Issues Between Plum Officials and the PBAA Continue

Though the Plum Borough Athletic Association president and five other board members have resigned, and some residents are in the process of forming a new organization, borough officials plan to continue their efforts to vacate borough-owned ballfields.

On Monday, Plum Borough solicitor Bruce Dice filed a   with Plum District Magistrate Linda Zucco against the PBAA on council's behalf. A court date has not been set.

The effort to terminate the organization's lease—based on —on eight ballfields along Ross Hollow Road began in September. The organization was to remove its property from the ballfields by Nov. 30, but has yet to do so.

A detective with the Allegheny County District Attorney's office also has charged PBAA's president Richard Claypoole—he resigned on Sunday, along with five other board members—with theft by deception; and misapplication of entrusted property and property of government or financial institutions. Claypoole is accused of payments to himself and his business, Richmar—the company provides equipment to the PBAA and is operated out of Claypoole's home—with PBAA funds between 2008 and 2011.

The association is being investigated by the DA's office for misuse of funds.

Though many borough officials have called for board members to step down, the recent resignations aren't enough, said Councilman Mike Doyle.

"The rest of the executive board should follow suit," he said. "It's gone on too far. It's clearly not about the kids anymore."

Doyle cited a private "Save the PBAA" Facebook group, in which some members attack his children or say they will trash the ballfields.

"This is the kind of nonsense we're dealing with," he said. "This has gone on too long."

Councilman Charles McMeekin, who has followed Dice's advice and remained tight-lipped about the matter, said rumors about him also have been flying around. Last week, McMeekin voted against filing the landlord-tenant complaint against the PBAA, which he said, sparked some discussion that he was monetarily benefiting from his cousin's construction work on the fields.

"I was infuriated that somebosy made those comments about me when they don't know what they're talking about," he said. "The reason I haven't made any comments is because of the advice of our solicitor not to say anything that would enflame or encourage the investigation until it's all said and done."

Soon after the initial termination notice was sent out, borough officials withdrew it in an effort to work out a resolution with PBAA members. PBAA member Bob Schmidt, who was one of the residents that met with council in October, said he's disgusted with the whole process. Schmidt said negotiations were going well until officials decided to send another termination notice to the PBAA.

"I feel you did a disservice to me," he said. "You wasted my time."

Councilman Keith Nowalk, who also had a part in those negotiations, said borough officials received a notice from the PBAA executive board saying the organization wouldn't sign anything given to them by borough officials.

Councilman Mike Dell—also a member of the negotiating team—said at that point, officials instructed Dice to try to come to an agreement with the PBAA attorney. The effort was unsuccessful, he said.

According to an article in the Plum Advance Leader, PBAA member Mike Norcutt has formed a new group—the Plum Baseball and Softball Association (PBSA). and said the current members of the PBAA board should step down. He stated it was time for a change.

Councilmembers said they don't know anyone on the PBSA. However, Doyle said that some of the resigning PBAA members will serve on the new organization.