McCandless council recently issued a proclamation honoring long-time McCandless manager Toby Cordek, who has retired after 35 years.
Cordek, 67, is a former U.S. Navy officer and reservist who began his career in municipal administration as the borough manager of Selinsgrove in Snyder County.
He became the McCandless manager in 1984.
Cordek “dedicated his life to service to others and was an example of true service and leadership in the town throughout his tenure,” said council President Kim Zachary, who read the proclamation at council’s April 22 business meeting.
Cordek was praised for being a “tireless” worker and a skilled communicator. He was credited for playing a significant role in the project to consolidate more than 40 local emergency dispatch centers into the county 911 dispatch system.
He also was recognized for, among other things, spearheading the town’s switch to automated trash and recycling collection, creating a revolving fund to help pay for equipment needed by the volunteer fire department and lobbying for projects that help address problems caused by storm-water runoff.
Cordek said he was thankful to the members of council who “took a flyer on me” when he was first hired as well as the officials who have supported his efforts through the years.
“It’s amazing when you stay in one place for a long time what befalls you and what you can try to help with,” he said. “I’ve tried to give it my all every day. I’m grateful.”
Cordek said he got involved in municipal administration because he “felt a calling to public service” after taking a local government class while in college at Penn State.
Cordek has been succeeded by the long-time manager of North Fayette Township.
Robert Grimm, who worked for North Fayette since 1998, took over for Cordek on April 8.
Before working in North Fayette, Grim worked stints as the manager in Beaver Falls, Bellevue, Fairmont, W.Va. and Oil City.
Cordek has been working part-time during the past several weeks to assist Grimm with the transition.
