Former Sparta mayor appointed to Sussex CC board

By Nathan Mayberg
NEWTON — The Sussex County Board of Freeholders voted Tuesday morning to appoint former Sparta mayor and councilman Michael Spekhardt to fill one of two remaining vacancies on the Sussex Community College Board of Trustees.

Spekhardt will take the place of former trustee and board chairman Glenn Gavan, who resigned in August in the wake of disclosures that he had business dealings with CP Engineers, the college's engineering firm.

CP Engineers was approved by the board for more than $800,000 in contracts and designed plans for a $2.8 million student center renovation project

Spekhardt was recommended by the search committee of the freeholders.

Asked about what contributions he intended to bring to a board beset by the recent controversies, Spekhardt said "my experience and my reputation."

According to a letter he sent to the search committee of the Board of Freeholders in September, Spekhardt has almost 30 years of experience with the United Parcel Service in the information technology field. He has also served on the Sparta planning board and library board.

In his letter to the search committee, Spekahardt wrote that it was "troubling" to read about the articles involving the former board members and believed they did the right thing by resigning.

"I am extremely passionate about the important role the schools play in providing affordable college education opportunities for the working families in the state," he said.

A third board member, Ed Leppert, whose payroll company also has a business arrangement with CP Engineers, has stayed on the board.

The seat of former trustee Glen Vetrano, who resigned after disclosing that he worked for CP Engineers, still remains vacant. Vetrano's seat is a Governor's appointed position.

Spekhardt's term runs through Oct. 31, 2016.

Reporter Nathan Mayberg can be reached at comm.reporter@strausnews.com or by calling 845-469-9000 ext. 359