Tyrone Borough Council Minutes of Regular Council Meeting

Meeting Overview

The Tyrone Borough Council held its regular monthly meeting on Monday, April 13, 2026, at 7:00 PM in the Municipal Building. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Harlow, with a roll call confirming the presence of Council members Robert Dollar, Sarah Hunter, Debbie Kann, Ken Patterson, Bridgette Gill, Tammy Wills, William Wiser, and Mayor Harlow.

Public Comment Highlights

Residents addressed the council regarding several contentious local issues, including personnel decisions, police conduct, and infrastructure.

• Borough Manager Appointment: Robert Emigh (348 Madison Avenue) criticized the selection of Interim Borough Manager Kimberly Gurekovich. He argued that she did not follow application rules (no resume or reference) and that the Council ignored a candidate with more public service experience. Michelle Miller (675 Cedar Lane) supported Emigh’s concerns, noting that the Manager position pays $96,000 and requires a skillset different from an Administrative Assistant.
• Police Department & K9 Unit: Multiple speakers expressed frustration regarding the police department.
  • Officer Suspension: Michelle Miller spoke on behalf of her son, Officer Austin Miller, who was suspended for asking questions about the early retirement of Officer Getro. She noted that taxpayers are paying two officers on leave while overtime is paid to staff, and the K9 unit was taken out of service without discussion.
  • K9 Retirement: Patty McNelis (1212 Hamilton Avenue) called the retirement of the K9 "disrespectful" and stated that leadership in the Police Department needs to change.
  • Officer Conduct: Rhonda Holland (620 Washington Avenue) raised concerns about a code officer leaving a hole in a roof and police officers failing to address safety issues. She also mentioned a criminal complaint involving a child where Officer Weaver allegedly visited the scene without reconnaissance.
• Town Conduct: Tracey Detwiler (1513 Logan Avenue) criticized the council for "blasting each other on Facebook" and urged them to be a team.
• Parking & Infrastructure:
  • Sixth Street Parking: Deb Shawley (312 6th Street) and Mary Wiser (310 6th Street) discussed parking restrictions on Sixth Street. Shawley noted that a new sign prohibits parking on both sides, which is problematic due to renovations and large trucks. Wiser warned that new housing could lead to parking disputes requiring police presence.
  • Property Taxes: Melvin Light (913 Highland Drive) asked for an explanation regarding a 14% increase in his property taxes.
• Executive Session Leak: Jennifer Bryan (1112 Lincoln Avenue) questioned how officers knew the Executive Session on February 9, 2026, was regarding the retirement of the K9, suggesting a leak from within the council.

Council Business & Decisions

• Time Capsule: Ms. Daniels inquired about opening a time capsule. Mayor Harlow stated he has spoken with Larry Derman and plans to open it at the Community Picnic.
• Officer Getro Legacy: Councilmember Hunter suggested forming a "Legacy Fund" in the name of Officer Getro for a future K9. Councilmember Wills suggested the Borough continue to pay Getro’s veterinarian bills up to a certain annual amount.
• Pet Insurance: Erin Delay suggested looking into pet insurance for Getro.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 PM.