Macungie Council Names Interim Mayor

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Lehigh County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The man taking over the job of Macungie mayor is a former police chief — no small irony considering the last mayor was perpetually at odds with the borough police chief.

On Monday, Macungie Council appointed Gary Cordner as interim mayor to fill the seat left vacant by Rick Hoffman, who resigned in June and moved out of the borough.

Cordner, who is running for mayor as a Democrat in the November election, was chosen over two other applicants to serve the rest of Hoffman’s term, which expires Dec. 31.

Cordner said he will do his best to be a liaison among council, the community and police Chief Edward Harry.

Read more: http://www.mcall.com/news/local/eastpenn/mc-macungie-new-mayor-0715-20130715,0,6960543.story#ixzz2ZDvstc00
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Macungie Mayor Resigns, Moves Out Of Town

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Lehigh County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Controversial Macungie Mayor Rick Hoffman has officially resigned from his seat and has left the borough, weeks after announcing that he was moving out of town.

Hoffman, 59, who was scheduled to close this week on the sale of his house at 61 S. Sycamore St., submitted his resignation Friday.  Police Chief Edward Harry Jr. said Hoffman, who was at odds with the police force for much of his three-plus year sin office, has left the borough.

Borough Council is expected to accept the resignation at its Monday night meeting.

“Obviously, we are going to miss his oversight and his tutelage between now and the time a new mayor is appointed,” Harry said with a chuckle.  “We’ll try to do the best we can without having his guidance.”

Read more: http://www.mcall.com/news/local/eastpenn/mc-macungie-mayor-hoffman-resignation-20130628,0,6183250.story#ixzz2XcjNewZp 
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Appeals Court Sides With Macungie Mayor In Police Dispute

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Lehigh County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Macungie Mayor Rick Hoffman has scored a victory in a dispute with Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin over control of the borough’s police department, the latest chapter in a costly and acrimonious legal battle.

In a state Commonwealth Court opinion issued Thursday, a seven-judge panel upheld a series of decisions by Lehigh County Judge Michele A. Varricchio, who ruled that Hoffman is the borough’s chief law enforcement officer and that he is entitled to unrestricted access to the police station and its files.

Hoffman was declaring an “across-the-board” victory in a case the judges characterized as “testy litigation” of questionable value to the borough.  Martin called part of the decision pertaining to “sensitive” police records access a victory for his office.

“Once again, I’ve been proven right,” Hoffman said. “I just wish it wouldn’t have gone this far.

Read more:  http://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-macungie-mayor-police-lawsuit-20130103,0,5955787.story

Macungie Councilman Will Resign After Being Charged With Urinating On Neighbor’s Porch

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Lehigh County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A Macungie borough councilman has decided to resign after being charged with open lewdness, disorderly conduct and public drunkenness for allegedly urinating on a neighbor’s porch Friday afternoon.

A police officer was on the unit block of W. Chestnut Street investigating complaints that Linn Walker, 70, had repeatedly urinated on neighboring properties when he observed Walker relieving himself in public about 3:30 p.m., according to Police Chief Edward Harry Jr..

“While the officer was speaking to [residents], Walker exited his home and proceeded to a neighbor’s home at 43 W. Chestnut St. where the officer and the residents witnessed him urinating on the porch pad of that home and a garden hose and gas can lying next to the porch,” Harry wrote in a news release.

Residents had reported seeing Walker urinate outside during daylight hours and in full view of them and their children on numerous occasions, Harry said in the release.

Read more: http://www.mcall.com/news/local/police/mc-macungie-council-member-urinating-20120804,0,1829243.story