Longtime Kiski Township Supervisor Jack Wilmot Jr. steps down

After 35 years as a Kiski Township supervisor, Jack Wilmot Jr. has stepped down, though he still remains interested in public service.

Wilmot turned in his resignation Monday, and supervisors on Wednesday started the process of getting a replacement for the longtime township fixture.

“I’m not happy with the way things are going anymore,” Wilmot said of his reasons for retiring. “I know taxes are going up; I think they’re spending too much money. We’re going to have lots of legal fees that will take up the majority of the money.”

Now 73, Wilmot spent virtually all of his adult life in public service. He was a police officer in nearby North Apollo for 31 years — much of the time as chief — before retiring in 2007.

A Vietnam veteran, Wilmot has been active in veterans organizations and the Apollo Area Lions Club, along with the Shriners.

“I’ll have a little more time to serve those groups,” Wilmot said.

Apollo Area Lions President Tom Toland is glad Wilmot joined the group after the Kiski Township Lions folded.

“Jack was in charge of our tornado and disaster unit in case we had to organize aide,” Toland said. “Fortunately, we haven’t needed it.”

Wilmot will, however, be stepping down from his post of chairman for the Armstrong County Association of Townships.

Looking back on his years as a supervisor, Wilmot said he’s happy with the new township fire hall built along Route 56. The township is helping to finance the building with a contribution of $35,000 over the life of the 20-year mortgage.

During his tenure, Wilmot had hoped to bring in more business to the township.

“We’d like to get more businesses, like a Sheetz,” he said. “The way you do that is to expand water and sewage.”

Among his accomplishments as a township supervisor, Wilmot listed bringing in “$11 million to $12 million in grants to expand water and sewage.

Now that Wilmot has stepped aside, supervisors Vice Chairman Mike Bash will move into the chairman’s role.

“We appreciate all that Jack has done for the township,” Bash said. “We’re going to miss him.”

Water and sewage expansion is also a goal of Bash’s.

Bash said the township will be taking letters of interest from residents who want to become a supervisor. The deadline is Oct. 2 and the supervisors hope to choose a replacement on Oct. 9.

One rumor that Wilmot immediately wants to dispel is health issues.

Regarding a resident who contacted him and asked if health was an issue that led to his resignation, Wilmot said he is feeling fine.