Board rooms across the area reorganize

Several new faces and a few familiar ones were sworn in at municipality reorganization meetings throughout the area Jan. 6.

The board room at the Abington Township building was packed with friends, family and community members as newly elected Court of Common Pleas Judge Gail Weilheimer swore in re-elected Commissioners Larry Jones, Ward 3; Stephen Kalinoski, Ward 6; Peggy Myers, Ward 8; Thomas Farren, Ward 12; and Lori Schreiber, Ward 14, in addition to newly elected Commissioners Michael Markman, Ward 2; Jimmy DiPlacido, Ward 4; Benjamin Sanchez, Ward 7; and Tom Hecker, Ward 10.

Many of the commissioners expressed their excitement to start a new year, work with one another and improve the township.

Also sworn in was re-elected tax collector Jay Blumenthal, who was named the townships treasurer.

There were numerous appointments made Jan. 6 as well.

Commissioner Wayne Luker was appointed the new board president and Commissioner Steven Kline was appointed vice president. Both men received applause after they accepted their new status on the board.

I want to personally thank my fellow commissioners for their vote for president of the board of commissioners of Abington Township, said Luker, who has served on the board for 22 years. This is an honor, and I consider it a vote of confidence that I will lead this board in a positive direction. My expectations are high that we all will use our talents, time and energy to further the success of this first-class township.

In addition, Rex Herder was reappointed township solicitor for a six-month term, Michael Powers was named township engineer for another two-year term and Township Manager Michael LeFevre was appointed to the office of secretary and Finance Director Susan Matiza was appointed assistant secretary.

In Cheltenham Township, newly elected Commissioner Ann Rappoport, Ward 4, and re-elected Commissioners Morton Simon, Ward 6, and Art Haywood, Ward 2, were sworn in, according to the township managers administrative assistant Anna Marie Felix.

Veteran commissioner Harvey Portner was appointed the new president of the board and fellow long-standing board member Morton Simon was appointed vice president, she said. Continued...

Read more here:
Board rooms across the area reorganize