Home » Hopewell Township honors its long-term volunteers, Mayor Julie Blake, and Committee member Kristin McLaughlin for their service to the community

Hopewell Township honors its long-term volunteers, Mayor Julie Blake, and Committee member Kristin McLaughlin for their service to the community

by Community Contributor

On December 20, 2021, Hopewell Township Mayor Julie Blake and the Township Committee honored volunteers on boards, committees, and commissions who have served 10 or more years. Each person received a certificate of appreciation and a commemorative 2021 quarter depicting “Washington Crossing the Delaware,” sealed in a case. Citizen volunteers play a critical role in service to the Hopewell Valley community. We have six Advisory Committees who provide input and counsel on Affordable Housing, Open Space priorities, Deer Management, Senior Services, Recreation, and Agricultural preservation. Additional, volunteers serve on the Environmental and Historic Preservation Commissions, the Planning Board, and the Zoning Board of Adjustment. Hopewell Township has nearly 100 people serving the Township and we are thankful that they have volunteered their time, talent and service to our community. 

The list of honorees who have served for 10 years or more:

Zoning Board of Adjustment

William Cane – 2002 – 2021 – 19 years

Planning Board

Karen Murphy – 2003 – 2021 – 19 years

Paul Kiss – 2009 – 2021 – 13 years

Russell Swanson – 2002 – 2021 – 18 years

Environmental Commission

George Kerr – 1997 – 2021 – 25 years

Michael Aucott – 1999 – 2021 – 23 years

Rex Parker – 2000 – 2021 – 22 years

Nora Sirbaugh – 2007 – 2021 – 15 years

James Gambino – 2008 – 2021 – 14 years

Historic Preservation Commission

Max Hayden – 2000 – 2021 – 22 years

Richard Hunter – 1999-2003, 2004-2007, 2018-2021 – 10 years

Board of Health Advisory Committee

Michael Rothwell – 2007 – 2021 – 15 years

Affordable Housing Committee

Christine Herman – 2005 – 2021 – 17 years

Timothy Keenan – 2011 – 2021 – 11 years

Lauren Williams – 2009 – 2021 – 13 years

Open Space Advisory Committee

Kurt Vollherbst – 2009 – 2021 – 13 years

Judy Clarke – 2011 – 2021 – 11 years

Carol Kleis – 2002 – 2021 – 20 years

Alan Hershey – 2001 – 2021 – 21 years

Agricultural Advisory Committee

Lucia Huebner – 2001 – 2021 – 21 years

George Sciarrotta – 2012 – 2021 – 10 years

Recreation Advisory Committee

Kurt Vollherbst – 2009 – 2021 – 13 years

Mike Chipowsky – 2008 – 2021 – 14 years

Deer Management Advisory Committee

William Cane – 2011 – 2021 – 11 years

Michael Van Clef – 2011 – 2021 – 11 years

John Piepzak – 2012 – 2021 – 10 years

Later in the meeting, a Joint Legislative Resolution from Senator Shirley Turner and Assembly Members Verlina Reynolds-Jackson and Anthony Verelli was presented by the Committee to Mayor Blake, paying tribute to her for her record of service to Hopewell Township, her leadership, and commitment. 2021 was a difficult year and, as Mayor, she rose to the occasion by providing guidance through COVID, promoting responsible budgets, encouraging future leaders, and more, always with the goal of listening to all perspectives and uplifting those who are disadvantaged in the community. Each member of the committee, County Commissioner Nina Melker, and several members of the public paid tribute to Mayor Blake and Committee Member Kristin McLaughlin, who both will be moving on in 2022 -Blake will return to life as a private citizen and McLaughlin has been elected to serve as a County Commissioner.

Members of the Township Committee pose with some of the Township volunteers.

Submitted by Hopewell Township

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