Gil Gibbs named new mayor of Sparta

SPARTA — Gilbert Gibbs was unanimously elected as the town’s new mayor by his peers on the Township Council last Thursday night. The council also unanimously elected Molly Whilesmith as Deputy Mayor.

Gibbs and Whilesmith took their oaths of office during the council’s re-organization meeting after newly elected Councilwoman Christine Quinn was sworn in for her first four-year term and incumbent Councilman Jerry Murphy was sworn in for his second term. Murphy served as mayor last year, but nominated Gibbs to fill the role this year.

Gibbs thanked Murphy for his years of service to the council and presented him with a commemorative plaque.

For Gibbs, being sworn in as his town’s mayor was a poignant moment. His father, who has since passed away, served as mayor of Ridgfield Park, New Jersey for 12 years. His mother held the Bible on which Gibbs placed his hand during his swearing-in and he said he felt his father was with him as well. He said he is proud to follow his father’s example of public service.

Gibbs told the Independent he feels a strong sense of unity and a positive atmosphere on the council going into the new year and says all are eager to work together to move Sparta forward.

As part of the regular business of their re-organization meeting, the council appointed the following committee members and assigned the council liaisons.

Cultural Affairs
Glenn Allan, Vincent DeCataldo, John Ellis, Dorota Ellington, Stephen Hespelt, Karl Latham, Stewart Liebman,Scott Luna, andNeil Sauerwein were appointed for a one-year term. Quinn will be the council liaison.

Economic Development
Duffy Brennan, John A. Chambers, Robert Ehling, Patrick Lasslett, Greg Leo,Bob Morris, andBarbara Wartmann were reappointed for a one-year term. Murphy will serve as council liaison.

Environmental Commission
Joseph Walsh was appointed to a three-year term, with John Schon as the council representative.

Library Board of Trustees
Brian Doherty was reappointed to a five-year term. Gibbs and schools superintendent Dennis Tobin will serve as ex-officio members for one year.

Municipal Alliance Committee
Rev. Carol D. Gadsden,Peter Huhn, Mark Scott, and Corporal Susan Parks, were reappointed for a one-year term. Sparta’s school board president and superintendent will be ex-officio members. Whilesmith is the council liasion.

Parks and Monuments Committee
Robert Corbo, James Henderson,Peter Litchfield and John Ricker were reappointed for a one-year term. Murphy will be the council representative.

Planning Board
Class I member for one year is Gibbs, Class II member is Dr. George Parker, Class III member is Murphy, and Class IV member is Theodore Gall, who will also serve as the Environmental Commission Liaison.

Recreation Committee
Carol Bull, Joseph Galley, Donna Jenkins, Paul Johnson, Kathy Romine,Shauna Stanley, and Donna Wainio were reappointed for a one-year term. Gibbs is the council liaison

Senior Advisory Committee
Dorothy Eckweiler, Eileen Francis,Dennis Gibson, Donald Kanouse, James Leistensnider, Frederika Link, Florence Meyer, Rose Satterfield, Fred Schuhmann, Joan Shaw, and Herbert Stanske were reappointed to a one-year term, with Marianne Dilworth and DavidTroast as advisory members. Whilesmith is the council liaison.

The Zoning Board
Kenneth P. Laury, who was the only member whose term had expired, was reappointed to another two-year term.

Other Appointments
Gibbs and Schon will serve as Sussex County liaisons. Gibbs will also be the liaison to the Sparta Board of Education.

Tom Diveny was appointed Fire Marshal and Jay Luba was appointed Assistant Fire Marshal.