Forward's board of supervisors approved a change in command for the township's police department.
The board accepted Mark Holtzman's resignation as police chief and named Officer Travis Stotler to succeed him.
Neither man was in attendance at Monday's meeting.
Stotler has 14 years of experience with the township police force and for more than a year has served as a state-funded school resource officer for the Elizabeth Forward district.
Holtzman was named police chief in January 2013 after a 20-year career in law enforcement in McKeesport, where he rose to the rank of deputy police chief, a position he held for 11 years.
Holtzman was a public figure in other ways, serving on the McKeesport Area School Board and running unsuccessfully for magisterial district judge in 2007.
Holtzman took a position in Forward that had been vacant since Tom Staley retired in 2009. Since May 2010 Officer Robert Curdie had been officer-in-charge.
“We should all be giving Mark a big thank you,” Supervisor Dave Magiske said after the meeting. “He did a great job as police chief, and was always a great advocate for Forward Township and its residents. We certainly wish Mark all the best in his future endeavors.”
During Holtzman's tenure in Forward he suffered personal tragedy — the passing of his wife, Tracey, in January 2014 and of his mother earlier this year.
Holtzman was caught up in the state gambling investigation known as “Operation Pork Chop.” In November he was fined $200 for a misdemeanor count.
Forward is getting caught up in the primary campaign and the upcoming merger of Twin Rivers and Steel Valley councils of governments.
Amy Cline, the township's alternate representative to the Twin Rivers COG, said a vote on the merger agreement could be made by the Twin Rivers member municipalities when they meet in Forward on May 21.
“They've sent the draft agreement language to the member municipalities for review and comment,” Cline said.
Cline said the Twin Rivers municipalities likely will withdraw from that COG, then join Steel Valley, which then will become Steel Rivers Council of Governments.
“By the time we get it all done, we're looking at September,” Cline said.
Forward Township Democratic Committee chairwoman Carol Burke announced Monday that party-endorsed candidates will take part in an event from 7-9:30 p.m. April 24 at Sylvester & Tweeties along Roberts Hollow Road.
Organizers anticipate county Executive Rich Fitzgerald will attend, as well as state Sen. James Brewster, whose 45th District includes Forward.
Fitzgerald is unopposed for re-election.
Township officials said they have asked Fitzgerald's office for action on county-maintained Pangburn Hollow Road, which has been in poor shape for years.
In February, county administrators said they're considering repairs on the road “through our appropriate process to address this issue.”
Township officials said Monday that Brewster's satellite office at the Forward municipal building is operating on the second Tuesday of each month from 9 a.m. to noon.
Patrick Cloonan is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 412-664-9161, ext. 1967, or pcloonan@tribweb.com.
