Meade Bierly ends 40-year stint as Elizabethtown Borough Councilman

Meade Bierly and his wife, Melissa, at a reception in November to recognize
Bierly's retirement from Elizabethtown Borough Council after 40 years.
Council President J. Neil Ketchum and other local officials and community
membes attended the event.

Tomorrow night, a page in Elizabethtown’s history will come to a close. Borough Councilman Meade Bierly will retire after 40 years.

That is, at a minimum, 960 regular Borough Council meetings over the years, a number that doesn’t take into account special meetings and other boards, authorities and organizations on which Meade has served in his capacity as an elected official.

Nor does it take into account the hours spent during and preparing for the meetings.

In today’s world, it is unheard of for people to stay in jobs for more than a few years, let alone deciding to hold elected office.

Bierly was appointed to Borough Council in January 1973 to fill an unexpired term and was elected to a full four-year term in 1974. In the program for a reception held his honor last month, it says that he credits his dad, Meade S. Bierly, and the late Vincent O'Connor, a former mayor and councilman, for instilling a philosophy of giving back to the community. At the reception, Bierly said public service is a way to give back "for the space you take up." 

During his four decades on council, the list of accomplishments is impressive:

• Bierly has been part of the hiring process for every current borough employee.
  
• In 1976, he was instrumental in the partnership with the Elizabethtown Area School District that led to the formation of Greater Elizabethtown Area Recreation & Community Services (GEARS) and the subsequent creation of the Poplar Street Park and the Fun Fort.
  
• He has overseen major projects such as the construction of the borough offices and police department on Hanover Street in 1980 and expansion of the wastewater treatment plant in 1978 and 2002.
  
• Most recently, his insight was helpful in the construction of Bainbridge Street at the Dove Chocolate plant and with the renovations of the Amtrak station.

As might be expected, Bierly didn't always agree with his fellow councilmen, sometimes vociferously disagreeing. But he never encountered anyone on council who wasn't doing what he or she thought was in the best interest of Elizabethtown.

Back in the late 1990s, I had the pleasure of covering Borough Council as the editor of the former Elizabethtown Chronicle. I could tell then that Meade was someone who cared deeply for the borough, and I am pleased that I have been able to work with him on the other side of the table. I wholeheartedly agree with him that public service is one of the best ways to give back to your community.

Speaking as a former newspaper editor and reporter, and now as a member of Borough Council, I have one question to ask of Meade: What are you going to do with your Thursday nights now? Enjoy your retirement!

Borough police celebrate 100 years of service to community

On Nov. 17, 1911, Elizabethtown Borough Council authorized the first municipal police department for the community. Last week, the department celebrated by issuing a new patch to commemorate a century of service to the borough.

After Borough Council's meeting Thursday, Police Chief Jack Mentzer and invited guests, including former police chiefs and mayors, and other invited guests, gathered for a brief ceremony during which the chief unveiled the patch.

Mentzer said the idea for the patch originated with an officer in the department after he took over as police chief about five years ago. When it dawned on him that he might be in charge of the department during its centennial, he agreed to designing a new patch.

Mentzer worked with the local design firm Rice & Rice to develop and design the patch.

In remarks, Mentzer said, "In my 30 years with Elizabethtown Borough and the police department I have had the privilege of working with dozens of people. Many of them are in this room tonight. ... You have laid the foundation of excellence and service that continues within the department today.

Mentzer with Mayor Chuck Mummert

"But let us not forget, the 'thing' that is more important than any ne of us in this room tonight, this 'thing' was an idea that was forged 100 years ago by Borough Council. It promoted the ideals of service to our community and the noble concepts of 'service before self' and 'service with integrity.' This 'thing,' we call the Elizabethtown Police department' will continue to serve the community, long after we in the room are gone. May it always be the epitome of professionalism and an example to all through service and integrity."

Former Mayor Ken Reighard, circa 1970s

Mike Rice, left, of Rice & Rice designed the patch.

Former mayor, councilman receives O'Connor Public Service Award

Former Elizabethtown Mayor and Councilman Ken Reighard received the Vincent W. O'Connor Public Service Award at the Elizabethtown Chamber of Commerce's annual dinner Friday, March 26.

A lifelong resident of the borough, Ken served Elizabethtown's municipal government for more than 30 years as mayor and a member of council. (Here's a bit of trivia: Ken was mayor during the emergency at Three Mile Island in 1979.) During those years, he also was a director with the Elizabethtown Area Water Authority, a member of the Planning Commission, the Parks Commission and the Civil Service Commission.

Ken retired from public service about two and a half years ago after deciding not to run for Borough Council again because of health concerns.

I can give credit to Ken for my being elected to Borough Council after his decision not to run again. I met him initially in 1999 when I served as editor of the Elizabethtown Chronicle and covered Borough Council. Later, when I realized that he and I attend the same church, Christ Church United Church of Christ, we connected more frequently and often discuss local politics. 

After having served on the Elizabethtown Zoning Hearing Board for nearly four years, I remember Ken approaching me in church one Sunday morning.

"Jeff, I'd like you to replace me on Borough Council," he said.

Replacing wasn't the right word to describe someone who committed so much of his life to serving the community. Consider that Ken's civic service also includes involvement with the Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club, American Legion and the VFW. He was a charter member of Willowood Swim Club where he served as director for several years. And at Christ Church, he served as a trustee, deacon, elder and consistory president.

And that's why Borough Council selected him to receive the 2010 O'Connor Award. The dedication to making Elizabethtown a better place is something we all talk about and want for our community. Ken actually made that happen over the second half of the 20th century, and for that I -- and I think I can say the rest of Borough Council -- am eternally grateful.

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Here is some additional biographical information about Ken Reighard:

He graduated from Elizabethtown High School in 1949 and completing his higher education at Central Penn Business College and Elizabethtown College. In 1952, he enlisted in the Army and was deployed to Korea. After the war he returned to Elizabethtown where he eventually became manager and owner of Shearer’s Furniture Store and Bob’s Flower Shop.  Before retiring in 1995, he was vice president of Mutual Inspection Bureau.

Ken and his wife, Clara (Betz), had three children, son Ted, daughter Shirley Byron and son Kim (deceased), five grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.