Forcing someone to sign a letter or face being fired doesn't sound like an agreement so much as coercement. Dormont does itself proud again!

Now that we know the right and wrong here, let's move on and work toward the common goal of improving our Borough.

I agree James, one officer hurt by this is enough. Can all those in charge stop this childish behavior and start working together to move this community forward.

Is someone being made a scapegoat here?

If anyone feels like fact checking the statements in the 'agreement', I managed to find a PDF of the PA Borough Code: http://indianlakepa.us/dotnetnuke/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=_Ww1G4iLCSw%3D&tabid=84&mid=418

Robert, what you have sited is Indian Lake PA code,
Each municipality has their own codes.
Dormont Borough Code can be found right on Dormont Borough's official website.

FYI: The PA Code/statutes can be found here: http://www.pacode.com/
Be very careful to read all on a subject as it can be very confusing if you only read part of it.
This contains literally volumes of regulations and rules in PA :)

So then what power does the mayor actually have if council has claimed domain over the police dept?

This is an utter mess. Too much bad press for Dormont.

When will our council, mayor and borough management stop allowing Dormont to be portrayed as two-bit and unprofessional through their actions? Please, for the sake of my pride in our community and everyone's sanity, can everyone stop acting like they're on a high school Student Council, that our Police are Hall monitors, and that the borough manager is nothing more than student body president?

Really, please, get some professionalism and learn to work together. Over and over again the whole lot act like it's a popularity contest they've entered and not a service oriented position. Really, it's embarrassing.

If anyone would like to read the manuals for officials including the mayor, police, council, and managers that include all law codes and explanations given by the state of Pennsylvania...follow this link:
http://www.newpa.com/get-local-gov-support/publications

Scroll downward to the manual you would like to read, they are free to view online. Each manual has the citations of codes pertaining to that particular office/person within the borough in the state of Pennsylvania. It's easier than going through the pacode online to find specific details. Thank you Editor Nephin for posting this link earlier this week.

The blame game needs to stop! At this point everyone up there need to be accountable for thier actions! Especially the Mayor shame on you! You served this community for many years and resort to acting this way! Suspending an officer because he listen to council! Ordering the GPS units to be disable which by the way weren't a bad idea considering officer Burke would be at home when he was suppose to be patrolling!!! It seems like to me that the Mayor needs replaced and should be held accountable for his wrong doing's! All these recent events have shown me and many others that council and Rizza are trying to right so many wrongs that have going on in this borough for many years!

Still unanswered is why the boro mgr spent about 40 hours in April logged on to the GPS police monitoring site. What does he do with that information? Why does a civilian have access to this and who does he share the information with? Does he access this on a computer at home? Do other people have access to the information? And again, WHY? I'm sure there are lots of criminals who would appreciate a heads up.

Wasn't the original problem that the MANAGER, via his assistant, suspended (then) Sgt Burke and NOT council? And, since that was improper the mayor attempted to right a wrong? Is that being forgotten? Council, as a WHOLE, must vote to suspend an officer. That was always the case according to the Dormont Borough Code and there are also specific reasons for suspension. Was that done BEFORE Burke was suspended? Or, sometime later to protect the Manager once again? Read back. Seems the story has changed since this whole mess began.

" The borough agrees that the managers’ access to interview rooms or places where interviews are occurring may be prohibited when interviews are in progress"
This makes absolutely no sense. If the Manager lets himself in unannounced, how does he know nothing is taking place in those rooms? It was okay that he did it this time because no one happened to be in there? What if he wasn't so lucky and there had been someone in there? Would Burke still be a Sgt? "...may be prohibited"? Is the Manager allowed in there or not? What if next time he lets himself in there IS a minor being held or an interview in progress? Does he get cited or does someone else get demoted? Make a decision people and then follow the rules.

I know at my job I log into 3 different systems at 1 time and leave them all open through the day! I lock my computer when I leave my desk and it is password protected. I don't work in government so I'm pretty sure Rizza probably has some sort of system so others can't see private information.... That's just common sense there! Plus who cares?!?! If the officers are doing there job than what is the problem here? Big brother is always watching so what's another pair of eyes.....

There has been a lot of press lately with Dormont being cast in a negative light. It's time we ALL start acting like ambassadors of the community and work toward a common goal. Dormont Day is coming up in a few weeks and we should all strive to make it the best one ever. Let's put all of this negative back and forth, offering opinions of who we think is right and wrong to rest and really come together as a community. We may disagree on some minor issues, but let's show our guests who join us and the press that Dormont is the best place they would want to be on the 4th of July and the rest of the year.

