9/22/2023 0 Comments Valley news dispatch pa“It is something that is important to him, and he doesn’t agree with the direction we appear to be going.” “A big part of what the mayor does is oversee the police,” Warnick said. A government study isn’t needed, he said. He said the regionalization of police departments can be undone if it doesn’t work. Warnick is proposing a trial run of the merger. Warnick, who is heading the merger proposal, said he respectfully disagrees with the mayor’s approach. “I would dig a little deeper before I jump into anything,” he said. He would like to see a free study done by the state Department of Community and Economic Development. Swartz said he doesn’t agree with the way the council is pursuing a proposed police merger with Gilpin. Whoever is appointed mayor will serve through the end of the year and will run for what will be a two-year seat in next year’s election to keep the post. If the board cannot find someone in that time frame, residents can petition the courts to appoint someone, Kalina said. If one is not approved in that time, the borough’s vacancy board has 15 days to fill the position. Solicitor Matt Kalina said council has 30 days to appoint a new mayor. “I’d like to get somebody that has some governmental experience, whether it be local or greater,” Warnick said about potential candidates. Letters of interest and resumes are being accepted at the borough office. “He was a spokesman for us as a borough,” Warnick said after the meeting. Swartz briefly attended as a member of the audience.Ĭouncil President Clint Warnick will serve as acting mayor until one is appointed. Swartz received a standing ovation from council and meeting attendees during Monday night’s council meeting as his resignation was accepted. “I can hold my head high for putting in 38 years.” “Not being mayor will relieve stress and headaches. “I’m not batting myself against the wall anymore,” he said. “When your heart’s not into it, it’s time to get out.” “My heart was always up to it until now,” Swartz said. Behind the scenes, Swartz said, he recently had to deal with a borough worker who didn’t want to file certain reports for code enforcement issues. The mayor has been in the news recently for questioning a proposed police department merger with Gilpin, as well as police officer turnover last year. resigned over the weekend because of recent disagreements over borough operations. After serving the borough as a councilman and mayor collectively for 38 years, Freeport Mayor James Swartz Jr.
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