Board bids farewell to Barnhardt
Kevin Barnhardt knew the next time he sat in that room things would be different, at least a little.
For the past 15 years he had called a spot at the large table that sits in front of the Berks County seal inside the commissioners’ boardroom home, serving as the lone Democrat on the three-member board.
He had taken part in a host of debates from that seat, and had helped make countless decisions that impacted the citizens of the county. But as he sat there Thursday, he knew it was the last time.
The next time he enters the boardroom he’ll occupy a different seat. That’s because while Barnhardt said goodbye to his time as a commissioner on Thursday, he wasn’t saying goodbye to serving the county.
Barnhardt announced last month that he would be resigning his seat on the board to take the position of the county’s new chief operations officer. That move officially takes effect on Monday.
Which meant Thursday was his last meeting as a commissioner.
His fellow commissioners took time during that meeting to laud Barnhardt’s work over the last decade-and-a-half, to thank him and say farewell. Of course, since he isn’t going very far — his new office is across the hall from his old one — they also took some time to welcome him to his new role.
Commissioner Christian Leinbach thanked Barnhardt for his 15 years of service on the board, saying he appreciated how well the two were able to work together despite being members of different political parties.
“I think that other levels of government could take a lesson from us,” he said. “We haven’t always agreed and neither of us are fading flowers — we stand pretty strongly and passionately for what we believe in — but I can say that we never made it personal.
“And I think that is vitally important in our work because when you make it personal against somebody you also make it about yourself. I don’t believe elected officials should be worried about themselves, they should be concerned about the job they’re doing and the people they’re representing.”
Commissioner Michael Rivera said that in the three years he’s worked alongside Barnhardt he has always appreciated his insights and opinions on issues.
“I look forward to working with you in your new capacity as well,” he said. “But it has been a great three years and I think we have a great team here. We don’t always agree on everything, but we don’t take it personally. We agree to disagree.”
Rivera said he hopes the person who replaces Barnhardt will have that same dedication to service and will be able to work with the Republican majority.
Barnhardt also took some time to acknowledge the end of an era, reflecting on his past 39 years serving as an elected official, first in West Reading and then at the county.
“It’s been an honor and privilege that voters put their faith and trust in me to listen, to understand and to do the people’s work,” he said. “The hours, days and years have passed so quickly it’s hard to imagine it’s been 15 years. We have accomplished much in those 15 years, and there’s still so much to do.”
Barnhardt said that he has faced criticism over the years
from folks who felt he should have been a stronger advocate for Democrats in the partisan squabbles that tend to dominate higher levels of government. But, he said, he believes local government should be a place where those political fights are put aside.
“This position is not designed to create political divides but to do the best you can to improve the services and the quality of life of those we serve,” he said.
Barnhardt added that he’s happy his departure from the board isn’t a departure from public service.
“Although I will be saying farewell to an elected position, I’m very excited to begin a new chapter with the county as chief operations officer,” he said.
A replacement to serve out the remainder of Barnhardt’s term as commissioner will be appointed by a panel of Berks County judges. That term expires at the end of 2023.
Interested applicants must be registered voters in Berks and members of the Democratic Party. The deadline for filing an application is Jan. 20.