Who cares? It's a huge security issue, Lisa. Civilians should not be privy to information that could compromise the effectiveness or safety of the officers. We the taxpayers paid for those gps units when there was a free alternative. The alternative wouldn't allow Fuhrer Gino to be big brother, so they weren't purchased.

Kyle and? You act like Rizza is just some guy off the street! Council approved it and gave him some over sight into police activity so again what is so wrong here?? The wrong doing is passing up a free system but maybe just maybe there was a reason for that gee I don't know maybe the police officers who are abusing there power and not doing there job correctly! A simple adult of time management will show that the officers (not all) have been abusing the system for years! Calling off so another can get OT and vise versa! Now that's wasting tax payers money!!!!!!

Sorry audit not adult! Auto spell check!

I can't seem to find the answers to the questions running through my head as I read these article and the most recent newsletter.
Who ordered the GPS units? What is their purpose and who would be monitoring the activity on these GPS units?
Secondly, I completely disagree with the charges being dropped against the boro manager.

Does that mean that I can bust into the police station via any entrance any time I want? If I receive a ticket, can I stomp my foot and pout about it at the police station?

The fact that the boro owns the building in which the police station is location does not mean that Council or the manager can barge in when ever they desire. Having untrained, non law enforcement personnel enter an environment unannounced that could potentially be volatile compromises the safety of everyone in that location.

How many officers do we have on leave now? For what reason? I feel that as a tax paying resident, Council OWES us an explanation why, and show us WHERE the justification is for these actions.
They are jeopardizing the safety and security of the residents of Dormont, so that they can behave like petulant children on the playground at our expense.

This is the truth behind what happpened. This statements above are misleading and there was no agreement.

The Police Assoc was forced to agree to the stipulations, agree to Sgt Burke's demotion and to drop all charges against Gino or Sgt Burke would be terminated immediately.

Why not give Gino a call and ask him personally to explain himself? Show the public the documentaion of the approval and bills of sale of this GPS equipment and explain his reasoning. Oh that's right..he doesnt talk to us little people..the taxpayers. The ones who pay his salary. He hires an attorney on our dime to do his talking. What a sad mess this has turned into. At this point why would anyone want to move to Dormont to make it their home? Why would any business want to establish here knowing we have such a dysfunctional council, a petty and childish bully for a manager, and questionable public safety issues? I guess the powers that be in this boro want to create a total shambles then move on after their terms and leave us, the taxpayers to pay for and clean up the mess. They cry about the "abuse of overtime" by the police department yet they are systematically dismantling the department officer by officer creating yet more overtime and further public safety issues. All I can say is go to the next council meeting and ask your questions. I plan on attending but I wonder if the council and Mr. Rizza have the fortitude to face the public and give honest legitimate answers to the questions or will the meeting just deteriorate into a "free for all" for the local news to show more negative publicity about Dormont?

ETA: That is the way I read it Leigh.

Oppression and Blackmail ...nice

I have read the Patch for a little while now and I appalled at the lies that some comments spew. Trib quoted Mayor Lloyd: "Maybe he is caught in the middle of this, but as the mayor I'm in charge of the police department."

No, you are not, the Mayor is simply a figurehead and very little more. If the PD had a leg to stand on they would have put up a fight. This proves that they are wrong. The PD has needed to be cleaned out for years, and I for one am glad to see it finally happening. Lets get some good cops walking the beat.

Why, Go Dormont does the pd need to be "cleaned out"? The mayor for many years has been the highest ranking civilian... until the PD was coerced into signing over to the manager.

2 officers signatures dont constitute "The Police Association" . Extortion. Sign or lose your job, benefits and livelihood. Basically that is extortion.

This statement says it all...All police equipment “is owned by the borough, and is to be used at the direction of borough council,” the statement said. The borough council, manager, and assistant mgr use the GPS units for their personal use because it was purchased and owned by the borough, they use it in the direction of harassment!FREE ONES from county 911 wouldn't work because they would not have the access codes! They were not purchased with officer safety in mind! There is a lot of other borough property being used illegally, too. Stay tuned because it will be coming soon.
As for the charges DROPPED....not exactly. Try, if not dropped you are fired. I feel for Sgt Burke and his family and this wrong will be right soon. Patience...the truth will surface and 4 council members will sink with Gino. Stay strong DPD.

