Main
>>
Local
>>
Philadelphia
Mayor's Report for Darby Borough
Mayor's Report for Darby Borough
It is with a heavy heart that I write this letter to you regarding tonight's Borough council Re-organization meeting. Tonight, as required by law, is the meeting where new officials are sworn in, and appointments are made. As you know, there was an election this past November, where persons were elected that do not have the best interest of Darby at heart. Jennifer Parks, who unfortunately was elected in the 3rd ward, had recently been involved in a lawsuit against Darby Borough in Federal Court and lost. The jury found out that she was lying and obviously trying to falsely obtain money. She was sworn in tonight and voted with the other Democrats who violated procedure after procedure. I knew it would be terrible for Darby, but I did not know that it would be this bad. I really don't know where to begin.
Janice Davis, who has been on Council for almost 20 years, was elected the Council President. She cannot facilitate a meeting, and it was quite obvious tonight that she did not know what she was doing, after 20 years of experience. Persons were appointed to fill positions without a motion or a second to the motion, persons spoke out of turn, people in the audience were telling her what to do next, and important borough vacancies that should have been filled this evening, were forgotten as in Borough Engineer, Zoning Solicitor, Borough Administrator and Fire Marshall. By law, council meets the first Wednesday of every month for a regular Council Meeting. The council then meets for a Committee meeting on the 3rd Wednesday of every month. Janice announced that the meeting was adjourned without a vote, and then announced that the Council would then meet on January 14th, the 2nd Wednesday of the month. This is unheard of, apparently she must have not calculated the days correctly and now this will cause the borough additional money because they have to advertise the change in the newpapers. But, the saddest thing of all that happened, was the illegal removal Theresa Coghlan, the widow of Michael Coghlan who filled the seat when her husband passed away last year. Theresa is from the 1st Ward, and her husband Mike was a dedicated member of Council. Mike was one of the most respected members and was very dedicated to working for all of Darby. He was stricken with Liver disease and passed last March. We decided to appoint Theresa to fill his seat because she too, cares about Darby just as much as Mike did and she does not care about party politics. She could not make the meeting tonight because she is away with her family. This is a very hard time for her right now, her first Christmas without her husband. In her absence, this council ignorantly removed her after Angel Maskart and myself pleaded with them not to do it. First, it was illegal and they were ill advised by the new solicitor they just appointed, Ray Santarelli, who has absolutely NO municipal experience whatsoever. Secondly, you would think, out of respect and courteousness, they would at least wait until she returned but they didn't. This council appointed Marie Howells, the woman who ran in the last election and lost. It is apparent the voters in the 1st ward did not want her representation, so this council bullied a widow, removed her and put in someone that the first ward did not want elected. In addition, the meeting was filled with violent episodes toward the end. Regina Rogers, the wife of former Councilman Bruce Rogers, who was removed because he was convicted of murder 20 years ago, verbally assaulted the daughter of Angel Maskart in a council meeting. Also in attendance was the son of Bruce Rogers, who was just charged with dealing drugs. He and his sister, at the end meeting, after a verbal altercation threatened physical violence and she threatened to kill me. This is the new "Democratic Administration" that we residents are stuck with.
The new solicitor that they appointed has never held a position in a municipality before so therefore, he is unfamiliar with local governments. He is the solicitor of the Delaware County Democratic Party so he is definitely a political appointment. That is a shame for us residents. We deserve better than that. An experienced municipal solicitor would never have approved tonight's events. However, luckily, the Pennsylvania State Borough Code allows me to retain my own Solicitor for conflicts with Council. I have chosen Michael Pierce, our former attorney to represent me in conflicts with council. Michaels experience is immeasurable and I will be speaking with him first thing in the morning to see how we can recitfy some of their mistakes and illegal appointments they made.
Also, there was a vacancy in the position of Tax Collector. I have been collecting resumes and forwarding them to the council for their review and so they could set up interviews and select someone who is qualified for the position. I regret to announce that this evening, this council did not interview anyone, never reviewed the resumes and blatantly and ignorantly, appointed a neighbor of Janice Davis. The new tax collector is Janet Height. It's not Janet's fault, however, this administration has an obilgation to "do the right thing" and they did not. Many many people applied for this position that were never even considered. This was a surprise gestapo move they made tonight by appointing a neighbor of the Council President without any input from the many people that applied. I apologize to those who submitted resumes. I do think however, that you should make your feelings publicly known to these officials.
I am attaching my remarks that I made this evening that speak of Absolute Power Corrupts. This is the government we have and was witnessed tonight. Absolute Power corrupted Darby Borough tonight. And to think I made these remarks BEFORE the corruption took place. Perhaps it was because there was a full moon out tonight, who knows, but what happened tonight in Darby Borough is a sure sign of what this administration is going to be like. As I have said before, this will be terrible for Darby Borough. These are the same elected officials that approve of drug dealers, approve of "corner boys packing heat doing a better job than the cops". We need to come together and stop this madness. Please send me your comments or questions. Thanks for listening.
Mayor Paula Brown
Reorganization Meeting Remarks
Good Evening Ladies and Gentlemen and welcome to the Darby Borough Reorganization Meeting of January 5th 2004. It’s great to see all of you gathered here tonight for such a momentous occasion. Please try to continue coming to our Council Meetings in the future so you can personally see how your government operates and represents you. Council meetings are sparsely attended and very few residents actually see what happens at a Council Meeting. One of our constitutional rights is watching our officials in action so please exercise that right and exercise it regularly. My opening remarks are a bit lengthy, please bear with me, as I realize that this may very well be my last Verbal report allowed due to the new administration, so I will try to condense it as quickly as I can.
Tonight we will be swearing in new Council Persons that will change the balance of representation in our town. However, before we do, we need to say thank you and good-bye to those who have given their personal time and effort towards bettering our Borough.
First and foremost, I would like to say thank from the bottom of my heart and from the residents of Darby to our Council President Angel Maskart. Unfortunately, Angel will not be re-elected to the position of Council President because of her political registration. I can truly say, that Angel has done an excellent job in her role as Council President for the last 3 years and 9 months. I clearly remember back on August 23rd, 2000 at 7:30 PM, when myself, Helen Thomas, Janice Davis, and Bruce Rogers together, made the most important, educated and wise decision that would ever positively affect our borough, and that was, to select her as our Council President. It was at the encouragement of Helen, Janice and Bruce that I finally accepted her as the best choice. WE DEMOCRATS knew that our town was in severe distress. We realized that one party working against the other caused financial hardship, distress and mere chaos in Darby Borough and affected the residents severely. Checks were distributed that were not authorized and signed properly, Bills were not paid, obligations were not met and council meetings were a sheer disgrace to the point of bloodshed and physical altercations. There was one solution left and that was to oust the current “Democratic” Council President and “Democratic” Solicitor and replace them with highly qualified individuals regardless of their political affiliation. I want to thank Bruce Rogers, Helen Thomas and Janice Davis for encouraging me against my wishes, to select her as our Council President. It was the wisest decision we’ve ever made. Angel has kept a careful eye on every function of Darby Borough. She is there no matter what time of the day or night, no matter how busy she is, or what family obligations she has, she was there for our town, even with her 4 girls in tow. She has brought complete order to our council meetings. Although, she could not restrict some of the crude comments that were made, most were done in an orderly fashion, so that everyone had a chance to address and redress their government officials. Although Angel will still be a part of the council thanks to the residents of the 1st ward, we will miss her expertise, professionalism and strong compassion she has for the people of Darby. We have witnessed her feverishly work on a daily basis and even get down and dirty to do the job herself which is very rare with elected officials. Thank you Angel Maskart for your dedication.
