Abington Appoints New Ward 13 Commissioner

ABINGTON TOWNSHIP, PA — The township has appointed a new Ward 13 representative for the Board of Commissioners.

Jennifer Burke-Purtell has been named to replace Commissioner Bill Bole, who resigned on March 31.

No reason was given by township officials for Bole's resignation.

Burke-Purtell was born and raised in Philadelphia and Jenkintown and moved away for several years for college and work.

In 2001, she and her husband moved to Glenside to raise their family.

Burke-Purtell has worked as a volunteer for the Copper Beech Elementary PTA and the Abington Marching Band’s parent group (ABB), running the Apparel fundraisers for both, volunteering for various school and neighborhood events and programs.

For the past 9 years, she has also volunteered at her local polling location.

Burke-Purtell has raised three children, worked as a freelance graphic designer, and is currently a part-time circulation assistant at the Abington Township Public Library.

She said she finds purpose and satisfaction in helping people and places she believes in, and feels privileged to continue helping her community as a Commissioner serving Ward 13 and Abington Township.