City Council Names Kibler New Chief

Work on 2014 Budget Deficit Continues

by John Lipez

LOCK HAVEN – Lock Haven City Council Monday night moved to employ detective sergeant Keith Kibler as the city’s new police chief.

Council unanimously approved Kibler, a force member since 1992, as the new chief replacing Elwood Hocker whose retirement becomes official at the end of this month.

Kibler will serve as acting chief through the end of December, becoming permanent chief as of January 1.

Mayor Rick Vilello was effusive in his praise of Kibler, stating “He has the full respect of the police department, city council, the city manager…state police, other area officers, the district attorney and the judicial system.”

Vilello called the promotion of Kibler to chief “one of the best decisions we’ve made.”

Kibler thanked council for the opportunity and said he looked forward to heading what he called “a really good department.”

It was announced that Paul Gramley was to be sworn in this week as a new city patrolman; meanwhile the city is still down two officers as Cpl. Jack Isaacson will be retiring effective Dec. 23.

Kibler addressed the shortfall in his comments to council: “We’ve been short-handed and I think we’ve really done a good job. As we hire a couple more officers, we can get up to full complement and that’s what I’d like to see.”

Earlier in the meeting Vilello, discussing the city’s budget and a prospective tax hike for next year, voiced his support for maintaining a full complement of officers, given that Lock Haven is a “college town.”

Council and city officials have been working in recent weeks to try and reduce a shortfall initially at $190,000. Information at the Monday meeting indicated the projected deficit has been reduced to $112,000.

Council is scheduled for a final vote on the budget Dec. 30.