We also thank Sandra Stewart for her many years of representing the residents of the 3rd Ward. They will sadly miss Sandra. Sandra had just about the most class of any elected official we have ever seen. Sandra was a quiet yet strong voice for the residents of the 3rd ward. She kept a careful eye on the departments she supervised. Sandra did not vote for a particular political party’s agenda and did not consider political affiliations when fulfilling her sworn duties and obligations. Even though Sandra had an extra special close tie to the Police Department because of her husband’s position, Sandra did not use or abuse it. Without even a slight reminder, Sandra abstained on matters of conflict and kept an open mind. We thank Sandra Stewart for her dedication to the residents of Darby Borough and for the excellent performance in the position she held as Chairman of Ordinance.
We thank Julia Parish for her dedication and representation of the residents of the 2nd ward. Although Julia was only here for a short while, she accomplished more than some of us have in the many years we have been there. Julia was the Chairman of the Finance Department, a committee position that no one really wants to take because of the responsibilities. She did an excellent job and kept a careful eye on all expenditures and incomes. In addition, Julia was very active in her role of Vice President and as a member of the Recreation Committee. Through her efforts and the efforts of the Chairman Tommie Robinson and our former member, Mike Coghlan, they obtained an astounding $60,000.00 recreational grant for the Borough of Darby through Senator Anthony Williams. The highest ever awarded! We thank Julia Parish for her dedication to our Borough and we hope that she and Sandra Stewart do come back in the very near future.
We thank Joseph Possenti and his firm for their flawless and impeccable work they have done in managing our borough and financial affairs. For years our borough was plagued with budgets that reflected false figures. Residents were not given accurate figures or answers for the help they needed. Records were not organized or kept systematically. Joe Possenti came into a financial mess and single-handedly straightened it out. Joe was selected like the others, due to his experience and qualifications regardless of his political affiliation. Joe and his firm have managed and supervised all municipal departments except the Police department. They have handled all Human resource work, including health benefits eligibility, pension eligibility, Cobra issues, disability, worker’s compensation, and unemployment issues. They attended union negotiation meetings and grievance hearings. Reviewed insurance contracts for coverage thresholds and cost containment, all subcontract agreements for proper bonding and insurance, annual evaluations, goal setting, and objectives with all personnel. They have held weekly staff meetings, attended all Borough meetings, informed Council and the Mayor of all Borough affairs, set and organized agendas, committee work sessions, and minutes. They have carried out policies and procedures developed by Council, maintained all administrative and personnel files of Borough employees, maintained effective service with Residents, prepared a Monthly administrative report. Joe and his firm have Setup and implemented administrative and financial controls and policies. They have coordinated monthly budgetary spending needs with Engineers and Department heads. Reviewed monthly Accounts Payable requisitions and approvals for payment. Reviewed aging of Accounts Receivable, tracking sewer, trash, and real estate taxes. Prepared the Borough’s Annual Budget. Reviewed monthly, with Council and Mayor on the Budget vs. Actual. Reviewed all Vendors, Contracts, and Utilities to achieve most cost efficient pricing and service. Managed Payroll, reviewed quarterly reports, and tracked overtime. Reviewed month end reconciliations, trust fund reports, and investments. Prepared monthly journal entries and monthly and yearend financial statements including cash position reports. They have performed a most efficient delivery of Municipal Services.
Joe has also brought Darby Borough out of financial distress and put us right back on track better than we have ever been. The “new democrats” have publicly stated that they will not terminate Joe and his firm. We hope they are true to their word, for if they do, Darby Borough will surely suffer.
And last but certainly not least, we thank our Borough Solicitor, Mike Pierce. The handwriting is written on the wall and we are very well aware that Mike Pierce will not be selected to continue his solicitor ship with our borough unfortunately because of his political registration and affiliation. Sadly, we will miss Mike and all he has done for our borough. Mike Pierce was unanimously selected by Bruce Rogers, Janice Davis, Helen Thomas and myself along with the Republican Council members in 2000 to handle all the legal affairs for our borough. As we all know, our legal affairs were in shambles. Not only did Mike put this borough back on track legally, he also was a lifesaver to us in the financial department as well. Mike implemented programs that should have been in place for many years to help collect our delinquent taxes. Mike Pierce has brought in $429,819.30 in revenue to Darby Borough just from his handling and implementing procedures from our delinquent Sewer and Trash fees. He has saved our taxpayers thousands of dollars. Bruce Rogers, Janice Davis, Helen Thomas and myself chose Mike because of his expertise and vast experience in municipal law, which is what a good Borough Solicitor needs. His municipal experience included solicitor ships for Darby Township, Southern Delaware County Sewer Authority, Muckinipates Sewer Authority, William Penn School District Special Prosecutions, Delaware County Office of Mental Health and Mental Retardation. He is a member of the Delaware County First Class Township Commissioners Association, Eastern Association of First Class Townships, Lower Chi Chester Civil Service Board, and Upper Chichichester Solicitor for Police/FOP matters and he is the Current President of Chester Heights Borough Council. His experience is immeasurable.
Mike was another wise choice by the Democrats and the Republicans that benefited our borough immensely. We sadly say goodbye to Mike and his firm and thank them for all they have done. I would like to at this time, implore the new administration to disregard all political ties and please keep these employees and firms in place regardless of their political affiliation. Not once, and we all know this, has any of these individuals ever brought political parties into our Borough affairs. They have done absolutely nothing wrong and have only mobilized our Borough affairs to be accurate and organized. Please, disregard your unbalanced theory of taking “complete Democratic control” for the sake of satisfying the County Democratic Party Chairman Cliff Wilson and others. Darby Borough in its 322 year history, needs qualified individuals to keep it running in order. The residents deserve experts. The residents do not deserve political appointees that satisfy county leaders who do not live here.
