McKeesport's city council made a decision yesterday heralding a new era, appointing Tom Maglicco as mayor to replace the retiring Michael Cherepko, who had served the city for fourteen years. Maglicco, a former city administrator and City Controller, now takes on the mantle in a unanimous vote by the council, a move described by WTAE as reflective of his longstanding commitment to public service, which includes stints on the McKeesport Area School Board, in the U.S. Army, and in state government.
Cherepko, who also dealt with the most trying year of his life following the shooting death of McKeesport Police officer Sean Sluganski, mentioned in his retirement statement his profound gratitude for the trust the community put in him. This comes amidst past controversies within the police department that stained its reputation but never implicated him personally. "It has been an honor and a privilege to serve our City in this capacity for the last fourteen years; but in this chapter of my life, I have made the decision to retire," Cherepko said, as per a statement obtained by CBS News Pittsburgh.
For Maglicco, it's a homecoming of a different sort. He spoke of McKeesport as the cradle of his upbringing and moral compass, "This city taught me hard work, community, and resilience," he told CBS News Pittsburgh. "I don't see my new commitment to the City of McKeesport as a position — I see it as a responsibility." In addition to this leadership change, the city council also appointed Kevin Kovach as McKeesport's new fire chief, a veteran firefighter with a 24-year tenure and a record of special commendation for a 2008 rescue operation.
McKeesport's narrative of leadership transitions at this juncture is as much about facing what lies ahead as it is recognizing the chapters that have concluded, both Cherepko and Maglicco signal points of continuity and change Maglicco holds his predecessor in high regard, pledging to carry on the positive strides made under his leadership, “Tonight is not about a title,” Maglicco said in a letter, "It’s about trust. And I am deeply honored by the trust placed in me by City Council to serve as Mayor of the City of McKeesport," reported by WTAE.
