Three members of a five-person executive board of the Greater Bustleton Civic League — vice president Harry Haberkern, corresponding secretary Maureen Greene and treasurer Bob Hall — recently resigned, said Jack O’Hara, the league’s president.
“There was trouble in paradise,” Haberkern said in a phone interview Monday. “Board members didn’t get along,” he said, but then added he didn’t want to elaborate.
The resignations were on the league’s Web site on Monday morning.
“We recently had Harry Haberkern, Bob Hall and Maureen Greene resign their positions on the board, and fortunately, had members who quickly offered their assistance to fill the openings,” the posting reads. “Joan Rhoades has returned to her past role as treasurer; league attorney Joe Guerra is moving up to the position to vice president, with past recording secretary Steve Cusano being nominated for the role of league attorney. Brendan Glackin is being nominated for corresponding secretary.”
O’Hara said the organization’s bylaws allowed him to fill vacancies with the approval of the board. He said the board already approved Rhoades’ appointment. She had served as treasurer until she lost to Hall in last year’s league election.
O’Hara said Monday that the board will consider his other nominations this week, and that he hopes to introduce new board members during the league’s Feb. 27 meeting at the American Heritage Federal Credit Union’s Carriage House on Red Lion Road.
Hall, O’Hara, Greene and recording secretary Marlene Markowitz all took office last year after defeating the board incumbents in an unusual contested election. O’Hara had been vice president when he ran for the presidency in 2012. Haberken had no opposition in running for the vice president’s spot, and took office last year with other members of the winning slate.
Asked why three board members resigned, O’Hara said, “You’ll have to ask them. This isn’t about individuals. It’s about the civic league … and how it serves neighbors.”
“No comment at this time,” Hall said Monday when asked about his resignation.
Rhoades, too, when contacted Monday, said she didn’t want to comment on her return to the board.
“I really want our actions to speak for themselves,” said Greene. “I don’t’ want to start a conflagration.”
Everyone who serves on the league’s board or on any of the organization’s committees is a volunteer, O’Hara said, adding more volunteers are needed.
Anyone interested in volunteering can call the league’s hot line at 215–676–6890 or send an e-mail to gbcl19115@gbcleague.com ••
Reporter John Loftus can be reached at 215–354–3110 or jloftus@bsmphilly.com