Darby Borough benefited tremendously from a system of checks and balances over the last 4 years. The results are now being seen. Eyesores are being torn down and replaced with new fresh businesses. Old businesses are being refurbished and cosmetically improved. Our police department, although aggressive in the war on drugs and crime, is user friendly and most compassionate toward victims. Our Highway Department is not used as a political football to take care of favors; they are dedicated men ensuring that all wards are properly taken care of. Our Code Enforcement Department is user friendly however, strict when it comes to the safety of our residents. Our borough Finances are now open to all and every penny accounted for accurately. As you can see by the posters on display, many businesses have a new façade look that was implemented by both political parties working together. There are 28 pictures of different businesses that are either new, coming to Darby or have refurbished their look. Programs developed by Democrats and Republicans working together implemented these projects. The number one facilitator of these projects was Delaware County Council and the Delaware County Planning Department. They are Republicans, who worked with our local Democrats and Republican officials. Not once, did these departments ever flaunt or mention partisan politics. They did it because they care about Darby, not our political registrations. And for that, we should return the favor ourselves and not consider political registrations.
Here are some of the pictures on display of the businesses in our town. They have participated in the Facade Program we've implemented that gives them a new "facelift". All businesses must keep with the same style and color scheme.
Checks and balances are the constitutional controls whereby separate branches of government have limiting powers over each other so that no branch will become supreme. Perhaps the best-known system of checks and balances operates in the U.S. government under provisions of the federal CONSTITUTION.
The system of checks and balances is an important part of the Constitution. With checks and balances, each of the three branches of government can limit the powers of the others. This way, no one branch becomes too powerful. Each branch “checks” the power of the other branches to make sure that the power is balanced between them.
How does our system of checks and balances help protect our rights?
As we have already seen, our Constitution is very much a reaction to the events that came before it. Our founding fathers had several goals; foremost among those goals was to avoid tyranny. In order to do this several different systems were set up to prevent the abuse of power. The system of Checks and Balances was set up to prevent abuse of power.
Speaking on a local municipal level, the system of Checks and Balances reflects Democratic Council Members, Republican Council Members and the Mayor. This is a 3-way system to keep each other in check for the betterment of the Community.
For the first time, in the history of Darby Borough, a system of Checks and Balances was set firmly in place in the year 2000. No one political Party had complete control. There was an equal balance of power between both sides of the isle, which made history throughout Delaware County!
The major recipients of the benefits of this system of Checks and Balances were the residents of Darby Borough. To demonstrate the system, both parties had equal representation down the line. A Republican Council President and a Democratic Vice President. A Republican Solicitor and a Democrat Zoning Solicitor. 3 Democratic Committee chairmen and 3 republican committee chairmen. A Democratic Engineer and a Republican Borough Administrator.
With this careful selection of an entirely equal representation, the political agenda's did not rear their ugly heads.
Not once, did the 3 democrats and 3 republicans who worked together for the betterment of Darby Borough ever mention partisan politics. That was a major accomplishment in itself.
For the last 32 years, that I have been involved in this local government, I have never witnessed such bi-partisanship and I am honored and proud to be a part of it, no matter what some may think. I grew up in a Democratic Household and attended Council Meetings since the age of 10 years old, under the wing of Charlie Sanders. I grew up attending council meetings made up of all Republicans. When I became of age, I ran for office and still, the political make up was all Republicans. There was no balance of Power. I learned under Mr. Sanders that Democrats needed to have a voice. I learned under Mr. Sanders that Absolute power corrupts. I learned under Mr. Sanders that there needed to be a system of checks and balances, where Democrats and Republicans would have equal representation, not just one political party. I kept that philosophy alive throughout my political career and proudly saw it come to fruition in the year 2000.
However, unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, at least temporarily for 2 years. The new “Regime” has stated that they want complete democratic control of Darby Borough. We regret that the wise decision of working together now must come to an end. On a personal note, I don’t understand nor will I ever, why this council cannot stay on track and work together for the betterment of Darby. I don’t understand why “Republicans” are so “bad” now to those who have always been “Republican” and only switched to Democrat so they could get on the ballot and win a Council position. Each and every one of the “New Regime” were Republicans at one time. And I don’t understand why now, the “Democratic Theory” has all of a sudden changed from being against a one party rule to now accepting and implementing a one party rule. But only time will tell and the residents will suffer from having one party representation. Hopefully the damage will not be too great to redeem in two years.
In the words of Charlie Sanders, “Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” I wish he still believed that for the sake of Darby.
We will now have the swearing in of the new officials. We’ll start with Angel Maskart who is being sworn in by our own, former Darby Police Officer, now the Honorable, Jack Lippart.
Helen Thomas, Anne Blackson and Jennifer Parks will now be sworn in by the Honorable Thomas Lacey ) (a Republican) go figure????
Dear Residents:
I transcribed the Circus Meeting tape recording as best as I could through all the screaming and yelling. This is what our borough experienced last night unfortunately.
This is your officials in action. I am calling on all residents to come see this in action for yourselves on January 14th. We need to come together and put a stop to this dictatorship.
Please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns.
Thanks,
Paula Brown
Reorganization meeting – January 5th, 2004
BROWN: The Darby Borough Reorganization meeting of January5th 2004 will now come to order. Please call the roll.
Roll is taken.
BROWN: Please stand and salute the flag.
Fr. Corley from Blessed Virgin Mary Parish now gives a blessing
BROWN: Can I have a motion to open the floor for nominations for President of Borough Council?
Helen Thomas: (Wait a minute, let’s get our papers)
Robert Mawhinney: I’ll make that motion.
Brown: There’s a motion on the floor, is there a second to the motion?
Tommie Robinson: I’ll second that.
Brown: There’s a motion on the floor and a second, all in favor of said motion signify by saying aye.
Council members: Aye
Brown: Any opposed? Motion carries. The floor is now opened up for nominations for Council President. Are there any nominations?
Helen Thomas: (reading from a script) I nominate Janice Davis for President of Council.
Brown: Janice Davis is nominated for President of Council. Are there any other nominations? The name of Janice Davis is now placed for nomination. Hearing no other nomination, the nominations are now closed. Can I have a motion to appoint Janice Davis as Council President?
Helen Thomas: (reading from a script) I make that motion.
Brown: Is there a second on the motion?
Doris Grosso: I second that motion.
Brown: There is a motion and a second on the floor to appoint Janice Davis as the President of Darby Borough Council. Is there a question on the motion? Hearing no questions, upon roll call, since there is only one name placed for nomination, please state yes or no when your name is called. Beth please call the roll.
Vote is taken.
Motion carries 6-0- 2 abstentions
Long pause while Janice and Helen get their papers together.
Janice Davis: Now we’d like to open up nominations for Vice President.
Doris Grosso: I nominate Helen Thomas for President, Vice President of Council.
