PHIA Names Rev. Elmer Klein Citizen of the Year

By Brian Hooks

The Perry Hall Improvement Association took some time out of the general meeting on Thursday night to honor one of its longest-serving members.
PHIA president Dennis Robinson named 44-year Perry Hall resident Reverend Elmer Klein the 2013 Citizen of the Year.

Rev. Klein moved to the area in 1969, and was pastor at St. Michael's Lutheran Church until he retired in 1995. Since then, he has remained active in the Perry Hall concert series, the Silver Wings organization for underprivileged children, and continuing ministry at Oak Crest Retirement Community.

"He is the longest serving board member in the history of the PHIA," Robinson said. "When I became president of the PHIA almost four years ago, I immediately knew that I could trust his advice and guidance on important issues."

In addition to the award ceremony, the PHIA heard from Judge Justin King, of the Circuit Court for Baltimore County. Judge King, who was appointed to the circuit court in 2012, gave an overview of the county's court system, the cases it hears and the role of a judge.

"[He] encouraged those in attendance to attend court proceedings, which are open to the public, to learn more about the court system," Robinson told Patch. "Unless you get in trouble frequently or are an attorney, members of the public don’t have many opportunities to interact with judges."