Abington Board Selects Stephen Kalinoski to Replace Benzak
The Republican won 8-6 along party lines.
The Abington Board of Commissioners last night selected Republican Stephen Kalinoski to replace Ward 6 Commissioner Les Benzak. Benzak stepped down in May after he announced that he was moving out of the township.
The vote was 8-6, along party lines.
Strangely, Benzak defeated Kalinoski in the race for Ward 6 in 2005.
Just after the board officially accepted Benzak's resignation, Commissioner Wayne Luker read a letter that Benzak submitted to the board. In the letter, Benzak said he supported North Hills resident Francis Earley to be his successor. It reads:
"I have received a number of emails and phone calls over the past month concerning my resignation as of May 25, 2012. Many North Hills and Ardsley residents are concerned about the transparency of the process in which my sucessor will be chosen to represent the seat in Ward 6.
A recent item in Abington Patch suggested that Mr. Stephen Kalinoski will be named as my successor without any input from the residents. I respectfully ask that the board consider Francis Earley to serve the balance of my term ..."
The audience in the board room seemed split down the middle, and some residents seemed bothered by the fact that the board could replace Benzak, a Democrat, with a Republican.
Commissioner Carol Gillespie took a jab at Benzak and many other Democratic commissioners — including commissioners Lori Schreiber, Luker and former commissioners Ernie Peacock and Benzak — for not voting for her three years ago.
Gillespie was nominated for, and ultimately won the seat left by her husband, Commissioner Michael Gillespie, who died three years ago.
“[Michael Gillespie] didn’t leave on a whim, he died,” Gillespie said. “I think there’s a big difference here.
“I think we have to take everything into consideration,” she continued. “I’m just really upset that people could feel they could do that three years ago and then change … I think, what goes around, comes around, to tell the truth.
The comment drew some groans from the audience.
“It is politics — it’s the way it works,” Gillespie added.
Commissioner Steven Kline said he never received a call regarding the Kalinoski nomination. He also said the board should honor Benzak’s recommendation, as he served the Ward well.
“It would be wrong for this board to use [this] opportunity to affect the balance of political power,” Kline said. “A change of political power is something that should be determined by the voters of Ward 6, not us.”
Toward the end of the discussion, President Carol DiJoseph chided Benzak for stepping down and not notifying his constituents.
“I’m not going to sit here and cast dispersions on Benzak — he’s not here to defend himself — but I do believe it was his obligation to inform his constituents," DiJoseph said. "That is something he did not do. That is not our job as commissioners here."
The seat will be up for re-election in November 2013.
Abington solicitor Rex Herder said it was the board's duty to fill the seat within 30 days.
Drink the Koolaid
9:18 am on Friday, June 15, 2012
Sad to see democracy is dead in Abington. No respect for your own residents who voted for a Democrat when they went to the ballot boxes, instead you (the other members of the Board whom the residents of North Hills did not vote for) put your party ahead of the wishes of the voters.
Pat McGroin
9:26 am on Friday, June 15, 2012
Not the end of the world. I think we will all survive. Congrats Strve
Drink the Koolaid
9:30 am on Friday, June 15, 2012
I don't disagree. I don't think it's the end of the world, either, nor do I have anything against Mr. Kalinoski, I have a problem with the process (or lack thereof) and the disregard for the wishes of the voters.
Marc L.
9:31 am on Friday, June 15, 2012
I am shocked -- SHOCKED -- that the GOP controlled Board of Commissioners took the opportunity to grow the Board even more in their favor. The Republicans are taking back the Board through attrition (something that was discussed with the other panelists tonight on Abington News & Views OFF THE RECORD -- airing 7pm on Comcast 190). What they cannot do, however, is stop the vote when it comes in 2013 from swinging the township into the favor of Democrats. Let them have their time. Like Commissioner Gillespie said -- "what goes around comes around" and voters will remember that when she and other members of the board are up for re-election in a year or so.
That GOP party -- transparent as duct tape.
Robert B. Sklaroff, M.D.
