Radnor Commissioners Appoint Jim Riley To Represent Ward 4

RADNOR, PA —Radnor Township commissioners Monday night unanimously appointed Jim Riley to a vacancy for a commissioner in the 4th Ward, following the recent resignation of Commissioner Lisa Borowski.

Riley was the only candidate to respond to a request to fill the vacancy representing Ward 4.

Riley was immediately sworn to fill the vacancy and took a seat with the commissioners for the remainder of the meeting.

Before the vote, Moira Mulroney, board president, asked Riley to inform the board why he is interested in the position and if he is hoping to run in a special election to fill the vacancy.

Riley said he would be interested in running in May in a special election.

Riley then read a letter that he sent to the commissioners to apply for the position.

Riley, of Meadowood Road, grew up in Radnor, went to Radnor High School, and graduated from Villanova University with a degree in mechanical engineering. He raised his family in Radnor with his wife for 30 years.

“My children enjoyed Radnor schools and are all out of college and working full time ,” he said. “I've had so many opportunities in this township and I just want to give back. I work well with others and have been on multiple boards in Radnor."

The boards include Radnor Little League, Radnor Athletic Association, and Conestoga Swim Club, serving twice as president.

He was also a member of an ad hoc facility committee at Radnor School District charged with giving grass a chance at the middle school and the possible use of artificial turf at Radnor High School’s football field.

He also spent his career as a small business owner in Radnor, and now teaches advanced math and physics at Hilltop Preparatory School in Radnor and coaches three sports and is head of the science department.

Riley said that one of the biggest issues in the Fourth Ward is the Blue Route.

“There is noise pollution,” he said. “They have sound barriers. Truthfully, I don’t like those sound barriers. They ricochet the sound off of it.”

Commissioner Sean Farhy expressed concern about not having enough time for others to apply.

Farhy said that there was not transparency when filling the position.

Mulroney said the position must be filled within 30 days of the vacancy and the position was advertised.

Farhy said Riley was qualified for the position.

“You have my vote," Farhy said. "This issue is transparency.”

Borowski was elected in November to serve as a state representative of District 168, which consists of Radnor, Newtown, Edgmont and Middletown townships.

She resigned her position as commissioner of the 4th Ward on Nov. 28.