Jennifer Parks: (reading from a script) I second that nomination of Helen Thomas.
Janice Davis: Are there any other nominations for Vice President?
Paula Brown: I have a question. Are you going to make that as a motion?
Janice Davis: No. I opened the floor up for nominations.
Paula Brown: Well, shouldn’t that be a motion to open the floor?
Janice Davis: I make a motion to open the floor for nominations.
Paula Brown: Well, as President, you can’t make a motion, someone else has to.
Janice Davis: Okay, well, I need a motion to ….oh well, get her to do it…
Doris Grosso: Okay, I make a motion to open the floor for Helen Thomas as Vice President of Council.
Paula Brown: No, Doris, you open the floor for nominations.
Helen Thomas: You open the floor for nominations.
Janice Davis: That was for nominations.
Doris Grosso: Ok, I open the floor for nominations.
Helen Thomas: I’ll second that.
Audience starts laughing
Janice Davis: Are there any other nominations?
(long pause while Janice figures out what to say next)
Janice Davis: The motion’s been made can um, we have a motion now to, for, um, Vice President?
Paula Brown: You have to close the motion.
Janice Davis: I’m sorry, this is new…..
Audience roars with laughter yelling Janice take your time.
(Janice Davis has been on council for almost 20 years!)
Fred Saunders – a resident of Lansdowne yells from the audience, make a motion to close.
Helen Thomas: Oh yea, do it.
Doris Grosso: I make the motion to close nominations.
Jennifer Parks: I second that.
Janice Davis: Now, are we back? Are there any motions or can we open the……floor…..
Diane Leahan from the audience…..you already made the motion.
Janice Davis: Oh, ok, well, call roll call.
Beth calls the roll…..5 yes 3 abstentions.
Doris Grosso: Come take your seat.
Again, a long pause while Janice reads her script.
Janice Davis: I recognize Helen Thomas for her purpose of making a motion.
(At this point Janice should have called for someone to open the floor for nominations of Borough Solicitor. It should have been stated but was not.)
Helen Thomas: (reading from the script) The purpose that council retain the service of Raymond Serilli with the firm of Elliot, Weiner and Sizawaski (should be Elliott, Reihner & Siedzikowski) as Borough Solicitor.
Angel Maskart: Excuse me, but you have to open the floor up for nominations for Borough Solicitor first.
Janice Davis: Right, ok, oh, I’m sorry. Can we open the floor up for nominations for Borough Solicitor please?
(long pause while they think of what they have to do next)
Janice Davis: whispering….do we need a motion? Can we get a motion?
Helen Thomas: I make that motion.
Doris Grosso: I second that motion.
(long pause again)
Diane Leahan from the audience: say all in favor.
Janice Davis: Oh, all in favor.
(Few members say aye. Janice never asked if anyone was opposed)
Janice Davis: Do we need a roll call?
Doris Grosso: No.
Diane Leahan: Now recognize Helen.
Janice Davis: (again, reading from Charlie Sanders’ script) I recognize Helen Thomas for the purpose of making a motion.
(this again, was a wrong move. She should have stated that the floor was open for nominations for Borough Solicitor and who ever raised their hand should have been recognized to place a name in nomination. However, they all were confused reading Charlie Sanders (chairman of Democrat Party) script.
Helen Thomas: The purpose that council retain the services of Raymond Serilli with the firm of Elliot, Reiner and Sizawaski for borough Solicitor.
Again, long pause while Angel Maskart tells Janice what to say next.
Janice Davis: Oh, are there any other nominations?
Tommie Robinson: I nominate Mike Pierce.
Angel Maskart: I second that nomination for Mike Pierce of Pierce and Hughes.
Janice Davis: Oh, ok, can we get a roll call I guess? Or is there a question, I’m sorry, is there a question on the motion?
Paula Brown: I have a question on the motion. You said, Raymond Serilli? Or is that Santarelli?
Doris Grosso: Santarelli.
Helen Thomas: Santarelli. I pronounced it wrong. Excuse me!
Helen Thomas: I close the motion.
(I don’t know why that was said, makes no sense)
long pause again…….
Janice Davis: Should I do roll call? Beth can we get a roll call? Can you call, name the person that you callin’ you know, who you want to select as solicitor.
Roll call follows - 5 for Raymond Santarelli (the County Democrat attorney) and 3 for Michael Pierce.
Janice Davis: I would ask Mr. Santarelli to join us here at council please.
Long pause again
Fred Saunders a resident of Lansdowne, yells from the audience, madam president, did you announce the vote?
Janice Davis: Yes, um, the borough secretary did.
Janice Davis: (Reading directly from the script again word for word) I would like the borough Solicitor to explain to council and the public present the erol that occurred last year when council filled a vacancy and what the (erol) (that’s how she pronounced it)means as far as the composition of this council.
Santarelli: Thank you madam president. Um, on March 25, 2003, a vacancy occurred on this council with the untimely death of Mr. Michael Coflin.
Beth Yasvac: Coghlan.
Paula Brown: Mike Coghlan.
Santarelli: To which I’m sure . Coghlan, excuse me, thank you madam mayor. And um, this council voted to fill that vacancy with Miss Theresa Coghlan. According to the Borough Code, it was proper to fill that vacancy by vote of this council, however, that appointment expires today. According to section 45901 of Purdons, if any vacancy’s shall occur in the office of member of council by death or in any other matter, whatsoever, the borough council shall fill such vacancy within 30 days by appointing by resolution, a registered elector of the borough or of the ward, in the case of the ward office, and hold such office, if the term thereof continues so long, until the first Monday in January, after the first municipal election occurring more than 60 days after the vacancy occurs. The first municipal election was of course on November 4th. This office, the office of the first ward council member was not placed on the ballot, therefore, tonight that appointment expires and under the law, it would appear that that seat is vacant.
Janice Davis: (again reading from the script, ) As the solicitor has explained, there is an exit of vacancy in council seat from the 1st floor, ward, which this council has a authority to fill. I recognize council member Helen Thomas.
Helen Thomas: (reading from the same script) Madam president, I propose that this council fill the vacancy seat in the first ward due to the failure to conduct a special election November 4, 2003, with Marie Howells of 1st ward.
Doris Grosso: I second that motion.
Janice Davis: (reading from the script) We will now vote to fill that vacancy.
Paula Brown: You have to have a “Question on the Motion” madam president.
Janice Davis: Is there a question on the motion?
Paula Brown: Question. Obviously due to Mr. Santarelli’s inexperience of municipal matters, he is interpreting the borough code wrong. That seat does not come up for election until the next municipal election. And I challenge your ruling and I am asking Council to table this matter, until they get a professional municipal experienced attorney to interpret that code. I am going to ask the Council to table the matter because it is not good advice, it is wrong. It is wrong and council needs to consider that. You are not interpreting it correctly Mr. Santarelli. That seat is not vacant until the next municipal election when Mrs. Coghlan has the right to run for that seat, and if you fill that seat, and take her out, you are violating the Pennsylvania State Borough Code. You are not interpreting that law correctly.
