After serving on the State College Borough Council for more than 10 years, Richard McCarl will now hold the highest office in the council.

Council members elected McCarl as their new president Jan. 7, and he will reside over work sessions and appoint people to head various committees and boards, with the "advice and consent of the council."

McCarl is no stranger to State College and Penn State.

As a resident of State College since 1955, he came to Penn State as a graduate student. McCarl was a professor and researcher at Penn State from 1963 to his retirement in 1991. "I was foremost a professor, researcher and teacher," McCarl said.

McCarl decided to run for the council in 1991 when a friend suggested his nomination. He won the primaries and the fall election. McCarl will now serve as council president for the next two years.

The most important issue that faces the council is the establishment of a historic district and a historical review board in State College, McCarl said.

McCarl is not opposed to a historic district in State College. However, he would like to see the ordinance for such a district pass with more than a 4-3 vote, the minimum vote required to pass an ordinance.

Other issues that need to be addressed include growth boundaries, clean water, funding for a new building for the fire department and transportation, McCarl said. The interaction between student pedestrians and traffic needs to be safer, he added.

"Transportation is certainly a problem," McCarl said.

McCarl was elected by a 3-1-1 vote.

"I do plan to be the president of seven people, not just the people who elected me," McCarl said.

Council member Jean McManis, who nominated McCarl for council president, believes that he has many traits that will make him an excellent council leader. "He's a wonderfully civil person. Different people are needed at different times. I think his fairness and his civility are of the utmost importance at this time," McManis said.

McCarl also has administrative experience, which is very important, McManis said. He respects the people he works with and will make sure all are heard on important issues, even when he disagrees with that person, she added.

The historic district is going to be "tough and emotional," but McCarl will be what the council needs during the deciding of the ordinance, McManis said.

"Richard's style will help us through this," she added.

Council member Tom Daubert agrees that McCarl will be an excellent council president, though he abstained from voting during the election.

"I've known Dick for 40 years. He's a very fair person; I think he'll do a fine job," Daubert said.

Daubert and McCarl agree on many legislative issues, such as the establishment of a historic district, which was why he abstained from voting, Daubert said.

For McCarl, the job has a special benefit. The best part of being on the council has been the interaction with the people, he said.