Richland Township receives $20,000 donation to enhance dek hockey rink in memory of former township supervisor

A special donation was recently made to Richland Township in memory of a former township supervisor.

The family of Bart Miller gave a $20,000 donation to the township made possible by community members, friends and family.

A dedication ceremony was held Sept. 4 to reveal a plaque in honor of Bart Miller on what would have been his 58th birthday. During the ceremony, his wife, Ann Miller, revealed the $20,000 check to the township supervisors.

“It was awesome and a beautiful day,” Ann Miller said.

Bart Miller served as a township supervisor for 10 years before passing away in late November after a battle with brain cancer. Ann Miller stepped up to serve the remainder of his position in January. She said she will run for reelection in November in an effort to permanently serve in that seat.

Ann Miller said her husband was always looking to showcase the community.

“He was really caring, and he wanted to achieve things for the greater good,” she said.

The donation was funded through the HM3 Partners Independence Fund, which created a Bart Miller memorial donation for the township to use for enhancing its hockey rink, which Miller proudly helped develop, in Richland Park. After Bart Miller’s death, the Miller family asked the community to make donations to help enhance his proudest creation.

Bart Miller worked with the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation for their “Project Power Play” program to push for the dek hockey rink to be built at the park.

His efforts proved successful, as the rink opened in September 2013 and has been a staple for the community. Its frequent use is why donations will be used to improve it, Ann Miller said.

“We are not sure what improvements will be made yet, but maintenance may be one of them,” she said.