Chadds Ford Township solicitor Hugh Donaghue will be stepping down from that position as of the first of the year. He announced his intention at the conclusion of the Nov. 24 supervisors’ workshop.
“Please be advised that I do not wish to be considered for solicitor in 2016, as I do not desire to serve in that capacity,” he said, reading from a two-page statement.
No other reason was given.
Former township Supervisor Deborah Love said Donaghue’s knowledge of municipal government led the township through many changes, and she sees his resignation as a serious loss, demonstrating that “strong, knowledgeable leadership by elected officials and appointees is crumbling…
“His resignation symbolizes to me that the current board was unable, or chose not to follow his legal guidance, hence rendering him ineffective and subjected him, and possibly the township, to legal actions in the not-too-distant future. I hope the silent, concerned majority takes note of this and begins to voice concern to the vocal minority who has put our current board in office,” Love said.
With the exception of Samantha Reiner, Donaghue thanked, by name, each of the supervisors with whom he’s worked during his 12 years as solicitor. He called them leaders who “acted in the best interests of the Chadds Ford community.”
Donoghue said he is proud to have worked with officials in “prosecuting and/or defending all legal matters without any adverse results” to the taxpayers.
He said he would miss his daily exchanges with the township manager and township secretary, and referred to Supervisor George Thorpe as “a great American.”
Donaghue, who is also the solicitor in Concord Township, was first retained in 2004 when Thorpe, Love and Jim Shipley were Chadds Ford supervisors.
About Rich Schwartzman
Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.
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