Bristol Twp. Honors Late Council President, Reorganizes Twp. Leadership

Bristol Township’s municipal building was packed Wednesday evening as residents and council members shared their first meeting since the passing of Council President Bob Lewis Jr.

Lewis, who had been a figurehead of the township’s council since 2010, passed away peacefully at his home on March 15, he was 76.

On Wednesday, council was left to pick up the pieces following Lewis’ death and attempt to fill his shoes with new leadership.

Council universally nominated Craig Bowen, a member of the township’s Pro-Team to take over as president.

Bowen, a well-liked member of the council, said he was “extremely nervous to fill Lewis’ shoes”, who the council remembered as carrying the township with an immeasurable amount of wisdom and poise.

“If you have any concerns or suggestions, bring it on,” the newly appointed president said. “Lay it on me. But we have a township to run, we have a lot going on and so we got to get going.”

Following Bowen’s appointment, Vice President Troy Brennan stepped down from his position. “I want to step down and give someone else the chance to do this job,” he said. “Serving with Lewis and now without him, it just wouldn’t be the same.”

The board subsequently voted Councilwoman Amber Longhitano to the vice president position.

Longhitano, a resident of Croydon, said the entire night was an extremely sad one for her.

The room fell with emotion as President Craig Bowen then took the time to honor Lewis. Bowen, with the help of council, passed a resolution of respect in Lewis’ honor.

Lewis’ wife Susan and daughter Laura, came to accept his plaque and were greeted with hugs, kisses on the cheek, and teary eyes from each council member. Lewis’ late presidential seat could be seen draped in his memory.

“His passing leaves a vacancy in the governance of Bristol Township far larger than his modesty would acknowledge,” read Bowen from the resolution.

Following the council’s remembrance of Lewis, they were left with the task of appointing a new member to council.

While the council technically has 30 days to appoint a new member, the council chose to elect a new member Wednesday evening.

Council universally nominated Murray Bailey, a Philadelphia native and pastor, to join them on the board. Read more about Bailey.

Bailey ran for the Pro-Team in the 2013 Primary Election but lost the election that year.

He told LevittownNow.com back in 2013 that “everything has its season,” and it seems Bailey has reached his.

Despite losing the election, Bailey has stayed active in the community and can be seen at many township events. He will finish out the remainder of the year and will be up for election in January 2016.

Bailey, who was abandoned by his mother at a young age and raised by his great grandmother in a desolate and crime-ridden section of the city, said he had “anxiety” over the position.

“I have a responsibility as a pastor, and now responsibility as a councilman,” he said. “But I was built for this. I love this community and I love these residents.”

There was not a dry eye in the house Wednesday as residents and council members embraced Murray’s appointment and honored the lasting memory of Lewis.