West Deer approves new hires, resignations

After nearly 40 years of working with West Deer, administrative assistant Cathy Sopko is retiring.

Supervisors last week approved the hire of Sopko’s replacement, Jodi French, at a wage of $16.56 an hour.

“I really enjoyed working with the township and working with the people here,” said Sopko, 65, of New Kensington. “I went through a lot of different managers and people throughout working here, and change in supervisors, politics, but I got along with everyone. Everyone’s been really nice to me.”

French will start work Jan. 1. Sopko will train her for two months before officially retiring on Feb. 29.

“I’m just looking forward to starting to work with everybody,” French said.

Supervisors hired Chad Bowman as a part-time police officer and Zachary Raynovich as a public works laborer. Raynovich also will start Jan. 1. He will make $17.51 an hour.

Township Manager Dan Mator said Raynovich is filling a vacant position caused by the retirement of Public Works Foreman John Yourish, and the coinciding promotion of Public Works Laborer Kevin Olar to the position of foreman.

Yourish will retire Jan. 31. Yourish could not be reached for comment.

Supervisors accepted the resignation of two other part-time police officers, Brandon Kozar, who worked for the township for 2 1/2 years, and Bryan Borghi, who worked with the township for four months.

West Deer has 18 police officers. There are 4 part-time officers and 14 full-time officers, including police Chief Jon Lape.

Lape said Bowman is fresh from the police academy and the department will help him gain experience.

“His official first start date is going to be Dec. 8 pending all of his certifications come through,” Lape said.