Kuhar

EBENSBURG — The widow of former borough councilman Dave Kuhar will tentatively fill his term through the end of the year.

Susan Kuhar, who worked in the Cambria County Clerk of Courts office for 43 years and served her last 20 as the county’s clerk of courts, was unanimously appointed to fill a vacancy left by her husband’s passing earlier this month.

She was selected over two other residents interested in filling the position, though one of the candidates withdrew his letter of intent at the meeting. Upon learning of Kuhar’s intent to serve on council, resident Lee Wyland withdrew his intent, which he said he did out of respect for Kuhar.

Dave Kuhar died March 6 at UPMC Altoona. He served his community as a member of council for nearly 18 years with unwavering commitment, passion and integrity, Mayor Randy Datsko and several council members noted during the meeting.

“Dave was a good council member for many years. He will be missed, and I already miss his phone calls,” Datsko said.

Council President Doug Tusing said Kuhar was “the most active and involved” council member the borough has ever had.

Susan Kuhar said “it’s an honor” to fill her husband’s seat on council.

“He just loved working with people. He loved to serve his community, so I hope that I can do half the job that he did for the borough,” Kuhar said.

According to Tusing, council’s appointment for the vacancy will allow Kuhar to serve as a council member through the end of the year.

Tusing said the borough will be notified by the county when nominations can be accepted to fill out the remaining two years of the term, which will be decided through the primary election in November, he said.

Kuhar said she’s thinking about it, but hasn’t committed to running for council to fill out the remainder of the term.

“I’m going to think about it,” she said, noting it’s only been a couple weeks since her husband passed away. “I’ll consider that down the road.”

Kuhar said Ebensburg is a wonderful community, and she is looking forward to serving the borough.

“I’m very proud of everything that we’ve done in this community,” she said.

After the meeting, councilman Robert Miller, who nominated Kuhar for the vacancy, embraced her with a hug and congratulated her for being appointed.

In other business, the council unanimously granted tentative approval to an ordinance that bans residents from feeding stray or feral cats.

According to the ordinance, if residents choose to take care of stray cats, they are responsible for vaccinations and for ensuring that any cats being fed are spayed or neutered.