MONESSEN - The Harhai name could return to Monessen City Council.
John Harhai, brother of state Rep. R. Ted Harhai, is expected to be appointed to council Wednesday night.
During a work session Monday, council members Mary Jo Smith and Anthony Petaccia said they would vote for Harhai to fulfill former Councilman George Zboyovsky's term.
Zboyobsky, who has taken an out-of-state job, announced his resignation. Since then, council has been accepting letters of interest. Council has until Dec. 4 to fill the vacancy.
In addition to Harhai, the following have expressed interest in the council seat: Sharon Mauck, Emily Gaspich, Baron Rawlins, Jeff Gaudio, Wayne Doptis, Bill Malec and Charles Bolden.
Mayor John T. DeLuca said he would not support John Harhai.
"I would have selected Emily Gaspich because she is young, knowledgeable and is an engineer," DeLuca said.
While Smith and Petaccia committed to Harhai, Councilman Dale Simpson said he had someone else in mind for the position.
"The person I would have selected is not on that list," Simpson said. "I personally feel we should do what the public wants and select the person that came in third during election, but that person didn't apply."
Simpson said Smith and Petaccia "lobbied" him to endorse Harhai.
Simpson said only three people, Bolden, Harhai and Malec, approached him in search of support.
DeLuca asked Simpson if he wanted to interview any of the other candidates before making his final decision.
The mayor said he didn't do so before because he believed the appointment was a "slam dunk."
"I'm kind of like a puppy," DeLuca said of his minority position on council. "After you've been told 'no' so many times, you get used to it."
Simpson quickly responded.
"When you had the advantage, you didn't have the same attitude," Simpson told DeLuca. "It was, 'I got three votes and let's move to another issue.'"
"I never said that, Dale," DeLuca shot back.
DeLuca asked the board to decide last night.
"If you guys already have your mind made up, let's not waste any time doing interviews," DeLuca said.
Solicitor Mark Shire said at least three votes would be needed to appoint a council member.
Should council fail to appoint a council member by the deadline, a Westmoreland County common Pleas Court judge could end up making the decision.
Asked by Simpson why he doesn't support Harhai, DeLuca said the candidate has not lived long enough in Monessen.
Simpson agreed to vote for Harhai, saying he would support Smith and Petaccia "because they have always supported me."
After the meeting, Smith said Harhai will bring 35 years of business experience to council.
"He has been recognized nationally for business, he has good managerial skills and he is someone who shares our vision and wants to move Monessen forward," Smith said.
Petaccia said he narrowed the field of applicants and believes Harhai led the field.
"He has the most experience, he's knowledgeable and shares the same goals," Petaccia said.
DeLuca asked council to meet with Harhai before council's 7 p.m. Wednesday meeting. The mayor said he wants to ask Harhai about his residence and how long he has lived in Monessen.
If appointed, Harhai will serve in Zboyovsky's place through Dec. 31, 2005. The seat will next be contested next spring in the primary election.
