We should all be ‘ambassadors of Norristown’

Hank Cisco was not reappointed to his post as Norristown’s ambassador during Tuesday night’s council meeting.

“We tabled that item. We didn’t put it on the agenda,” said council President Sonya Sanders “The word table would be the correct term to use. However, that’s not to say he is not the ambassador or we are looking for someone else to be the ambassador.”

Councilman Hakim Jones said he was disappointed in how the situation unfolded during the meeting.

“When one person makes a decision for all, it’s only right that the entire body has the opportunity to at least weigh in on the matter,” said Jones. “It’s also a disservice when you tell a lifelong resident the day of the meeting that the decision to renew their position will be tabled until further notice. It’s simply not good governing.” Sanders commented that council had further discussions in regard to the evening’s three appointments, including Cisco’s, and it will be discussed at the next council meeting, which is scheduled for January 16th at 7:30 p.m.

According to sources close to Cisco, he was informed less than two hours before the council meeting that he was not going to be reappointed on Tuesday and the matter had been tabled. Cisco, 94, planned to attend the meeting and arranged a ride service for transportation. (He does still drive, though.) A friend of Cisco’s who spoke with him on Tuesday night said Cisco didn’t know why the decision to table his reappointment was made and has never been told he has not been serving the town correctly.

“It’s a devastating surprise. He just wants to know why,” said the friend.

The position of Norristown ambassador is unpaid.

On Wednesday, Cisco went to Norristown Area High School to record an episode of the “The Hank Cisco Show,” which he has hosted for nearly 30 years. The episode, like so many of its predecessors, had a familiar Norristown flavor. Cisco interviewed Byron L. Craig, pastor of Macedonia Baptist Church and president of the Greater Norristown Area Ministerium.

On the show, Cisco has interviewed mayors, police chiefs, recording artists, community activists and newspaper editors. He’s even brought on all the doctors who have treated his various maladies throughout the years, all with the goal of informing the public and assisting the community. The most common thread though is his deep affection and obvious passion for Norristown.

Despite the previous night’s decision to table his reappointment, he continued to promote Norristown, in particular, Pastor Craig’s good work. Cisco also released a statement regarding council’s decision.

“Anyplace I went to box, it was always Norristown. They told me to say I was from Philadelphia because people would know where that was, but I just said, ‘Say I’m from Norristown and proud to say it,’” said Cisco on Wednesday. “I saw there was a need for spreading the word around town. I wanted to entertain and educate. I had doctors on the show who treated me for cancer, or my heart operation, or the two hip replacements, so other people would know they could get care in Norristown and what the treatment was like. I am just an eighth-grade graduate who wised up, went to Montco and got educated. I love the people of Norristown.”

Unlike many others in Norristown, I do not know Hank Cisco personally. I appeared on his show in 2008 when I was performing stand-up comedy in the area. There has been an outpouring of support on social media for Cisco, who is also known as “Rock.” It has come from former police colleagues, friends, current and former Norristown residents, people he has introduced to boxing and many others.

John Doyle, communications department director for the Norristown Area School District, has been recording “The Hank Cisco” show for 15 years while Cisco has done one program a week. This year, he is doing two shows a week.

“I have watched Hank, for all of his personal foibles and his personal ideology, offer anyone the chance to talk on the air. He mentions Norristown or markets Norristown in every episode. He brings regional and national personalities into the High School to see how great our kids are,” Doyle said.

The decision of council to table the reappointment Hank Cisco as ambassador isn’t the most pressing issue. Why is he even coming up for reappointment?

Hank Cisco is 94 years old and has served Norristown in law enforcement, ascending through the ranks from a beat cop to Montgomery County juvenile detective. His involvement in boxing continued through refereeing, training and starting the Norristown Police Athletic League boxing program. Cisco is a member of the Boxing, Education, Law Enforcement, and Montgomery County Sports Halls of Fame in Pennsylvania.

Make him ambassador for life.

It shouldn’t stop there. In the spirit of Cisco’s tireless promotion of Norristown, we should all answer the call to be “ambassadors of Norristown.” Cisco has spent a majority of his life setting an example of pride in his hometown, and I think it would make him proud if we all took responsibility in extolling the virtues of Norristown.

It’s not up for vote or tabling. You decide to be an ambassador of Norristown today, tomorrow or for life. Katie Bambi Kohler is an award-winning columnist and journalist. She is a Norristown native and a current resident of King of Prussia. Visit her at www.katiekohler.com.