By SARIT LASCHINSKY

Special to The Press

Upper Macungie Supervisors James Brunell, Sean Gill and Kathy Rader recently expressed their heartfelt condolences and presented a proclamation in honor of the late Makala Ashmar.

“I do believe there’s probably not a person in this room who didn’t know Makala or had some sort of contact with her,” Brunell said, before reading the proclamation.

“And, it’s with a heavy heart we present this. The family’s been through quite a bit over the last couple of years.”

Ashmar, a 2009 graduate of Parkland High School, graduated from Bloomsburg University in 2013, where she majored in political science and history.

She served on the township’s planning commission from 2015-20, where she took on the role of secretary.

Brunell noted she was also involved in many aspects of civic duty outside the township.

Ashmar was elected chairwoman of the Pennsylvania Young Republicans in January 2020, was an advocate for Pete’s Sake Cancer Respite Foundation, and was a lifetime member of the Girl Scouts, where she was recognized with the “Take the Lead Award.”

Makala’s brother, Joshua, and mother, Sharon, were in attendance, and were presented with the proclamation.

Brunell said Makala’s late father, Samir, had served as a township supervisor and Joshua serves the township as a volunteer firefighter.

“This family has given much. Many thanks to you and your family,” Brunell said. “We’re very honored to give this to you, and sorry for your loss.”

Additionally, state Rep. Gary Day, R-187th, presented a condolence resolution from the state House of Representatives in Makala’s honor.

“We’re here tonight to not let the ship pass into the night without marking the wonderful accomplishments and contributions that your daughter, and your sister contributed,” Day said to the Ashmar family, adding Makala was a good friend. “We all have a particular amount of time on the earth.

“Some people had a short time, and did much more than people who had a long time on the Earth, and Makala was certainly one of those people.

“She went after life and the things that mattered to her, whether that was her family, her friends, her politics … she had achieved things that many people don’t do in an entire lifetime, and her cup really runneth over because she worked so hard and didn’t waste a single minute or day.”

An emotional Day then read the house resolution, which highlighted Makala’s contributions in her career and to the community.

Ashmar began her career as an outreach coordinator and constituent service representative for former Congressman Charlie Dent, and afterward accepted a managerial position with the Lehigh Northampton Airport Authority as a properties coordinator.

She was also a graduate of the Anne B. Anstine Excellence in Public Services Series and was named one of the Lehigh Valley’s “40 Under 40” in February 2020.

She also served as an ambassador for the Lehigh Valley Organ and Tissue Donation Foundation and was a member of the Spirit of Courage Cabinet for the Burn Prevention Network.

In closing, Day expressed his condolences to the Ashmar family, and to Makala’s colleagues and friends.

“This family has certainly given Upper Macungie Township, the Lehigh Valley and Pennsylvania a lot of time, effort and energy,” he concluded.

In addition, supervisors also presented a second proclamation to honor the dedicated and distinguished service of Roger Conrad, who served as the township’s Deputy Emergency Management Coordinator from 2008 until his resignation in September 2020.

Reading the proclamation, Brunell noted Conrad has been a township resident since 1973 and had worked and retired from Air Products and Chemicals Inc. after 37 years of service.

Conrad’s commitment to community service began 30 years ago when he joined the Lehigh County Special Operations Team.

In 2004. he joined Good Will Fire Company No. 1, Trexlertown, where he continues as a fire police captain. Conrad attained numerous certifications across different disciplines of emergency management, including as a Pro Board Hazardous Materials Technician, certified safety professional, chemical hygiene officer, fire service health and safety officer, incident safety officer, and hazardous material safety officer.

“Therefore, it is with great pride and sincere appreciation the board of supervisors hereby present this distinguished service award in honor of Roger Conrad and will forever remember his contributions to Upper Macungie Township,” Brunell said.

He made note of Conrad’s dedication and time investment to receive his numerous safety certifications as the audience provided enthusiastic applause.

“Roger, we are truly grateful for your time and commitment, and continued commitment for the community,” Brunell concluded. “Thank you very much for your service.”