Montco commissioner Richards to chair DVRPC

NORRISTOWN Montgomery County Commissioner Leslie S. Richards was elected Thursday to chair the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission.

The 18-member board selected Richards to fill the rotating post as chairwoman for the fiscal year that begins Tuesday.

With more than 20 years' experience as a civil engineer, Richards has focused on transportation and land-use issues as a county commissioner. She has served as the county's representative on the DVRPC and SEPTA boards since 2012.

As chair of the DVRPC, Richards will have a key role in setting transportation policies, allocating funds, and long-term planning for the nine-county region around Philadelphia and South Jersey.

Richards will succeed James Simpson of the New Jersey Department of Transportation, who has finished his one-year term as chairman. - Jessica Parks