Janice Davis: Mrs. Maskart has the floor.
Angel Maskart: I guess my question would be to Mr. Santarelli, I would think that number one, do you have documentation that this seat was declared vacant by Mr. Coghlan’s death would be my first question, because I believe the seat wasn’t declared vacant, because if it had been, then there would be an opening on the ballot for the November 4th election, which there was not, and I would also say that this was never brought up before, and besides the professional side of it, that Mrs. Coghlan is in Florida right now and I think that, while there is still a question, I would also recommend that it be tabled because I think that Mrs. Coghlan has had quite a traumatic year and this Christmas was especially hard for her only to go away with her family to come back and find out that the one thing she carried out for her husband was taken away from her without her being here and having an opportunity. So if I can say, just out of respect for Theresa and for Mr. Coghlan, that council table this and if your facts are correct, which I do not believe that they are, and I think it needs to be researched a little better before we bring more turmoil and controversy to Darby Borough. And I don’t think asking for common courtesy is too much. Theresa hasn’t done anything wrong to anybody up here. And Mr. Santarelli, I am sorry, I am not a lawyer but I think you are wrong.
Santarelli: I am only interpreting the law Ms. Maskart with the facts as they are what they are, and this council will find those facts and they will vote however they vote tonight.
Maskart; Well, I make a motion to table.
Mawhinney: I’ll second that.
Davis: There’s a motion to table. Can we have a roll call for a table?
Motion defeated 5 to 3
Davis: Alright now, we have a motion on the floor to put Marie Howells in at as, President, ah, council, ah, as council person. Sorry. 1st ward can we get a roll call?
Motion carries 5-3
Davis: Judge Lacey, it’s time, could you swear Marie Howells in please?
Lacey swears in Marie Howells
Davis: Reading from the script again…..Council should now elect a president pro tem. Who will preside in the cases where the president and vice president are absent.
Thomas: I’d like to nominate Anne Blackston for President Pro Temp!
Parks: I second that nomination.
Davis: Are there any other nominations? Hearing none, is there a motion to close nominations.
Thomas: Move to close.
Davis: All in favor of Anne Blackston for President Pro Tem?
Some said Aye
Some said no.
Audience yells “take a roll call”
Davis: Oh, roll call please.
Motion carries
Davis: Reading from the script again. Council should now elect a resident of our borough as Chairman of the Vacancy Board to act in cases where this council fails to fill vacancy.
Helen Thomas: Reading from the script again…..I nominate Charles Sanders to chair for the Vacancy Board.
Grosso: I’ll second that nomination.
Davis: Are there any other nominations?
Robinson: I nominate Bob Tyler
Maskart; I second that
Davis: Could we get ah, a roll call for ah, ah, a yes or no or Bob Tyler, or say the name or bob Tyler or Charles Sanders.
Motion carries for Charles Sanders 6-3
Davis: Reading from the script again……The tax collector resigned effective December 31st, 2003. And this council has the authority to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the term that is 2004 And 2005.
Thomas: I’d like to nominate Janet Height for Tax Collector.
Grosso: Second that nomination please?
Davis: Are there any other nominations? Hearing none, is there a nomin….is there a nomination to close for nominations?
Thomas: Move to close.
Brown: Are you going to have a question on the motion? Or is this a motion? Or what is it?
Davis: I didn’t say it was.
Brown: Well, you need to make it a motion not just a nomination.
Grosso: Janice, don’t listen to her. Continue
Brown: And then you have to ask for questions on the motion.
Davis: Go ahead with the nominations.
Thomas: I made it.
Grosso: Can we have a roll call Beth?
Brown: So there’s a motion?
Davis: All in favor of the tax collector. Could we have roll call?
Brown: Janice, you need to have a question on the motion, you have to make a motion first and question the motion, if you don’t you are violating procedure.
Grosso: Beth, can we have a roll call!
Audience erupts
Brown: You have to have a question on the motion. You are violating procedure right now.
Davis: (screaming) is there a question on the motion?
Brown: Question! There are 32 residents that are highly qualified that applied for this position are you not going to consider the 32 residents that have applied?
Davis: I just asked for any other nominations and prior to this meeting, we were asked at least a month or two months ago to give up names for nominating, um, ah, tax collector and tonight, there was none so carry on with the motion.
Brown: Madam President, I am not finished with my question.
Davis: Roll Call Beth.
Brown: Madam President, I have another question on the motion.
Maskart: Question. My question would be that yes we are in desperate need of a tax collector, it’s good to start the new year off with one, but my question would be based on the last few council meetings, and based on the 32 applications, at the council meeting, the last couple, I thought Council agreed that these people would be interviewed so we would have the best qualified person as a tax collector. So my question is, when are the 32 people that applied going to be interviewed?
Davis: I don’t know. You were the president and nobody brought no and right now as far as I know….excuse me, excuse me, and as far as I know, 3 people on council Doris Grosso, Helen Thomas and Janice Davis did not receive not one of those applications.
Brown: yes you did. You received 32 resumes. Every single one of you received them and you know it! All 32 resumes.
Davis: Mayor, you are out of control.
Brown: 32 residents have applied for this position and you are going to ignore 32 residents. That is a disgrace.
Audience screams, Janice screams…..
Roll is called
Motion carries to hire Janet Height 6-3
Brown: Absolute Power corrupts absolutely!
Brown: Judge Lacey, could you swear our tax collector in please?
Santarelli: And Charlie too
Brown: Absolute Power Corrupts.
Davis: You should know, you taught us.
Davis: Reading from the script again….There is much more that should be done and will be done but I suggest, that we have had, a rather full reorganization this evening and urge council to adjourn and we should meet again, January 14th at 7:30.
Thomas: Reading from the script….I move to adjourn the meeting to January 14th
Brown: Question.
Davis: Out of Order.
Brown: Madam President, I have a question.
Davis: I say you out of order.
Brown: Madam President, you are not setting the council meeting which is this Wednesday? And you forgot to appoint the Zoning Solicitor, the Borough Engineer, the Fire Marshall and the Borough Administrator.
Davis: Well we don’t have to do that right now if we don’t want to.
Brown: So you are not going to appoint a Zoning Solicitor etc??
Davis: We can do what ever we want to do madam mayor!
Thomas: This meetin’s adjourned.
Brown: Question. Question on the motion. You said you are meeting January 14, you are not meeting this Wednesday?
Beth Yasvac: Excuse me! Excuse me! January 5th or the 14th?
