MEET THE NEWEST MEMBER OF BOROUGH COUNCIL
By Benjamin Hover
As the newest member of Borough Council with my recent appointment, I would like to take a minute to introduce myself. Originally from Ohio, I was raised in a small community where I learned the importance of leadership and service for the community. Through the mentorship of my grandfather, who served as the Fire Chief of the Volunteer Fire Department for two decades, and the service of my father, who served on the town council for years, I developed the understanding of the importance of serving the community in which we live.
Similarly, my father and both of my grandfathers instilled in me the importance of participation in unions and working collectively to better working conditions and caring for colleagues. One grandfather was a Union Steward in the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees; my other grandfather was a Union Steward in the United Auto Workers; and, my father served on the negotiating team of the Spencerville Education Association and helped to organize his school.
“I hope to follow in the footsteps of my predecessors on council and encourage the growth of the institutions of our great Borough of Lansdowne.”
My wife and I moved to Lansdowne and became residents of Gladstone Manor after living for a year in New Orleans and for a year in Brookhaven. Transplants from other parts of the country, we found in Lansdowne everything that we were looking for in a community. The community organizations that attracted us to Lansdowne still exist in the community and we maintain active memberships.
As a member of the Gladstone Civic Association, I have attended the Tree Lighting Ceremony, the Easter Egg hunts, Christmas Caroling with Mansfield Brass. Likewise, I have continually supported both the Lansdowne Fire Company and the Union Athletic Association’s Fireworks with financial support.
For the past fifteen years, I have been an educator in the School District of Philadelphia working with Middle School students and High School Students. To augment my skills as an educator, I earned a Master’s in Education from St. Joseph’s University in 2003 and a Master’s in English from Villanova University in 2012. In my experience as a teacher, I am an active member of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers and currently serve on the Building Committee and as the Political Liaison at Central High School.
Finally, I am a proud husband and father to a 5-year old son.
With great humility, I look forward to serving the community through my role on the Borough Council for the next two years. I hope to follow in the footsteps of my predecessors on council and encourage the growth of the institutions of our great Borough of Lansdowne.