Avalon Police Chief Robert Howie, left, welcomes his successor, new chief Tom Kokoski, after Kokoski was sworn in by Mayor David Haslett at Wednesday’s Avalon Council meeting. Howie will retire May 25 after 17 years as chief, and a total of 23 years with the Avalon Police Department. Kokoski, who has been a police officer for 12 years and employed with Avalon for the past eight, was hired last month by Avalon Council. Council voted Wednesday to approve a 3.5 year contract with Kokoski, though Dec. 31, 2013. Howie, who will be honored by council next month, received recognition from The DoorWay, whose director, Joyce Erdner, said that Howie had been a good friend to the organization and was leaving behind a group of officers who were well prepared to protect the borough and its citizens.

Photo by Connie Rankin for The Citizen