Politics & Government
Plum Council to File Landlord Tenant Complaint Against PBAA
After several failed attempts to work out a lease agreement, Plum Council and the Plum Borough Athletic Association are taking it to court.
The lease agreement between Plum Council and the Plum Borough Athletic Association was set to be terminated on Nov. 30. However, the PBAA has yet to remove its property from the ballfields along Ross Hollow Park Road.
At a special voting meeting on Monday, borough council voted 5-2 to file a landlord tenant complaint against the PBAA with Plum District Magistrate Linda Zucco. Councilmen Charles McMeekin and Steven "Skip" Taylor dissented.
McMeekin had no comment and Taylor said this move is going to hurt a lot of families in the borough.
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The series of events began in September when borough that they no longer would have rights to eight ballfields along Ross Hollow Road, citing several permit violations. The PBAA leased the ballfields for $1 a year.
However, the . When they couldn't, the termination notice was sent again. The PBAA filed an injunction in common pleas court, but withdrew/dismissed its claim.
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Borough solicitor Bruce Dice said it could take a few days to file the landlord tenant complaint and it is possible several appeals can take place.
Several members of the PBAA have said in the past that the termination notice was a form of retaliation against the organization because the organization and its president Richard Claypoole currently are being investigated by the Allegheny County District Attorney.
Last week, a detective with the DA's office with theft by deception; and misapplication of entrusted property and property of government or financial institutions. Claypoole is accused of payments to himself and his business, Richmar—the company provides equipment to the PBAA and is operated out of Claypoole's home—with PBAA funds between 2008 and 2011.
Taylor said the situation isn't fair for most of the families being affected.
"There are good people in that organization, and I feel that with (this vote) tonight, a lot of people are being treated unfairly," he said.
Taylor said he would like to see the organization start to work as a team to resolve the matters at hand.
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