New Jeannette city clerk has an eventful first month on the job

Nathan Bish didn’t get to ease into his first day as Jeannette’s new city clerk.

Instead, he and Mayor Curtis Antoniak declared a public health state of emergency in the city because of the coronavirus pandemic and shut down city hall and other facilities.

The proclamation was the “first thing I signed,” Bish said.

He has been working under adverse conditions since March 16, the same day Gov. Tom Wolf ordered nonessential businesses to shut down in an effort to curb the spread of the virus. It hasn’t been a typical first month on the job, but Bish, 24, said he is fielding phone calls and keeping up with an ever-changing situation locally and nationally.

“Ever since then, it’s been a lot of trying to understand coordination between state government, city government and federal government and how it affects us,” he said. “You have to learn quick in this kind of environment. I’ve yet to have a normal week.”

Bish is a Hempfield native who now lives in Jeannette. He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh’s Greensburg campus last year with degrees in political science and history. He worked at the campus admissions office and now is taking online courses for his master’s degree in public administration through Penn State University. The job opening in Jeannette came at the perfect time, he said.

“This is always what I’ve wanted to do,” he said. “It was just luck and good timing.”

Antoniak said the city is pleased with Bish’s communication skills and knowledge. He is a “perfect fit.”

“Being from the younger generation, I believe he will be an asset with new thoughts and new direction,” Antoniak said. “I believe he’s going to be a breath of fresh air for the city.”

Growing up in Hempfield, Bish said he is familiar with the community of 9,300 that has seen job losses over the decades as industries left behind dilapidated structures and empty storefronts. Remediation and land preparation over the last few years has prepared the city for a potential rebirth as new businesses and restaurants filter in.

A few new restaurants have opened and a microbrewery is renovating a Clay Avenue building. Elliott Group is working on a new industrial site at the former Jeannette Glass plant and more development is on the horizon.

“Mainly, I want the city to be on the up and up,” Bish said. “We can be hopefully an example for what to do to revitalize a city.”

Bish’s annual salary is $35,000. Michelle Langdon, who previously had been handling the clerk duties in addition to keeping tabs on finances, now is solely chief fiscal officer. City hall is closed indefinitely.