Residency Status of Moon Supervisor Still Unclear
County election official said physical residence in the township is needed to serve on the board.
Photos
An Allegheny County elections official said it's unclear whether the residency status of Moon Supervisor Timothy McLaughlin will impact his ability to serve on the board.
McLaughlin, who works in customer service for U.S. Airways, has been transferred to a job in Charlotte, NC. He is listed in Allegheny County property records as the owner of a home at 111 Snell Drive in Moon that is listed for sale through Prudential Real Estate.
David Voye, manager of the balloting section of the Allegheny County Division of Elections, said a regular presence in the township is required of elected officials, but permanent residency in a community is sometimes hard to define.
"They need to reside within the boundaries of the township," Voye said. "But physical residency is hard to define. In some cases if all you can do is produce an electric bill, and you're a resident."
McLaughlin could not be reached for comment on the matter. Board chairman Jim Vitale said McLaughlin's position was transferred out-of-state earlier this year.
A representative from the law firm Babst, Calland, Clements and Zomnir, which serves as township solicitor, also could not be reached.
Voye said it is up to the board to take further action on the matter -- no meeting attendance rule is in place for supervisors.
"I don't understand why the other supervisors aren't taking up the issue," Voye said. "In this case, they would have the ability to appoint someone to the position."
The Pennsylvania Township Supervisor's Handbook states: "Legal residence includes not only a person’s intention, but also a physical presence. Intention or voter registration is not enough; an individual must actually physically reside in the township."
It is unclear whether McLaughlin, whose term on the board expires in December, will retain a residence in the township if someone buys his home. Other board members ousted him from his position as board chairman at their January re-organization meeting.
Vitale said the board will discuss the issue of McLaughlin's residency only in executive session. The board meets for its monthly workshop meeting at 7 tonight in the township municipal building.
"I have received other calls in regards to this," Voye said. "No, I can't recall another incident [in Allegheny County] where this has been an issue."
jerry pearl
11:48 am on Wednesday, February 23, 2011
It appears that the Moon Township board of supervisors is more concerned about retaining their former chairman than to do what is best for the community. What is clear, no matter what members of the board who wish to hold onto their pal, is that Mr. McLaughlin no longer lives in the community that he represents. A utility bill is not enough. Does Moon Township wish for the corporate owner of Kmart, for example, who pays the light bill, and lives elsewhere, to run as a supervisor with an agenda that serves the needs of other out-of-state corporate executives?
That is what is prevailing by retaining Tim McLaughlin as a supervisor.
Louisa
8:20 am on Thursday, February 24, 2011
Humm, when Mr. Nagy of the Moon School Board moved to the Carolinas last year he resigned from the school board prior to selling his home. Just because you OWN property in a district does not mean you may vote or serve to to an elected office there. Mr. McLaughlin should do the right thing and RESIGN! And Tim, don't even think of running for re-election in 2011!
jerry pearl
1:25 pm on Thursday, February 24, 2011
It appears that what is happening on the Moon Township board of supervisors is an effort to retain a good buddy of Jim Vitale's on the board. From Mr. Vitale's comments in the article, which verifies that Tim McLaughlin is now an out-of-state resident, clearly shows his desire to retain a person on the board who is representing Moon Township residents and interests while living elsewhere.
This sounds like a "Rick Santorum" move. As we recall, Santorum claimed to be a resident of a small Penn Hills home, which was rented to someone outside his family. Santorum, who was living full time in Virginia with his wife and children, told Pennsylvanians that he was living in that Penn Hills home when he wasn't. Tim McLaughlin, with the support of Jim Vitale--Chair--that it is OK to pull a "Rick Santorum" right here in Moon Township.
Maybe a member of the Sam Walton family can also run for supervisor. Or, how about the Atlas Energy family running for supervisor, now that they are retaining a drilling position in Moon Township.
The supervisors regular meeting is next week, and one of the existing board members MUST put forward a motion to remove Tim McLaughlin as a board member so the community can see just who supports the current position.
If Tim wants to run again for his seat, then first resign, move back full-time, declare residency, and file with the county, and run again. But to do it without resigning is unethical, and questionably illegal.
RealMoonResident
1:42 pm on Thursday, February 24, 2011
The fact that we are even having this discussion throws into question the common sense and ethics of both McLaughlin and Vitale.
The reason that one votes a person into a public position is the assumption that the person has some stake in doing a good job with the power and responsibility given to them. How can we trust any votes by McLaughlin if we know that he does not have to live with the consequences ? I can't.
If you're reading this Mr. Vitale; I cannot trust you any more and will remember your position on this issue even more than the others with which I disagree with you.
Do what's right for Moon's REAL residents Mr. Vitale, take Mr. McLaughlin off of the Moon Township Board of Supervisors.
Shannon Storm
8:26 pm on Sunday, February 27, 2011
How about Jeanne Creese, the township supervisor?? She doesn't reside in Moon either. She makes a good salary from our tax dollars and is making decisions for a town where she has no stake in because she lives in Rochester. Hmmmm... I'm just sayin...
Shannon Storm
8:27 pm on Sunday, February 27, 2011
What I meant to say...How about Jeanne Creese, the township MANAGER, not supervisor?? She doesn't reside in Moon either. She makes a good salary from our tax dollars and is making decisions for a town where she has no stake in because she lives in Rochester. Hmmmm... I'm just sayin...