It’s been a long time since Connoquenessing Township government has operated without friction. During at least part of that time, it also has operated outside the scope of regulations outlined by state law.

That’s been confirmed by the Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission, which has found Supervisor Evelyn Hockenberry guilty of four violations of the Public Official and Employee Ethics Act, the most significant of which was paying herself $10,000 in township funds for no valid reason between May 2008 and December 2009.

For township residents, their local government has, in recent years, been an embarrassment. Friction and procedural questions have been frequent, as well as suspicions both inside and outside the government about what motivations were behind certain actions.

Having been found guilty by the ethics panel, Hockenberry, whose official actions have in a big way worked against good government in the township, should spare the municipality further embarrassment by resigning — both as chairwoman of the board of supervisors and as a supervisor.

Her service is too tainted for her to continue.

If she refuses and seeks re-election this year, township residents should step forward to run against her, with one hopefully defeating her. Voters should opt to fill her position with someone committed to complying with the rules and laws governing township government — and with the ability to inspire confidence in the way that person conducts official duties.

Besides collecting the $10,000 to which she wasn’t entitled, the ethics commission ruled that Hockenberry had illegally appointed herself township treasurer and secretary, did not file financial interest statements with the state for 2005 or 2006 and failed to disclose all of her income on financial interest statements in 2008.

While she could be given the benefit of the doubt that one of the violations might have been an unintentional oversight, the scope of the violations is indicative of someone who routinely chooses to ignore basic rules of public service and serving taxpayers’ best interests.

One of those rules under the second-class township code is that no elected official may hold an appointed position simultaneously. On April 24, 2008, Hockenberry accepted appointment as township treasurer and secretary, while continuing to hold her elected position.

Because of division on the board, she could not have been appointed without her vote. Her vote constituted a conflict of interest.

Meanwhile, questions abound over Hockenberry’s authorization to receive a $500-a-month wage for expenses, consultation and day-to-day operations associated with the township. That approval, in apparent violation of the state’s Sunshine Law, which prohibits official actions during executive sessions, apparently came during a closed session following the May 7, 2008, supervisors meeting.

Reportedly in attendance at that executive session were Hockenberry; Supervisor Jack Kaltenbaugh, who also has had problems with the state ethics commission; and former township solicitor Robert Hawk.

It has not been noted whether Hawk advised against the action during the closed session.

Since the second-class township code stipulates that only the township board of auditors is authorized to determine compensation to a supervisor outside of his or her regular supervisor pay, the $500-a-month pay approved on May 7, 2008, also was a township code violation.

That pay was the basis for the ethics commission ordering Hockenberry to pay $10,000 to the township as remediation and $5,000 to the ethics panel for costs incurred during the investigation. Hockenberry also was orderd to file amended statements of financial interest.

Hockenberry should not delay complying with the ethics panel’s order. But for the good of her municipality, she also should resign from both her chairmanship and supervisor seat.

From the attitude she has displayed toward her violations, as identified by the ethics commission, she has not upheld basic principles governing public service.

People who choose to operate in that way have no place in government.