New Lower Burrell mayor appoints brother-in-law as acting police chief

One of John Andrejcik’s first official acts after being sworn in as Lower Burrell’s new mayor Monday night was to appoint brother-in-law John Marhefka as the city’s acting police chief.

When asked after Monday’s council reorganization meeting whether making move could represent a conflict of interest, Andrejcik said, “Absolutely not.”

Andrejcik said he sought input from many people before appointing Marhefka, a detective who has worked for the department for 25 years. Support for Marhefka was “nearly unanimous,” according to Andrejcik, who as mayor has the authority to appoint a new police chief at will.

“I toiled with that aspect — mayor and brother-in-law. That’s the reason I sought information to ask who would be best for the position for the city of Lower Burrell,” said Andrejcik, whose wife and Marhefka’s wife are sisters.

Rob Caruso, the executive director of the State Ethics Commission, said Marhefka’s appointment does not breach the conflict-of-interest provision of Pennsylvania Public Official and Employee Ethics Act, which applies to immediate family members and not in-laws.

But Caruso said the appearance of a conflict of interest “can weaken the public’s trust in that public official.”

“If it wasn’t my decision, I guarantee whoever decided would pick the same person because of his community involvement,” Andrejcik said, noting Marhefka has long served as Burrell School District’s school resource officer and been a DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) instructor for more than two decades.

“Check around Burrell School District and you will see how well liked he is,” Andrejcik said.

Lower Burrell’s police chief of nearly eight years, Tim Weitzel, announced in October that he would resign at the end of the year because he expected to be ousted when Andrejcik became mayor. Andrejcik denied then that he had such plans.

Andrejcik said Monday that he expects to appoint a permanent police chief within the month. He said he intends to informally consult 20 to 30 people about the appointment, including each city police officer, council members and others who are intimately familiar with the department. The department has 16 full-time officers and a secretary.

Marhefka’s salary will remain the same as acting chief.

Marhefka did not say whether he is interested in becoming the permanent chief.

“We’ll see how things shake out. This was something I was not actively pursuing. … If it is offered to me after the mayor speaks to other people, it is something I will have to consider, but I’m not pushing for it,” Marhefka said. “The main issue is we will continue to provide quality service for the citizens of Lower Burrell.”

Marhefka said he will continue some of his coverage as Burrell’s school resource officer, with other police officers filling in as needed in the school district.

“No matter how things shake out here, the schools will continue to be a priority,” he added.