Benzak's Former Opponent is Likely Successor
Abington Commissioner Les Benzak, who stepped down last month, will likely be replaced by the man he ran against in 2005.
When Abington Commissioner Les Benzak announced that he was stepping down at the last board of commissioners meeting, he probably didn’t know that his likely successor — and former opponent — would speak up following his remarks.
According to a reliable source, North Hills resident Stephen Kalinoski will likely replace Benzak as Commissioner for Ward 6. Kalinoski, speaking to Patch on Wednesday, confirmed this.
Kalinoski said members of the board have spoken to him about the possibility of being Commissioner for Ward 6; he met with members of the board two nights after Benzak announced that he was stepping down.
Kalinoski, a North Hills resident, and Republican committeeperson, ran against Benzak in the general election in November 2005 — and it was close.
Following Benzak’s remarks, during the public comment section of the meeting, Kalinoski wished Benzak well.
But Kalinoski said that wasn’t the reason stayed for the end of the meeting.
Kalinoski, the vice president of Citizens and Police Together (CAPT), said that he attended the meeting to invite the commissioners to the 24-Hour Relay Challenge.
“That’s why I went there,” Kalinoski said. “[Benzak] didn’t know I was there. I ran against him six years ago. I thought I lost by less than 60 [votes] but Les said it was 60, so we’ll go with that,” he said with a laugh.
Kalinoski said he ran for the Ward 6 seat in 2005 because one of his neighbors was living in a condemned house; the situation involved a lot of interaction with township officials and he said, “I realized I could do more in my own ward if I was a commissioner.”
On Benzak stepping down, Kalinoski said, “I was kind of shocked [but] there was a big rumor that he had already moved.”
And on Benzak’s tenure, Kalinoski said, “I think he did OK … he did good and he did what he could do. He did answer calls and he did well; he was involved in the community.”
Kalinoski is involved in the community as well. Five years go he took over as the general manager of the North Penn VFW, Post 676. He said it was going bankrupt at the time, but has since turned around.
“The [VFW] board wasn’t sure which way it was going to go — I believe it’s a landmark of our community,” he said.
And what issues does he think are important in Ward 6?
“I think it’s important to reach out to the community — getting to know what people need,” Kalinoski said. “I know traffic and speeding are a concern. We have [several] major streets in Ward 6 — Jenkintown Road, Limekiln Pike and Edge Hill Road. I’d like to see traffic safety improved and I want to be involved and reachable in the community.”
The next Abington Board of Commissioners meeting is Thursday, June 14.
Drink the Koolaid
12:40 pm on Friday, June 1, 2012
Nothing against Mr. Kalinoski, but isn't it customary when a seat is vacated by resignation to appoint a person from the same political party as the person who stepped down?
Leonard Dykstra
6:57 pm on Friday, June 1, 2012
Nothing against Mr. Koolaid, but are you providing legitimate political commentary about local (make believe) politics?
Victor B. Krievins
2:38 pm on Sunday, June 3, 2012
How much remains on your prison term Dykstra? You are not a model citizen in anyway.
Michael O'Connor
4:26 pm on Saturday, June 2, 2012
After reading your story I called the Democratic Commissioners to see if they were at that meeting with Mr. Kalinoski. They were not. Apparently Mr. Kalinoski met with the 8 Republican Commissioners. After serving 16 years on the Board as a Commissioner, this could be a violation of the "Sunshine Law". When Commissioner Michael Gillespie passed away in office, we were told that since Mike was a Republican that a Republican should be appointed. But I guess that only pertains to Republicans.
Marc L.
10:38 pm on Sunday, June 3, 2012
This sounds awfully shady. Maybe something that should be discussed on the next Abington News & Views. It certainly sounds like the Republican members of the Abington Commissioners called a secret meeting if the facts detailed in this article are indeed true. If so, so much for transparency in government for those Republicans in the Abington Commissioners. I guess it was only a matter of time before they did something to "get back" at the Democratic members for passing the Anti-Discrimination ordinance. And for their sake, I hope it's not a Sunshine Law violation, or maybe we'll be looking for a few more replacements (and I'm not talking about the next election cycle.)
Victor B. Krievins
11:30 pm on Sunday, June 3, 2012
Lombardi you are laughable with your accusations.
Marc L.
10:28 am on Monday, June 4, 2012
What "accusations" am I making? It's clear from the article that Kalinoski confirmed to Patch on Wednesday of last week that members of the board have spoken to him about being Commissioner and that he later met with members of the board two nights Benzak announced he was stepping down.
