By TAYLOR BROWN
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Two longtime Charleroi council members said heartfelt goodbyes after their last meeting as elected officials Wednesday.
Council members Nancy Ellis and Randy DiPiazza both took a few minutes before the last meeting of 2023 was adjourned to give heartfelt, humble goodbyes and thank yous.
Council President Frank Paterra, whose last meeting also would have been last night, was not in attendance because of his health, but was honored by the Washington County Board of Commissioners for his years of service in the U.S. Army, and as a community servant.
Ellis, in total, has spent 10 years as a councilwoman in the Magic City and an additional four years as a former mayor.
She decided against seeking reelection, but is grateful for the time she has spent helping her community.
She thanked her fellow council members, staff, various departments and others including the Charleroi American Legionnaires for their help along the way.
“I want to thank the police department, our fire department, street crew, solicitor and our council President Frank Paterra,” Ellis said. “As sick as he has been, he came here as much as he could and when we really needed him he showed true leadership and helped with the water authority. Joe (Smith), I thank you for your service. Randy (DiPiazza), Jerry (Jericho) and Paul (Pivovarnik), I thank you all, too. There were times I was ready to quit and each of you asked me not to.”
Ellis went on to thank incoming council members Bobby Whiten, Tom Santoro and Kristin Hopkins-Calcek for stepping up.
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