Council honored Chief Bryan Ward and administrative officer Regina Kinney for their years of service to the township.
Evesham Township Council honored two, long-time public servants at its meeting last week and wished them well in their retirement.
First up, council honored now-former Chief Bryan Ward of Evesham Fire-Rescue, who has retired after 28 years of service,
Mayor Randy Brown began by calling Ward to the front of a packed council room to reflect on his service to the township.
Ward began his career in fire service in 1984 as a volunteer with Silver Spring Community Fire Company in Mechanicsburg, Pa.
He graduated from Kutztown University in 1990, and began his professional career with Evesham Township Fire District №1 in July of that same year.
Throughout the course of Ward’s career with Evesham Fire, he’s pursued his education and training, working his way through the ranks until he became chief of Evesham Fire-Rescue in 2016 following the retirement of former chief Ted Lowden.
“Really, I’d just like to say ‘thank you,’” Ward said upon receiving an official proclaim from the township. “This has been a great community for me to live in for the past 20 years and I’m going to continue to live here.”
Ward offered his appreciation for the fire department and everything it’s done for his life.
“It’s been a great place to live and a great place to work, and I just thank everyone for everything,” Ward said.
Brown noted that, as mayor for 12 years, he’s had the pleasure of serving with two fire chiefs, and so he also offered his thanks to Ward for his service.
“Chief Ward has not only been a great chief, but he’s been a big supporter of all of our community events and using the firehouse in so many wonderful community events, Brown said. “It’s been a great opportunity we’ve had to work with a wonderful person in Chief Ward.”
Following Ward, Brown said he wanted to introduce someone he described as “arguably one of his favorite township employees of all time.”
With that, Brown called up Evesham Administrative Officer Regina Kinney, who is retiring after 25 years of service.
Brown said he didn’t need a proclamation to speak on the “amazing lady” Kinney is, as there were numerous planning and zoning projects that all eventually go through her work as the township’s administrative officer.
Brown said she’s managed the township’s planning board, zoning board and environmental commission during projects such as The Promenade at Sagemore shopping center, assisted living facilities such as Brightview and CareOne, the Indian Cultural Center, and major subdivisions such as Sanctuary, Legacy Oaks, Village Greens and more.
“It all goes through one lady and that’s Regina Kinney, and it has for 25 years. She has made life so much easier for me as mayor. We’ve been lucky enough to have her with us,” he said.
Kinney who began her career in 1993 as a part-time receptionist in the municipal building, said she’s been fortunate to work for Evesham Township for the past 25 years.
“This township is quite a place to live, and I’ve worked with some of the best people and best council people and some of the best land-use attorneys, engineers and planners that the state could ask for,” Kinney said. “My coworkers have also been wonderful, so thank you all very much.”
Evesham Township Director of Community Development Nancy Jamanow also spoke on Kinney’s service, saying there was “no greater pleasure” than working with Kinney every day.
“Every bit of development that has gone through this township has gone through Reginia’s hands in the last 25 years,” Jamanow said. “But more importantly, she is a happy person to deal with every day and the people that come into her office that have known her for the past 25 years are always so happy to see her.”
