Ridley Park council vacancy decided along party lines

RIDLEY PARK >> Former councilman Jim Glenn was appointed to fill a vacancy on council July 19 after a split vote that required Mayor Hank Eberle to break the tie vote.

Glenn, who failed in his bid for re-election last year, replaces council member Holly O’Mahoney, who resigned in May.

Glenn is a Republican. Also nominated for the council vacancy was Mary Pat King, a Democrat who ran for council last year and lost. With three Republicans and three Democrats on council, the vote for each candidate ended in a tie with Eberle, a Republican, casting the deciding vote. After King failed to win the vacant seat on council, Glenn was victorious when Eberle cast the his vote in favor of Glenn.

“We all know why the position was filled the way it was (because) the majority would be lost,” Democratic Councilman Jared Brennan commented.

Republican Councilwoman Samantha Snow said she voted for Glenn because of his previous experience as a councilman and because of his volunteer efforts in the community.

“I think both candidates are wonderful people,” Snow said.

Councilwoman Michele Endriss-Dalessio said she looked at Glenn’s experience in deciding on how to vote.

“It’s politics as usual,” King said, adding that Glenn had been defeated in his bid for re-election.

Council President Bob Berger, a Republican, noted that King also ran for election last year and was defeated.

Eberle administered the oath of office to Glenn. The political make up of the council remains at four Republicans and three Democrats.

In a ceremony at the top of the meeting, Eberle presided over the promotion of three police officers.

Officer Robert Quinlan and Marc Hanly were promoted to the rank of corporal. Quinlan has been with the police department for 14 years, and Hanly, 16 years.

Cpl. James Nasella was promoted to the rank of sergeant. He has been on the force 25 years.

“They are the best of the best,” said Police Chief Robert Frazier.

Chris Valerio, chairman of the borough Civil Service Commission, called the newly promoted officers “excellent,” and asked for prayers for police officers.

In another matter, Robert Connor was appointed to the planning commission and Richard Guerra to the recreation board. Eberle administered the oath of office to both men.