Radnor pol: Strip molester Spingler of awards

RADNOR » At least one member of the Radnor Board of Commissioners is calling on his colleagues to take action in the wake of the conviction of former commissioner William Spingler on charges related to his groping of a 103-yearold woman in a nursing home.

A Delaware County jury convicted Spingler, 75, a long-time Democratic politician, of two counts of indecent assault June 15. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 28.

Commissioner Richard Booker, a Republican and longtime Spingler foe, sent his fellow commissioners an email saying, “I feel strongly, that the board of commissioners needs to approve a resolution, or ordinance, as applicable, to rescind any and all awards that have in the past been bestowed upon Bill Spingler by the township. The reprehensible, perverse and illegal activities that he has been convicted of necessitate that we separate Radnor to the extent possible, from any affiliation with him.”

Later, by phone, Booker noted that there is precedent for this, citing Villanova University, which had renamed its John du Pont Pavilion after its benefactor was convicted of third-degree murder for the Jan. 26, 1996 shooting of Dave Schultz, a champion wrestler.

“Certainly, we can do a resolution rescinding awards presented to him,” said Booker. “Certainly, the ones we gave him when he left in 2015.”

Booker said he was waiting until Spingler had his day in court before bringing this proposal to the board to “provide separation” from the township and the former commissioner.

“All the headlines invoke Radnor and the board of commissioners,” Booker said. “We need to separate where we can with this reprobate, Bill Spingler. I think it’s an action that we can take to show our desire not to be affiliated with his actions. If there is more that can be done I’m very open to exploring the possibilities. To me this is just one small step we can take to show our disapproval.”

Over the years, there’s been no love lost between the two men.

After a meeting in 2014, Booker alleged that Spingler no longer lived in Radnor but continued to sit on the board of commissioners in order to ensure that the major Villanova University dormitory project was approved. The men exchanged barbs that night, then left the building after Spingler reportedly offered to “deck” Booker. Police Superintendent William Colarulo intervened and no violence ensued.

Board President Elaine Schaefer declined to comment on Booker’s request. Spingler could not be reached for comment.