William Althaus
William Althaus | |
|---|---|
| 21st Mayor of York, Pennsylvania | |
| In office 1982–1994 | |
| Preceded by | Betty Marshall |
| Succeeded by | Charlie Robertson |
| 50th President of the United States Conference of Mayors | |
| In office 1992–1993 | |
| Preceded by | Raymond Flynn |
| Succeeded by | Jerry Abramson |
| Personal details | |
| Party | Republican |
| Alma mater | Johns Hopkins University |
William J. Althaus is an American former politician who served as mayor of York, Pennsylvania, for 12 years between 1982 and 1994. During this time, he was also selected to be the 50th president of the United States Conference of Mayors for its 1992 to 1993 session. Althaus is a Republican.
Educated at Johns Hopkins University, Althaus majored in political science and history.[1]
Political career
Mayor of York
As mayor, Althaus sought to turn York into a hub for Soviet and Russian immigrants following the fall of the iron curtain.[2] During his tenure as mayor, Althaus celebrated the 125th anniversary of the occupation of York by the Confederate States of America joking to the Confederate reenactor it wouldn't be as easy this time around due to the York police department which hadn't existed at the time of the occupation.[3] He co-moderated the 86th annual convention of the Pennsylvania League of Cities in 1985.[4] Althaus was also an advocate for smokers rights, seeking to ensure national federal protection for the freedom of individuals to smoke in public.[5] He led a successful effort to have sexual orientation added to a city ordinance protecting against discrimination of public accommodations.[1] During his time as mayor, Althaus served as a delegate to the 1992 Republican National Convention.[5]
President of the United States Conference of Mayors
Before his appointment as the Conference's president, Althaus had been an active member attending every meeting since his election to mayor of York.[6] When he was chosen as president, besides fostering a working relationship with the Clinton administration, the main goal of his 1992 to 1993 term would be to increase federal funding to cities.[7][5] During the Bush administration and the Reagan administration federal mandates increased, while the funding for federal mandates was cut. Althaus, and the Conference petitioned to either increase funding so that the mandates may be carried out, or to cut the number of mandates so the funding can cover all of them.[8]
Post-mayoral career
As a former mayor and the last Republican mayor, Althaus has remained an influential member of the local community. He has worked with several other more recent mayors to help with issues such as race relations.[9]
In a 2024 interview with the York Daily Record, Althaus said that after being mayor, he had a 20-year career with the United States Agency for International Development.[1]
References
- ^ a b c McClure, Jim (December 31, 2024). "Former York mayor: No partisan way to fill a pothole. 'You just fill the damn pothole'". York Daily Record. Retrieved January 7, 2026.
- ^ Thompson, Stephanie (June 1992). "A Cheerleader for the Cities". The American City & County. Vol. 107, no. 7. Pittsfield. p. 27. ProQuest 195908218.
- ^ McClure, Jim. "Mayor of York, Pa.: 'We are no longer unprotected' – 15/31 iconic images". yorkblog.com. York Daily Record. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
- ^ "Cities Group Asks Mayor to Moderate". www.mcall.com. The Morning Call. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
- ^ a b c "William Althaus". www.c-span.org. c-span. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
- ^ Huskisson, Gregory. "Mayors Get Together Amid Gloom". www.chicagotribune.com. Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
- ^ "Mar. 5 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993" (PDF). www.govinfo.gov. Authenticated U.S. Government Information. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
- ^ "Mayors want money to enforce federal mandates". www.tampabay.com. Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
- ^ Calvert, Scott. "At Ballot Box, Town with Troubled Past Faces Forward". www.baltimoresun.com. The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 14, 2022.