CHESTNUTHILL TOWNSHIP -- Despite the tragic events in neighboring Ross Township, the Chestnuthill Township supervisors held a regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday night.
Among the victims of the shooting rampage inside the Ross Township Municipal building was Chestnuthill Township Supervisor Dave Fleetwood.
At the meeting, the two remaining supervisors said they went on with the meeting because that’s what Dave would have wanted.
“The staff at Chestnuthill Township was saddened to learn that one of the victims,” said supervisor Chuck Could as he choked up. “Excuse me.”
It was an emotional night at the meeting near Brodheadsville, as the third member of the board, Dave Fleetwood, was among the victims in the shooting rampage at another supervisors meeting Monday night.
“Dave was epitome of a dedicated public servant. He had a long history of public service to the west end of Monroe County,” said Gould. “He was heavily involved in Little League baseball, Chestnuthill`s Historical Society.”
Fleetwood, a Chestnuthill Township supervisor, was also the Ross Township zoning officer and was killed when investigators say Rockne Newell opened fire at the Ross Township Municipal Building.
“He was always a gentleman, he was caring about people and he will be so missed that you just don`t know how badly he`ll be missed,” said Nancy Christman.
The supervisors shortened the meeting, taking care of immediate township business only.
Many at the meeting said they have lost a good man.
“My son did an Eagle Scout project and Dave was helpful and instrumental in making that happen,” said Doug Atherton.
“Sad that he had to go like this and I feel like I never got a chance to thank him for everything he did to help my life,” said Andy Atherton.
As for why the supervisors still held the meeting in light of the tragic events, they said they did it for a man who lived for public service.
“Supervisor Fleetwood would have expected us to do this, to take care of the public`s business,” said Gould.
The Chestnuthill Township’s 250th anniversary celebration is coming up on September 7 at the West End Fair Grounds in Gilbert; Dave was on the committee. Members say they plan on remembering him at the event.
Click here to read all Newswatch 16 stories on the Ross Township tragedy.