Mayor Eberly isn't seeking re-election

After more than a decade in the position, Greencastle Mayor Robert "Bob" Eberly is not running for re-election.

"It's been a challenging 11 years," said Eberly, who noted he's been mayor through three borough managers and two police chiefs. He puts it another way: his grandson Loren Ramer started first grade his first year as mayor and will graduate from high school this June.

During his tenure, Eberly also experienced the biggest struggle of his life, the loss of his wife, Darlene to cancer in July 2014.

As mayor, his primary job is head of the police department, serving as the go-between for council and the department. He said he knew a little bit about police work, having served as the Greencastle-Antrim area's district justice for 11 years starting in 1970.

Eberly "sorta backed into" becoming mayor. He was appointed by the local Republican committee to be on the ballot after Mayor Robert "Red" Pensinger, who had won the primary, decided not to run in the general election.

"Overall it's been a good experience," he said.

"I've had a good life," added Eberly, who also was a builder who developed several area subdivisions.

Eberly is 73, wants to travel more and plans to move to his farm on Martin Road in Antrim Township with his dog, Wheatley, and take care of his cows, chickens, ducks, turkeys and alpacas.

His most recent travel in December took him back to the African nation of Sierra Leone, where he lived for three years in the early 1980s with his wife and their two daughters while serving as a business manager for the United Brethren Church.

Through his missions work, he has helped to build churches all over Africa and Central America.

"I have lots of friends around the world," Eberly said.

He also founded Here's Hope Ministries, which works mainly in Belize where it has a children's home, and ran it for 15 years before turning it over to his son-in-law.

The primary election is on May 16. Candidates can begin getting signatures on nominating petitions on Feb. 14 and petitions need to be returned to the Franklin County Commissioners office by March 7.