Newtown Borough Taps 2nd Ward Resident To Fill Council Vacancy

NEWTOWN BOROUGH, PA — The Newtown Borough Council on Tuesday voted 4 to 1 to appoint Gina Tognini to a vacancy on the borough council.

Tognini, who was sworn in by Judge Cynthia Rufe, will serve on the six-member council through December 2025 when the current seat expires.

Three 2nd-ward residents stepped forward to fill the seat left vacant by the resignation of Maryellen Raymond in August. Raymond had served on council since her election in 2022.

At its agenda meeting, the council publicly interviewed residents Tim Jones, Kim Korda and Tognini for the open council seat.

Before the vote, council president Emily Heinz thanked all three candidates for stepping forward. “Whoever is not chosen I hope you become involved,” she said.

Councilor Kris Bauman added that the Council would not be voting unanimously on the appointment, which he said is an indication of the strength all three candidates brought to the table.

Judge Cynthia Rufe administers the oath of office to Gina Tognini who is joined by family members at Tuesday night's council meeting.

“We’re very, very lucky to have all three of you,” said Bauman. “There was a lot of discussion in terms of the value you would bring. We hope those of you not selected this evening will remain interested and get involved in the town in other ways. There are many opportunities to work with the Council on our various boards and committees

Councilor Julia Woldorf, who motioned to appoint Tognini to the council, said she believes Tognini “has demonstrated a strong history and desire for public service. And she has proven by her answers and past experiences a skilled member of a small governing group.”

Council President Heinz added that the decision was a difficult one. “But I have to go with what I believe so I will be opposing the motion.”

Tognini has lived in the borough with her husband for the past 12 years. She brings a background of community service to the council having served as a PTO vice president and president, as head of her civic association, and having just completed a six-year term as a deacon at the Newtown Presbyterian Church.

“It’s time for me to pick the next service opportunity,” she told the council. “I believe that if you can you should step up and serve. We have a great community here. People want to live here but there are always things that can be improved. I feel the pull to be able to offer service.”

Tognini told the council she also believes that "the vibrancy of a town is not just the physical aspects - the houses, the parks, the streets, the lights - it’s also the community of people and getting more people involved with the community is going to keep this town vibrant.”

To find out what the town is thinking, she suggested sending out a survey card or going door to door to speak to residents. “The only way to stay informed is to talk to people," she said.