Park dedicated to former police chief may change names

MASONTOWN, Pa. — Target 11 is investigating why a Masontown Borough park that was named in honor of a former police chief is getting a new name.

About 18 months ago the park was named John T. Lewis Memorial Park and Lewis' family was presented with a plaque. However, the park is now going to be renamed after someone else.

"It's a slap in the face to the Lewis family," said Richard Lewis, John Lewis' son.

Richard Lewis said he's not sure why the borough is renaming the park after a former mayor.

"I thought once you memorialize something that's forever. You don't change it to see who it fits better," Richard Lewis said.

Council President Harry Lee said the council felt former Mayor Walter Scarton, who died in October and whose daughter is now the mayor, was a better fit because he lived next to the park.

"We didn't mean to offend anyone," Lee said.

Lee said the borough will name a park on Jefferson Street in honor of Lewis, who was a chief and officer for 27 years.

"I would just apologize to them and admit being sorry. If there's anything we can do, we would try to do it for them," Lee said.

Richard Lewis said the hardest part of the situation will be explaining the change to his 4-year-old son.

"He'll say, 'Hey Daddy, let's go to Pap Pap's park,' and what do you tell a 4 year old? It's not Pap Pap's park anymore," Lewis said.

The Lewis family told Target 11 investigator Rick Earle they wished someone from the borough had contacted them and notified them of the change.

The mayor was not involved in the decision to rename the park and she said it's being blown out of proportion.

WPXI