Will be gone in January! Not soon enough! No one can even make sense of her ramblings. These quacks will show their true colors if it's not clear already. And boy was her response timely. When she sent out the last "Borough State of Address" the mayor could not respond in the same news letter. He had to send his own letter out or wait for the next newsletter. How do you suppose council "slipped" this in just in time. He submitted it the last day and by surprise again, council tried to resond to his thoughts. She should not have known what he was going to say. There is a leak and it's growing....soon they will go under.

Borough attorney and Ian walked into the meeting today and this was the offer to Sgt Burke. Take a demotion, drop the criminal charges against Gino or else your fired. So now let me ask this question to you members of council. Are our police allowed to arrest anyone on council or in management or are you now above the law? Speaking of arrest it is my understanding that 2 of the players involved were arrested by Burke. Gino and Drew. Dan, ask Gino and Drew if they were ever arrested by Burke or maybe Drew since your full of steam you can come on here and respond. Bet you won't cause you want to run as a write in!! This is political corruption plain and simple. DROP THE CHARGES OR YOUR FIRED doesn't anyone else see a problem with this? Oh and by the way the plan is for Phil Ross to get fired tomorrow. It's Malka, Kim, Drew and Heather they are the four. John is playing this one right and staying out but the smartest one is Joan cause she knows the civil rights lawsuits are already rolling. A quote from Saturdays little council meeting " Mayor lloyd their are good attorneys and their are bad attorneys " Well this goes to the council member who made comment. I guess when this is all said and done we will find that bad attorneys make stupid quotes. At least you'll be able to match wits with him some day when your on the witness stand and we'll be there to see how you hold up. Stay tuned!!!

Lies? How would the public know? Everything over at Hogwarts...er I mean the Boro building is a big secret. As a taxpaying citizen of Dormont I am calling out council and Mr. Rizza for transparency. Make an accurate and detailed legal transcript of that meeting with each and every word uttered by each and every individual present available for public inspection. Then there will no longer be a question as to what transpired. Its quite simple. All of the meetings should be public with a court reporter present to document the proceedings and the documentation made available to the people of Dormont for inspection.

If you'd like to read something interesting go onto craigslist under jobs / employment and then government and read the job description another community has for their boro manager. So interesting how all other communities view this position.

I know, I know Dormont can do things any way they want. After all it is working out so well.

Anyone know why the borough didn't go with the free GPS units from the county that are tied into the 911 system?

Ya know, I've read this book... Lets hope aliens don't decide to put a Dome over our town anytime soon.

Ya I know Danielle, that is where Dormont posted for a new chief, go figure.

Nice Just mom. You and I on the other hand wear both hats housewife and JOBS. And for the last time!!!! LEE THEY WERE BOTH ARRESTED BY BURKE DAN JUST DIDN'T LOOK HARD ENOUGH. I'll admit it was a long time ago and not the crime of the century but it did happen and people hold grudges a long time. WHY wont Drew dispute it Better yet go up to the station and ask the police for any records they may have on file about it.It;s your right. As for you Danielle and your questions as to how do I get my information? Maybe I know some of the involved and I don't like to see what their families are going through and the sleepless nights they've had and the tears they've shed because of some heartless council members and a borough manager who live in glass houses. I think fair is fair. This town used to be like a family and all came together to work out their problems, talk at the pool, DABA games, pub crawls, easter egg hunts, 4th of July and look where we are at now. And I blame it all on an inexperienced council being led around by an inexperienced hostile manager and a money hungry attorney who led Gino to believe employee turmoil is the way to save money. Now we have deep rooted scars that will take years to mend and guess what? Gino will probably be gone, Ian will move on, council will change, we'll have a new mayor in two years(thanks Tom for all you've done) and who will be left. The only constant. The police that we all need. I just hope they don't give up. Hang in there boys.

Do you think through all of this, if Mr. Rizza was arrested that wouldn't be front page news??? Your friends at the DPD should have records, where is the arrest record??? There was no arrest, face it, you are spreading more lies and instigating more turmoil. You know Darlene (tfac) that you are making false accusations about the manager of the Dormont, that may be grounds for arresting you on deformation of character - ponder that with your teary eyes.

