Appointments to Derry Township boards are postponed by supervisors due to commissioner’s opinion

Hershey, Pennsylvania — New appointees set to be named at last night’s Board of Supervisors meeting in Derry Township were postponed after the board publicly addressed an opinion expressed by a township planning commissioner. The board said it will now await a new policy to be instituted by township solicitor Patrick Armstrong before making any new appointments. Armstrong was not present during the meeting, and a substitute solicitor filled his seat.

On Friday, PennLive published a letter to the editor signed by the Secretary of Derry Township Planning Commission. The subject of the letter criticized a budget proposal of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro to rely upon revenue from recreational drugs and corner store gambling machines. PennLive circulated the opinion on X (formerly Twitter, now owned by Elon Musk), where it gained attention as a rare conservative perspective being featured by PennLive. In the letter it was concluded that, “Shapiro’s plan is a degenerate proposal for the future generations of families and businesses in the Keystone State.”

The opinion was also shared on Facebook and other social media platforms. According to a post circulating in a group on Facebook, township supervisor Richard Zmuda was potentially coerced for politically motivated reasons in Derry Township to address the letter printed by PennLive.

On Monday, the Board of Supervisors convened to discuss the opinion, and newly hired township manager Zack Jackson telephoned the editor of PennLive demanding a retraction of the letter to the editor. At that time, PennLive contacted the author to advise.

Derry Township Solicitor Patrick Armstrong and Jackson reached out directly to the author demanding he will never again sign opinions using his township title. The author said he initially agreed due to fear of retaliation. However, in hindsight, said he is proud of his opinion, and believes his sentiments are shared by the majority of residents in Derry Township.

Shapiro’s gubernatorial opponent blasted Derry Township’s action as being “totally not appropriate.” Senator Doug Mastriano said the author is entitled to his personal opinion as a planning commissioner.

PennLive editor Joyce Davis also supports the authors freedom of expression, stating, “It is your right to identify yourself in a letter to the editor. That is our policy for all submissions. Thanks for writing!” Davis responded to Guay in an email obtained by Harrisburg100.

PennLive columnist Nancy Eshelman took a different perspective in a comment that she made in response to the opinion, instead supporting state revenue from drugs and gambling, because she said people are already doing it.

Following the recent resignations of Christopher Gazzio and Joseph Nocera, the appointment of two members to the Zoning Hearing Board were set to be made at the Board of Supervisors meeting last night, February 25, 2025. However, due to the disputed opinion, all board appointments have been postponed until a new policy is instituted by Derry Township Solicitor Patrick Armstrong.

Other business at the meeting included the announcement of Bacco Pizzeria & Wine Bar coming to Chocolate Avenue.

Supervisor Rick Zmuda announced an initiative being championed by state Rep. Tom Mehaffie to improve traffic and pedestrian safety along Cocoa Avenue in Hershey.

It was also announced that PennDOT approved $700k to improve Hockersville Road in Derry Township between Areba Avenue and Chocolate Avenue.

The promotion of three Sergeants and one Lt. Assistant Chief of Police was conducted at tonight’s Board of Supervisors meeting in Derry Township.