Following the announcement at the Board Meeting that a committee's compliance with the Sunshine Law was determined by each committee chairperson, I called for members to resign from committees that did not hold open meetings (read the post here). Specifically I stated:
The only significant means of enforcement of the Sunshine Law is the people's ability to vote out those not in compliance, which is why I am recommending members resign from non-compliant committees. Committee chairs without full committees will be viewed as non-compliant. At the same time, I encourage pressure on the other leaders, both elected and paid. The leaders, the Mayor and Council President, need to lead the borough in the best way possible while being advised by the solicitor. They need to push the solicitor and challenge him to provide Nazareth with the most open government possible, not the most restrictive.So I challenge Councilmembers Kopach and Herbst, Mayor Keller, Police Chief Ruch, and Secretary/Treasurer Kokolus - demand of Councilman Bowers that these meetings be open or resign from the committee.
I hope they can change this recent decision by Bowers, because I don't want them to resign, I like these individuals and think they will do a good job for the people, but they are waiting in the getaway car, knowing what is happening in the bank, and the last time I checked that makes them every bit as guilty as the guy "grabbing the cash".
17 comments:
Ross, Thanks for pointing this out so quickly, but the credit goes to Brad, who posted a comment about it this afternoon, and to Courney Lomax, who did the report.
"First time, shame on you. Second time, shame on me" I urge everyone in the community to engage in these events and come forward for the next election, and the ones after that. Surely there are a few good people willing to serve our town.
I had the misfortune of serving on one "committee" last year with Bowers. He was the biggest uniformed @$$ I ever met. Let's get this jerk outta there
Very well said Ross. I agree with you 100%. Why are the other council members allowing this to happen? Your challenge to them is valid. It will be interesting to see if any of them have the courage to do the right thing. I know my opinion of the ones I personally know will deteriorate until I see them rise above one member who is trying to use his office to his own glorification and government for the people and by the people be damned!
This kind of mudslinging is sickening and this website is rapidly deteriorating. Sorry, Ross, you are on a downhill roll.
I've worked on political campaigns at a variety of levels, and I've learned the more local you get, the more personal it becomes. A situation like this is tough, because as I said, I like the people serving on the committee, and its not personal, but I want them as individuals to stand up and say its not right.
At this point the closed meetings have cost the tax payers money, embarrassed the community, and not provided great outcomes. Why continue a losing practice?
I have to believe there are people on Council and in our government who don't support this and now is the time for them to stand up.
I hope they are all following this discussion as well as reading the Express-Times' article and posts on Bernie's site.
It is easy to dismiss "blogs" as not being relevant (as the solicitor indicated in one meeting this summer), but I noticed that nearly a 1,000 unique visitors were on my site this week and over 3,500 (unique visitors) checked in last month (over 60% visit 8 or more times a month). That's a good number of people considering Nazareth has a population of about 6200 and the NASD about 25,000 or so.
There are few reasons to support closed meetings in defiance of the sunshine law, convenience, which was the excuse of Bowers, is about as bad as it gets.
When next week's meeting rolls around, I hope Bowers sits in a room by himself at the bank.
Then the people can be comforted in knowing that their leaders are respectful of them.
My last post crossed the mudslinging one.
Could you please elaborate on what aspects of my post you believe are causing the site to deteriorate?
It'd be much appreciated,
Thanks, Ross
Why is it mud slinging to talk about complying with the sunshine law? I would think it's muddier in those dark rooms. Don't mushrooms grow in rooms with no sunshine?
Some people think that laws are not meant to be broken. I think it's admirable. We need more people to stand up for what is right.
Ross, Please don't let the occasional negative comment get to you. The only person you have to please is yourself.
I don't want to disparage the anonymous commenter who has directed some negative comments, first at me, and now you. People are used to seeing things done a certain way. It's understandable that they would be upset when some jerk comes in and tells them the procedure is all wrong.
But that's the unfortunate truth. I understand these meetings are being held at a bank and probably 90% of what is going on is purely administrative. But I am equally certain that some of the topics are covered by the Sunshine Act.
