Urban appointed Delmont mayor

Delmont officials didn't look far for their new mayor.

Council on Tuesday appointed Councilwoman Alyce Urban to serve as borough mayor until January 2016.

“I think she's going to make a wonderful mayor for Delmont,” said Councilwoman Becky Matesevec, who nominated Urban for the position.

“She likes to be involved, she knows a lot of people, and she is very accessible.”

Urban will finish out the term of former Mayor Gill Sanchez, who resigned last month after selling his home. Sanchez is moving to Greene County.

Urban, 66, said she hopes to continue the work that Sanchez started.

“Gill did a lot of good projects, and I want to make sure we continue on the path we're on,” Urban said. “I have such an interest in our community.”

Urban was elected to council in 2012. The former owner of a street sweeping company, she has lived in the borough for about nine years.

Among the projects she hopes to undertake during the next two years are revitalizing Community Days and refurbishing a small parklet in the borough.

As mayor, one of Urban's main jobs will be working with emergency services.

Police chief T.J. Klobucar said it's important to have a strong working relationship with the mayor, as he had with Sanchez.

“I'm looking forward to working with her,” Klobucar said.

“I've sat on committees before with Alyce, so this should be an easy transition.”

Urban was one of three candidates to apply for the position. Residents David Piper and George Walborn also applied.

Council has 30 days to appoint a new member of council to replace Urban. That person will serve until January 2016.

Daveen Rae Kurutz is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at 412-856-7400, ext. 8627, or dkurutz@tribweb.com.