West Lebanon Township seeks applicants for vacant commissioner position

The Lebanon County Court of Common Pleas has been tasked by West Lebanon Township to fill a township commissioner position left vacant by the resignation of a recently elected board member.

Republican Tina M. Houser was elected to the position in November, edging out Democrat Richard J. Pflueger by just a few votes. According to meeting minutes, Houser’s resignation was accepted by commissioners on Jan. 3.

Houser resigned her position because of a federal act that says an employee of the federal government may not hold elected partisan office, according to township solicitor Paul Bametzreider. Houser works for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

After state-stipulated windows lapsed for the township board to appoint a candidate itself, or through a vacancy board, the Court of Common Pleas was formally petitioned at the township’s March 7 meeting by the remaining commissioners to appoint someone to the position, according to meeting minutes.

The vacated term runs through Jan. 2, 2023.

Applications must meet the following qualifications:

• Registered electors of West Lebanon Township.
• Residents of the township for at least one year.

Applicants must provide a completed application form and resume, as well as a statement of their goals and objectives as commissioner and a criminal background waiver form.

After receiving the applications, the Lebanon County Board of Judges will review them and select candidates to be interviewed. The commissioner will be selected from interviewed candidates by vote of the Board of Judges.

To find more details about the process and to apply, download and review the application form here. Applications must be submitted by 3 p.m. Wednesday, May 4.