Scottdale mayor: Humble servant with 'heart of gold' honored for service

Charles King kept bankers’ hours for more than 50 years at Scottdale Bank & Trust Co.

Now retired, King, 82, has been mayor of the borough of about 4,300 residents for 13 years and he’s willing to lend a helping hand no matter what time it is.

“When a disaster hits, he’ll help anybody. In the middle of the night, if there is a disaster, he is there in his truck, helping out,” said Scottdale borough manager Angelo Pallone.

King is not one to look for the limelight, Pallone said.

For his work as mayor and his dedication to his community, King was named the Pennsylvania Mayor of the Year by the Pennsylvania State Mayors’ Association. He will receive the award at the association’s annual conference July 20 in Johnstown.

“I feel very blessed. I did not expect it,” King said Thursday as he sat outside his store, King’s Antiques on Pittsburgh Street in downtown Scottdale.

He feels humbled by the award, he said.

As mayor, King’s been involved in the town’s Picnic in the Park, the National Night Out event, Adopt-A-Highway litter cleanup efforts, the YMCA of Laurel Highlands, the Scottdale Salvation Army and the Scottdale Volunteer Fire Department, said Councilwoman Mary Robson.

The mayors’ association presents the award to mayors who “have had a significant impact upon their communities and are worthy of the title of ‘Mayor of the Year’,” according to its website.

With that criteria for the honor, “he is very deserving of the award,” said Robson, who nominated King for the recognition.

King is the third Westmoreland County mayor to receive the award since it was started in 1989. Former Murrysville Mayor Bob Brooks was honored in 2015, followed by former Mt. Pleasant Mayor Jerry Lucia in 2016.

A key to being a good mayor and public servant is to take pride in what you are doing, King said.

“I enjoy serving the town and the community. It’s a great little town and great people,” he said.

King retired about three years ago as a regional vice president for Mid Penn Bank in Scottdale. He spent most of his 56 years in banking with the Scottdale Bank & Trust Co., which Mid Penn acquired in 2018. He said he misses helping people, but not the technological requirements of today’s banking industry.

Pallone said the timing of the honor is perfect for the community because Scottdale is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year.

“He hangs in there to help. He’s got a heart of gold,” Pallone said.