New faces to lead in 2018
Area governing boards swear in new members, elect officers
The President of the United States certainly dominates the headlines all year long, but as 2018 begins, its other presidents and chairpeople who get their moment in the spotlight.
On Jan .2, numerous municipalities around the region re-organized for the coming year, electing chairpersons, presidents and other officers to boards of commissioners, supervisors and borough councils.
In many place little changed in terms of board officers.
But there are some new faces with gavels in their hands, due either to a shake-up or election results. Here is a run-down of some of them.
Phoenixville
Two new council members were sworn in Tuesday night — Beth Burckley, a Democrat whonowrep--
resents the Middle Ward, and former Councilman Richard M. K ir kn er, who was elected again to represent the NorthWard.
West Ward Councilman James Kovaleski was re- elected to the president’s post, but re elected West Ward Councilwoman Dana Dugan was replaced in the vicepresident’s post by Middle Ward Councilman Jonathan Ewald.
Peter Urscheler was also sworn in to his first term as mayor.
Collegeville
A Democratic sweep of the borough council race here put some new faces on the board, and into leadership posts.
Marion McKinley was elected president of Collegeville Borough Council and running mate Matthew McKinght was chosen as vice president.
Catherine Kernan, another running mate, was elected president pro tem.
The other significant change to occur was a change in solicitor.
By a 3-2 vote that occurred after some discussion among the board members, council replaced former solicitor Mark Hosterman with Sean Kilkenney, who also happens to be the Montgomery County Sheriff.
Upper Providence
Two men who tried for two years to have the board of supervisors expanded from three to five members not only succeeded in expanding the board, but are now the board’s president and vice president.
John Pearson, a former supervisor who was voted out of office in 2015 and supported the successful 2016 petition drive to ask voters to expand the board, is thenew board chairman, according to the township website.
And Supervisor Al Vagnozzi, who attempted but failed to convince the sitting supervisors to put thematter to the voters in 2016, is the board’s new vice chairman.