25 ¢
the voice of the abingtons abingtonsuburban.com | oct.6, 2016
Sample shorts and featurs at the Belin Film Festival |PAGE 3
Abington Community Library will hold its fall book sale |PAGE 5
Abington Heights hosted the girls JV doubles tennis tournament |PAGE 11
StEPPinG Down
Clarks Summit mayor makes ‘bittersweet decision’ By Josh McAuliffe
tion of having accomplished a lot in her years serving the borough, both as mayor sPeciAl To The ABiNGToN suBuRBAN and previously as a councilwoman. From her first day as mayor, Lawler Patty Lawler got into politics with the was big on the idea of “community idea that she could enthusiastically and partnerships.” One she was particularly effectively serve the needs of John Q. proud of was the Lighting of the Town Public. initiative, for which she brought together That philosophy has never wavered, residents from Clarks Summit and other even now as the Clarks Summit mayor prepares to leave public service — at least parts of the Abingtons to raise more than $10,000 for new downtown lights. for the near future. Among some of the other initiatives Lawler, the borough’s mayor since she spearheaded were the borough’s 2014, officially stepped down from her post at the end of the Wednesday, Oct. 5, Earth Day celebration, the Mayor’s Brunch, a phone book recycling program borough council meeting. at Clarks Summit Elementary School and The reason is a simple matter of gethe establishment of a downtown “pocket ography. Lawler recently sold her house and will be moving into a rental home in park,” which, she proudly noted, required no taxpayer dollars. Clarks Green. The state’s borough code “That was an example of revitalization stipulates that mayors must reside in the done with a good spirit of generosity and municipality they represent. Lawler had every intention of serving making things better,” Lawler, a recent recipient of the Rotary Club of the Abingout her term, which runs through 2017, but didn’t anticipate her home selling so tons’ 4-Way Test Award for community quickly. A dog owner, she also had a hard service, said. Lawler was a vocal cheerleader for time finding pet-friendly rental properthe downtown business community. ties in Clarks Summit. The welcome baskets she handed out to “It was a bittersweet decision,” said Lawler, a retired Lakeland School District every new homeowner in the borough were filled with coupons from retailers. teacher. “I would have loved to have An avid gardener, she also encouraged a served until the end.” That said, she leaves with the satisfac- number of businesses to install curbside flower boxes and planters. Perhaps the thing Lawler is most proud of, however, is the borough’s commitment to public safety. As mayor, the borough police department fell under her purview. Luckily, she said, Chief Chris Yarns and his officers made it easy for her. TS_CNG/SUBURBAN/PAGES [S01] | 10/05/16
12:31 | CORNELLCHR
Patty Lawler has resigned from her post as mayor of Clarks Summit.
“It was the best experience of my life. I had a great chief and a great police staff,” she said. “The police department was the wind beneath my wings.” A warm and bubbly presence, Lawler also relished her daily interactions with borough residents, whether addressing a problem for them or just hearing out an idea they wanted to share. It gave her “a real sense of purpose.” Lawler said she’ll continue to offer input to borough officials after she leaves her post and moves to the town next door. Asked whether she might be
interested in running for office in Clarks Green, she said she intends to take a rest and make more time for traveling and hobbies. She said she’ll keep her options open as far as future political plans go. Whatever she ends up doing, Lawler can take satisfaction in the fact that she successfully fulfilled her dream of holding public office. “I want people to know that I appreciated their support all the time all these years,” she said. “You can’t do anything alone. You have to work cooperatively and be a community.”