New District Judge Kibler Steps Down as LH Police Chief

LOCK HAVEN – City police chief Keith Kibler received a round of applause from City Council Monday night as council members accepted his letter of resignation preparatory to his new position as Lock Haven Area Magisterial Judge beginning with the new year.

Several council members saluted Kibler for his work as chief. His resignation is effective Dec. 22 after 25 years with the police force. He thanked everyone for their support and said he was “ready for the new position.” Kibler will replace three-term district judge Joseph Sanders III, defeated in the November election.

City manager Rich Marcinkevage announced that current city detective Kristin Smith will be named acting chief effective Dec. 23. He said there are no plans at present to advertise for a replacement as chief.

The Monday meeting also saw council approve a public hearing Jan. 8 on a proposal to rezone the old Painter Stadium/football practice field site from residential to commercial. The action follows word that the five-year-old town houses on the site will be leveled and a major commercial development is planned for the acreage. The connected plots include all the land at the old football field site except for the existing Fairfield Inn and its adjacent parking lot. Patrick and Pamela Bigatel from Seattle own the town houses and Susquehanna Square, L.O., out of State College, is listed as the owner of the surrounding land. Both entities are requesting the rezoning.