Phil Hale currently serves as President of the Board of Zoning Appeals.

Phil was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, but grew up in various locations in the US and Europe, the family moving every two years or so according to his father's Air Force career assignments. He and his wife Deb moved to Bolivar in May 1999, and have since owned and operated The Jackson Rose Bed & Breakfast. For the first nine years here, Phil also worked in the telecommunications business, commuting to Herndon or Reston, Va. He has since retired and stays home to help mind the B&B business.

Phil earned his BA degree from the University of Maryland in 1977; in 1983 he earned a Masters degree in Telecommunications from George Washington University. He worked in Telecom for 30 years, during which time he lived in Saudi Arabia, San Francisco, New York, Dallas and the DC area.

He really enjoys living in a small town where people know each other, and likes taking advantage of the outdoor activities the area affords: hiking, bicycling and kayaking. His hobbies include reading and traveling. He’s got family nearby, too – his sister as well as their parents settled in Harpers Ferry years before Phil came to town.

John Krywcun serves as a member on the Board of Zoning Appeals, his first public service position in Bolivar. He volunteered, he says, simply "to help fill a need and assist the town." His recent experience of building a home in Bolivar and going through the necessary permit process to do so provided him with first-hand experience and knowledge.

John was born in Buffalo, New York, and grew up in nearby Tonawanda, NY. He earned a BA in Technology Education from Buffalo State College. He has worked as a middle and high school teacher, but for the past 11 years has been employed as an engineer with Americast Inc.

Johns lives on Union Street with his wife Joanne (also Buffalo-born and raised) and their four-year-old son Nicholas. His hobbies include outdoor activities and home improvement projects.

John thinks of Bolivar as "still somewhat of an undiscovered escape with a good mix of old and new." He believes Bolivar has room for improvement, particularly in "beautification and infrastructure – curbs, sidewalks, and newer signs" – as well as becoming a place alive with "community events and activities for all ages." He most fervently wishes that the NPS and Jefferson County could work together to bring the July 4th fireworks back to Bolivar!