Sharpsburg Council member resigns; seat to be placed on November ballot

Sharpsburg Councilwoman Carrie Tongarm has resigned.

It was announced and accepted at council’s May 25 meeting.

Tongarm said she is moving to O’Hara for family reasons, and will formally step down June 15.

The Democrat is in the second year of a four-year term.

She was instrumental in forming the borough’s parks and recreation commission and also pushed for an off-leash dog park.

“The way we’ve been able to come together as a council and work together has been amazing,” Tongarm said after the May 25 meeting. “I’ve been so passionate about parks and recreation since I’ve started. The way the commission has come together, everyone is doing such great work.

“I’m really proud of how ‘parks and rec’ has been able to work together and put out some really great stuff for the community. They’re really invested.”

Borough Manager Christine DeRunk commended Tongarm for her work on policies and other borough business. Her council colleagues also thanked her for her service.

“We’re going to miss you,” council President Adrianne Laing said.

Mayor Brittany Reno said she plans on issuing a Tongarm a proclamation.

Resumes and letters of interest for the vacancy are being accepted at the borough building, 1611 Main St.

Council is expected expected to appoint someone at the June 22 meeting.

Borough Solicitor Matt Kalina said that person will serve through the rest of the year.

Tongarm’s seat will be placed on the November ballot for a two-year term.

Allegheny County spokeswoman Amie Downs said the Allegheny County Elections Division will reach out to municipalities and school districts in August requesting they report any council, supervisor, commission and school board vacancies made since February to be placed on the November ballot.

Anyone seeking those seats will be nominated by their respective party committees, Downs said.

Tongrarm offered a statement to voters and residents via email to the Tribune-Review:

“Some folks may be upset about my leaving, some might be confused, and some might even be happy about it. My hope is that I have inspired enough people to step up and get involved.

“Even if that doesn’t mean running for council — just stay involved and engaged. Don’t just scream into the social media void and hope that things change. Talk to your leaders and make them accountable. Let your voice be heard and put in the work that it takes to make Sharpsburg a community that you can be proud of.”

In other news

• The parks and recreation commission announced the return of Funnel Cake Fridays at Kennedy Park.

The borough has partnered with the Sharpsburg-Aspinwall Rotary Club to provide food, fun and games from 5-8 p.m. every Friday in June.

The final hour will also feature live music from the likes of Wild Bill Cox, Kirk Thoma, Marty Congalez and Johnny Sundo.

Call 412-781-0546 or go to the Rotary’s Facebook page for more information.

• Residents that need to swap out their garbage cans can do so for free through the borough’s public works department through July 1.

Swaps after that will cost $100 and go through Waste Management.

• The change in garbage cans is part of a new contract with the trash hauler. Recycling also started a few months ago.