Leechburg Mayor Lerch to resign

Leechburg Mayor Shawn Lerch announced Friday morning that he will resign.

“This is a day of mixed emotions, as one door opens another one closes,” Lerch said.

Lerch, 42, said he will resign Tuesday. Leechburg Council meets that evening, starting at 6.

Lerch said he and his wife will be moving to a new home in Gilpin.

“There's nothing I don't like about Leechburg,” he said. “I always wanted to be out in the country.”

The resignation announcement comes two days after Lerch officiated at the wedding of borough police Chief Mike Diebold and his fiancee, Danielle Reinke.

The community has rallied around Diebold since he was injured and lost part of his left arm in a fireworks accident on June 24. Diebold had been launching the display as part of the borough fire department's annual carnival. He came home from the hospital on July 5.

Lerch served one term as mayor, being elected in 2013. He served one term on council before that.

“He did a good job,” council President Tony Defilippi said.

The mayor's office is up for election this year. Lerch had not sought re-election at the primary, anticipating his departure.

Councilman Wayne Dobos is the only candidate, appearing on both party ballots, according to official Armstrong County election results.

Lerch said he's most proud of opening lines of communication between the borough and residents during his tenure.

“I put myself out to be just another guy on the street,” he said. “I made the position of mayor very approachable.”

Brian C. Rittmeyer is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at 724-226-4701, brittmeyer@tribweb.com or on Twitter @BCRittmeyer.