Upper St. Clair commissioner honored for service
Robert W. Orchowski was honored recently for his service as an Upper St. Clair Township commissioner. After 26 years, Orchowski did not seek reelection for his term that ended Dec. 31. He was the longest serving commissioner in the township’s history.
Over a dozen friends and former colleagues attended an informational and general affairs meeting to honor him.
Township Manager Matthew R. Serakowski and board President Daniel R. Paoly presented Orchowski with proclamations acknowledging his impact on township history throughout his tenure.
“Commissioner Orchowski and I have worked together for all 26 years of his service on the board,” said Serakowski. “The impact he has had on the staff and community cannot be overstated. He has always treated everyone with respect and dignity. On behalf of myself and all the staff members at the township, we want to thank him for his service.”
Paoly added, “What really stands out to me about Commissioner Orchowski is the performance of his duties with dedication, fairness and intelligence. In my time on the board with him, everything he did was with the utmost respect for everyone.”
Pennsylvania Sen. Devlin Robinson and state Rep. Natalie Mihalek also presented Orchowski with proclamations.
“Commissioner Orchowski is a very dedicated person and professional,” Robinson said. “For 26 years, he has served this community in multiple capacities. We are all happy and thankful he has stayed on this long because he has made Upper St. Clair a better community.”
“There are givers and takers in this world, and Commissioner Orchowski is a giver,” added Mihalek. “He has given so much to this community, the board of commissioners and so many different people. I thank him for always being there for me personally, and I think he is the model for all public servants.”
In his years as commissioner, Orchowski has seen Upper St. Clair flourish as a community. Orchowski served as a commissioner during the approval, construction and opening of the volunteer fire department main station, Community & Recreation Center, Fields Complex at Boyce Mayview Park, Miracle League of the South Hills Field and the Casey’s Clubhouse Playground and Upper St. Clair Veterans Park.
In addition, he was an active participant in the development of many more projects and milestones throughout the township, including completion of the Perimeter Trail Extension, the redevelopment of South Hills Village, the development of the Siena at St. Clair, the renovation of Wiltshire Park and the McLaughlin Run Activity Center, the addition of lights at Boyce Mayview Fields, the installation of new street signage and the most recent multi-year renovations to the municipal building.
“Thank you to everybody here, and everybody not here, for the privilege of getting to serve Upper St. Clair for so long,” Orchowski said. “I’m going to miss the people, including all the current and former commissioners. Upper St. Clair is still in great hands. We live in a great community, have a great staff and great commissioners, so let’s keep it that way.”