New council member selected in Evans City
EVANS CITY — Less than a month after a borough council member vacated her seat, a replacement has been appointed.
Diana Zoelle, 70, will join the council through the end of the year, bringing with her three issues of priority: flood mitigation, downtown revitalization and regaining control of the Evans City Elementary School building. She was chosen for the role Monday during a special meeting of council.
One of two candidates for the role, Zoelle sent a letter of interest following the July 1 resignation of Shelly Natali. The other candidate, Brad Rubinosky, said he plans to run for election to city council in November.
“I like it here and I want to see (Evans City) progress for my kids and for the base,” Rubinosky said.
In the meantime, Zoelle said she hopes the next few months will provide her and council with the opportunity to test if they are a good fit for each other. She has worked on several issues she has identified as central to Evans City and hopes her new position will give her the ability to continue her work.
“I am retired. I have the time, I have the energy,” she added.
As for her priorities, Zoelle thinks more research needs to be done on best practices to mitigate flooding. She said she spoke at length with the Army Corps of Engineers in Pittsburgh about the impact of dredging.
“Finally, I realized that dredging wasn’t going to be the end-all, be-all of cleaning the creek,” she said.
She also believes, despite Viola’s Market’s closure, the borough has a chance to entice developers by revitalizing Main Street.
Making plans to take back the elementary school when it becomes vacant, she said, is tied into her plan of downtown revitalization.
Council members were impressed with her background, which includes building a graduate program at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, and by her work throughout the community.
“I think Diana will be a good asset,” said Councilman Matt Otto.
