Three Aberdeen Council Members Honored at Last Meeting of 2011

The Aberdeen Township Council meeting Tuesday night marked the last meeting of the year.

It also marked the last meeting for Councilwoman Wilhelmina Gumbs, Councilman Owen Drapkin and Deputy Mayor Vincent Vinci, all of whom did not seek reelection this year.

Gumbs, Drapkin and Vinci were awarded with plaques and thanked for their collective 30 years of service. Gumbs served as a councilwoman from 2004 to 2011, spending four of those years as the deputy mayor. Drapkin, a councilman since 1996, served as deputy mayor from 2000 to 2005. Vinci served as the deputy mayor for the past year and has been a councilman since 1996.

"I can't believe it's been 16 years," Drapkin said. "It's been a pleasure; It's been an honor to serve the residents of Aberdeen."

Drapkin is proud of his accomplishments, he said, emphasizing the millions of dollars each year the council reinvested in the township to improve roads and parks.

Mayor Fred Tagliarini shared memories of the three members and reflected on their time together as a council.

"You're getting a plaque, you're getting an award, but it also means the end. So I want you to know how bittersweet it is that you are being recognized," Tagliarini said. 

Tagliarini also hinted that the retiring council members would remain involved in local government, but said that residents would have to wait until the township's Jan. 2 reorganization meeting.

Harvey Brenner, Robert Swindle and Concetta Kelley will take their place on the township council at the reorganization meeting.