Kent Krauss appointed to fill supervisor vacancy
Douglas Gifford retired after 33 years on the township board
LOWER SALFORD >> The Lower Salford Township Board of Supervisors has appointed Kent Krauss to fill a vacancy created by the retirement of Supervisor Douglas Gifford.
Gifford submitted his resignation in December 2022 after serving on the township Board of Supervisors for 33 years. He began his career in public service in 1986 as a member of the local Zoning Hearing Board. Four years later, he was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Board of Supervisors.
Chris Canavan, vice-chairman of the Board of Supervisors, described Gifford as a “great colleague and mentor to me.”
“His knowledge of local government and Lower Salford is unsurpassed. To me, he has set the ideal example of how to serve as a township supervisor, selflessly and with a sense of humor,” said Canavan. “I will miss him on the board, but I am happy he will now have a little more time to spend with his wife and the rest of his family.”
Following Gifford’s retirement in December 2022, the township received seven letters of interest to fill the vacancy before conducting an interview process at a Jan. 30 public meeting. Kent Krauss was then appointed at the Feb 1. regular board meeting to serve the remainder of the term, which expires at the end of the year.
A longtime resident of the township, Krauss serves as the chairman of the Lower Salford Park Board and volunteers his time on the Harleysville Community Center Board and the Harleysville Area Jaycees. His father also served as a supervisor for the township.
“I could not be happier than to have Kent join the board,” said Canavan. “His family roots are deep and his commitment to keeping Lower Salford a great place to live and raise our families made him the ideal choice for the board. I eagerly look forward to serving together with Kent.”
“We are delighted to have Mr. Krauss, and his long term involvement and experience in the township, fill the vacancy,” added Keith Bergman, chairman of the township Board of Supervisors.