Politics & Government
Rev. William Matz Resigns from Nazareth Council
Applicants are being sought to fill the vacancy left by Moravian clergyman William Matz, who has resigned from Nazareth Council.
The Rev. William Matz, a Moravian clergyman and Nazareth councilman, has resigned his borough post.
Matz and his wife, who has a spinal ailment, have moved to a Bethlehem retirement community so his wife can get the care she needs, Council President Dan Chiavaroli said at Thursday night’s council workshop.
Chiavaroli read Matz’s letter of resignation, in which he made reference to comedian Bob Hope’s famous theme song, “Thanks for the Memories.”
Matz, a Republican from the First Ward, was in the third year of his third term. The person picked as his replacement will serve out the remainder of his term, which expires at the end of 2013.
So far, two people have applied for the council post, Chiavaroli said. They responded to an advertisement in the Nazareth Key that announced the council vacancy and said applicants were being sought. Matz resigned Nov. 13, Chiavaroli said.
But the application deadline found in the ad – Wednesday, Nov. 28 -- has been extended to 7:45 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 6, when Council will hold a special meeting to fill Matz’s seat.
Applicants must be residents of the borough’s First Ward, Chiavaroli noted.
If Council fails to appoint a replacement, then the issue goes to the borough’s single person vacancy board, the council president said. That person is Gail Kromer. She would preside over a Council meeting with the objective of picking a replacement.
Matz was chairman of Council’s law committee and a member of the police committee, which has been grappling with the long-running of issue of whether to beef up the borough’s police force or possibly merge with or join the Colonial Regional force.
