The departure of Coplay EMA Coordinator Tim Keller generated rumors which one councilman hopes he put to rest.

In a letter read at the Oct. 8 council meeting, Keller resigned effective Oct. 31.

At Tuesday's workshop meeting, Councilman Charles Sodl said he would like to see the borough appoint former Fire Chief David Buskaritz to the position.

"I think in the past we've had this separation of EMA and the fire department and whatever," said Sodl.

Buskaritz would be able to help the borough bridge that gap.

"He has the qualifications. He knows the town and he's very receptive to working with the fire department and the chief of police and the mayor," Sodl said.

"I have no problem with Mr. Dave Buskaritz," said Tim Johnson, second deputy EMA coordinator, during public comment at the end of the meeting. "I would feel better if ... EMA personnel that are still here be given the chance to try to run EMA."

If Buskaritz does take over, Johnson asked that the current EMA personnel be given a chance to "still be a part of it."

"As far as Mr. Buskaritz, I feel very confident that he can handle that position," said Sodl.

If Buskaritz is comfortable with keeping Johnson on as a deputy, he would be welcome to do so, said Sodl.

Johnson asked if the intent was to have the fire department completely take over the EMA.

"The reason I said about the closeness with the fire department is because 95 percent of the time the fire department and the police department would be involved," Sodl said. "I felt uncomfortable, quite frankly, before that we didn't have the camaraderie that we should have had."

Johnson said he agrees on the previous lack of camaraderie but needed further clarification.

"I heard through the grapevine that it was going to be the fire department taking us over," Johnson said.

"I don't know how that could happen. I don't know how you could hear that," said Sodl, adding that Buskaritz's name had not been brought up until Monday night.

Sodl asked for Johnson's phone number so they could discuss keeping Johnson involved.

Council will vote on Buskaritz's appointment at the Nov. 12 meeting.