Pasternak, Pholar Thankful for
Time on W.O. Council

By Christy Walters
The Tube City Almanac
December 18, 2019
Posted in: White Oak News

White Oak Mayor Ina Jean Marton gives a hug to outgoing Council President Dave Pasternak. (Christy Walters photo special to Tube City Almanac)

Monday night’s White Oak Council meeting was the last for two of its members.

Council President Dave Pasternak and councilman Steve Pholar expressed gratitude to their fellow board members, borough employees, residents, and family members for support during their time in local government.

Neither man was re-elected for a new term in the November elections.

Pasternak served on council for 24 years and said he was appreciative of all the opportunities it afforded him, and the people with whom he interacted on a daily basis.

In addition to being president of White Oak Council, at different times during the past two decades, Pasternak served as president of Twin Rivers Council of Governments and its successor, Steel Rivers COG, as well as of the Tri-COG Land Bank and the Pennsylvania Association of Council of Governments.

“I want to thank those voters who voted for me,” he said. “It has been an honor to serve members of this community as well as all communities represented by the COGs [Councils of Government] and the state of Pennsylvania through the COGs.”

Pasternak also took time to thank his parents. He presented his mother, who was in attendance, with flowers as a token of his appreciation for all she has done for him.

“When one door closes another door opens,” Pasternak said. “I’m not sure what that next opening will be. It’s been a pleasure working with everybody on council as well as the borough manager… the staff, including maintenance, office staff, the police department, and anyone I may have forgotten. It’s been an honor.”

Mayor Ina Jean Marton presented Pasternak with a Certificate of Appreciation plaque “in honor and recognition of 24 years of dedicated service to the residents of White Oak Borough.”

Of Pasternak, she said: “Dave and I have been together in White Oak government almost the entire time we’ve worked here. We may not always have agreed on everything but that’s the way this goes sometimes. He has done a wonderful job and he will be missed.”

Pholar, too, expressed gratitude for his time spent on council.

“Unlike the chairman, I haven’t had 24 years here,” Pholar said. “I want to thank all members of council and certainly the community of White Oak who have been very kind to me in this past year and a half. White Oak is in a period of transition and I’m sure it will get bigger and better as time goes on.”

Councilman George Dillinger commended Pholar on his fairness when dealing with matters of code enforcement.

“Code enforcement is not a popular thing to do for so many residents,” Dillinger said. “But Steve’s heart was in the right place. He wanted to treat everybody the same way in accordance with the codes.”

Council members and residents who attended the meeting were treated to cake following the meeting to celebrate Pasternak and Pholar’s service on council.

(Christy Walters photo special to Tube City Almanac)

Christy Walters is a freelance writer from White Oak. She may be reached at cmw119@pitt.edu.

Originally published December 18, 2019.

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