The Times Herald (Norristown, PA)
Cisco renamed ‘ambassador’
Unpaid, ceremonial post becomes flash point over social progress, community involvement
NORRISTOWN » Two weeks after the item was tabled, Frank “Hank Cisco” Ciaccio was reappointed as ambassador of Norristown during a council meeting Tuesday night.
More than two dozen Cisco supporters filled the lobby of Norristown Municipal Hall prior to the meeting, donning black top hats emblazoned with “We (Heart) Hank” and holding signs of support for the 94-year-old.
The reappointment received a unanimous “yes” vote from council, but it didn’t come without discussion.
Council Vice President Derrick Perry began his comments by asking Solicitor Sean Kilkenny a number of questions in succession including what is required of a
presiding president, how executive sessions work, expectations of council members, limitations of council members and the role of the ambassador. He also accused an unnamed member or members of council of “leaking” the information to table the reappointment to the press and residents.
“There are some people in this town that are unhappy that African-Americans are calling the shots,” Perry said.
He also wondered why, when there was social inequality in the town, people didn’t attend council meetings.
“(The ambassador) serves no purpose in Norristown except having a racial divide and politics that shouldn’t be in Norristown,” said Perry. “Our town is very diverse. Norristown has a lot of other things to worry about. All of this is part of the past. Norristown is moving in a positive direction. The Norristown we used to have is not coming back. There are people who had the opportunity to move us forward but didn’t.”
Perry urged residents to be a part of the solution, talk to council members and join committees. He made a point at various times to say he “wished he had a hat” like those supporting Hank and that he liked Cisco.
“I’ve been saying since 2013 that Mr. Cisco should be a lifetime ambassador but there are others who are just as deserving to be ambassador,” Perry said.
Councilwoman Valerie Scott Cooper echoed Perry’s sentiments about residents attending meetings, saying she wished they would attend budget meetings and any other serious business.
“2017 has allowed us to branch out and speak to people in other cities to help us get ideas to make Norristown the best it can be,” Cooper said. “We don’t do business as usual just because. Hank Cisco, I’ve known you since I was a little girl. I have no problem with you being ambassador. However, there are a lot of people who could be ambassador. Once you are appointed to a position it does not necessarily mean you will be it for a lifetime. Not that you are not deserving, because you certainly are, but I’m sure everyone here can think of someone who would also be deserving.”
Cooper said she doesn’t know what the future will hold for the ambassador position and that the position “doesn’t make sense to her” because there are no responsibilities or duties.
“I like Hank. I know he runs his show and does a great job with that,” Cooper said, referring to “The Hank Cisco Show” produced by Norristown High School. “I don’t want to see us waste time on anything that’s not going to move Norristown forward. This isn’t going to move Norristown forward. There was division behind the fact it was tabled. I want us to be more innovative in the things we do.”
Cisco was not sworn in by council, as members stated the position did not require it. Instead, Judge Francis Lawrence swore in Cisco in the lobby surrounded by supporters and television news cameras.
“I just want to thank everybody. I’m 94 years old and to come walking in and see all these people here I don’t think it’s good for the heart,” said Cisco. “I was very surprised they tabled it and I’m glad they got rid of the table. I looked out in that crowd and I saw diversity and that’s what Norristown is all about. That’s why I love Norristown.”
Cisco sang the song he wrote about Norristown followed by “Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be).”
“I think it was a slight,” said Lawrence, who did not expect to perform the swearing in. “I came as a citizen and a lifelong resident. I came out to support Hank and I’m glad they did the right thing by reappointing him.”
The support for Cisco varied from lifelong friends, former coworkers, law enforcement, residents and politicians.
“I think very highly of Hank. For 94 years of age he has more energy than most people in the building tonight,” said Montgomery County Commissioner Joe Gale. “His love for Norristown is unmatched. He is the greatest cheerleader Norristown has ever had. I was surprised race was brought into it. I have never seen any sign of race involved with Mr. Cisco and I thought it was inappropriate to bring it up at this evening’s meeting.”
“I’ve known him since I was a little boy in Norristown,” said Charlie Tornetta, a Jeffersonville resident, who was holding a “Bring Back Cisco” sign. “He spent more time with the youth of our town than most dads spend with their own kids. You can’t help but love this guy. He is our ambassador.”
“They showed disrespect for the whole community,” said Norristown resident Buck Jones. “Vice President Perry pulling the race card was uncalled for and unsubstantiated. They aren’t the first black council people.”
“He’s a man who has a lot of character,” added Oscar Vance, former chief of county detectives. Cisco worked for him as a detective and they have been friends for 50 years. “He’s honest and loyal and has always been a promoter of Norristown.”
Other meeting business Tuesday included a professional services agreement awarded to The Enterprise Center to provide small business development/technical assistance as a service of the Norristown Small Business Assistance Center for $45,000 a year from the 2017 HUD Community Development Block Award.
A professional services agreement was also awarded to the Fair Housing Rights Center in Southeastern Pennsylvania to provide a fair housing program for $32,000 a year for a three year term with 2017 HUD Community Development Block Grant.
Hancock Elementary School received final land development approval to improve access for emergency vehicles.