A look back: Feb. 7, 1997

Ten months after the retirement last year of John O. Rupell, Palmerton has a new police chief. Borough council last night voted unanimously to name George Taptich to the post at a salary of $18.30 an hour.

The 19-year veteran of the department has been the officer in charge since Rupell’s retirement. Barry Scherer, council president, commended Taptich on the job he has done in that capacity and thanked him, while Mayor Peter J. Delich commented on the borough’s good fortune in having officers on the force capable of becoming chief.

When the mayor finished administering the oath and shook hands with the new chief, the council members sitting around the table broke into applause.