Ichter resigns seat on council
With less than five months left on his term, NorthWard Borough Councilman Jon Ichter tendered his resignation at Tuesday’s meeting.
Ichter told Digital First Media he is moving to the Collegeville-area andwould no longer fulfill the residency requirement to continue to serve on council.
Ichter, who has lived in the borough for nine years and has served on council for three years and eight months, said “my time in Phoenixville has been amazing. It’s a great place to live.”
During his announcement, Ichter thanked the othermembers of council and staff, in particular Borough Manager E. Jean Krack.
Saying pointedly to Mayor Michael Speck that “our relationship serves as an example of how sour grapes can turn into a fine wine,” Ichter received a hug from the mayor after he responded “I’ll drink to that.”
Speck called Ichter “an asset to Phoenixville” and Councilman Michael Kuznar said “I’ll be sorry to see you go,” adding that Ichter was always well-prepared for his votes, having researched all the necessary information.
Krack, in turn, thanked Ichter for his perspective on borough issues and res-
ident Bill Davidson also thanked Ichter for his service.
Borough Solicitor Charles D. Garner Jr. explained to council that state law gives council 30 days to select Ichter’s replacement, which would require a special meeting under the current schedule.
If a choice is not made within 30 days, the decision goes to the Vacancy Board, “which consists of borough council plus the chairman of the vacancy board,” said Garner.
He also confirmed that the 30-day clock does not start until council votes to accept Ichter’s resignation.
As a result, council decided to hold off accepting the resignation until its next meeting.
“You’re not getting offthat easy Jon,” Council President James Kovaleski joked.
He also urged anyone who has lived in the borough’s North Ward for a year or more to contact Ichter about applying to fill the vacant seat.
“It’s a very important job, even if it’s just for a short time,” Kovaleski said.
Ichter was not running for reelection and two candidateswon seats on theNovember ballot in the spring primary.
They are Democrat and former council member Richard Mark Kirkner and Republican Sarah Peppel.
“My time in Phoenixville has been amazing. It’s a great place to live.” — Jon Ichter, retiring Phoenixville Borough Councilman