Leechburg officials continue projects spearheaded by late mayor Wayne Dobos
Leechburg Mayor Tony Roppolo is back doing one of the things he enjoys most: serving the community.
A Leechburg native, Roppolo returned to public life in March. Council appointed him mayor after the death of former Mayor Wayne Dobos on March 2.
In 2009, Roppolo was elected mayor of the tight-knit borough along the banks of the Kiski River.
Before that, he served four years on council.
Roppolo was friends with Dobos and said the community still is reeling from Dobos’ death.
“I talked to him (Dobos) the night before (he died), and I have a text message from him on my phone the night before he passed,” Roppolo said.
“It was a huge loss,” Councilman DJ Zelczak said. “He was a great man.”
Last week, Roppolo met with Leechburg Councilmen Alan Tarr, DJ Zelczak and council President Tom Foster to provide updates on two ongoing projects started by Dobos.
Roppolo and Leechburg officials are committed to seeing through several of the projects started by Dobos in 2018, during what Dobos dubbed his “Beautify Leechburg: Polish the Jewel” borough initiative.
Tackling blight
Dobos was instrumental is securing more than $100,000 in grants from Armstrong County to tear down condemned properties on Siberian Avenue and other areas.
As a result, two vacant homes at 137 and 125/127 Siberian Ave. were torn down.
Ropollo noted the borough’s code enforcement company, BIU, continues efforts to make sure properties are in compliance with borough ordinances.
“There’s been around 100 citations issued, citing residents, for cars that have expired inspections, high grass, garbage, debris and other issues,” Ropollo said. “It’s a lack of people maintaining their property.
“I go through town three or four times a week and I look for things to maintain the quality of Leechburg,” he said.
Currently, two blighted properties, located at 275 Second St. and 255 Pershing Ave., are in the Armstrong County Repository awaiting their fate. Ropollo is proposing at council’s next meeting that the borough join Armstrong County’s land bank.
A land bank is a government body that focuses on acquiring foreclosed, tax deliquent, abandoned and vacant properties for the purpose of returning them to constructive use.
Boat launch plans still afloat
A fundraiser for a free, public boat launch in Riverfront Park was started by Dobos in 2021. It raised almost $2,000 in donations. The Leechburg Riverfront Park Canoe Kayak Access is progressing, and borough officials hope to have it completed by next summer.
The borough has partnered with The Kiskiminetas Watershed Association, and funds secured include a $4,000 grant from the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.
The launch is expected to cost in the $9,000 to $15,000 range and will be paid for by donations from the public, organizations and businesses and grants from Armstrong County.
Roppolo said the new launch will occupy the end of the park next to the Kiski EMS building, away from the gazebo, available for use by the public. Roppolo recalled swimming in the Kiski when he was a youngster and said the recreation opportunities have increased around the area for river enthusiasts.
“The feedback has been positive,” Roppolo said.
Parking will be located at the end of Riverfront Park and watercraft will have to be carried down the gravel boat launch to the water’s edge.
“Council is supportive of our business community, and we’re excited about the potential economic impact with this second ramp,” Zelczak said. “We’re hoping boaters will engage more with the hospitality establishments in town.”
A free boat launch located at the end of First Street has been available for more than a decade, Roppolo said.
Councilwoman Doreen Smeal said the boat launch hopefully will boost tourism in the borough.
“It’s gonna be another mark on the map for us,” Smeal said. “The river is being used so much more these days. Especially with the gazebo in the park that the public can use. It’s a natural fit for Leechburg.”
“I think he would be very happy the way the boat launch is progressing and I can see him shaking his head and saying, ‘I can’t believe it took this long’,” Smeal said.
The project is expected to be completed by summer.
Roppolo aims to keep serving
Tarr praised Roppolo for his contributions to the borough.
“This man was instrumental in getting us set up with computers,” Tarr said.
Roppolo retired after 40 years at the former Allegheny Ludlum, now ATI, after working regionally in the corporate IT department.
He graduated from Leechburg Area High School in 1957 and studied business management at Robert Morris University, graduating in 1972.
Roppolo’s 100% Italian heritage contributed to his childhood work ethic in third grade, when he began repairing shoes and making new shoes for the “old Italian ladies.”
“Growing up in Leechburg was phenomenal in retrothought because of the values that were instilled in me. Everyone knew everyone. People were friendly, and our town was double the size it was now,” Roppolo said.
Roppolo said he hopes to serve as mayor for longer than the two years remaining on the term left by Dobos.
“In all probability, yes, I’m planning to do it,” he said.
“He’s not just about his agenda,” Councilman DJ Zelczak said. “He’s about collaboration and team.”
Joyce Hanz is a native of Charleston, S.C. and is a features reporter covering the Pittsburgh region. She majored in media arts and graduated from the University of South Carolina. She can be reached at jhanz@triblive.com
Remove the ads from your TribLIVE reading experience but still support the journalists who create the content with TribLIVE Ad-Free.