By Gina Morton
RIVERSIDE — He’s a former Borough Council member — including eight years as president — and now holds the office of Riverside mayor.
But Dale E. Erb has never run for either position.
“I didn’t run for any of these jobs,” he said with a laugh, “and now I’m the mayor.”
Although his name might not have appeared on election ballots, Erb, 72, said serving the borough he lives in has grown on him, and he is proud of the changes, improvements and projects he has accomplished.
In 1984, he was elected to the council by gaining two write-in votes for a board vacancy. When the term expired, a fellow member passed around a petition to keep him on the council.
“After a while, it grows on you,” he said.
He was elected as council president and eventually appointed mayor when the former mayor retired and no one stepped up to the plate.
Since becoming mayor in January 2001, he has started a snow assistance program, where he and other volunteers remove snow for residents who are unable to do it themselves. He also has taken over the annual Memorial Day service.
“I’ve been organizing for about six years now,” he said. “I’m happy with how it’s going. It has a small town USA feeling.”
It’s not just his mayoral accomplishments he’s proud of, either.
When he served as president of the council, he was able to get sewer lines installed throughout the borough.
“When I built my house here, it wasn’t sewered,” he said. “I helped get the sewer extended to Sunny Acres, the Blue Development and (Beishline).”
Erb, a retired accountant, said his primary responsibility is overseeing the police department.
“Mayor has no vote on council,” he said. “We can just advise.”
He also has ceremonial duties where he represents the borough at events, and he can perform marriages. He said he’s done about six.
But one thing that many people may not know makes him most proud.
“Riverside is one of the few communities that doesn’t pay their council or mayor,” he said. “We’re all volunteer.”
State law dictates how much can be paid to each individual according to the size of the community. But because the officials here volunteer their time, the borough saves about $15,625 a year.
“The only reason they do it is because they want to give back to the community,” Erb said. “They’re only there making a decision for what’s best. I’m really proud of that.”
When he’s not busy representing the borough, the mayor enjoys spending time with his wife, Janice; five children, Eric Erb, of Danville, Christine Erb, of North Wales, Gretchen Foust, of Salisbury, Md., Stephanie Harris, of Jacksonville, Fla., and Heidi Lentini, of Norristown; and 12 grandchildren.
