Dykoff Sworn in as Mayor; Most, Deputy Mayor

The Lacey Township Committee is under new leadership this year as Mark Dykoff was sworn in as mayor and David Most as deputy mayor.

Dykoff kicked off 2012 during the annual reorganization meeting Sunday by asking residents to remember why they moved to Lacey Township.

“We all came down here because it’s a great life,” he said. “Lacey Township is a great place to live. I know we have our ups and downs but all in all, think about it. Think about why you came down here and why you stayed.”

Dykoff was working locally when he moved to Lacey more than 20 years ago because it had a “small town, big town feel,” he said.

As Dykoff has said in the past, Lacey Township is made up of great people but it’s also a great township, he said.

“I can pledge that we’ll do everything we can to make 2012 better than 2011, and better than 2010,” he said. “I remember history, nine years ago when I first got elected, boy did it feel different.”

Dykoff joined Committeeman Gary Quinn on the committee nine years ago and has already served two terms as mayor. He is up for re-election as his term on the committee ends Dec. 31, 2012.

Most thanked the public for their “vote of confidence” in re-electing him. Most, whose term was up Dec. 31, 2011, recently won the municipal election with 55.64 percent of the votes.

“I look forward to serving with the committee,” he said. “Its truly been a pleasure to be a part of this community.”

2012: Still a Difficult Economic Environment

In addition to making various appointments during the reorganization meeting, the township also authorized a temporary budget for 2012 of $6,400,689. This budget will get the township through the first three months of the new year, Administrator Veronica Laureigh said.

Resident Regina Discenza asked the committee to present monthly financial reports at township meetings.

“The audit reports for 2009 and 2010 were not too terrific,” she said. “The kids have a spot on their report cards that says needs improvement, well the budget tactics of this town need improvement and I thought monthly financial reports would help us all know where things are during the course of the year.”

Dykoff recently met with Laureigh and Chief Financial Officer Adrian Fanning  to discuss the upcoming year. He asked Fanning to provide a monthly report of where the township is at, he said.

As of Dec. 22, the township has expended 89 percent of its budget, which shows that the township is “right on track,” Dykoff said. The reports would not be extensive but would basically show expenditures.

“This coming year, 2012, once again we are faced with one of the most difficult economic environments,” Committeewoman Helen DelaCruz said.

Under the leadership of Dykoff and Most, DelaCruz said it is important for the committee to work together in these difficult times.

“Let us stay focused on our daily goal to do our best for our residents, to meet their needs, to keep them safe and to enhance their quality of life,” she said. “I know that with God’s help we can and we will.”

Continue to follow Lacey Patch for more on the annual reorganization meeting.