Tengler, 32, elected council president

January 08, 2002

Tengler, 32, elected council president

By RICHARD F. BELISLE / Staff Writer, Waynesboro

WAYNESBORO, Pa. - Doug Tengler, a two-year member of the Waynesboro Borough Council, was elected president of the five-member board Monday during its reorganization meeting.

Councilman Chip McCammon was elected vice-president.

Both officers will serve two-year terms.

Tengler succeeds Dick Starliper as president. Starliper decided not to seek re-election in November. Starliper's council seat will be occupied by John Cook, who won the seat in November.

Cook was sworn in Monday night by District Justice Larry Pentz along with re-elected Council members Allen W. Porter, Ardie Winters and McCammon.

Mayor Louis Barlup was also re-elected in November and sworn in Monday.

Vicki Jo Huff, a six-year council member and the board's only woman, and Tengler are half-way through their four-year terms.

Huff said she had expressed interest in the presidency, but was told by several members that they would not support a woman in the top job. Council meetings are run by the president.

All council members, including the president, make $75 a month.

"It was quite obvious that this (Tengler's election to president) was planned," Huff said after the meeting.

Tengler, 32, was nominated by McCammon for president. Tengler, in turn, nominated McCammon for vice president. Both nominations were seconded by Porter.

"Sure we talk," Tengler said when asked if he had done some behind-the-scene politicking. "I just think the council felt comfortable with me as president."

Tengler said some of the big issues the council will face this year are the $1 million-plus renovation of the borough's public swimming facility, Northside Pool. The council will meet with the pool's architect later this month and bids are expected to go out in the spring.

Tengler said construction could start by September and be completed in 15 months. The lion's share of the cost will be paid for with an $850,000 state grant. Another $100,000 is expected to come from Community Development Block Grant money. Some local funds and other grants are expected to make up the difference.

He said he is concerned about the condition of many borough streets, which are deteriorating. "A lot of them are breaking up," he said.

The day-to-day operation of the borough will take a lot of his time, he said.

Tengler, a local accountant, ran unsuccessfully for borough tax collector last year.

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