By Dick Miller
WE.CONNECT.DOTS: Bill Morocco, my partner in politics for two decades, died this weekend at the age of 67.
The former two-term mayor of Farrell was the epitome of an “unabashed liberal,” forever the champion of those not as fortunate.
He was quick to cite a deed or quote from FDR, JFK or LBJ to support his passion.
A graduate of Gannon University in political science, he skipped membership in that Erie school’s “Mafia” business alumni that forever scratch their economic well-being. Instead he became a history, civics and social studies teacher at Youngstown East High, Kennedy Catholic and finally at Farrell.
Frustrated as a teacher, perhaps, he quit education after 28 years. There were at least two people at his viewing Sunday who commented on the positive effect he had as their teacher. He tried to make a difference with every student, he once said.
If there was a more genteel person, I never met him or her.
After my 90-minute introduction to Ed Rendell in the fall of 2001 at a hot dog shop in Sharon, I immediately called Bill and said “This should be our guy for governor,” Rendell had been mayor of Philadelphia and – we hoped – he might be partial to the plights of cities and boroughs.
Bill quickly agreed and we became co-chairs of Rendell’s efforts in west central PA.
By the time he was elected Farrell mayor in 2000 he already had a dozen years on council. I didn’t become mayor of Greenville until 2006, but he was one of my “go-to” people for advice. Like me, his title indicated more power than actual in a council-manager type government. Despite that and a paltry salary, he served nearly full time. He attended every meeting of every organization from Youngstown to Harrisburg if he thought he could advance interests of his constituents.
While mayor Mr. Morocco was instrumental in getting a “Weed-and-Seed” program going for parts of Farrell and neighboring Sharon. A Federal program since 1991, adopted by Pennsylvania in 2001, the program attacked high-crime, blighted areas (the “weeds”) by blending various community resources together in programs to improve the quality of life (the “seeds”).
Sharon-Farrell Weed and Seed ran through over $2.5 million in state and federal funds before dying out in 2010. PA Governor Tom Corbett killed the program in the summer of 2011.
After Rendell won governor in 2002 we set about the task of landing Bill a role in the new state government, one that would take advantage of his education, talents and convictions. The position of Western PA coordinator for the Weed and Seed program came open. Logically, we thought he belonged there. Illogically, Rendell’s minions gave it to someone who lived in Philadelphia.
Bill was not outgoing and was likely a lousy job interviewer. Only his charm would have been evident in a single interview. His intellect and passion would have taken a bit longer.
Eventually he accepted a job with the Department of Revenue, checking to see that farmers and other bulk purchasers of fuel paid the taxes due the state. His first significant exposure to rural dwellers, he quickly became knowledgeable to the plight of farm families.
Every couple of months he would work his farm visits in the Greenville area to stop at my office during lunch hour. We would talk – politics – with Bill keeping a close eye on his watch. One hour for lunch was his limit.
I had just remembered it was about time for his bi-monthly visit when I learned of his death following a brief illness. He is missed by all whom he touched.
BOTTOM LINE: This is to readers in Pittsburgh, Harrisburg and elsewhere. I try to select general subjects of broad interest. My goal here is to inform about my friend, Bill Morocco, who – unlike too many – lived the definition of public servant.
