Monongahela officials pay tribute to retiring police chief
MONONGAHELA 鈥� Monongahela residents gathered at city hall this week to say goodbye to a popular police chief who is retiring after 47 years of service in law enforcement.
Chief Brian Tempest, who joined the Monongahela Police Department in 1985 after a 11-year stint with the former New Eagle Police Department, attended his final council meeting before he retires on May 1. Tempest was praised by council members and other officials for his bravery, honesty, humility and fairness.
鈥淭his is one of the saddest days of my life,鈥� said Mayor Bob Kepics. 鈥淵ou鈥檝e been like a brother, father and everything else to me. We are really going to miss you.鈥�
Added state Sen. Camera Bartolotta, R-Carroll Township, 鈥淵ou changed our city. We congratulate you on your retirement. And I hope you fail at retirement, because that means you will be busier than ever. That would be the only thing you ever failed at. Thanks for your outstanding service to the community.鈥�
Tempest offered a fond farewell to the city following a standing ovation from everyone present.
鈥淚鈥檝e been fortunate that I wound up in Monongahela,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he mayors, councils and the public have been fantastic. I鈥檝e also been fortunate to have a great group of police officers in our department. I鈥檓 very confident we are in good hands with these officers.鈥�
Officer Kevin Harris will replace Tempest as police chief while Officer Ryan Lenzi will become an acting sergeant.
In other business,
n Council accepted the resignation of Rental Inspector Tom Bonidie and voted to advertise for a replacement.
n Tempest reminded the public that the Monongahela police will ticket any vehicles that are parked on sidewalks along Fourth Street. Solicitor Todd Pappasergi said the city鈥檚 parking ordinance does not apply to vehicles that are parked on grass. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 a private matter between the parties involved,鈥� he said.
n Pappasergi also reminded the public that anyone violating the animal waste ordinance may be subject to a fine. 鈥淧lease pick up after your animals and show respect for other people鈥檚 property,鈥� added Kepics.
n Council agreed to waive the construction permit fee for the current bid going out for the Aquatorium ramp project.
n Councilwoman Claudia Williams thanked local businesses for their commitment to the city. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 think many people are aware of how much local businesses are investing into our community,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hey are spending millions of dollars upgrading their facilities and beautifying their properties. All these businesses also pay mercantile taxes, which helps to reduce what all of us pay. Please continue to support these local businesses.鈥�
n Kepics announced that Angelo鈥檚 II Restaurant was a recipient of this month鈥檚 Beautification Award.
n 鈥淢ovies on the Mound鈥� will be held June 21, July 19 and Aug. 16 at Mounds Park in Monongahela. Movies are free to the public and small pre-packaged refreshments will be available for purchase.
n Councilman Rusty Polinoli asked the public not to feed ducks and geese at the Aquatorium because it could create health problems for the birds and attract rats to the area.
n Tempest said city police will provide a funeral escort through the city Saturday for Sgt. Vernon Hamilton鈥揳 WWII airman and Monongahela native whose remains were found in Germany several years ago. The procession will start at the First Presbyterian Church at 12:15 p.m. and proceed to Monongahela Cemetery where Hamilton will be buried with full honors. At 2 p.m., the city will also hold an Easter Egg Hunt at Chess Park. 鈥淭here will be lot going on downtown that day, so I want to ask the public to be careful while driving through the city,鈥� said Tempest.