No Democratic board members met with him. None were told that this meeting was taking place.
If you're unfamiliar with the Sunshine act (and after so many COP members complained about it during the Matthews/Hoeffel administration I can't imagine you are) here's a link to some information on it so you can read up and understand how these actions by the GOP members of the board could be in violation, especially if Kalinoski is their pick: http://palwv.org/lwv/pubs/sunshineact.pdf
Victor B. Krievins
11:25 am on Monday, June 4, 2012
This ia not a comic strip. Please complete all homework or fail
What is COP?
Marc L.
11:48 am on Monday, June 4, 2012
Victor: First of all, you're no Bob Sklaroff, so drop the homework thing. Secondly...COP should have been GOP. Meaning Republicans.
What is "ia"?
Marc L.
12:32 pm on Monday, June 4, 2012
Another thought: If Mr. Kalinoski is appointed (and is done so in the proper & legal fashion) does he serve the full remainder of Les Benzak's term, or does he have to run in the election this coming November against a possible challenger? For that matter...would ANYONE who is appointed have to run again in November even thought that's not when Benzak's term would have ended.
Victor B. Krievins
2:08 pm on Monday, June 4, 2012
You need to stop thinking that you are a super hero right out of your comic strips.
The time has come for you to return to your time out chair. You have failed miserably at attempting to complete your homework assignments for Dr. Sklaroff.
Marc L.
2:50 pm on Monday, June 4, 2012
Victor: What are you even talking about? My homework for Sklaroff? Do you mean the questions he asked me about? The ones I already answered -- to the point where the MENTIONED this. Get out from under that rock you've been living under. Make an original comment for once and stop parroting what the other smarter Republican in the area are saying.
Victor B. Krievins
2:10 pm on Monday, June 4, 2012
Lombardi: You have clearly made accusations i.e. "getting back", "secret meetings" etc.
Marc L.
3:08 pm on Monday, June 4, 2012
Every single one of those statments was made with a pointed qualifier.
"It certainly sounds like the Republican members of the Abington Commissioners called a secret meeting IF THE FACTS DETAILED IN THIS ARTICLE ARE INDEED TRUE."
"IF SO, so much for transparency in government for those Republicans in the Abington Commissioners."
And this following quote was only my tongue-in-cheek opinion -- not a statment of fact the way some of the conspiracy theorists operate around here:
"I guess it was only a matter of time before they did something to 'get back' at the Democratic members for passing the Anti-Discrimination ordinance."
Especially when you consider that a number of Republicans actually voted in favor of the new version of the ordinance when it passed.
Nice try, Victor. Like I said before ...you're no Bob Sklaroff.
Peggy Myers
2:38 pm on Monday, June 4, 2012
At this point in the comments perhaps it would be helpful to share some facts which may end the conjecture and speculation. At no time did Steve Kalinoski meet with 8 Commissioners, nor do I believe the article stated that he did. He met with two Commissioners at a public restaurant; therefore no secret meetings and no violation of the Sunshine Act.
As for the appointment of Carol Gillespie to Commissioner when her husband Mike passed away, she and another resident (whose name escapes me) were nominated. Carol received 8 votes, which is how many votes are required to pass anything on the Abington Board of Commissioners. None of the votes she received were from Commissioners who are registered Democrat.
Lastly, the person who is appointed/elected to fill the Ward 6 Commissioner position will have to run in the next MUNICIPAL election, which is Nov. 2013.
Marc L.
2:52 pm on Monday, June 4, 2012
Thank you for the clarification, Commissioner Myers. Please be sure to congratulate incoming Commissioner Kalinoski on his new role with the township for me when his eventual appointment is made.
Steven Kline
4:03 pm on Monday, June 4, 2012
I do hope the Board of Commissioners does not try to effect the balance of power through the resignation of Commissioner Benzak. It would be unfortunate for the residents of Ward 6 and the entire township if political affiliation was the single motivating factor in this issue (trust me in this situation, unfortunately, it will be). Commissioner Benzak has represented his constituents exceptionally and I would hope his opinion on the matter was sought and weighed heavily. I know I will.
I would think everyone is tired of the same old excuses "Well they did it so we are going to do it (eye for eye)" and look to some elected officials to make decision on what is right for their constituents or the township and not what is right for party. The tension among Commissioners, in these difficult times, has been difficult enough not to have this loaded on top.