Audience yells the 14th!
Beth: Well, you will have to readvertise…..
Brown: Let them go, they are violating the law.
Possenti: You have to readvertise.
Shouting and screaming ………..meeting ends abruptly with no vote to adjourn and no vote to change the meeting until January 14th. So legally speaking, the meeting is still scheduled for January 5th because council voted on December 29th to have all meetings on the first Wednesday of the month, not the second Wednesday……
TRANSCRIPTION OF THE CIRCUS MEETING
Mayor's Report - April 23, 2003
Quick definitions (Hypocrisy)
noun: insincerity by virtue of pretending to have qualities or beliefs that you do not really have
noun: an expression of agreement that is not supported by real conviction
Encyclopedia article
From Latin "hypocrisis", greek word which meant "actor's play". An attitude which consist in hiding one's true character, feign opinions, feelings and virtues not owned.
That is the sad fact that we deal with in Darby as of lately with some elected officials. And the worst part? Their hypocritical actions do not hurt their intended victims, but they hurt the entire town and individual families.
Sometime last year, one of the kids on my community service crew asked me to tune the radio into 95.3 because there was a man who played music from his home and had a good message for kids. So I did. And I discovered that this person lived right here in Darby. You really couldn't hear the station from your house, in fact some of his neighbors can't even pick up his signal, however, car radios are more sensitive so it can be heard in a car. I listened to this music and he played oldies and R&B tunes all day long. In between, he would make announcements about different things, mainly encouraging children to stay off the corners, stay in school and away from drugs. In today's society, it is rare that adults take time from their busy work schedules to try and help our kids. But this man did. As time went on, the word spread and his (mobile) listening audience grew to include our police department, our residents and our kids. At night, he geared his music toward hip hop and the kids. The kids in our town were captured by his message. They looked up to him. He spoke to them on THEIR level and not from above like others do.
This means everything to a child when you do not hypocritically pretend you are above them in stature.
More and more we all grew hooked on his little station. He would make public service announcements for no pay all the time. It became a great way to get the word out about community events and more importantly, it was a great way to reach out to the kids, who sometimes have no stability or responsible adult in their lives.
A few weeks ago, Angel Maskart and myself taped a public service announcement regarding our 150th Anniversary Celebration and I read a poem about the American Fighting Man who is protecting our Freedoms and Rights, especially our 1ST AMENDMENT RIGHTS which we all treasure.
Unfortunately, a few small minded, HYPOCRITICAL Council people decided to punish this resident with the ultimate price.
What did this man or his family ever do to you to deserve the wrath of your jealousies and racial discriminations?
Here is a man, who is a HOMEOWNER. He was not GIVEN THE HOUSE. He bought it in 1998. A young African American man, raising his 4 year old son and he is a TAXPAYER. He does not LIVE OFF OTHERS RENT FREE. He works for Septa. He does not sit home and collect Social Security Disability for illnesses, physical or mental that he DOES NOT HAVE. He does NOT falsely collect Income Tax Refunds for children or grandchildren he is NOT RAISING. He makes an HONEST LIVING and earnestly and lovingly raises his child. He preaches to the children to stay away from drugs. He does not SIT IN HIS HOUSE AND SMOKE WEED FOR MEDICINAL PURPOSES. He does not falsely stage falls to sue and collect insurance money from businesses. And.....he does not collect money in the name of the Borough for the Victim's of 911 and pocket the money and never turn it in. And most of all, he was not a CONVICTED MURDERER who continued to disregard the law after his guilty plea.
His crime? He allowed two "white" girls to come into his home and talk positively about upcoming events. That's his crime and for that crime, he was punished viciously. His family was injured. His 4 year old son was robbed of sharing a love for a hobby that was a positive thing for our borough, a positive thing for our kids.
How funny and hypocritical it is that these officials and their families, especially their GROWN children, who were avid listeners on a daily basis. So avid, that he would happily shout out hello's to the same individual's daughter, friends and relatives every day. But that was ok for months, until the two "white" girls came on live. How hypocritical that the phone calls he received afterwards, indicated that the "history" of the two "white girls" were racial. How is that when one's "significant other" is an African American? How hypocritical it is for an elected official to sit at an open public council meeting and publicly state that they do not support the Council President because she is a "white" girl? How hypocritical is it when a Council woman uses vulgar racial language at a council meeting when addressing the Mayor and her PERSONAL life?
This is the same ignorance that has destroyed a man and his family's recreation and their positive service to the Community. But from this ignorance and hypocrisy we will all grow. We will pray for those individuals who have nothing better else to do except try to destroy a man and his family because he associated with the "forbidden" people. I pray for you Helen Thomas, Doris Grosso and Janice Davis. I pray that you one day let the Lord in your heart, cause if you did, you would cease your hypocritical actions immediately.
I am asking this Council to make a motion to approve a letter of support be written to the FCC on behalf of Franchise Radio, Ronald Newsome of 1349 Park Lane and to officially adopt his station as our Emergency Broadcast Channel once the FCC allows him to return.
NAACP
I met with Sheila Carter the President of the Darby Area NAACP on Tuesday April 22, 2003. Many things were discussed and an invitation was extended to the NAACP to set up a table at our Community Fair on May 3rd to make our residents aware that the NAACP is in full swing and accepting new memberships. They have many happenings coming up. On May 1st, 2003 the NAACP is teaming up with the Delaware County Family Center to showcase some talented teens. There will be singing, dancing, poetry reading and much more. To Register, please call 610-583-2811. This event will be at the Sharon Hill Christian Center on Sharon and Maple Avenues in Sharon Hill.
Another item discussed was the setting up of a workshop meeting for our Police Department and the NAACP to work on Sensitivity Training. Although our Police Officers are already trained in this department, we are happy to meet with the NAACP to learn more techniques and training. This workshop session will take place the first week of May.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Our Police Department is continually working aggressively to address the drug situation. Again, let me issue a reminder and warning. We will not tolerate individuals who sell drugs in our town and surrounding areas. There is a Zero Tolerance Policy in effect. The situation is increasing with the warmer weather. So much so that drug dealers are selling their products from stores and businesses right out in the open. This will not be tolerated. Thank you to our officers for aggressively addressing this issue and ensuring that our residents are safe.
GRANTS
The Bullet Proof Vest Grant will be applied for by May 2nd. This will help us cover the costs financially for up to 50% of the cost.
Transcript of Portions of the April 23rd Meeting:
Partial Transcript of Council Meeting Held on 4-23-03
Angel Maskart: Mayor, if you want to stay up there at this time, then we will go into public comment with more to do.
