From county positions to borough offices, retirements played a role in shaping public representation in the future.

Two county officials announced their plans to retire, as did two mayors and three police chiefs.

Among those stories getting 2021 headlines were:

Jan. 26: Carbon County Treasurer Ronald J. Sheehan has announced he would not be seeking a sixth term this year, and will retire from public office at the end of his current term.

A lifelong resident of Jim Thorpe, Sheehan’s service to Carbon County stretches almost 30 years, serving nearly a decade as the accountant/fiscal deputy in the controller’s office prior to becoming treasurer.

He was elected to his current position in November 2001 and was re-elected without opposition for an additional four terms. He served as president of the County Treasurers’ Association of Pennsylvania in 2012-13 and vice president for two years.

Feb. 15: Paul R. McArdle, who has served as Summit Hill’s mayor for the past 20 years, announced he would not seek re-election.

Prior to becoming mayor, McArdle served the remainder of an appointed term on the town’s borough council.

Earlier this month, the Summit Hill Borough Council recognized the mayor’s 20 years of service as the burgess.

Aug. 24: Summit Hill Borough Council named Todd Woodward, a 19-year veteran of the police force, to succeed Joseph Fittos Jr. as the town’s police chief.

Fittos retired in September after being on sick leave with the department. He held the position for many years and previously was a patrolman in the borough.

Woodward received a three-year contract from the council. He was one of 30 applicants for the chief’s position.

Nov. 5: Carbon County Sheriff Anthony C. Harvilla announced he will retire in January, with two years remaining in his current term.

Chief Deputy Sheriff Daniel Zeigler will serve as acting sheriff until a new one is approved by the governor and state Legislature.

Harvilla, 65, was first elected sheriff in 2015. Prior to that, the Banks Township resident worked in probation for the United States Courts for 25 years.

Harvilla’s retirement from the federal court was mandatory due to his age. Not ready to end his time in law enforcement, he ran for sheriff.

Six years later, he says it is time to step away. His last day will be Jan. 10.

Nov. 20: The Slatington Borough Council surprised retiring Mayor Walter C. Niedermoyer with a celebration of his 20 years of service to the community.

Among the presentations to the outgoing mayor was one made by Magisterial District Judge Thomas C. Creighton, who presented the mayor a certificate on behalf of the Special Court Judges Association of Pennsylvania.

Neidermoyer began his service to the community in January, 2002.

Dec. 8: Lehighton Borough Police Chief Brian Biechy announced this month he will retire from his position on Aug. 10 of next year.

Biechy began as a part-time officer in the borough in 1988, and became full-time in 1989.

Dec. 16: Forty years after he began with the Palmerton Police Department, borough police Chief Randy Smith is on the final leg of his professional journey. He announced at the start of this year he would retire on Jan. 22 next year.

Smith was hired in 1981 as a part-time officer with the Palmerton Police Department and was promoted to full-time in 1984. In 2008, he became borough police chief, taking over for former borough police Chief Timothy Nothstein.