Honesdale Councilman and Mayoral Candidate Stripped of Committee Posts Amid Playground Controversy

With election day just a week away, political tensions are heating up in Honesdale. Councilman and mayoral candidate Jim Hamill was stripped of all his committee assignments Monday night in a unanimous vote by the Honesdale Borough Council, following disputes over a Central Park playground and Hamill’s recent public statements.Playground Sparks Political FireCentral Park’s playground, long covered with tire mulch, has been under scrutiny after soil tests revealed zinc levels as high as 797 parts per million under the play area — far above the 50 parts per million found elsewhere. The elevated zinc likely contributed to the death of nearby trees.Hamill’s Video ControversyHamill, chair of the Parks and Recreation Committee until last week, posted a video to the official borough account claiming the committee had just learned about the playground removal and that a full report was pending.Liam Mayo of The River Reporter, who attended the council meeting,  explained why that claim was disputed: “The committee received a full verbal report on Oct. 7, including zinc levels and tree health concerns. Hamill’s video cast doubt on the borough’s actions, which other council members say undermined public trust.”Council member James Cordaro told The River Reporter the decision was “a much broader problem,” while another council member added: “I think humility and an apology could go a really long way.”Election SpotlightThe move comes as Hamill campaigns against incumbent Mayor Derrick Williams. Mayo noted that Hamill has often positioned himself as a critic of borough processes.“Hamill has made the handling of the police department a major issue in this race, casting doubt on how it’s managed, while Mayor Williams maintains a broader vision of the office’s role,” Mayo said.What’s Next for Central Park?The old playground equipment has been removed and will be relocated to another park. Borough officials are planning a new ADA-accessible playground, though no final plan or funding amount has been set. Interim Borough Manager Kevin Kondracik hopes to have a new playground in place by spring.The council has applied for a local share grant to help fund the new facility.For ongoing updates on Honesdale politics and the Central Park playground, visit The River Reporter.