Officials recall 9/11 by lauding first responders

Hopewell Township Committee and Pennington Borough Council adopt resolution stating that Sept. 11 (today) is to be known as “Recognition Day”

By John Tredrea, Staff Writer
   About 35 uniformed police, fire-fighting and emergency medical service personnel who work throughout Hopewell Valley attended Monday night’s Hopewell Township Committee meeting, where officials adopted a resolution stating that Sept. 11 (today) is to be known as “Recognition Day.”
   A similar resolution was adopted by Pennington Borough Council Monday night.
   The resolution states that “the terrorist attack on Sept. 11, 2001 claimed the lives of hundreds of firefighters, law enforcement officers and EMS personnel,” who are all First-Responders. Many of them are volunteers. The resolution also honors paid first responders and all community volunteers.
   ”First call responders, township community service organizations and resident volunteers continue to provide a high level of public service to our community, as well as to communities across the nation and around the globe,” the resolution states. “These unsung heroes deserve recognition for their commitment and personal sacrifice, and for preserving the peace and well-being of all humanity.”
   All three Valley fire chiefs attended the Township Committee meeting: Andrew Kintzel of Union (based in Titusville), David Pinelli of Pennington and William Springer of Hopewell Borough.
   Chief Springer is also a captain with the Hopewell Township police. Chiefs Pinelli and Kintzel are among the numerous first responders who are continuing long family traditions. Chief Pinelli’s brother Douglas Pinelli, now a Pennington police officer, is a former fire chief in Pennington. The brothers’ father, Michael Pinelli, was a fire chief for many years several decades back. Mr. Kintzel also is the son of a former fire chief, Donald Kintzel, whose mother Anna Kintzel will be honored by a local church Sept. 21 for a remarkable volunteer career (see separate story).
   Also at the meeting were township police Chief George Meyer and his predecessor, Michael Chipowsky, now chairman of the township’s Board of Fire Commissioners.
   Those present for the photo that accompanies this account represent the Hopewell Township Police Department, Fire Districts of Hopewell Borough, Pennington Borough and Hopewell Township, Pennington Fire Company, Hopewell Fire Department and Emergency Medical Unit, Union Fire Company and Rescue Squad, and the Pennington First Aid Squad.
   Also on hand were Lance Maloney, Mark Blackwell, Matt Martin, Bill Naylor, Chris Naylor, Debbie Burd, Kirk Schmidt, Joshua Wilson, Heather Varrasse, Rose Novak, Bill Butler, Norman Feil, Aaron Verguson, Bob Wilson, Gavin Nelson, Rob Bailey, Doug Moore, Joseph Lenarski, Ian Malik, John Schafer, JD Moore, Andrew Fosina, Joe Novak, Ike Peck, Dave Hunt, John Novak, Pete Mancini, Matt Peck, Neil Hunt, Andrew Wycoff and Chris Jones.