LAWRENCE COUNTY Officials await ruling on housing authority board

The Ewing Park Bridge demolition was changed to Thursday.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Lawrence County commissioners believe its time for a change for at least one of the members of the Lawrence County Housing Authority.
The commissioners said that they would be interested in replacing James Graves on the authority. Graves' five-year term expires Dec. 31, and he is the board's president. He is the authority's resident representative on the board.
The housing authority oversees five public housing complexes and several high rises in the county.
Graves is often part of a voting bloc with board members Gary Felasco and Donald Conti. Felasco, the county treasurer, and Conti have both come under fire recently.
In February, The Vindicator revealed that Felasco had not paid property taxes on his Cunningham Avenue home since 2000.
An improper stay was placed on the property, allowing it to escape the yearly tax sale. He is now under investigation by the Pennsylvania State Police.
Conti has been charged by New Castle Police with violations of the state's gambling and liquor laws. His preliminary hearing is set for Nov. 10.
But commissioners are unsure if they have to replace Graves with another resident.
Here's the delay
Commissioner Dan Vogler said they are waiting for information from housing authority Solicitor Lou Perrotta on the issue. County Solicitor John Hodge has said that he can find no rules requiring a resident to sit on the board.
Commissioners had looked into removing Felasco earlier this year but learned he could not be taken off the board until his term ended.
Commissioners are looking into filling several expired terms on other authorities.
A position held by John Razzano on the county municipal authority expired last January, and Edmund Retort's term on that board is expiring Jan. 1, 2005. Joseph Hake's term on the county airport authority expired June 1.
On the redevelopment authority board, Dennis Alduk's term expired Jan. 1, 2004, and Frank Telesz's term will expire Jan. 1, 2005.
All remain on the boards until they are reappointed or replaced.
In other business, the demolition of the Ewing Park Bridge in Ellwood City has been rescheduled for Thursday. The bridge was to be demolished today.
County Commissioner Ed Fosnaught said the demolition was delayed because telephone lines had not been removed from the structure.
The bridge is being replaced and a new one is expected to open in early 2006.
cioffi@vindy.com