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| Nolan in May, just before his illness |
"He was dedicated and always had Bethlehem Township's best interests at heart," said Hanover Township Manager Jay Finnigan, who served with Nolan on the county gaming board. "We will remember him well," added John Diacogiannis, who chairs Hanover's Board of Supervisors. He started Tuesday night's meeting with a moment of silence in remembrance of Nolan.
Nolan served as a Commissioner for 21 years and Planning Commissioner for 26 years. In his long career of public service, he was a member of the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, NorCo Gaming Board, Two Rivers Council of Governments and Bethlehem Area Public Library Board of Trustees.
He graduated from the University of Scranton in 1963 with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, and worked for the Bethlehem Steel. After retiring, he worked for Lehigh Heavy Forge as a project engineer.
He is survived by wife Diane, daughters Erin and Bethany and at least one grandchild.
Nolan was first appointed Commissioner in 1985 and elected in 1987. But he lost by a few votes against Republican Robert Birk in 1991. He switched from Democrat to Republican and toppled Birk in 2003 by 13 votes. He was re-elected in 2007, 2011 and 2015.
During his years as a Commissioner, Nolan was an advocate of the Bethlehem Area Public Library, Community Center and the townships youth sports organization, known as the Bulldogs. He supported Housenick Park, restoration of the Archibald Johnston mansion and opposed the dissolution of a committee that brainstormed different uses. He opposed the development of an active senior community next to Green Pond Marsh, which has been designated by the Audubon Society as an Important Bird Area. He was also a strong advocate of stormwater management, and consistently backed proposals to study ways to mitigate flash flooding.
He tangled frequently with President Michael Hudak, who was often the yin to Nolan's yang. Though they argued, they seemed to have a grudging respect for each other.
Aside from Hudak, the only Commissioner on Bethlehem Township's Board with any institutional knowledge, was Nolan.
They have 30 days to appoint someone to succeed Nolan in Ward #1.
(Blogger's note: This is updated from a previous version published Sep 25 at 7:05 pm.)
9 comments:
Whether you agreed with him or not , he was a dedicated volunteer and attended a large number of meetings. He leaves an enviable history.
The very best they had.
God bless him.
Echoing, 9:29, whether one agreed on every single issue or not, there is no denying that he had a strong sense of civic responsibility; not only with his long service to the township via Planning and the Board, but also in other areas of community life such as his long and active involvement supporting the music programs at Freedom High School. My prayers to his family.
Tom is gone.
God speed and God bless.
Hudak is still here.
God save us.
Leukemia sucks..took my mom and oldest sister. Condolences to his family.
6:50, This is not the time or the place to take shots at anyone.
Tom will be missed. Although we disagreed on many issues, he always had his heart in the right place. I kinda looked up to him as a father figure on the board. My prayers are with him and his family. Tom did have a big heart. I remember seeing him at a shopping store, during the Christmas holiday , ringing his bell collecting for the Salvation Army. That act of helping out his fellow man was a constant in his life. More people should be like Tom, more people should walk in the paths Tom walked. Then this world would be a better place. MZ
I am saddened by Tom’s passing. Tom and I were on the Two Rivers Council of Governments and the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission together and I enjoyed a great working relationship with him. As a BT Commissioner he was also very supportive of the Miracle League of Northampton County. I will miss him. May you Rest In Peace my friend.
Thanks Bob. Miracle League truly is a miracle.
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