Lee I hope you come on here and admit you are wrong. You may forget this but they are a professional police department and are beyond reproach even through all of this. If they really wanted to they would have leaked the info but that is not their style even if Gino and the 5 member of councils, while now 4 since it seems that John finally sees the light, is bashing them. From what I hear if they did want to leak info their would be quite few heads in the sand. Now lee let me walk you through this. Go up to the boro building and file the right to know about your two friends and request any information about the possible arrests of Gino Rizza and Drew. If you find out that Sgt Burke didn't arrest Gino and Drew I will proclaim you " king of the Patch" and will call myself the biggest loser on here and never post again. In fact I'll leave you a $50 dollar gift cert at the Sugar Cafe and you can have breakfast on me! Maybe that's why Gino wants into to station to get rid of the records.

Look lady, as far as I am concerned, you already are "the biggest loser on here" with your lies and continued childish behavior. You produce the fictitious arrest records from Patrolman Burke, you seem to know him and the process quite well - bossy. Bottom line here is, “I’m happy to see that we’re all in agreement for once,” Council President Kim Lusardi said. “I’m happy to see that both sides have come to a comparable agreement.” Lets move forward!!!

Council President Kim Lusardi said. “I’m happy to see that both sides have come to a comparable agreement.” Lets move forward!!!

BOTH sides? That statement is very telling and not the honest truth. “Both” sides didn’t come together as one officer is the victim of extortion. “Your signature on a sham document or your job“.
And there is another third viewpoint, one that is being ignored and overlooked by the “powers that be”. The opinion of John and Jane Q Public, the average citizen of Dormont. This is the view of how to rectify this mess and solve it once and for all by one Jane Q. Public
(continued below)

1. All of the boro officials need to immediately STOP using our police department as pawns in their petty posturing and rivalry.

2. Each and every officer who has been defamed and abused returned to their rightful rank and pay AND issued a written apology by the Council, Mayor, Boro Manager and Assistant Manager.

3. The citizens of Dormont need to be issued a public verbal and written apology for this unnecessary disruption of the community by the Council, Mayor, Boro Manager and Assistant Manager.

4. GPS units in the police cars replaced with the free units offered by Allegheny County. The $2000.00 units removed and the taxpayers reimbursed by whomever chose to purchase said units in the first place OUT OF THEIR OWN POCKET. Why should we the taxpayers suffer financial loss over this fiasco?

5. A third party State or Federal mediator brought in to define the specific roles and job titles of each and every position of Boro government and management, issued and binding to all parties involved with specific consequences of failure to comply with agreement.

This is the only way this Jane Q. Public will be satisfied that this issue is resolved and completely laid to rest. Only then can this Boro pick up the pieces and move forward.

People: Burke had legal counsel, Eric Stoltenberg, an attorney for the Dormont's police union. Stoltenberg is a well-regarded attorney who's represented police for some time. He's represented the Pennsylvania State Troopers Association.

Dan, can you answer a question for me. Have you talked to Jim Briglia or Jim Burke since the hearing? If not can you tell me why? It's mentioned you have talked to the boro no mention of the 2 officers who were in the heaing. Thank you!

Lee, "Blah blah blah stop already! There was a hearing, and the above article states what happened. If the people that were in attendance wants the general public to know exactly what happened at the meeting, they will submit the meeting minutes for your viewing pleasure. Please stop disrespecting Patrolman Burke and his family's privacy on this matter".

Do you believe everything you read in the media? You sinply are going to rely on second or third hand hearsay for your truth/facts? I am not disrespecting Sgt Burke, I am voicing support for him and the other officers of the DPD and the citizens of Dormont. I am also calling for accountability, sensibility and transparency from our Boro Officials. ALL of them. Also for some legitimate rules for delineation and parameters of everyone's role, job description and extention of power. There needs to be checks and balances for the good of everyone involved.

ETA @ Educating the Watching, The officers are not only professionals and behaving as such, but there is probably also an unspoken "gag" order hanging over their heads. Talk and get fired. I empathize and dont envy their predicament.

Dan, If I have done my homework from what I understand neither parties are to enter this hearing with pre-conceived notions of any disciplinary to be taken. It is an oppurtunity for questions to be asked and answered. It sounds like the boro went in knowing what they were going to do. Sgt. Burke was told to withdraw the charges or be fired,take the demotion and sign a paper agreeing to not appeal the demotionn or be fired, also sign the agreement on behalf of the poloice dept. or be fired. And while we are at it lets bring in Jim Briglia the other police union rep and tell him to sign the same agreement or Jim Burke is fired on the spot. Sure sounds like they had their plan of attack mapped out before the meeting began. I am not a lawyer but this does not sound legal.

