West View council president to resign

By Daveen Rae Kurutz
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Friday, August 10, 2007

After 34 years, West View is looking for a new council president.
Council President Dan M. Daugherty said Thursday he intends to resign by the end of October.

The move comes after residents filed a state ethics complaint last month when Daugherty, the paid executive director of West View Water Authority, was appointed to fill a vacancy on the water authority board.

Daugherty said his impending resignation is not related to the complaint.

"It's time to move on and make room for others, who I'm sure have great ideas, too," Daugherty said. "I could stay on council -- there's nothing wrong with holding all three seats -- but it's my choice to go.
"After nearly 40 years, don't you think it's about time?"

The ethics complaint was filed by resident Jim Barr, who believes it is a conflict of interest for Daugherty to sit on the board and be employed as its executive director.

"He's being his own boss, and that's not right," Barr said. "It's just not good for the people -- but it's good for him and his political allies."

Daugherty has been president of West View council for 34 years and a member of council for 38 years. He was most recently re-elected to council in 2005.

His appointment to the water authority board was not a conflict of interest under borough code, according to borough and water authority solicitor Fred E. Baxter Jr.

Daugherty said the ethics complaint was dismissed without investigation -- but the State Ethics Commission would not confirm or deny its dismissal.

Daugherty's announced resignation is the second in two months. In July, Councilman Ralph Burshell stepped down. Don Mikec was appointed to replace him Wednesday.


Daveen Rae Kurutz can be reached at dkurutz@tribweb.com or 412-380-5627.
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