Jim Searing and his wife Gayle Goodman moved to Solebury upon his retirement from a successful career as a partner with
the global CPA and consulting firm of Ernst & Young, because he wanted to learn something completely different. Studying Landscape
Architecture at Temple University, Jim went on to use this new education plus his long and strong background in accounting, finance,
and business management for the benefit of Solebury Township. He helped establish and organize the Aquetong Watershed Association
(AWA) as a Founding Director and he initiated and led programs to refinance the Township’s debt at lower interest rates; and to instill fiveyear look-ahead budgeting as well as capital budgeting. He also worked with environmentally oriented groups in support of removing
the Aquetong Spring Dam, allowing for the return of the cold-water stream, and creating what is now Aquetong Spring Park. Jim was inducted into the Honored Citizen in 2025.