Schuylkill County Commissioner Barron “Boots” Hetherington is now chairman of the Schuylkill County Prison Board. Hetherington was chosen Monday to replace former chairman and Judge William E. Baldwin who retired.

Hetherington said he is looking forward to serving as chairman and working with Warden David Wapinsky, who he says does a “good job.”

There are seven members of the prison board: Sheriff Joseph Groody, Hetherington, Commissioner Gary Hess, Sharyn Yackenchick, controller, Commissioner George Halcovage Jr., District Attorney Mike O’Pake, and President Judge Jacqueline Russell.

First Assistant Solicitor Glenn Roth ran the meeting until after the vote of Hetherington for chairman. Russell was chosen as vice chairman. Hetherington selected Yackenchick as chairperson of the personnel committee and Halcovage and Hess as the other members.

Hetherington said the board of commissioners didn’t need to reorganize, something they will do in 2023 after the election.