`Pacsi chairs last meeting as mayor`

By Joe Pinchot
Herald Staff Writer

Farrell Councilman Louis Falconi remembered election day in May 1987. He was locked in a mayoral campaign against Mayor Eugene C. Pacsi, and as he drove past the Stey-Nevant Public Library, he saw his father chatting with Pacsi.

A few minutes later, Falconi mentioned what he had seen to his father. “Gene’s a hell of a guy,” Falconi’s father said. “A good guy.”

Falconi barely lost the election and as a councilman has worked closely with Pacsi since then. “I feel my father is the greatest judge of character. If my father feels that way about Gene Pacsi then there’s no question the kind of man he is.”

Falconi’s colleagues made similar comments Thursday as Pacsi presided over his last council meeting as mayor.

Pacsi was elected to council in 1973, and appointed mayor in 1978. He was re-elected every time since then, but decided to stake his political future on a run for Mercer County commissioner, which he lost in November.

“We will miss you,” said Councilman Peter D. Stephanopoulos. “You’ve done a hell of a job,” said Councilman Robert Burich. “You’ve led the city through a near-bankruptcy, Things are looking up. It’s a good time to leave. We wish you would have stayed.”

Councilman-elect Mark Petrillo noted that when he was a full-time firefighter he had “a lot of battles” with Pacsi in labor negotiations.

“Gene would get mad, but after that was all said and done we could be friends and talk about the town,” he said.

Solicitor Stephen Mirizio said the city is losing “growth and aggressiveness” with Pacsi leaving. After hearing the accolades and accepting an assortment of gifts, Pacsi broke down. “I didn’t think this would be that hard to do,” he said.

Pacsi said considering the drop in property valuation since Sharon Steel Corp. was functioning profitably in the ’80s, he’s not sure how the city survived. But he answered the question noting the dedication of city employees who accepted salary freezes and didn’t look for other jobs, and elected officials, noting that they chose to live in Farrell after being raised in the city, while many other residents moved away.

Pacsi said that he had his disagreements, arguments and battles with many of the people offering him kind words.

“When we made decisions, it was always what we thought was for the benefit of Farrell,” he said. “I really believe we’re going to be in great shape.”

Pacsi said he’s not sure if he will again run for elected office, but council asked him to consider it.

“I don’t think you should end your political career,” Falconi said. “There a lot of good left in you.”

“I just hope you’re not giving up politics,” Councilwoman Helen Marenchin said. “If you are you better be down here working for us.”

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