Fiscal Responsibility, Safety Focus of Butler Officials in 2014

Fiscal responsibility and putting safety first will be priorities for Butler officials this year.

Butler Mayor Robert Alviene briefly spoke about those priorities at the borough’s reorganization meeting Tuesday night.

“We will diligently make sure that we make our town the best we can,” Alviene said.

Councilmen Stephen Regis and Edwin Vath were sworn into new three-year terms. Vath was appointed council president for the year.

“I am looking forward to another term. The Economic Development Committee (EDC) is getting off the ground,” Vath said. “I would like to see that committee come up with new ways to develop our downtown. It’s a step in the right direction.”

Sandi Liss was approved as the EDC’s chairwoman.

It is Vath’s second full term on the council and Regis’ fifth.

“This council runs so smoothly. When something comes up we just take care of it and do it,” Regis said. “I think we just all get along.”

John Ryan was sworn in s the Butler Fire Department chief. The other company chiefs are Dennis Lonagan, Jim Neill, John Ryan, and Phil Soules. They will serve two years.