And the failure to follow that Act has caused just about every problem Nazareth has had over the past six years. First it was the cannon. Before he became mayor, Keller was complaining to the press that they do everything in the dark. Then there have been multiple attempts to destroy Nazareth Hall Park. I believe Conrad Bowers' appointment was a back room deal, and even have concerns about Daugherty.
The best way to remove this suspicion is to be transparent. Justice Brandeis himself stated that "Sunshine is the best disinfectant."
I have a great deal of respect for most members of council. Rev. Matz astonishes me with his knowledge of the civil war and his quiet wisdom. The president of council, Mr. C., has impressed the hell out of me by the way he conducts public comment during meetings. He really cares what people think. Jack Herbst is a voice of reform, and cares deeply about Nazareth's kids. Ms. Werner is one of the most dedicated public servants I've ever seen, and she's going to be an asset for economic development in Nazareth. Mr. Kopach is something every municipal body needs - a man of common sense. I don't know Mr. Samus very well, but know he cares deeply about this community and I know he helped a poor senior who simply forgot to pay some municipal bill. He has a heart even though he has tried to hide it.
The ones who do not impress are Stoudt, Bowers and the mayor. They have the wrong attitude concerning public participation in government. They have all made terrible statements to the press. Some statements have been made during public meetings. This is what gives Nazareth the "black eye" mentioned by recent appointee Fred Daugherty. It is not the citizens, who rose up to resist a poorly conceived and costly idea. It is not a lawsuit, designed to improve local government and costing no one anything.
I join your recommendation that council members refuse to participate in any committee meetings that arguably violate the Sunshine Act. And the chronic violators should never be reelected.
Morning Call columnist Bill White, when he noted this pattern of Sunshine Act violations, was also quick to observe we always elect these people. This must stop.
Additionally, we need to start insisting that Nazareth Borough start complying w/ the Right to Know law.
Seems to me the day it is sickening
and mudslinging to support human rights would be the day this great country ceases to exist.
By the way, congrats on your stats. That's the best compliment you could get for the great job you do.
Maybe the last post was a bit terse, but if someone feels or observes that the post I make is mudslinging I do genuinely want to know what aspects made them feel that way.
Doesn't mean I'll agree with them, but I will try to look at it from their perspective.
I've said all along I want people to be comfortable reading and posting comments here. So if someone does think something I'm writing is wrong, I want to know about it, but I also need more specifics because I wouldn't intentionally write something myself that I wouldn't want others to.
Did that make sense - haven't had the first full cup of coffee yet;-)
Have a great weekend everyone.
Ross - You and your postings are a service to our community, just like the council members that are open and adhere to the law. It’s the folks that are secretive and don’t adhere to the law that would accuse the blog as mudslinging.
Keep up the good work, I use this blog to keep up on community news and events.
Like the song "No one knows what goes on behind close doors." Open the doors, let the sunshine in! Openly communicate to all those concerned and involved which is the community residents and taxpayers so we will not have these sort of issues. What do you have to hind? Newsovercoffee and the people who write are doing an excellent job keeping us informed...providing valid information.
If Kopach and Herbst boycott these "secret" meetings , who will "police" the activities and report back to NOC ?????
We should be thankful and happy that there are those who remain vigilant and will not allow any covert operations within our borough government. After all , they almost destroyed our entire Hall Park , wanting to turn it into one big macadam parking lot. And the cannon!! Why we almost had a gaping hole in the center of our circle.
Thank goodness Mr. Kopach and Herbst are members of that clandestine bank/council committee and can monitor the alleged shady dealings.
Meanwhile , with all attention and concern focused on borough affairs, the school district is galloping off full speed with 70 million plus dollars in school projects.
Given all the controvresy on the Sunshine Law, how did this happen yet another time? The participating councilmen should know better. At the meeting on Monday, I could swear Bowers said the meetings would be open. There was discussion on having the meetings at the bank and then someone (Dan) said maybe the meetings should be held elsewhere. I guess I have ear-wax buildup. From Monday to Friday, Bowers changed his mind and the meetings are closed agian. Nice. Where do the taxpayers of Nazareth stand?? Out in the cold!!!!!
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