9:36 am on Friday, June 15, 2012
My comments last night were as follows:
1. Rules differ between the Special Election [where each party proposes a candidate] and this situation; the ultimate remedy, here, is the ballot-box.
2. The current rules essentially explain why Ms. Dean [a D] hasn't resigned her current position, anticipating replacement by an R; if she is perceived as not able to have accomplished either/both tasks adequately, the ultimate remedy is the ballot-box.
In these regards, I concur with Marc...although the outcome next year is far from pre-ordained!
Victor B. Krievins
10:09 am on Friday, June 15, 2012
Lombardi, please get over your "shock". Learn to live with it. After all, we are all living with the fact that Obama is the President of the United States.
Victor B. Krievins
10:06 am on Friday, June 15, 2012
Congratulations Steve Kalinosli. You are the right person for the job regardless of your political party. I look forward to working with you!
Tom Kirk
10:07 am on Friday, June 15, 2012
The battle continues tonight as local Democrats & Republicans face-off again in another TABLE POUNDING -FINGER POINTING -SHOUTING MATCH don't miss this Patch Bloggers slugfest scheduled for broadcast:
Friday June 15th at 7 pm
Sunday June 17th at 3 pm
Monday June 18th at 7pm
Tuesday June 19th at 7pm
Wednesday June 20th at 7pm
Only Abington News & Views Comcast Ch190
Victor B. Krievins
10:20 am on Friday, June 15, 2012
Unfortunately, nothing but a battle of one persons big ego.
Marc L.
11:07 am on Friday, June 15, 2012
Victor loves me. He's my biggest fan!
Drink the Koolaid
10:30 am on Friday, June 15, 2012
Victor, correct me if I'm wrong, but Obama was ELECTED president of the United States, whether you like it or not. Mr. Kalinoski was not elected to anything. He was appointed by other Commissioners (whom the residents of North Hills did not vote for) in a strict party-line vote.
Robert B. Sklaroff, M.D.
10:58 am on Friday, June 15, 2012
@ drink
If you would wish to alter the rules, your remedy is in harrisburg.
Robert B. Sklaroff, M.D.
11:05 am on Friday, June 15, 2012
@ tom
I suspect the viewers will agree that, just like last month, there was little left unsaid...regarding issues national, state, county and local...and that the result was an admixture of content/style.
Stephanie McKenna
5:07 pm on Friday, June 15, 2012
I'd like to know what the phrase "pass dispersion" means. Never heard that one before, Carol DiJoseph.
Made-up phrases aside, it would have been nice to put it to a vote to the residents of Ward 6. You can bet I'll be casting my ballot in November '13.
Mischa Arnosky
5:34 pm on Friday, June 15, 2012
I'll 'pass dispersions' on myself for typing too quickly. DiJoseph said 'cast dispersions.' My apologies.
Robert B. Sklaroff, M.D.
6:11 pm on Friday, June 15, 2012
How 'bout "cast ASPERSIONS"?
Snoopy 6
6:12 pm on Friday, June 15, 2012
Shock?/ Hardly unless you are an ostrich or from another planet. The whole process went exactly according to the First Class Township Code. Would it have been different if the Democrats were the majority? I think not. The play for mike Gillespie's seat set the tone.
It all could have been much cleaner had Mr Benzak 'manned up' and faced the constituents that he supposedly loved so much instead of slinking out of town and resigning at the last minute. He had plently of time to do it right several weeks/months in advance.
It is done! It's over and Lora will probably make her inane comments for two months. The residents of Ward 6 have 18 months to determine if Steve Kalinoski is worthy. i think they will be pleasantly surprised.
Robert B. Sklaroff, M.D.
6:27 pm on Friday, June 15, 2012
@ Snoopy
Your reference to "LEL" [Lora E. Lehman] raises many thoughts/feelings, inasmuch as it appears that she has achieved a degree of self-marginalization previously felt impossible to envision.
As I said after she asked for the resignation of Chief Kelly, she has failed to state specifically what "crime" he has committed...beyond defending his Department during a meeting of the Public Affairs Committee.
Indeed, it appears that her opinions regarding myriad issues [zoning, Kalinoski, Alverthorpe] have not been sustained.
