MAHANOY CITY — The borough has a new fire chief with the appointment of Daniel J. Markiewicz by the borough council at Tuesday’s meeting.
Markiewicz will fill the fire boots left with the retirement of Randall M. “Randy” Kalce, who has served as the Mahanoy City Fire Department chief for 20 years.
The meeting’s first agenda item was the appointment of Markiewicz to the post. A senior lieutenant of the West End Fire and Rescue Company in Mahanoy City, Markiewicz has been a West End member since 1984, a lieutenant since 2005, and is senior lieutenant.
Mayor Patricia Schnitzius conducted the swearing in, with Markiewicz taking his oath of office as his wife, Christine Markiewicz, held the Bible.
The borough council voted 7-0 for Markiewicz, whose appointment as chief was recommended by the Mahanoy City Board of Fire Trustees.
Councilman Francis Burke said, “At this time, I’d like to thank Randy Kalce for doing a spectacular, fantastic, marvelous, tremendous job for the last 20 years as fire chief. Thank you very much, Randy.”
Kalce was applauded for his service, as was Markiewicz after taking the oath of office.
Before the meeting, Kalce said it was time to step down.
“I just thought it was time,” Kalce said. “Twenty years is a long time.”
Kalce was with the borough fire service for 40 years.
“I enjoyed the camaraderie being with everyone I served with,” Kalce said.
He pointed out that serving in the fire department is a team effort.
“I have to tell you that nobody does this alone,” he said. “It’s the support I’ve gotten from so many, many people that I couldn’t even begin to say thank you.”
Markiewicz has been in the fire service for 32 years, beginning as a junior firefighter.
“I hope to follow in the footsteps of the great job that past chiefs like Randy did,” Markiewicz said. “It’s our fire department. No one person is above another, from the youngest members to the most seasoned veterans. The main goal is protecting Mahanoy City and Mahanoy Township and going home safe to our families at the end of the night. That’s the name of the game. We do what we’ve got to do and get home to our loved ones.”
After the swearing in, the borough council accepted the resignation of Anthony Blackwell as the fire department’s administrative assistant. Blackwell cited changes in his responsibilities at his job prompted his stepping down.
In his resignation letter, Blackwell said, “It has been an honor and pleasure serving as the department’s administrative assistant. ... I am confident Chief Markiewicz will continue the positive trend in moving the department forward.”
Burke motioned to appoint L. David Truskowsky as the new administrative assistant, which was approved unanimously.