It is unfortunate or maybe fortunate, that Mr. Kalinoski couldn't keep his mouth closed, for the residents of Abington to see how some decisions are made on their behalf.
Victor B. Krievins
9:47 am on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Comm Kline is once again only concerned to see that another Democrat fills a vacancy rather than the most qualified candidate. This is rather not surprising since Comm Kline now is the only Abington Commissioner who has elected not to reveal his Political Affiliation on the Township Calender. It is important to have a candidate that will work well with all of the Commissioners. Comm Kline appears to be predetermined not to wish to work with both sides of the political spectrum.
Drink the Koolaid
11:30 am on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
A little lesson in civics for you Victor: Elections have nothing to do with the "most qualified candidate." If they did, we wouldn't have suffered through 8 years with that buffoon GWB as president.
With regard to Mr. Benzak's resignation, the residents of North Hills elected a Democrat for the past 2 terms because the majority of North Hills residents felt Mr. Benzak as a Democrat better represented their interests. In deference to the voters choice in the past 2 elections, Mr. Benzak's position should be filled by a democrat until another election occurs and then the VOTERS get to choose for themselves, not a Board of Commissioners that is ruled by a majority of Republicans.
Victor B. Krievins
9:48 am on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Lombardi, you are no TV Moderator either. You need to go back to your Sunday Funnies.
Marc L.
10:16 am on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Now be nice, Victor. I know you're upset that Tom Kirk hasn't asked you to be on the show. There's no reason to be jealous.
Hey! Remember in May of 2005 when you ran for district court judge and ended up with a meager 1.46% of the vote? That was awesome! Especially since your email address still refers to you as a Judge. HAHAHAHA! I may write comics, but you my friend, are the REAL character.
Marc L.
10:24 am on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Wait...sorry about that Victor. It appears I short-changed you. You actually received 44 votes...a whopping 2.42%,,,as a Democrat. Granted, you came in a very distant 4th place to the other three real candidates for the position.
Maybe Charlie Brown's friend Lucy will take a nickel from you and give you some solid advice on what to do for your next campaign.
Marc L.
10:29 am on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Wait...got ahead of myself there. I see what happened. You were on BOTH ballots and got 1.46% from the Republicans and 2.42% from the Democrats. So that actually works out to 1.89% of the vote.
Hmmm..unfortunately for you Victor, I don't think that makes you the right kind of "1%"-er.
Better luck next time "Judge" Krievins.
Victor B. Krievins
11:06 am on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Back to your time out chair Lombardi. Learn some real manners little boy.
Marc L.
11:09 am on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Getting a lesson on manners from you is like getting a lesson on nutrition from Paula Deen.
Victor B. Krievins
11:18 am on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Go play in traffic little man. You could not win an election if you were the only one running. You being on the Kirk show is laughable. Again, learn some real manners.
Marc L.
11:34 am on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Point of fact: I won a special election when I became a committee-person for ward 11-1.
Also -- "Go play in traffic"? That's witty!
Marc L.
1:28 pm on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
I'd love to continue our conversation further on the matter, Vic, but I have to get ready for another taping this evening of OFF THE RECORD. I'll be moderating again in case you were wondering. Let Ed Boyd and Robert Sklaroff know if there's anything that you want them to say as your proxy.
Victor B. Krievins
11:12 am on Thursday, June 7, 2012
Your Sarcasism is unreal as is your Huge Ego,
Victor B. Krievins
2:19 pm on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
First of all, I speak for myself! Fortunately, you will be on the TV so I can turn it OFF! The show should be renamed "Off the Wall", Starring Marc Lombardi. I really thought "Laugh In" was taken off the air many years ago. Tom Kirk should be worried about his ratings dropping due to a Super Egotist such as yourself running his hard work into the ground. Everyone I spoke with thus far has indicated that Dr. Robert Sklaroff deserves an Emmy Award and you are to receive the fickled finger of fate award. Please remember that you may only be on the show if you have completed all your homework assignments and eaten all your peas and carrots. I did ask time Tom to supply a "Time Out Chair" for you as you will no doubt be sent there once again. Bob Sklaroff only appears on the show so that at least something is worthwhile to watch.
Marc L.
10:12 pm on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Victor: Tonight's taping went really well. I hope you watch it when it airs on Comcast 190 at the end of the month. There's a part at the end that may be of particular interest to you and I'd love to hear your thoughts.