The Herald, Sharon, PA Published Sunday, August 31, 2003

Mayor strived to build a better community

Robert T. Price
   » HOME: Griswold Street, Sharon
   » FAMILY: Married to the former Marilyn Vodenichar ; three children, Rob, Susan and Kevin; expecting first grandchild in November.
   » EDUCATION: Sharon High School graduate
   » EMPLOYMENT: Sharon mayor 1978-01; previously city councilman 6 years and advertising sales representative for The Herald.
   » COMMUNITY SERVICE: Pennsylvania State Mayor Association; Pennsylvania League of Cities and Municipalities; Member/a co-founder Shenango Valley Enterprise Zone; Metropolitan Planning Organization, chair; Mercer County Regional Planning Commission; Mercer County Regional Council of Governments; Sharon Regional Health System Quality care member; E.R.A.S.E. member; Mercer County Community Action Agency; Sharon Police and Fire Pension Boards; Sharon Lifelong Learning Council; Sharon River Watchers; North Sharon Volunteer Fire Company; Sons of Italy member; Fraternal Order of Police; Pennsylvania State University Advisory Board; Northwestern Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission; Sharon Regional Health System Authority; Community Child Care Center, board member
   » CHURCH: East Side Church (Baptist-Disciples of Christ), Sharon
By Patrecka F. Adams
Herald Staff Writer

Around 20 years ago, former Sharon Mayor Robert T. Price began participating in each Buhl Day parade. He said he always thought it would be really nice to ride in the parade as an honoree.

Tomorrow, he finally will get his chance.

Price, 65, said he was overjoyed when he found out he was chosen as an honoree because he cares so deeply for the area and the people.

"I was thrilled by it all and very excited, especially because of the contributions of Frank and Julia Buhl," he said. "I'm very appreciative of that."

Price has always enjoyed working with people, which he said helped him get along well during his 24 years as mayor.

"I enjoy working with people and being a full-time mayor gave me the opportunity to do that," he said. "I enjoyed every minute of it."

Price was well-known for his walking tours, where he would go door-to-door and personally introduce himself to his constituents, listen to their concerns and address their needs.

"I think no one knows a neighborhood better than the people who live there," he said.

When Price took office in 1978, much of the land downtown was vacant. Determined to build up the area, he and his staff talked Reyer's Shoe Store officials into staying in town rather than moving to Ohio.

Price said during his tenure, he and his administration pulled in $20 million to $25 million in state and federal grants for residents in the community.

He said Sharon made the U.S. News and World Report as one of the 300 best communities in the country to live in during his time in office, which makes him very proud.

But Price doesn't take all the credit for the area's success. He was just trying to give back something he'd been given.

"It was a team effort by employees, city council and the mayor," he said. "I was born and raised here and I saw good and bad times as a youngster. I wanted to help create an atmosphere where people want to raise children here."

Price said he has always had a strong volunteer background, which his parents instilled in him.

"There's a strong commitment throughout the Valley to help assist and volunteer," he said. "I think it's healthy and well in the Shenango Valley."

Price has been active in the Leukemia Society for the past seven years, helping raise about $75,000 for the organization.

He also coached Little League for two years. He serves as chairman of the Sharon Redevelopment Authority, and he's on the board of Shenango River Watchers Inc. He's also a member of the board of the Shenango Valley Enterprise Zone, which is comprised of representatives from Wheatland, Sharon, Farrell, Hermitage, Reynolds, Transfer and Sharpsville who lend money to companies to fund business improvements.

"It's overwhelming and makes me feel good everyday to think about what people have honored me with," he said. "It's something I'll never forget."

Some of those many accolades include Democrat of the Year, Penn State Citizen of the Year, Sons of Italy "Italian-American of the Year," and honors from Shenango Valley Initiative, Sharon National Little League, Shenango Valley Community Library, Mercer County Career Link Citizens Advisory Council, American Legion and Mercer County Chapter of Disabled American Veterans.

Price credits his wife and family with helping him to be as successful as he was.

"I felt I wanted to get involved in something to help out the community," he said. "It was a difficult decision for my wife and I to make because I could've served four years or longer. We knew that going in.

"I'm happy I made that choice because it gave me 24 fantastic years to work with the people of Sharon."

Price said being named a Buhl Day honoree is special.

"I think in a man's life, there are many events he'll look back at and remember fondly," he said. "For me, it's the day I got married, the day my kids were born, the day I was elected mayor -- and one more -- the day I was elected a Buhl honoree.

"What a great life I've had. I've been very blessed."



Back to TOP // Herald Local news // Local this day's headlines // Herald Home page



Questions/comments: online@sharonherald.com

Copyright ©2003 The Sharon Herald Co. All rights reserved.
Reproduction or retransmission in any form is prohibited without our permission.

030509