SOUTH WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. — The South Whitehall Board of Commissioners now has a vacant seat.
Vice President of the board David Kennedy announced his resignation at Wednesday’s meeting. He said he is moving out of the township to be closer to his grandson.
Kennedy thanked township staff and his fellow board members.
“So many times I hear when people resign, ‘I did this and I did that.’ Well, I didn't do anything. We as a board did it,” Kennedy said.
“I was up here with a tremendous board. And I know that will continue on with the new board that's going to be sworn in in January. So I want to thank the board for what they've done.”
Kennedy served on the South Whitehall Public Safety Commission for 22 years, the Parkland School Board for 25 years and the South Whitehall Board of Commissioners for two years. The board gave him a Distinguished Service Award.
In the coming weeks, residents will be able to apply to fill the vacancy. The board will conduct public interviews and then appoint one of the applicants.
‘A breath of fresh air’
Kennedy separately thanked Commissioner Jacob Roth, who was his campaign manager when he first ran for the board in 2021; Commissioner Monica Hodges, who ran with him; and Board President Diane Kelly.
All three of them thanked Kennedy for his service to the township and the Parkland School Board.
"It's unbelievable what you've done for our community."South Whitehall Commissioner Monica Hodges
“The words ‘thank you’ don't adequately address or stress the gratitude for the truly remarkable and inspiring gifts you've given graciously volunteering your time and talent to our community,” Kelly said.
“Thank you for decades of service to this community in so many different capacities. It's unbelievable what you've done for our community,” Hodges said.
“I have been impressed with your candidness with your common-sense, no BS approach to government,” Roth said. “It's a breath of fresh air, whether it be on the school board, or here in South Whitehall.”
The board will elected a new vice president at its reorganization meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 2. The regular meeting will be held on that day instead of Wednesday.
