough recently sent communications seeking a volunteer zoning officer.

This reporter was unable to attend council’s July 27, special meeting as he was involved in interviews by the local school board seeking a candidate for business manager. Information is that no information is to be given out unless an Open Records request is filed and no minutes, bills, etc,. are available unless requested and paid for, first at 25¢ a page, but since upped to 50¢ a page

Those attending the early July meeting found no agendas or minutes or bills available with council president Pete Fizer announcing that too much paper was being used.

During that meeting, council voted to join the Manufacturing and Business Association of Erie at $215 dues per year. In part the move is seen as a way to join an organization that may help to control electric rates slated to increase at year’s beginning. A representative of the group is supposed to attend a work session prior to next month’s meeting to explain about the group and the electrical rates. Harper voted no.

Council voted to buy a new door for the police station at $290 to allow a slot to be in to permit people dropping fines/etc., off at the police station to put the paper work inside the building rather than a box on a pole outside.

Seeley, in his resignation letter wrote to Linesville Borough Council, and Linesville Borough Police Department with copies going to Solicitor Jeffrey Millin, and Emergency Management Co-ordinator Kathy Brubaker. He provided a copy to the Community News.

He wrote: “We, as governing officials of the Borough of Linesville, have each taken on a volunteer position and a responsibility deeply rooted in our common vested interest in seeing our community succeed and flourish. Together as Mayor and Council, we have handled hundreds of constituent cases and reached the lives of all Borough residents in one form or another. During our tenures here, we have won friends, made enemies, riled the media, and most importantly, persevered in our mutual mission of progress and improvement. The hardships of our job pale in comparison to the gratification we each personally feel when we assist someone who lacks the ability to help themselves. To me, this is why we are all here.