The Wildlands Conservancy has built-in staff in South Whitehall Township. Foremost of course is Randy Cope. The Wildlands installed him as park director in 2012, and he has since, through attrition, became Director of Public Works.
On the commission dais they have their handmaiden, Tori Morgan. Randy and Tori have been responsible for allowing the Wildlands to subvert the wishes of the residents, and conspire against Wehr's Dam.
During the last meeting* Randy pushed for a grant and township funded project concerning the playground in Covered Bridge Park. Randy of course doesn't seek grants or funds for Wehr's Dam, because he and his Wildlands want it demolished. When two of the new commissioners questioned the necessity of this playground project, in this time of fiscal uncertainty, Morgan scolded him.
"To put him on the hot seat to make a decision that we as a board make is unfair."
Morgan knew that the new commissioners were somewhat docile when they chose her as president, after being on the commission way too long already. Now she feels empowered to paper train them.
In reality the new commissioners were doing exactly what they were elected to do, question the administration plans on behalf of the tax payers.
meeting covered for WFMZ by Jeff Ward
photo of Wehr's Dam by Gregg Obst
Two points:
ReplyDeleteThe SWT Board of Commissioners is a public body that is supposed to do its work in public. So asking that question in a public meeting is entirely appropriate.
Second, since when is asking a question putting someone on "the hot seat"? If Cope can't handle it, or if he didn't anticipate the question given the current situation, he shouldn't be in that position.
Honestly, EVERY governing body should be questioning EVERY expenditure right now. If they can't justify it, it should be placed on hold.
it is a $600 K project. from the renderings it looks like a $100k project.... not only should it be questioned, perhaps it should be investigated
ReplyDeleteAnother point: Carr was asked, and agreed, to give cost and project updates on the demolition and renovation of the township building on a regular basis. He has not provided information when asked, at least not during public meetings, as agreed. There was nothing wrong with publicly asking for THAT promised information as well, and certainly the Commissioner who asked was not deserving of being called a 'tough guy' and being called out for asking for that information in public, especially when it was agreed upon during a public meeting. Both Commissioners Kelly and Wolk are refreshingly honest, transparent, and working for the good of the people in SWT.
ReplyDeleteCouldn't agree more with other posts. Seems to me the Commissioners that have the voice of the people at the forefront are Wolk and Kelly!
ReplyDelete