Council ousts borough manager

Emporium Borough Manager Rob Aversa was relieved of his duties during a heated Emporium Borough Council meeting held Monday night.

Much of the dialogue surrounding Council's eventual 6-1 vote to dismiss Aversa was held behind closed doors during an executive session. Aversa had held the post since June 2004.

Councilman Max Narby, prior to the private session, cited "many issues" in the vote, but he did not elaborate.

Chief among his opponents' complaints was Aversa's unilateral actions to bring a Ridgway-based Advanced Life Support (ALS) operation to Emporium, which was seen by some as an affront to Cameron County Ambulance Service Inc.

Council President Jim Slusarik cast the lone vote against the motion to dismiss Aversa. Voting with the majority were Narby, Don "Stretch" Reed, Rick Bauer, Pat Garrigan, Joe Fragale and LuAnn Reed.

Council received a petition bearing 140 signatures in support of the borough manager. Members also heard an impassioned plea by Dr. Scott McKimm in support of Aversa and the plan to bring in the ALS service.

Next step for Council will be the recruitment of a new borough manager, a process that will take an estimated six to eight weeks.