Frank: I can't print opinion. You have something for me to check out, pass it on.
You said it here: "This is a vendetta by Mr. Rizza in my opinion, knowing the facts."
Well, get me the facts. Or if you're certain of what you know and what bearing it may have on current goings-on, write it or go to council or whatever.
Hiding behind "I heards" and "I think" isn't the same as facts.
It's my opinion Phil is a nice guy. He's always been nice to me. But what does that have to do with anything? There are other people I deal with who I do not care for, but I respect them and set that aside.
And this:
"I am sure that when you do, you won't print it, but rather print what you want to get people to stay interested without knowing the whole truth."
I'm not served by withholding information. But there are judgment calls to make as to what's relevant.
Also, I have two communities to cover, schools and other goings on. I'm trying to build essentially a daily news site for the communities of Dormont and Brookline. It's a challenge, but I'm doing my best. I can tell everyone here though: I have had PLENTY of people tell me the think the site is wonderful, but no longer read it or don't feel like having their group's information out there or what have you because of the vitriol with which a handful of poster express themselves. Kids read this site. Disagreeing is fine. Expressing opinions is fine for the readers, but let's be constructive and civil.

I'm a huge fan of the patch and very much appreciate the hard work that Dan and other authors do to keep us informed of Dormont activities. It'd be nice if the childish antics ceased though. I fully understand that these are hot topics, but there's no reason that a mature level of civility cannot be maintained. Grow up already people.

Frank: I can't find an email from you to my address, dan.nephin@patch.com. (I hope I didn't mistakenly delete it.) I think you probably got an email alert on this thread because you probably signed up to be alerted of new comments on it. It's a feature Patch offers.

The new council will not take personal vendettas against the road crew because they didn't have a tree trimmed fast enough or their street wasn't plowed when their spouse had to go to work. The new council will not take personal vendettas against the park department because there wasn't any toilet paper in the ladies bathroom(probably used on Lisa) when they had a graduation party or the grass at the corner of W. Liberty and McFarland wasn't cut when they got back from shopping in Mt.Lebanon. I see the new Council working so closely with all the departments that they'll actually spend some time with each department so that they can see exactly how hard they all work to do their job the best they can with what they are given. I'm sure the current management and council has no idea the struggles each department has to go through while they are sitting behind their big oval desk making decisions about peoples lives without thinking, caring or knowing how hard each person works to keep Dormont safe and looking the best it can. Other than firing a few more people there is nothing the current council can do to help make Dormont better so maybe it would be best if they all resigned now and save Dormont residents further embarrassment.

Yes, nothing has changed in Dormont. "Peyton Place" and "Harper Valley PTA" still ring true for the little town. I would like to tell the truth about why all of you are so against Gino and use words like "vendetta" when talking about him....but you already know why you all despise him so. And you are all so wrong. What is wrong with a public official that has intelligence and an advanced degree? Against the blue-collar grain? Sorry, but more and more people are getting advanced degrees and are working as public servants. Rather admirable in my book.

When all of you rumor mongerers are ready to face the truth and stop acting like Transylvanian citizen mobs with your lanterns and your pitchforks you may come to learn that intelligence matters in governance.

Teresa I agree with what your saying but, you also must include other personal traits like respect, consideration and understanding. You have to earn respect. Mr. Rizza problably has some real good ideas but it's also how you get those ideas across that makes you a good leader. Even Chief Ross said Mr. Rizza was a refreshing change from the same old borough managers when he started. The question is where did this positive attitude go south? Most of the borough employees I talk to don't hate his ideas they hate the way he communicates them. In his position he has to be both smart and a good communicator. Even council members who back him say he is not a good communicator. So why do they continue to support him when he has this major issue?Are there no other smart people out there?

Does anybody on here really think that the PD's lawyer would let Council or the Borough Manager or anyone else for that matter get away with what you all are insinuating? Trust me, as their lawyer, if he saw a way out, or thought that an officer was being blackmailed ("sign this or you are fired") he'd put a quick end to it. If the PD lawyer's thought the officers were reasonably right in what they did he would have fought it. Clearly, they were wrong in this instance. Now, that doesn't make what Rizza did morally/ethically right, but legally he has every right to be in that building no matter what entrance he uses. If anyone can explain why the PDs lawyer would NOT put up a fight if he saw something wrong I'd really like to hear it. I'm not sure who's right and wrong in all this, but it seems like both parties share some of the blame.