FARRELL, PA. Resident pushes to remove city councilman from office

The mayor said there was no reason to investigate allegations raised by Owens.
By HAROLD GWIN
VINDICATOR SHARON BUREAU
FARRELL, Pa. -- Lawrence Owens of Hamilton Avenue wants Councilman Louis Falconi to be removed from office.
Owens, speaking at a city council meeting Monday, asked Mayor William Morocco if council had investigated or had the city solicitor investigate the allegations of misconduct Owens had previously lodged against Falconi, who is also deputy mayor.
Morocco said council didn't investigate or have the city solicitor investigate because the Southwest Mercer County Regional Police handled the case and determined there were insufficient grounds to file any charges against Falconi.
Morocco confirmed that council did receive a copy of the allegations against Falconi. It was not clear when the allegations were filed.
Falconi declined to make any comment, saying he had been advised to remain silent at this time. He didn't say who had given him that advice.
Allegations
Owens, in a letter to the city, alleged that Falconi, a teacher and head football coach at Farrell High School, assaulted a male student at the school in September 2000 and then interfered when the boy's father tried to file a complaint at the police department.
Owens' letter said Falconi assaulted a second male student at the school during the 2003-04 football season and then intimidated that same student.
The letter says Falconi violated the city code and charter by dealing with the school board and police department without going through the city manager and that his actions warrant forfeiture of his council office.
Morocco pointed out that incidents occurring at the school should be dealt with by the school board. The city doesn't set policy for the school district nor have any authority over it, he said.
Shouting matches
Morocco and Owens got into a couple of brief shouting matches over Owens' efforts to present his case before council.
Owens left council chambers saying that he has begun circulating recall petitions to remove Falconi from office and will do the same for the mayor.
A number of the crowd of about 60 at the meeting appeared to support his efforts, applauding some of his comments and loudly encouraging him to continue.
He and supporters sat at a table in the city building lobby before and during the meeting asking people to sign a recall petition against Falconi.