By Elizabeth Perry
Coraopolis Borough Manager Ray McCutcheon and entrepreneur Isaiah Neely were honored during the Borough’s regular June meeting for their respective services to the community.
McCutcheon received the Distinguished Service Award from the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs presented by State Rep. Anita Kulik and a staffer representing State Sen. Devlin Robinson at the top of the meeting.
“You have no one better,” Kulik said of McCutcheon.
McCutcheon got choked up during the presentation, especially when he thanked his wife, Elesa McCutcheon. Later, he stated via email that he’d known he’d earned the award and had been invited to the ceremony in Hershey, Pa., but wasn’t able to attend.
“I had no idea that State Representative Kulik or Jeff King from Senator Devlin Robinson’s Office were going to attend,” McCutcheon said. “Nor did I know a lot of my family was going to be there.”
Council person Allison Marine and former council member Chad Kraynyk nominated McCutcheon for the award, for his sound fiscal management, spearheading the reduction of blight in Coraopolis, optimizing banking and public works, and “ultimately setting up the community for success." Each member of the board congratulated McCutcheon personally, as well as Police Chief Ronald Denbow and Mayor Michael Dixon.
“We may not always see eye to eye, but credit where credit is due,” Dixon said.
Later on, Neely was presented with the Key to the Borough by Dixon for his work creating Summer Jam.
“Isaiah’s commitment to youth and athletes is truly inspiring, through his hard work he’s created a safe and welcoming environment for youth of all ages,” Dixon said.
The third annual Summer Jam festival took place this year at Shelley Y. Jones Memorial Park on June 24 and 25, featuring food vendors, basketball competition for high school students, music, dance performances and activities for younger children. Neely, who owns Rise Above Sports Training, had previously told Gazette 2.0 that he had a fond memory of Coraopolis Community Days and wanted to bring back some of that festivity in his community.
“Thank you for your support and thank you for donating your time and your money and your effort,” Neely said.
In addition to awarding Neely the Key to the Borough, Dixon manned the grill at the 2023 Summer Jam, and donated $100 worth of basketballs to the event in order to show support for Neely’s work.