A 20-year veteran made it into the mayoral hall of fame while an incumbent and a Democratic newcomer took their places at the dais during the Allentown Borough Council’s Jan. 5 reorganization meeting.
“As a new member, I look forward to effecting change with my counterparts wherever feasible,” Anthony later told the Examiner.
Mayor Stuart Fierstein, incumbent Councilman Michael Schumacher and Councilwoman Angela Anthony, a 13-year resident who holds posts in a number of community organizations, were sworn in to their respective posts at the start of the meeting.
As Fierstein was sworn in for his sixth, four-year term as mayor, resident Jill Abrams read a letter from Gov. Chris Christie, lauding Fierstein for his years of service to the borough and informing him of his induction into the New Jersey State League of Municipalities Mayors’ Hall of Fame.
“Over the past 20 years, your leadership has helped Allentown to flourish and thrive through changes in the state and national economy,” Christie wrote. “You should be proud of your dedication to improving the borough for its current residents, while keeping alive its vibrant history.”
The Hall of Fame honors mayors who have committed a substantial number of years to their municipalities, with mayors serving 10 to 20 years designated as silverlevel inductees and mayors with more than 20 years under their belts, like Fierstein, inducted as gold-level members.
When the council got down to business, members voted for Schumacher to again serve as council president. The councilman, who is beginning his seventh, three-year term, thanked them for their vote of confidence.
Anthony, a Realtor who serves as a youth group leader and deacon at Allentown Presbyterian Church and is a member of the PTA, has become the lone Democrat on the governing body, although she said she has no intentions on drawing party lines.
“My decision to run for councilwomanwas not party based,” she told the Examiner. “I ran singularly for the opportunity to make a contribution to our township.”
Anthony stuck by sentiments shared during her campaign when asked about her goals on the council.
“One of my goals is to be an asset in building upon the town council’s communication infrastructure process,” she said. “The intents are to encourage more community involvement through active dialogue.”
The governing body also voted at the meeting to adopt temporary budgets for the current fund, water and sewer utilities, and open space, along with voting to appoint officials to various posts within the borough.
Council meetings will remain at their regularly scheduled second and fourth Tuesdays of each month, with the exception of several meetings being held on Thursdays. These are Jan. 19, Sept. 13 and 27, Dec. 27 and Jan. 3, 2013.