T-L Photo/GAGE VOTA Shadyside council member Robert “Bushwacker” Gorrell, on left, presents Mayor Robert Newhart a proclamation that encourages residents to wish Newhart a happy and healthy retirement.

SHADYSIDE — After 19 years of serving the village of Shadyside as Mayor, Robert Newhart is retiring.

As this chapter closes for Newhart, the village threw him a retirement party at the community building where council regularly holds its meetings.

Prior to becoming mayor, Newhart served 17 years on village council. He first ran for council in 1989 and began serving as a member in 1990.

Newhart said he initially ran because he wanted to step up and help serve the village and was interested in the well-being of Shadyside.

In 2006, Newhart replaced the current mayor at the time Dennis Hancock who resigned.

“I didn’t run for mayor. I was council president, and Mayor Hancock resigned. So I filled half of that term, and then I had to be elected for the second half of that term, and then it was four year terms after that. That’s how I came out serving 19 years,” Newhart said.

He added that his decision to not seek re-election in the 2025 election was due to he believed both candidates Mike Meintel and Nick Ferrelli were solid options for the village.

“There were two really good candidates that ran, so I thought I didn’t need to,” Newhart said.

Meintel ended up defeating Ferrelli and will take over the position at the start of 2026.

“Bob was born and raised in Shadyside. He truly loves Shadyside and he followed in his father’s footsteps by being a good public servant,” Meintel said. “He will always be someone that I will go to if I have questions regarding village government. I wish him the best of luck in his retirement.”

When reflecting on what he’s most proud of during his time as mayor he said that he is most proud of the village employees.

“I’m most proud of my employees. I believe we have a great staff. They have the village interest at heart,” Newhart said. “I appreciate working with council. I’ve been through many councils, and they’ve all had the village’s best interest at heart.”

He added that he couldn’t pick a specific project or task that he is most proud of besides the fact that he and council have been able to navigate through several difficult times throughout his 19 years.

“We’ve had quite a few problems that we’ve worked through as a village, and we’re still here,” he said.

Despite retiring, Newhart said that he has no intentions of not being an active member within the community. He added that he still plans to attend the council meetings and joked that he’ll continue to make funny faces as village solicitor Kelly Kotur.

“It’s been a pleasure serving the community. I’m still gonna be here but I’ll just be sitting on the other side of the table,” he said.

Kotur has only worked with Newhart for the past year, but believes it’s clear how much he cares for the village.

“It’s very clear that he cares for Shadyside, its residents, and everyone who works for the Village,” Kotur said. “I think Shadyside is very lucky to have had Bob’s steadfast leadership over the years, and I think that dedicated leadership will continue with incoming Mayor Mike Meintel.”

During Newhart’s party, council member Robert “Bushwacker” Gorrell read a proclamation encouraging all village residents to offer Newhart congratulations and offer their best wishes on a long and healthy retirement.

“Mayor Newhart has demonstrated unwavering commitment and leadership, working tirelessly to enhance the quality of life for all the residents and fostering a strong community,” Gorrell said. “And whereas, in his vibration service, Mayor Newhart has overseen significant achievements and milestones, including infrastructure improvements, community programs, and leaving a lasting positive legacy for future generations.”