Old Mine Road in Plum to be renamed Mike Thomas Way in memory of borough manager

A Plum street that leads to the borough building, public works facility, Plum EMS and a fire station will be renamed in memory of a late borough manager.

Michael Thomas, 57, was among six people who lost their lives Aug. 12 in a house explosion in the borough’s Rustic Ridge neighborhood.

The top administrator was instrumental in the development of the town’s municipal center along Old Mine Road.

“That building is spectacular and was Mike Thomas’ baby,” council President Mike Doyle said. “Every time he talked about it during construction, he smiled.”

Council had its first meeting there Nov. 14.

Borough officials had considered renaming the building in Thomas’ memory.

However, they decided on a different honor that encompassed more than one facility.

Council voted 6-0 Wednesday night to change Old Mine Road to Mike Thomas Way.

Councilman Ryan Delaney was absent.

“It was an easy thing to do, and we couldn’t be happier,” Doyle said. “He was a good man and a good friend.”

Doyle conceded that Thomas was a “behind-the-scenes kind of guy” and may not have wanted the fanfare of a street named after him, but he said he deserves it.

“We thought that would be the most fitting and be remembered the longest,” Councilman Dave Vento said of the name change. “Whenever all the entities get new stationery, it will have Mike Thomas’ name on their stationery.”

Thomas had been Plum’s manager since 2005. He also was a fixture in the community and a grill master at numerous borough events.

The community’s baseball and soccer organizations are among those Thomas helped.

Dave Soboslay, the assistant borough manager, was named interim manager Aug. 23.

No job search has been planned for the manager or assistant manager positions.

“Dave’s doing a great job,” Vento said. “That’s why he was assistant borough manager. He stepped right in there, which is another testament to Thomas having everything in good working order.

“When he’s been around for so long, it’s just the mere absence of his presence that’s still hard to get over. We have to make sure we find a replacement for him. We don’t see any urgent rush right now.”

Doyle said council’s thoughts and prayers continue to go out to all the families who lost loved ones and were impacted by the tragedy a few months ago.

“We are still here thinking about and ready to help any of the victims and the families of Rustic Ridge,” Doyle said.

The street name change still needs to be approved by Allegheny County before it becomes official.

It is unclear when that approval may come or when new signs will be installed.