MONESSEN - Council chambers turned into a political boxing ring Wednesday night, with the main event pitting a councilman against the mayor.
For nearly a half-hour, Councilman John Harhai and Mayor John DeLuca traded verbal shots as accusations, name-calling, and tense voices kept members of the small audience on the edge of their seats.
Solicitor Mark Shire served as referee, attempting to keep order.
Retired Monessen school teacher Virginia Monaghan got the last word as she pleaded with council and the mayor to stop "embarrassing the city," and passed out suggestions to improve the city's image.
Harhai, chairman of streets and public improvements, kicked off the verbal fireworks by accusing DeLuca of lying and misrepresenting the city.
In the first round, Harhai questioned why the Dollar General store currently being constructed downtown was given the property over a request by the Monessen Food Pantry, which is operated by Councilwoman Mary Jo Smith.
"It's a shame what's going on here," Harhai said. "We've got a tin can (the Dollar General building) going up in this town."
Harhai challenged DeLuca's purported claim that the new business would generate $30,000 to $50,000 in city taxes annually.
"Let me ask you this, John, how much in taxes would the food pantry have brought to the city?" DeLuca fired back, adding he was estimating the tax revenue in his mind.
Harhai shot back, "You said it would bring in $50,000. When you say things, you have to put something behind them."
Harhai claimed the food pantry didn't receive a fair shot at the property.
That's when Smith got into the match.
"We (the food pantry) had a home at the civic center, but you (DeLuca) told them to padlock the door so we couldn't use it anymore," she said.
DeLuca charged Harhai drew the battle lines because the May primary election is next month. Harhai is running for council and DeLuca is seeking re-election and will face Councilman Anthony Petaccia.
"Isn't this amazing how this starts right before an election?" DeLuca asked the audience.
In round two, Harhai questioned DeLuca about the status of funding for a new fire station.
DeLuca said in 2003 a plan was presented to local legislators for a new public safety building, improvements to the civic center and another community building. In April of 2003, the city received a letter from the governor's office that it would receive $1.5 million for those projects, but the city would have to match it before receiving the money.
DeLuca said he was hoping to use money from the sale of the former Epiphany of Our Lord school building, but the deal fell through when council voted against it, to the dismay of the mayor last year.
DeLuca said he received word this week that the city can use about $7 million in low-interest loans through a federal government plan to match the state money..
Harhai kept telling the mayor he wasn't answering his questions and accused him of "double-talking."
That's when the meeting really started heating up.
"Before you look like the idiot you are, you ought to let me finish," DeLuca said.
"You told people there was a $1 million check on your desk!" Harhai countered. "This has been going on for 3 1/2 years!"
"You haven't lived here 3 1/2 years," DeLuca fired back. "This has to stop...we're turning this into a circus."
"Yeah, and you're the clown," Harhai declared.
In round three, Harhai questioned the mayor about funding he supposedly promised for the vacant mini-mall on Donner Avenue, and then, in round four, he brought up funding for the Sixth Street project.
Harhai claimed DeLuca shouldn't have been at meetings with the Monessen Redevelopment Authority concerning the Sixth Street Project.
The mayor contends he had a right to be there as it "his project."
That's when Smith got upset.
"We have reports to do and things to say. When you act like this you're representing the city of Monessen, and, when you don't tell the truth, it represents all of us," Smith said. "For you to make comments like this is inappropriate. If you respect us, we'll respect you."
"I can't," DeLuca said. "You have no respect for me. This is like the 'Jerry Springer Show.'"
"It's better," shouted someone in the audience.
Harhai then claimed DeLuca made a comment at another meeting that he had "the newspaper in his back pocket," a claim the mayor denied.
Finally, in round five, Harhai brought up the purchase of a 2003 5-ton truck for $92,000, which was arranged by DeLuca and former city administrator Frank Francia. Harhai said the agreement does not include a warranty on the truck and now it needs engine work.
Petaccia spoke up, saying he questioned the contract in 2003, but claimed he was told to "shut up."
Shortly before the meeting ended, Monaghan took to the microphone and made a passionate plea.
"I didn't come here out of any ill-will or vindictiveness, but out of the goodness of my heart," she said. "I am very embarrassed and I am asking all of you to stop the bickering and put aside the personal vendettas and move this city forward."
Monaghan then passed out suggestions to help improve the city's image, including: highlighting the city's strong points with a marketing video, capitalizing on ethnic diversity, initiating a city-wide block party and having a community observance for Monessen soldiers fighting overseas.
"I have known all of you for years and, if I didn't teach you, then I taught your children," Monaghan said. "I know you're all better than this."
