Magnetta aims to be ambassador for Tarentum

Residents will have a chance to meet and greet their new mayor Monday at a gathering in the borough building along Second Avenue.

Newly appointed Mayor Carl Magnetta said he is holding a reception with light refreshments at 6:30 p.m. and the public is invited along with members of the borough family.

"I think it's good for the town," Magnetta said. "I'd like to do it a little more often."

As expected, council on Monday unanimously appointed Magnetta, its president, to a temporary term as mayor through the end of the year.

He succeeds his good friend, James Wolfe who, until his death Sept. 10, held the office for 31 years.

"It's not really the way I wanted it to be, but it's the way it worked out," Magnetta said. "We were the very, very best of friends and it was tough. It's tough to take over this way."

At the same time, council elected Vice President Tim Rapp to succeed Magnetta as president and chose Councilman Mike Gutonski to be vice president.

Also, former councilman Pete Varos, who is unopposed for a 2nd Ward council seat, was appointed to fill the seat of Ginger Sopcak, who resigned recently, through the end of the year.

Magnetta has expressed his desire to be appointed to fill a two-year term that is expected to be available in January.

That's because Wolfe, whose term is up Jan. 1, is the only candidate on the general election ballot.

His name can be removed only if his family requested that or if the Democratic Party sought to install another candidate. In either case, according to Mark Wolosik, manager of Allegheny County's elections division, a death certificate would have to be produced by the family.

Borough Manager Bill Rossey said the family has indicated that they would not remove Wolfe's name. As a result, barring a write-in campaign, it's likely Wolfe will be re-elected.

That means council will have to appoint a successor for a two-year term. That person then would have to run for a four-year term at the end of that appointment.

"I think I am going to be very, very visible, and as you know, I am not afraid to speak my piece," Magnetta said of his new role. "I hope to perform the duties as best as I can in representing Tarentum."

The role of mayor in borough government, technically, is limited. Their major duty is to oversee the police department.

They are permitted to vote only in the event of a tie among council.

As council president, Magnetta voted on issues and arguably wielded more influence, but he sees the mayor's role as being an important one in terms of being an advocate for the town and advancing its agenda.

"When you go anywhere or when anyone comes to town, everyone wants to meet the mayor," he said. "I want to do everything I can to help Tarentum come back. We have a lot of plans, we have a lot of things going for us now."

But, although he won't be able to vote on issues, Magnetta said council should not expect him to be silent on them.

"I am not going to sit there if I see something I don't like or that I want to speak on, I am going to speak about it," Magnetta said.

As for the police department, Magnetta had only praise.

"I think we have a very good police department," he said. "I think all the men do their job. The chief (Bill Vakulick), I think, does a very good job, and I will work with them to keep things rolling."

Additional Information:

Applicants sought

The appointment of Carl Magnetta as Tarentum's mayor has created a vacant seat on council. Any borough resident interested in filling the vacant at-large seat for the remainder of this year should send a letter of interest to William Rossey, Borough Manager, 318 Second Ave., Tarentum, PA 15084 by Oct. 14.