CALLERY — John Henicheck is looking forward to indulging in more pool playing, Texas Hold 'Em and gaming at Mountaineer Race Track and Resort.

Though retirement is an old habit, relinquishing his role as mayor has afforded him a great deal more free time.

Taking his cue from former police Chief Gerald Cogliano, Henicheck submitted his resignation to borough council earlier this month.

"I just can't work for people that talk to me one way and do something else behind my back," he said of select, unnamed council members.

Cooperation between Henicheck and Cogliano has never been an issue, and the tandem resignations served as the final punctuation.

"It was a pretty good act of friendship and faith for me," Cogliano said of the mayor's decision, made at the May 7 council meeting.

"No one said anything," he added. Few residents attended the meeting, and most left before the announcement.

Like Cogliano, Henicheck cited ongoing issues with certain council members as the impetus for his departure.

"As mayor, I am in charge of the police department," he said. "I have said at every meeting I have gone to, 'If you have a problem with a policeman, you should talk to me.' That has never ever happened with some people on council. They have gone behind my back time after time after time ¿ and I had enough."

Some council members had been at odds with the police department over scheduling and finances, Henicheck said.

At the time of their departure, he and Cogliano had secured about $40,000 in various grants for the police, he said. Instead of praise, he said he fielded angry calls from across the borough about how money was being spent.

"They said all the borough's money was going to the police, but we weren't in charge of writing grants for anyone else," he said.

As the department consisted of only part-time officers, council allotted 170 working hours per month in the budget.

When officer Dave Watts was hired, Cogliano relinquished some of his hours to give Watts more time in the community. That act also brought criticism from council members, who said Cogliano should be on duty more often, Henicheck said.

Watts was essentially handed all of the former chief's hours upon his resignation. A retired state trooper, Watts is now the acting chief and is expected to be promoted soon.

"I'm doing what I can to assist Dave," Cogliano said. "I'm sure Dave will do well."

The mayor's position could be filled by council president Rose Wirtz or vice president Terry Ritter. Neither returned calls for comment.

It is unclear whether an officer will be hired to replace Cogliano.