Helen Thomas: (take up with your own time)
Paula Brown: First order of business, I would like to call up front, Erica and Little Ronnie Ron. Erica lives on Park Lane with Ronnie Newsome and Little Ronnie Ron. And we felt that, we were very appreciative for all the work they have done in our borough. Some of you may not know what they do. But Erica, Ronnie, and Little Ronnie Ron operated a very, very, small, tiny radio station that you could barely pick up. You couldn't really hear it in your house, but you could hear it in your car. And, I discovered it by accident one day from one of my Community Service kids. And ever since then, we've all been hooked as listeners…..
Doris Grosso: No not all of us.
Brown: Tommy Blair has appeared on there regularly, talking about Darby Little League, Colwyn Comets, all the benefits of those organizations that they bring to our community. Angel and I have also appeared on and it was just, we really appreciate what he has done, from the bottom of our hearts and we would like to present this certificate of appreciation to Ronald Newsome, AKA DJ Ronnie Ron and the staff of Franchise Radio in recognition and appreciation of your fine work in broadcasting community events and public service announcements for and about the Borough of Darby. Presented this 23rd day of April, 2003. I'd like to put somebody on the spot right now cause he is a frequent person on that, he was a frequent person on that radio station. He would get up there on the mike, you could hear him during the day, right there along with his dad. Ronnie would you like to come forward and say what you used to say on the radio?
Bruce Rogers: No.
Little Ron: No.
Brown: You don't want to say keep it locked?
Little Ron: No.
Erica: First of all, I would like to thank everybody who listened to 95.3 for your support. If Ronnie Ron was here tonight, he would be really really pleased that there are people who support our station. Basically Ronnie Ron was about saying positive things like stay off the corners, stay in school…..
Grosso & Thomas: (mumbling)
Erica: It was a family ran radio station. Ron Newsome was in the radio business for about 14 years and he hasn't stopped since. The reason why he brought the radio station to Darby was because he thought, it would be a great place to show positivity and also playing good music. He felt that if you put on good music, played by a radio station, it might make your day and that's why he put this radio station on, to make people happy. And by us being shut down right now, it really, it really hurt. Especially Ron because 95.3 was his therapy. 95.3 was everything to him and it really hurts that he tried to do something positive and for somebody to sabotage him like that was wrong. Because Ron Newsome did not do anything negative on the radio station. Everything was positive. He played R & B, he played oldies, he played everything. And whoever, called the FCC, they were wrong because if you even took the time to listen to any of the messages, it was never negative. He could never say nothing negative because he is raising a 4 year old son. And my son looks at him and he watches everything he does. He looks up to his father. And basically, the reason why he had this radio station was because I'm quite sure there are other radio stations out there who play the same stuff all the time. And he played music at different times. Like I understand, some people didn't like the kind of music he played at night, that's why he played the other music during the day. He played Hip Hop for the young kids at night. That's when he played the hip hop. He played the R & B during the day for the older crowd. It's just a shame that somebody sabotaged him like that because all he wanted to do was spread a little joy in Darby. We've been in Darby, I've been in Darby since I was about 12 years old and I haven't left since. My son was born in Darby. And all he wanted to do was to spread a little joy but, I really thank Paula Brown tonight for putting an award on Ron's behalf. Thank you.
Brown: Well, we're not going to stop there. We totally support it. It was a good broadcasting station that we could broadcast emergencies in the case of evacuations, or floods or any type of terrorist actions and we are going to do everything we possibly can to work with the FCC to get him back and running. I would like to say….I guess, can I go into my Mayor's report real quick?
Maskart: Yes, do it all.
Brown: For my mayor's report, I'd like to talk about the word hypocrisy. The websters definition: noun: insincerity by virtue of pretending to have qualities or beliefs that you do not really have
noun: an expression of agreement that is not supported by real conviction
Thomas: Hmmmm….
Brown: The encyclopedia definition, Encyclopedia article
From Latin "hypocrisis", greek word which meant "actor's play". An attitude which consist in hiding one's true character, feign opinions, feelings and virtues not owned.
That is the sad fact that we deal with in Darby as of lately with some elected officials.
Thomas: Hmmmm….
Brown: And the worst part? Their hypocritical actions do not hurt their intended victims, but they hurt the entire town and individual families.
Sometime last year, one of the kids on my community service crew asked me to tune the radio into 95.3 because there was a man who played music from his home and had a good message for kids. So I did. And I discovered that this person lived right here in Darby. You really couldn't hear the station from your house, in fact some of his neighbors can't even pick up his signal, however, car radios are more sensitive so it can be heard in a car. I listened to this music and he played oldies and R&B tunes all day long. In between, he would make announcements about different things, mainly encouraging children to stay off the corners, stay in school and away from drugs. In today's society, it is rare that adults take time from their busy work schedules to try and help our kids. But this man did. As time went on, the word spread and his (mobile) listening audience grew to include our police department, our residents and our kids. At night, he geared his music toward hip hop and the kids. The kids in our town were captured by his message. They looked up to him. He spoke to them on THEIR level and not from above like others do.
This means everything to a child when you do not hypocritically pretend you are above them in stature.
More and more we all grew hooked on his little station. He would make public service announcements for no pay all the time. It became a great way to get the word out about community events and more importantly, it was a great way to reach out to the kids, who sometimes have no stability or responsible adult in their lives.
A few weeks ago, Angel Maskart and myself taped a public service announcement regarding our 150th Anniversary Celebration and I read a poem about the American Fighting Man who is protecting our Freedoms and Rights, especially our 1ST AMENDMENT RIGHTS which we all treasure.
Unfortunately, a few small minded, HYPOCRITICAL Council people decided to punish this resident with the ultimate price.
What did this man or his family ever do to you to deserve the wrath of your jealousies and racial discriminations?
Grosso: Don't keep looking at me.
Brown: Here is a man, who is a HOMEOWNER. He was not GIVEN THE HOUSE. He bought it in 1998. A young African American man, raising his 4 year old son and he is a TAXPAYER.
Thomas and Grosso: Your not.
Brown: He does not LIVE OFF OTHERS RENT FREE.
Thomas: Laughed.
Grosso: You live off the republicans.
Brown: He works for Septa. He does not sit home and collect Social Security Disability for illnesses, physical or mental that he DOES NOT HAVE.
Thomas: What a pig.
Brown: He does NOT falsely collect Income Tax Refunds for children or grandchildren he is NOT RAISING. He makes an HONEST LIVING and earnestly and lovingly raises his child. He preaches to the children to stay away from drugs.
Grosso: You don't.
Brown: He does not SIT IN HIS HOUSE AND SMOKE WEED FOR MEDICINAL PURPOSES.
Anne Blackson: Ooohhhhhhh…..them's fighting words
Brown: He does not falsely stage falls to sue and collect insurance money from businesses.
Grosso: She's talking about us!
Brown: ` And.....he does not collect money in the name of the Borough for the Victim's of 911 and pocket the money and never turn it in.
