Leutwyler named to seat on Plumsted committee

PLUMSTED - The Township Committee has appointed Dave Leutwyler to complete the remainder of the late Ken Francis' term of office on the Township Committee through Dec. 31.

According to Mayor Ron Dancer, prior to his death Francis informed his family that he would like to see Leutwyler, his close friend, carry on his work for Plumsted on the committee. Knowing of Leutwyler's qualifications and his years of volunteer service to the youth of the community, the committee unanimously honored the request of Francis, the mayor said.

Leutwyler, 48, has been married to his wife, Linda, for 25 years. They have two sons, David and Danny. David graduated from New Egypt High School in 2004 and attends York College in York, Pa. Danny is a senior at New Egypt High School and the family has lived in Plumsted since 1992, according to Dancer.

The mayor said Leutwyler shared Francis' passion for the youth of the community and family values as evidenced by their volunteer service in scouting with their children. Leutwyler was a Cub Scout scoutmaster with New Egypt Pack 9, from 1992 to 2001. He was a coach with New Egypt baseball from 1992 to 2004 and vice president of New Egypt baseball from 1994 to 2004. He was a coach with New Egypt soccer from 1992 to 2003 and vice president of New Egypt Soccer from 1995-97. Leutwyler was a coach with New Egypt basketball from 1995 to 2004.

Leutwyler has a professional background in electronics and is a project manager with CMS Communications, specializing in business communication systems. He is an active member of the Church of the Assumption and Knights of Columbus Council 10900 of New Egypt.

Leutwyler was assigned the departments that were previously held by Francis, including the Road Department; Fire Department; First Aid Squad; Landlord- Tenant Advisory Council; Business - Public Safety Committee; New Egypt Main Street Program; Municipal Building Committee; and Plumsted Municipal Utilities Authority member.

Prior to his Sept. 29 death, Francis was seeking re-election to the committee in the Nov. 6 general election. Dancer said the township has been informed by the Ocean County Clerk's Office that the ballots have been printed with Francis' name as a candidate for committee and the ballots cannot be changed at this time.

Therefore, in the event Francis' name is declared a winner for one of the two open committee seats, the state vacancy law procedure would once again be followed. The mayor said that in order to simplify matters, it would be the intent of all concerned in the vacancy process to nominate and select Leutwyler to serve a one-year term in 2008.

Steven Reed is the other Republican candidate running for a seat on the Township Committee. Republican Committeewoman Ada Roberts is not running for re-election, according to the Township Clerk's Office. Democrat Mitch Geier and independent candidate Dennis Kleinknecht Jr. are also running for a seat on the committee.