South Whitehall Commissioner Matt Mobilio got himself in trouble the other day about Trump. He apparently posted on facebook that people who support Trump, should be hung for treason.
Although a number of his constituents requested that he resign because of the statement, he declined. He and others feel that such statements are within his right. I also had an issue with Matt, and I posted about it last week.
During a discussion about Wehr's Dam, he wondered how the commissioners could get out from under the obligation to keep it.
That obligation is from the Wehr's Dam Referendum of 2016, when the voters decided that they wanted the township to retain the dam, even through it would cost $600,000, That figure at the time was based on an engineering estimate of possible repairs, plus a hefty increase. The referendum itself wasn't designed to save the dam, but rather condemn it, with no political consequence to the commissioners at the time. Lo and behold, the iconic dam meant so much to the residents, that they voted to keep it anyway. That vote caused the Wildlands Conservancy to go back to their scheming, and inform the Pennsylvania DEP that they know of more problems and expenses, that could be foisted upon the structure.
The current township director of public works, himself no friend of the dam, but rather the Conservancy, has in turn not defended the structure with the state. With the dam being the property of the township, and the subject of a voter's referendum, that defense should be his mandate.
Anyway, back to the troubled commissioner. Apparently, Matt Mobilio thinks that democracy is a pick and choose menu. He defends his election this past November, but not the referendum from 2016.
UPDATE: The Morning Call has an excellent article on Wednesday's meeting, where Mobilio faced public and peer criticism of his ill fated statement about Trump supporters.
Where do I begin on this topic?
ReplyDeleteI think it's sick for anyone to wish harm or death on their political opponents. That it comes from an elected official takes it to another level.
Elected officials should know that such comments are intolerable and not suitable for public discourse.
That Mobilio doesn't think he should resign speaks volumes about him as an elected official and as a human being. His thinking is similar to someone who goes out at night wearing a white hood and sheets, but that those actions won't interfere with his decisions as a legislator.
That these types of comments are tolerated by some of his fellow board members is telling as well, and means they don't understand their roles either. Those on the Board who voted against asking for his resignation are like-minded bigots.
I'd like to think the local Bar Association would take some action against him for his comments, since it reflects poorly on lawyers (insert lawyer joke here). Then again, it probably is too much to expect an ethical action from an association of lawyers
Yes, very disturbing words from a local official. Afraid to put out my Trump sign because his hate message might trigger a Trump hater to spray paint my house.
ReplyDeleteDon- You're a man demonstrating the courage of his convictions. Obviously not a veteran nor a man of faith.May want to move to downtown Allentown to be with those sharing your fear. No wait! they will son be coming to South Whitehall. Hang in there.
DeleteDon -
ReplyDeleteGood point.
His actions are meant to instill fear, chill public discourse and suppress freedom of expression.
Yet he's either oblivious to the damage that his call for violence can cause, or willfully complicit.
Either way, he needs to resign.
So do the other commissioners who voted to protect him last night.