Swarthmore Won’t Say Why Manager, Library Workers Are Gone
By Bob Small
The sleepy borough of Swarthmore made the internet pages of The Inquirer and MSN with the firing of borough manager Sean Halbom after just six months.
He was placed on administrative leave, Feb. 17.
Meanwhile, and probably unrelated, Scott Schumacher left his decades-long stint as Swarthmore Public Library children’s librarian.
And also terminated in February was long-term Swarthmore Library associate, Marnie Berkowitz.
No reasons were given for any of the actions.
Regarding Halbom, we reported on a possible violation of “the sunshine act.”
This is likely not intentional but it was the only miscue we know about regarding the position.
“Swarthmore Borough Council has had four managers in four years,” said Rob Jordan who chairs the Swarthmore Republican Committee. “It’s a crisis of leadership and a lack of competence in our council. They need to focus on things that truly matter to borough residents instead of distractions like gas-powered leaf blowers and forced composting.”
David Unkovic has been appointed interim borough manager.
Sudden staff shifts shake Swarthmore – The Swarthmorean (2026-
Resolution No. 19-2025 – swarthmorepa.org
