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Page 12 February 2018 The Catoctin Banner Newspaper www.TheCatoctinBanner.com Published by www.EPlusPromotes.com
C o m m u n i t y news
For ty-two Years of Ser vice to Emmitsburg
James Rada, Jr.
For nearly half of his life, Pat “The mayor at the time, Richard people who wanted to do
Boyle (shown right) has been there Sprankle, was my brother-in-law. He something that wasn’t in
when Emmitsburg needed help. asked me to serve, and I said, ‘yes,’” the zoning ordinance. They
Over the past forty-two years, recalled Boyle. would come into the store
he has served on the Planning He was one of three members and complain and make a
and Zoning Commission, Parks who would be guiding Emmitsburg fuss.”
and Recreation Committee, through some of its growing pains. Boyle resigned from
Emmitsburg Commissioner, Zoning County officials visited Emmitsburg the position after seven
Administrator, and as a Board of to help train the new board on what months, but by then he had Photo by Deb Abraham Spalding
Appeals member. their function and responsibilities lost a couple of friends.
This past January, he finally would be. At the time, Emmitsburg Because of his work as
decided to step back when he had about half of the population a baseball coach, his next
resigned from the planning that it does today and fewer foray into public service
commission. “I’m close to ninety subdivisions. was with the parks and
now,” Boyle said. “It’s time for some The next year, the mayor asked recreation committee. He
young blood to help out.” Boyle to become the town’s zoning served on the committee
In the 1970s, before Emmitsburg administrator, after the current one for twenty years.
had a parks and recreation moved away. He then became a town
committee, decisions regarding “I was told the salary would commissioner in 1998, and was the year, until he took a position on the
the town parks were made with be ‘forthcoming,’” said Boyle. “It president of the commission for a planning and zoning commission in
recommendations from a committee turned out to be $10 a year, and I time. He served as commissioner 2007.
of the players, coaches, and managers had to go to Frederick for classes on until April 2004, when he resigned. And it was here where he ended
of the baseball teams in town. As a how to do the job.” “I’m proud of my time on the his service, stepping down at the
coach, Boyle was part of that group. Since the job was a full-time board,” stated Boyle. “We got the beginning of the year, having ended
The town decided to form a one, Boyle also continued to work water plant built, moved the town up where he started for forty-
Planning and Zoning Commission at his family grocery store in town, office to where it is, and approved two years of public service on the
in 1976 to help with the needs of the although the two jobs overlapped some new developments.” planning commission.
growing town. at times. “I had to turn down a few Boyle did make a run for “I’m going to miss working with
mayor against eventual winner some of the people,” expressed
James Hoover and current town Boyle.
commissioner Cliff Sweeney. When asked why more of the
“I was disappointed when I lost “young blood” that he says is
at first, but within a few months, needed aren’t putting their names
I was grateful,” said Boyle. “My forward to help, Boyle said, “I
wife’s health was bad, and I wanted think they’re afraid they’re going
to be with her.” to hurt somebody’s feelings. I lost
Boyle returned to public service some friends, but you have to do
in 2006, when he was appointed to what’s best for the town. I’m proud
serve as an alternate on the board of this town, and I was proud to
of appeals. He served there for a help it.”
