Tim McLaughlin: Confusion Over MTA Resignation Led to Dismissal

Former Moon supervisor Tim McLaughlin said he did not know he was required to resign separately from the Moon Transportation Authority when he left his position on the

Township supervisors 5-to-0 last week to remove McLaughlin from the authority because he did not attend any of its 2011 meetings.

McLaughlin from his seat on the board of supervisors in August after his position with U.S. Airways was relocated to Charlotte, NC. 

"When I resigned as supervisor it would seem like common sense that they would just take you off of everything," he said.

The authority, which oversees infrastructure development in Moon, operates independently of the township's supervisors. The board of supervisors traditionally appoints two of its own members to serve on the authority as well as representatives from the and Moon business community.

McLaughlin's term on the authority was slated to end in January 2016. Newly elected Supervisor John Hertzer was tapped to serve for the remainder of his term.

"The whole thing just left a bad taste in my mouth," said McLaughlin, adding he was concerned that news of his removal from the authority portrayed him in a negative light.

The board cited McLaughlin's multiple unexcused absences from meetings as grounds for his dismissal, though he no longer resides in Moon.

Township solicitor Blaine Lucas last week told supervisors that after placing multiple calls to McLaughlin's cell phone he was unable to contact him about his status on the board. Board members said they have had no correspondence with him since his departure.

McLaughlin disputes that claim, saying that on one occasion he attempted to call Lucas' office at Babst, Calland, Clements & Zomnir. McLaughlin said he spoke to a receptionist but could not reach Lucas. He could not recall the date of that phone call or locate it in phone records.

McLaughlin said he may again attempt to contact Lucas on the matter.

"I did call Mr. Lucas," McLaughlin said. "I did call. There was a phone call returned to him.

"I have not had any communication with [board of supervisors chairman] Mr. Eicher or [board of supervisors former chairman] Mr. Vitale," he said. "They do have my phone number. And I do receive mail from them regarding the with [former township supervisor] Mr. Smith."

Former township manager Greg Smith earlier this year filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against the township as well as individual supervisors Jim Vitale, Frank Sinatra, Marv Eicher, former supervisor Michael Hopper and McLaughlin, seeking damages and severance pay.

"I have things down here I have to take care of," McLaughlin said. "You know it's not like I wanted to move."