After 24 years, longtime Bellefonte Borough Manager Ralph Stewart announces retirement

Ralph Stewart started his work as Bellefonte Borough’s manager at the turn of the millennium — and, now, 24 years later, he’s decided to call it a career.

The longtime borough manager announced his retirement at Monday’s Bellefonte Borough Council meeting. His final day will be March 28.

Stewart has amassed a total of 30 years working in local government, starting his career in July 1994 and moving to the borough in 2000. At the meeting, Stewart credited his longevity to those around him.

“Anybody in these (local government) positions, the only way you’re successful is to have people around you helping you,” he said. “That’s my bottom line. I mean, I have not been successful without the help of people around me — staff, residents, council members, mayors that have encouraged me.”

He continued, ”There’s a lot of ups and downs in the borough life, of being in local government, but they help you. I mean, they help you keep going and put things together and figure out solutions and all that. So it’s been a team effort. I have not done hardly anything on my own. I know it’s just very much a team effort, and I appreciate the people who helped me and been there for me when I needed them.”

The sentiment Stewart had for those who helped him was returned by the borough council, as several council members offered him warm remarks of gratitude, and applauded his efforts over the years.

Upon making the motion to accept Stewart’s resignation letter, Randy Brachbill offered his thanks to his manager with some dry humor. “If we could keep you here as long as we could, we’d be better off,” he said. “I’m not happy about it, but I’ll support him.”

Councilwoman Joanne Tosti-Vasey seconded the motion, and the sentiment.

After receiving further plaudits from council members Doug Johnson and Rita Purnell, Stewart gave a brief speech of thanks. “I can’t believe how fast time has gone, it’s just amazing,” Stewart added. “I will miss everybody.”

With his time as borough manager ending by the end of the month, Stewart offered reassurance that the borough was already “working diligently” to find his replacement — even if it has to be a short-term interim manager.

“This is such a beautiful community and we just need to remember that,” Stewart said. “The borough’s in good hands, and I’m sure that they’re going to have much more success in the future.”