Intelligencer Journal/Lancaster New Era

Manor fills vacant supervisor post
BY RICHARD REITZ, Correspondent

The chairman of the Manor Township Zoning Hearing Board was appointed Jan. 15 to the board of supervisors after the unexpected resignation of Richard Bauder.

John Wenzel, president and CEO of C-B Tool and Lancaster Pump Division, will serve in Bauder's place through the end of 2013.

Bauder was mid-way through his second term as supervisor when he submitted his resignation on Jan. 8. His resignation was accepted shortly before Wenzel was nominated and approved at the board's organizational meeting.

The resignation "was certainly a surprise for me," township Manager Barry Smith Jan. 15. "There was no indication that he was planning to leave. He just felt it was time."

Smith said Bauder "was a valuable contributor to the township."

Bauder, in his brief resignation letter, said his decision was based on time constraints that would make serving as a supervisor difficult.

"I will be engaged in professional and personal interests leaving insufficient time to effectively continue to serve as township supervisor," Bauder wrote.

Wenzel's selection to the board was approved by a 3-1 vote, with John May casting the opposing vote.

May said his vote was an expression of support for Scott Haverstick, chairman of the township's planning commission who had also expressed an interest in the open supervisor position.

"I know that John Wenzel will make a fine supervisor," May said. "But I believe that Scott Haverstick would be a fine supervisor as well."

May nominated Haverstick as a political independent who often challenges the status quo, a trait May said can sometimes create uncomfortable situations.

"But this job is not about being comfortable," May said. "We need good debate to make good decisions. It makes us better."

Supervisor Allen Kreider said he gave serious consideration to both candidates. "Until 3 p.m. today, my mind was not made up," he said Tuesday. But a need for unity was what swayed him to support Wenzel. "This is a rewarding but tough job, and unity within the supervisors in making decisions is an important part of the position."

 Also Jan. 15, the board elected Brandon Clark to serve as chairman. He replaces May, who has led the supervisors as chairman since 2002.

"This is my last year as a supervisor," May said of his decision to step down as chairman. "Plus, I think it's healthy to have a change at the chairman position every once in awhile."

Clark is a relative newcomer to the board, just completing his first year as supervisor. He had previously served as a member of the zoning hearing board.

Supervisor Jay Breneman was re-elected as vice chairman. Smith was re-appointed secretary-treasurer.

The organizational meeting was scheduled for Jan. 8, the same day that Bauder submitted his resignation. The meeting was postponed to Jan. 15 due to a lack of a quorum.