Council appoints Hay to open Bellefonte council seat

By Gail Franklin

- For the CDT

BELLEFONTE — William L. Hay, a 38-year-old software engineer at Raytheon, was appointed Thursday to be the borough’s newest councilman.

During a special meeting, Borough Council held public interviews of three applicants for the open North Ward seat, which was vacated last month when former councilman Don Holderman stepped down to be the borough’s assistant manager.

Candidates were asked about the strengths and weaknesses of the borough and what they thought about the balance between keeping down taxes and increasing services.

After the interviews, council members went into a short executive session for a personnel and legal matter but said they did not discuss the candidates.

When the meeting was reconvened, Councilman Joseph Beigle, who represents the North Ward, nominated Hay for the seat and the vote was unanimous.

Mayor Stanley Goldman swore in Hay on the spot, and the new member pledged before the council to uphold the borough code.

Hay said he was surprised by the appointment because he has lived in the borough for less time than the other applicants. He lived in Bellefonte and worked for Raytheon in State College from 2003 to 2006, during which time he said he and his wife, Elizabeth, fell in love with the community. They moved to West Virginia for a job opportunity for one year but moved back to Bellefonte in May 2007.

“We’re at a spot now where we’re fairly settled in,” Hay told the council.

He said he submitted his resume for consideration because he was looking for an active role in the community.

“A major strength (of the borough) is its historic housing and historic charm,” Hay said in response to an interview question. “Its challenge is the same thing. How do you preserve that feeling while bringing in business growth?”

He described the role of a council member as “doing what’s in the best interests of the community. Sometimes you even have to put aside what you love. I like the historic district, but it’s looking at what’s best for the community.”

Hay has worked on contracts for the federal government and lived in many states along the East Coast during his career. Councilwoman Renee Brown believes his background will lend some diversity to the council.

“I think he’s going to bring a lot of new ideas,” Brown said. “Sometimes someone who’s not been here forever can see a situation through different eyes and can enlighten us.”

Other residents of the North Ward who were interviewed for the appointment were Brian K. Fisher, co-owner of Fisher Associates Real Estate, and LuAnn Bruno, who works for Bellefonte Emergency Medical Services. Kent R. Addis, a Penn State retiree, also submitted his resume for consideration.

“We had four good applicants and I see positive attributes in all of them,” Councilman Paul DeCusati said.

Hay will serve on the council until the 2009 local election. The remaining two years of Holderman’s term will be filled through the normal election process.

Hay said he will run for office in 2009 “if the people like me.”