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Canton Borough Council fires borough manager of 24 years

Canton Borough Council fired Amy Seeley, its manager of 24 years, from all borough positions on Nov. 5. This photo is from a meeting on Oct. 14, where Councilman David Atherton-Ely hands a hat with a list of council candidates to a 'junior councilman.' The junior councilman picked the order the board would vote on the candidates by drawing names from a hat.
Isabela Weiss | WVIA News | Report for America
Canton Borough Council fired Amy Seeley, its manager of 24 years, from all borough positions on Nov. 5. This photo is from a meeting on Oct. 14, where Councilman David Atherton-Ely hands a hat with a list of council candidates to a 'junior councilman.' The junior councilman picked the order the board would vote on the candidates by drawing names from a hat.

Amy Seeley’s 24 years as Canton borough manager have come to an end.

Vice President George Jennings confirmed that Seeley was terminated from all positions with the borough, and her last day was Nov. 10. He declined to comment on why.

In addition to serving as manager, Seeley also was Canton’s secretary, right-to-know officer and treasurer.

Seeley was fired after a 90-day suspension that came amid a wave of resignations, and complaints by residents about the conduct of Seeley and her husband, former Police Chief Doug Seeley, as borough employees. Doug Seeley resigned Sept. 16, which was during his wife’s suspension period.

Reached Tuesday, Seeley said she would not be able to comment until after speaking with her lawyer.

WVIA submitted two Right-to-Know law requests for information related to Seeley’s termination and awaits the borough’s response.

Video of a special meeting held on election night, posted on resident Walter Woods' YouTube page, SunshineK, shows board members voting unanimously to fire Seeley.

Jennings said Council President Michael Shultz will serve as acting mayor until a new mayor is elected. The borough also hired Leanne Engleman as its new zoning officer on Nov. 5. New council member Jeff Cole was also recently sworn in by local magistrate to the board.

The borough’s next meeting will be on Nov. 18 at 7 p.m. at the municipal office. Borough council moved the meeting time by a week in observance of Veterans Day.

Who’s who

Here is a recap of other personnel changes in recent months:

  • Mayor Dean Vanderpool asked to resign on Sept. 16, the council accepted his resignation on Sept. 25. 
  • Council President Michael Shultz. Current member. He is serving as the borough’s acting mayor until a new mayor is elected.
  • Vice-President George Jennings. Current member.
  • Councilwoman Joy Williams. Current member.
  • Councilman David Preston asked to resign on Sept. 16, the council accepted his resignation on Sept. 25.
  • Councilman Jeff Cole is a new member of the council. He was voted in by a vote of 4-2 to the council on Oct. 14. He was sworn in by a local magistrate before the Nov. 5 meeting.
  • Councilwoman Deanna Watkins. Current member.
  • Councilman Brian Koval. Current member.
  • Councilman Brett Neeley resigned on Sept. 9. Position was filled on Sept. 16.
  • Councilman David Atherton-Ely is a new member of the council. The board swore him in on Sept. 16 to replace Neeley.
  • Police Chief Doug Seeley announced his retirement on Sept. 16 and retired on Sept. 30. Position is vacant.
  • Assistant Police Chief Trent Wright resigned effective Sept. 28 and the board accepted his resignation on Oct. 14. Position is vacant.
  • Solicitor David Brann resigned on Sept. 25. Position is temporarily held by Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott LLC until the board can find permanent counsel.
  • Zoning Officer Leanne Engleman was hired at the Nov. 5 meeting.
Isabela Weiss is a storyteller turned reporter from Athens, GA. She is WVIA News's Rural Government Reporter and a Report for America corps member. Weiss lives in Wilkes-Barre with her fabulous cats, Boo and Lorelai.

You can email Isabella at isabelaweiss@wvia.org
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