Blackburn takes reins as mayor of Aldan
ALDAN >> Council, during a recent meeting, unanimously appointed Joseph C. Blackburn Jr. as mayor of the borough. He is filling the unexpired term of longtime Mayor James Hopely, who retired last month.
Hopely, a 52-year Aldan resident and a Republican, was completing his 16th year as mayor. He tendered his resignation last month due to ongoing health reasons. In addition to his mayoral duties, Hopely has served three times as president of the Aldan Boosters Civic Association and is a 47-year member of the American Legion.
“Jim has truly enjoyed serving as mayor and loves this wonderful community,” read the letter written by Hopely’s wife, Joan. “He has worked alongside many great people for the benefit of the town. This was not an easy decision to be made, but is necessary due to Jim’s health. Please keep Jim in your thoughts and prayers.”
Blackburn, a Republican, has been a resident of Aldan for 34 years. He was active with the Aldan Boy’s Club and spent his summers at the Aldan Swim Club.
Blackburn is a graduate of Penn Wood High School and following graduation, joined the Delaware County Domestic Relations Warrant Division, where he located and arrested individuals who were delinquent in paying child support.
Blackburn joined the Sheriff’s office and eventually rose through the ranks. He was promoted to sergeant, lieutenant, deputy chief, and finally sheriff of Delaware County.
During his time at the Sheriffs office, he earned is associate degree in administration of justice from Delaware County Community College and a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from West Chester University. He is also a graduate of the Delaware County Community College Municipal Police Academy.
After completing his term as Sheriff, Blackburn accepted a position at PECO as a senior security specialist. He also was employed as a part-time Aldan police officer for 10 years.
In a related motion, council appointed Joseph Connolly as a member of borough council. He fills the seat vacated by Peggy Brookes Rankin, who last month, was appointed borough treasurer. Both are Republicans.
Connolly has resided in Aldan for 22 years. He is a graduate of Penn Wood High School and throughout the years has taken leadership roles with Aldan sports teams.
He was a coach and member of the board of directors of the Aldan Boy’s Club for a four-year term. Connolly was elected president of the boy’s club, where he led the organization for three terms.
He has also served on the borough board of recreation and the zoning hearing board.
An electrician, Connolly has been a member of the IBEW for 27 years and remains an active participant in the IBEW’s volunteer program, which provides electrical services to the needy.
Both men were sworn in to office by Magisterial District Judge Kelly Micozzi-Aguirre.
Council also recently accepted the retirement of borough treasurer Terry Quinn, who in a letter said she enjoyed serving he borough for the past 10 years.