Allentown councilman resigns

Peter Pantages steps down after 16 years of service to borough

By: Cynthia Koons
   ALLENTOWN — After serving as a Borough Council member for 16 years, Peter Pantages resigned Tuesday due to conflicts with his job that would force him to miss regular council meetings.
   At the Jan. 2 reorganization meeting, Mr. Pantages asked not to be re-appointed to the position of council president, which he held for several years. He pointed to his work obligations, which require him to travel frequently to Florida, as the reason for his resignation.
   Mayor Stuart Fierstein said Mr. Pantages estimated he would not be able to attend about five meetings in the coming year.
   "He’s been a good sounding board and has been very communicative," Mayor Fierstein said of his longtime municipal colleague at Tuesday night’s Borough Council meeting. "It’s like breaking up Lone Ranger and Tonto."
   A letter from Mr. Pantages was read at the Borough Council meeting. Mr. Pantages could not attend the meeting or be reached for comment because he was away on business.
   "It was a pleasure to work with (Mr. Pantages)," Councilman David Strobino said. "He was a hard worker and dedicated to the community. He will be sorely missed."
   Mayor Fierstein said he has spent 14 years working with Mr. Pantages on the Borough Council.
   "I will find a deep vacancy within me not having Peter to discuss things with," he said. "We’ve made a number of strides in the past few years."
   He named the acquisition of Heritage Park, the staffing of the Police Department and the building of sidewalks as some of the highlights of Mr. Pantages’ tenure.