Doylestown Council Bids Farewell to Two Council Members

Monday's Doylestown Borough Council meeting was a bittersweet one, as the nine-member board said good-bye to two long-serving members.

Republican Bill Stevens and Democrat Lou White cast the final votes of their terms Monday night in their final council meeting.

Their colleagues presented them with commemorative plaques to thank them for their years of service to the borough.

Det Ansinn, council president and a Democrat, praised his Republican colleague's steadfast service to Doylestown in stepping up to fill the term of the late John Buckman. Stevens previously had served on Doylestown council from 1988 to 2001; he was appointed for one year and then re-elected to three four-year terms.

Then, after Buckman died, he was asked to finish Buckman's unexpired term, and agreed.

Council member Joan Doyle extended an olive branch to Stevens in bidding her colleague farewell and thanking him for his service.

"I was the only member of council who did not vote for you when you were appointed," she said. "You are a man of integrity, fair-minded, and have contributed immensely. I wish there was a system where both you and Mr. Kelly could serve with us."

Stevens was defeated in the November election by newcomer Kevin Kelly, a Democrat who will take his place on council next month.

Joe Flood, a frequent observer at council meetings and Stevens' Republican running mate this fall, thanked Stevens for "serving with distinction and class."

It was also Lou White's final meeting.

White also started his tenure on council by being appointed to fill a vacancy, in September 1998. A borough resident for decades, White retired in 1993 from the Central Bucks School District where he was principal at Holicong Middle School in Buckingham.

His colleagues had high praise for him, as well.

"Lou has been very generous with his wisdom," said council member Noni West, who said she spent much time on the phone with White in her early days on council. "We all have benefited from his experience."

White decided not to run for another term. Newcomer Marlene Pray, another Democrat, successfully won his seat in the November election.

That means that Doylestown Borough Council will be governed by all Democrats beginning in January. A reorganization meeting is set for January 3.