WELCOME TO OUR NEW COUNCIL MEMBERS
Ben Valliere Mary Ann Durange
What do you love most about Lebanon?
What I love most about Lebanon is how much of a community there is. I love sitting on my front porch and interacting with neighbors as they walk by on a sunny day. I am also reminded of when my wife and I brought our older daughter home from the hospital in the spring of 2020. Our neighbors organized a meal train for the first couple of weeks we were home with the baby. It was such a thoughtful and kind gesture by our neighbors and quintessentially Lebanon.
What kind of experience do you bring to the role of council member?
I bring my experience as a Borough volunteer on the Lebanon Borough Sewer Authority, and July 4th Celebration Committee; as a former Lebanon Borough School Board member and Rec Committee member; as a father of two young girls; and professionally as a litigating attorney. Working with Mayor Pittinger, and my fellow Council members, I feel I can contribute a unique perspective, given my personal and professional experience, to continue to improve and streamline the Borough’ s government and infrastructure. I intend to advocate that the Borough always make decisions in a transparent and inclusive manner while respecting the Borough’ s rich history and traditions.
What is one thing you would like to accomplish during your term?
I walk my older daughter to school in the morning, and I pick her up from school in the afternoon, as do many other parents. We also bike and scooter around the neighborhood in warmer weather along with other Borough children and their parents. We are incredibly fortunate to live in a community where children play outside, ride their bikes, and are given autonomy to roam the neighborhood at a relatively young age. We can do this because we live in a safe and well-designed community. These freedoms allow residents to live healthy lives and allow our children to develop a healthy independence, however, there are some lingering infrastructure issues which I would like to address to improve Borough safety.( Continued on page 8)
What do you love most about Lebanon?
I love the sense of community and all the activities. My first event 30 years ago was Santa Claus( on a fire truck!) then singing carols around the tree. I called my mom and told her I’ d moved to Who-ville and couldn’ t be happier.
What kind of experience do you bring to the role of council member?
I still hear my husband Mike saying“ for God’ s sake, put your hand down” when it came to volunteering. Through the years, I held several positions on school board, recreation, PTA and led a Girl Scout Troop. With every position my priority was considering the needs of those I served.
What is one thing you would like to accomplish during your term?
I chose to run for office because I care about our community and I wanted to continue to serve the residents. Unfortunately, circumstances have changed and I am no longer able to continue on that path. I am truly disappointed as I was looking forward to working on behalf of the residents in a new role.
That being said, the success of this small community relies on volunteerism. Many hands make light work. I regret that I didn’ t take on the role of Councilperson earlier and I urge members of the community to get involved wherever you can, even if it’ s just a small contribution. The reward to the community— and your own self-esteem and happiness— is wonderful.
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