Evans resigned Monday after learning he could not hold political office due to work requirements
Howard “Bud” Evans was never supposed to be the mayor of Cinnaminson.
As a technician in the Pennsylvania Air National Guard, he is not permitted to hold partisan political office.
However, Evans, a Republican, was the township’s mayor — at least until Monday, June 18, when he resigned during the Township Committee meeting. He stepped down effective immediately after he said the guard notified him of the work requirement.
Evans said he filed documents with the military and was granted approval to run for office by his superiors before he was elected to Township Committee in 2016.
It’s a complicated situation, and Evans said he might have “slipped through the cracks.” His employers notified him of the discrepancy just as he prepares to assume a new role as chief of intelligence for the Pennsylvania Air National Guard’s 111th Operations Group.
At Monday’s meeting, Evans reflected on his time on Township Committee and praised the other committee members and the township’s administrative team.
“I’m proud of the accomplishments we’ve all made together,” he said. “I’m proud to have been at the helm as we moved forward and found our path as one unified team.”
Evans was chosen as mayor in January and came into the position at a tough time, Deputy Mayor Donald Brauckmann said. Brauckmann said Evans put in countless hours and was “the right man at the right time.”
Several members of the public thanked Evans for his military service and contributions to the township.
“I would like to thank Mr. Evans for all that you have done for this town,” resident Ken Miller said. “You came in at a rough time. You did everything with dignity, honor (and) pride.”
Evans said his term on Township Committee was “challenging” and “devastating” at times, but, overall, he believes it was a positive experience.
“We’ve walked together through some tough times and came out still together for the betterment of this town,” he said.
“I’m excited to see the direction that we move towards as a town,” Evans added.
Township Clerk Lisa Passione said the Burlington County Republican Committee has 15 days from the date of Evans’ resignation to nominate three people as candidates to replace him on Township Committee.
The remaining members of Township Committee will vote to appoint one of those individuals to serve the remainder of the year. In November, an election will be held, and the winner will serve the remainder of Evans’ unexpired term, which runs until Dec. 31, 2019, Passione said.
Passione said Deputy Mayor Donald Brauckmann will serve as acting mayor in Evans’ absence.
