I was sworn in as mayor of Clarks Green Borough on Feb. 16 at a ceremony officiated by Judge Bisignani Moyle at the Lackawanna Courthouse in Scranton. It was indeed a solemn event. The borough council suffered an enormous loss and residents and family are still grieving the sudden death of a beloved mayor…Bill Thorburn.

After the ceremony, I immediately went to the borough building to meet the office staff and DPW and found all so warm and welcoming, quite similar to the council members who appointed me the evening before. It appears Bill Thorburn’s spirit will always surround us. I remain grateful for this opportunity to serve the residents of Clarks Green.

I’ve enjoyed visiting our banks, our churches, our businesses and schools. I’ve walked (with my dog, Gracie) through the neighborhoods. Clarks Green Borough is “a charmer” nestled within the Abingtons.

I’ve had great opportunities to mingle among the people as the new mayor. Here’s a slice of my calendar:

Feb. 20 — Our Lady of Snows (my home parish) began its “Pivotal Players” movie series. The first presentation was an excellent film featuring the life and times of Saint Francis of Assisi. The attendance was “standing room only.”

March 3 — The Waverly Lodge on North Abington Road held its annual “Soup Sale.” Having purchased my soup, I sat down with some fine members of the Lodge, who shared the history of Clarks Green Borough. I enjoyed them and the soup was great, too.

March 16 — I was delighted to attend the stage production at the Assembly of God Church on North Abington Road. “Sonrise” played to an appreciative audience. The acting, singing, choreography, staging and scenery were professional by all standards.

March 29 — Clarks Green United Methodist Church provided a unique experience. The congregation prepared “stations of meditation” throughout the church. Encouraging private meditation, the church was dark except for candlelight. Instrumental music played softly.

March 30 — I went to the “Soup Sale” at the United Methodist Church on the Morgan Highway. Loriann Kerber, choral director of The Wally Gordon Singers, waited on me. The Singers are rehearsing for their spring concert and this reminded me to check my calendar. Their concerts are wonderful — such talent, such joy, such refreshments.

April 5 — I could not miss the opportunity to support Boy Scout Troop #251. The spaghetti supper was everything you could imagine … homemade sauce, gourmet desserts and Boy Scouts as waiters.

My first proclamation was a Certificate of Achievement honoring Winter Olympic champion Adam Rippon. Each council member signed the document and off it went to Adam with good wishes from his hometown.

The entire sitting council joins me in congratulating the Abington Comets basketball team. Bringing home a state championship was awesome. Credit to the coaches, the players and the entire Abington School District. (More on this in my next column)

SAVE THE DATE

Saturday, May 19 — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Clarks Green Borough Council will host “Let’s Go Green in Clarks Green.” The festival is a community celebration of recycling, reusing and reducing.” More information is coming.

I will have office hours every Tuesday, starting June 3, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Clarks Green Borough Building.

Lawler
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/web1_ABJ-Lawler.jpg.optimal.jpgLawler

From the

mayor’s desk

Patty Lawler

Reach the Abington Journal newsroom at 570-587-1148 or by email at news@theabingtonjournal.com.