This is not to claim that minority views should be ignored; rather, it does not appear that she has cogently argued her viewpoints...despite having provided ample opportunity [in-writing & orally] to have done so.
It may be wise for her to ponder pursuing an attitudinal-readjustment....
Mischa Arnosky
6:21 pm on Friday, June 15, 2012
@ Dr. Sklaroff. Yes, that phrase would be best.
Victor B. Krievins
6:23 pm on Friday, June 15, 2012
If Lora makes her "sky is falling" comments for only two months we should consider ourselves very lucky.
John Monaghan
8:22 pm on Friday, June 15, 2012
As I mentioned last night, the Board was compelled to act within a 30 day window of Benzak's resignation. The Board did its' job. As you look across the political spectrum there are many instances of appointments made by the party in the majority or the governor (if it is the U.S. Senate). I am certain that if the Democrats controlled the board they would surely vote in a member of their own party. That's politics plain and simple. The voters will have the chance at the next municipal election to decide if Kalinoski stays or is replaced by a Dem. The idea that the state, county or township would have a special election in 2 or 3 precincts due to death, resignation, etc. is not practical. There would be a blizzard of "mini elections" across the county every time a minor elected official leaves their post. That's why there are rules in place for townships to deal with situations such as this. Know that anytime someone feels that Kalinoski got in through a "back door" know that there are just as many people who say that it is not appropriate for State Rep Dean to continue to sit on the board. Both situations are almost pure politics.....sometimes that's the game that is played.
Robert B. Sklaroff, M.D.
2:08 am on Saturday, June 16, 2012
As I noted earlier, "the ultimate remedy is the ballot-box"; awareness of this fact should assuage the angst of the D's who are disgruntled. In the interim, there is an individual in-place to represent the interests of his constituents.
As was also noted, "it was his obligation to inform his constituents"; awareness of this fact should make the anguished-D's take-pause. In the interim, they may wish to inquire of Benzak why he delayed notification of his plans until a fortnight prior to his voluntary relocation.
And, BTW, the overt politization of this event [" 'It would be wrong for this board to use [this] opportunity to affect the balance of political power,' Kline said."] is inaccurate, for the "balance" was NOT affected in the process.
Elsa Stutman
8:33 pm on Friday, June 15, 2012
Krevins and Sklaroff are so rabidly Republican that anything they say shoud be seen as partisan . What did you expect from the Board? It has and always will be a partisan fight there but wait till NoVember 2013-the people are getting fed up and will turn out the ins again. Elsa Stutman
Robert B. Sklaroff, M.D.
12:10 am on Saturday, June 16, 2012
@ Elsa
If you read what I write here and say on "news and views," you will be disabused of your biased posture; pick an issue....
Kathy Adlam
10:18 am on Sunday, March 24, 2013
Elsa, I consider myself to be a Republican (rabidly or otherwise), but I find the comments left by BOTH parties to be petty and childish. People should worry about the good of the community, not the good of Democrats or Republicans. Seriously, the finger-pointing and name-calling throughout these blogs is astounding.
Brendan J Kirk
7:03 am on Saturday, June 16, 2012
I have Verizon,Is there any way for me to view Abington News and Views ?
Robert B. Sklaroff, M.D.
8:56 am on Saturday, June 16, 2012
YES, albeit delayed.
This is a discussion of last month's escapade:
http://abington.patch.com/articles/tv-snippet-abington-patch-bloggers#video-9927226
This is the entire set of videos encompassing last month's escapade:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Jfwe8FhBLE&feature=youtu.be
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0YVTQ02Jds&feature=youtu.be
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEOlLMI7lzs&feature=youtu.be
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J16hYslowlg&feature=youtu.be
Tom Kirk
8:33 am on Saturday, June 16, 2012
Abington News & Views only broadcasts on Comcast Ch190. The June episode of "off the Record" will be uploaded to YouTube on Monday contact newsandviews@earthlink.net for a link.
Tom
Tom Kirk
Executive Producer
Abington News & Views
215-884-9441