Latrobe city manager resigns for 2nd time, accepting private sector job

Michael Gray is resigning a second time from his role as Latrobe’s city manager.

Gray confirmed Thursday in an email statement that the change is effective May 20.

“My decision to resign was voluntary as I was offered employment in the private sector,” Gray said. “I will be assisting the city during this transition as well as with my replacement.”

Gray indicated council may decide on his successor at a special voting meeting that already was planned for May 23, immediately preceding the panel’s monthly agenda prep session.

Mayor Eric Bartels wasn’t sure Thursday if council would be ready to select a new manager at the special meeting, where council is slated to vote on paving bids.

He said city officials would look within the city ranks, discussing the position with Terry Carcella, Latrobe’s zoning and code enforcement officer, before searching elsewhere for manager candidates.

“We’re very sad to see Mike go,” Bartels said. “It did come as a shock when he announced it.”

Bartels said he wishes Gray well. “It’s a good opportunity he’s going to have in the private sector to use his skill set, the things he’s done so well for us, in whatever new environment he ends up at,” the mayor said.

Carcella said he could not comment on the pending Latrobe manager opening until he discusses it with city officials on Monday.

Before joining the city in April, Carcella served as Ligonier Township manager, beginning in 2014. Carcella said no reason was given when the township supervisors recently voted 4-1 not to renew his contract, effective March 1.

Carcella previously served for 13 years as a code and zoning officer in Washington Township, Erie County.

Gray originally joined the city as a public works employee in 2015 and soon was promoted to public works director.

After the abrupt resignation of then-city manager Wayne Jones in March 2019, Gray took on the manager role while continuing as head of public works. Gray resigned from both positions in October 2019, citing personal reasons.

Council subsequently hired John Antinori, a cousin of then-mayor Rosie Wolford, to fill the city manager slot.

When Antinori tendered his resignation, after less than three months on the job, Gray was rehired as city manager in February 2020.

“I missed the work, so I took it,” Gray said at that time. “It was a no-brainer. It’s a great place to work.”

When Gray returned to the city administrative post, he no longer was responsible for overseeing public works operations. Scott Wajdic has served as the city’s public works director since December 2019.

In other administrative changes that have occurred since then, Ann Powell shifted from serving as the city’s code enforcement and zoning officer to heading the new stormwater management program.

Shannon Cypher Hart, previously a legislative aide for former state Rep. Joseph Petrarca, took over code enforcement and zoning duties before recently moving to the position of clerk for the city’s sanitation division.