NORRISTOWN >> Hank Cisco was not reappointed to his post as Norristown’s Ambassador during Tuesday night’s Council Meeting.
“We tabled that item. We didn’t put it on the agenda,” said Council President Sonya Sanders “The word table would be the correct term to use. However, that’s not to say he is not the ambassador or we are looking for someone else to be the ambassador.”
Sanders commented that council had further discussions in regard to the evening’s three appointments, including Cisco’s, and it will be discussed at the next council meeting which is scheduled for January 16th at 7:30 p.m.
According to sources close to Cisco, he was informed less than two hours before the council meeting that he was not going to be reappointed on Tuesday and the matter had been tabled. Cisco, 94, does not drive and uses a ride service for transportation, which he planned to take the meeting. A friend of Cisco’s who spoke with him on Tuesday night said Cisco didn’t know why the decision to table his reappointment was made and has never been told he has not been serving the town correctly.
“It’s a devastating surprise. He just wants to know why,” said the friend of Cisco.
The position of Norristown Ambassador is unpaid.
Norristown is the only municipality in America with an ambassador. Cisco is also known throughout the area as a local historian and television personality. He is approaching his 30th year on television as the host of “The Hank Cisco Show,” produced at Norristown Area High School.
The show is a local institution that came about by happenstance when Cisco was escorting a visiting Japanese police officer to a public access TV segment commemorating Pearl Harbor Day. It is a reflection of Cisco’s values and varied interests. He has interviewed mayors, police chiefs, recording artists, community activists and newspaper editors. He’s even brought on all the doctors who have treated his various maladies throughout the years, all with the goal of informing the public and assisting the community.
Frank Ciaccio was born Nov. 9, 1923 in Brooklyn. The fifth of eight children, Frank took the moniker Hank Cisco at the urging of a boxing manager who wanted him and his older brother Tony to have “stage names” people could easily pronounce.
Cisco grew up in Norristown and worked with his siblings in his father’s shoe shop near Main and DeKalb streets before embarking on a multifaceted career that began with a stint as a professional boxer. Highlights of his officiating career in boxing include, officiating a card at the old Philadelphia Arena, when was called upon to physically evict Muhammad Ali from a boxing ring. He was in the ring on an evening when a young up-and-comer named Joe Frazier was to make his second appearance as a professional in front of his adopted hometown’s fans.
Cisco served Norristown for more than 25 years in law enforcement, ascending through the ranks from a beat cop to Montgomery County juvenile detective. His involvement in boxing continued through refereeing, training and starting the Norristown Police Athletic League boxing program. Cisco is a member of the Boxing, Education, Law Enforcement, and Montgomery County Sports Halls of Fame in Pennsylvania.
Word spread on social media on Tuesday evening about council’s decision’s to table Cisco’s reappointment. Many voiced support of Norristown’s Ambassador and disappointment in the decision.
“He is an icon in this community. When I think of him, I think of a historian who always reminds me of the goodness of the 19401,” said Rochelle Culbreath, a former Norristown Council person from 2000-2006. “He is part of the seam that runs through everything. He’s always jovial. He doesn’t just talk it, he has solutions.”
Added Norristown resident Mary Ellen Digregorio: “He is the longest living cheerleader for Norristown. This is how they pay him back? It didn’t cost Norristown a nickel for the goodwill he has given to this community.”
“This man has spent his entire life serving the citizens of Norristown,” said Russell Bono, former Norristown Chief of Police and former county sheriff. “First, as a police officer and now as the Ambassador. Real Norristonians all know, love, and respect the Rock (Cisco’s nickname). I can only hope this is all a misunderstanding and Hank will have the opportunity to continue in his no-pay position for the benefit of all of us.”
Councilman Hakim Jones was disappointed in how the situation unfolded during the meeting.
“When one person makes a decision for all, It’s only right that the entire body have the opportunity to at least weigh in on the matter. It’s also a disservice when you tell a lifelong resident the day of the meeting that the decision to renew their position will be tabled until further notice. It’s simply not good governing.”
This is a developing story and The Times Herald will continue to update it.
