Mayor no-shows again at Monessen meeting, council OKs insurance policy

MONESSEN, Pa. — Mayor Matt Shorraw did not appear at an emergency Monessen City Council meeting Friday night, continuing a string of absences that have created tension in the community.

Channel 11 asked city officials if they were surprised at his absence.

“No … It's his MO,” said Councilman Anthony Orzechowski.

Shorraw, elected to his first term in November, hasn’t attended a council meeting in months, holding up the passage of bills and stalling routine city business.

“It's embarrassing that they're not coming to work,” said Councilman David Feehan. “You get paid for a job, you come to work. That's just how the real world works."

The council had quorum at an emergency meeting Thursday night, allowing it to approve the city’s insurance policy. On Thursday night, they had tried but only two members showed for the meeting.

“Insurance motion got passed. The vehicles are allowed to be driven as soon as we cut the check to the insurance company. So nothing will happen tomorrow at midnight,” said Feehan.

Channel 11 reported two weeks ago that some residents were calling for the impeachment of newly elected mayor Matt Shorraw. His predecessor was at the meeting.

“Oh yes, I'm pleased. I don't want the city to shut down,” said former Mayor Lou Mavrakis.

But as soon as the motion was passed, Councilman Gil Coles, who hasn't been to a meeting himself since February, got up and left the building. And that's when residents attending the meeting got angry.

"We still have bills for almost three months that haven't been paid,” said Orzechoswki.

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“If there's no police or fire departments to protect the city, it's only going to get worse out here,” said McIvor.

Channel 11 tried tracking down Coles, but couldn't get an answer. We tried calling Shorraw by phone, but couldn't get an answer.

Shorraw’s spokesperson sent Channel 11 a statement calling the possible shutdown it a fearmongering scheme.

“I find the questionable, misleading, and unnecessary diversion at the expense of Monessen's residents to be reprehensible,” Shorraw said in the statement, adding “the insurance company has since changed their mine and is asking for a vote because of the antics of council.”

After the meeting, a man who claims to be the spokesperson for Shorraw sent Channel 11 a statement. In it, the mayor shares his reason for not showing up to the council meetings.

He says he does “not feel safe” because of threats and that he’s even filed a report with state police.

Cox Media Group