Grosso: Oh you got a nerve…….you hypocrite……
Thomas: damn right she talking about us!
Brown: And most of all, he was not a CONVICTED MURDERER who continued to disregard the law after his guilty plea.
Thomas: Let her roll…..
Brown: His crime? He allowed two "white" girls to come into his home and talk positively about upcoming events.
Thomas: Now she's talking about herself.
Brown: That's his crime and for that crime, he was punished viciously. His family was injured. His 4 year old son was robbed of sharing a love for a hobby that was a positive thing for our borough, a positive thing for our kids.
How funny and hypocritical it is that these officials and their families, especially their GROWN children, who were avid listeners on a daily basis.
Grosso: Not mine….
Brown: So avid, that he would happily shout out hello's to the same individual's daughter, friends and relatives every day.
Thomas: She's talking about me.
Grosso: Danyielle.
Thomas: Yea.
Brown: But that was ok for months, until the two "white" girls came on live. How hypocritical that the phone calls he received afterwards, indicated that the "history" of the two "white girls" were racial. How is that when one's "significant other" is an African American?
Grosso: And one's a white bulb.
Brown: How hypocritical it is for an elected official to sit at an open public………
Grosso: Laughing……..
Thomas: Is that your mayor's report? Com on now, You're sitting up here talking about people. ………………
Brown: …….council meeting and publicly state that they do not support the Council President because she is a "white"? How hypocritical……..
Grosso: She's talking about us……
Thomas: I know. You live in a glass house girl…….
Blackson: You're done Paula
Rogers: Enjoy that mike Paula…….
Brown: is it when a Council woman uses vulgar racial language at a council meeting …
Thomas talk about her when she's here ……..when she's here, not when she's gone...
Grosso: She's only talking about herself…………
Brown: when addressing the Mayor and her PERSONAL life?
This is the same ignorance that has destroyed a man and his family's recreation
Grosso: You shut her up…….
Thomas: Yea….
Grosso: Shut her up about us…….
Maskart: Ladies and Gentlemen, everyone …….. Ladies and Gentlemen…..everyone here has an opportunity to speak…….
Thomas: Shit that's not right. Shut her up…..She's talking about everything……
Maskart: First of all, I think a lot of people have a lot of guilty conscious's here because there's no names mentioned…..
Thomas: A guilty conscious for what? (screaming)
Maskart: Are there any names being mentioned?????
Thomas: What are you talking about a guilty conscious? (screaming) For what??? Unbelievable.
Rogers: Two sorry white girls.
Blackson: Two ….white girls…(unintelligible)
Lots of screaming from the audience from Anne Blackson, Jennifer Parks and Bruce Rogers)
Jennifer Parks: She got the nerve to talk about somebody being a hypocrite.
Grosso: The two white girls that are the President and the Mayor. That's alright, you'll hear from my lawyer tomorrow.
Blackson: How long????
Rogers: Not long…..
Grosso: (banging the table)
Maskart: We can't record with the banging.
Thomas: Unbelievable! (screaming)
Maskart: Mrs. Grosso, you will have an opportunity to speak like everyone else….
Grosso: (screaming)Shut her up first….Shut her up first….
Thomas: You can't comment to that rat.
Grosso: She's slurring us. (screaming)
Maskart: How is she slurring, is your name mentioned???
Grosso: She staring at us! (screaming)
Maskart: Was she saying Doris Grosso or anybody else?
Parks: You know who the hell she's talking about (screaming)
Grosso: She's saying us.
Maskart: Do you have a guilty conscious?
Grosso: I don't give a damn about it….(screaming)
Maskart: Then let her finish her report. You'll have an opportunity.
Thomas: A Mayor's Report. Unbelievable. (screaming)
Grosso: Well the Mayor and the President of Council, yea, their the white girls….
Rogers: Come on now, you're an elected official……(screaming from the audience) you can talk about them up there but how come their not in that paper Paula…..(screaming)
Maskart: You all will have an opportunity…….
Thomas: Please…..huh…..unbelievable….that's a damn mayor's report???
Grosso: You better turn around and open your front door woman……
Maskart: Please…..please…..
Thomas: Right. And a mayor who stole a man's money. Unbelievable! A liar and a thief!
Maskart: Let the Mayor finish her report and you will have an opportunity…..
Grosso: That's okay, you's will hear from my lawyer tomorrow..
Maskart: You will have an opportunity to speak.
Rogers: (screaming from the audience) You have an opportunity now Doris!
Grosso: I don't want an opportunity now.
Thomas: That's right…….
Rogers: You'll relinqenuish that mike on May 20th Paula Brown…. (screaming)
Thomas: That's right. Please!
Maskart: Mayor…..go ahead…
Rogers: You'll relinquenish it on May 20th, you can bet your last money on that.
Maskart: Mayor, you can finish……
Brown: Can I finish?
Grosso: No.
Thomas: No.
Rogers: As of May 20th you will finish it! (screaming)
Grosso: All you Republicans are stuck together.
Thomas: Unbelievable!
Grosso: You got two democrats that jumped the Republican fence.
Thomas: What a hypocrite! (screaming)
Grosso: That's the biggest hypocrite in the world but you.
Rogers: That radio station was okay till you got involved with it! (screaming) Everything's okay till you get involved with it!
Maskart: 5 minute recess!
Parks: You should have never went on that radio station. You're nothing but a liar!
Maskart: Everybody calm down.
Rogers: And you're a hypocrite!
Grosso: The two white women!
Parks: You're a liar! Yes, I said it, you're a liar!
Rogers: May 20th Paula! May 20th you're done.
Thomas: Unbelievable. Oh, I can't believe that girl.
Maskart: There's an opportunity for……..
Thomas: We're supposed to sit here and listen to her? Call us names and everything?????
Maskart: ….for public comment in this meeting……
Parks: (screaming)tell that white girl we are not in the hood!
Rogers: She don't live here in the hood.
Thomas: Doris, don't leave, come back here and sit down.
Parks: I can't deal with that.
Thomas: I'm sitting right here, I'm not going no where I was elected to this spot.
Rogers: Way to go Paula.
Maskart: Ladies and Gentlemen, we're just going to wait a few minutes so that everyone can take a deep breath. I'd like to remind everyone, if you look at your agenda, there is going to be a segment for public comment where everyone has the right to speak as well as the segment for council discussion as well. So I would just ask before we do start the meeting that everyone respect each other and we act like adults here when one person is speaking, we let them have the floor. And we can all do that for each other so that we can be heard.
Thomas: (Laughing)
Blackson: Hold on to that! (Laughing also)
Thomas: What you looking at me for shakin your head. You got a problem???? Huh?
Grosso: Tell them about the "hood". Gone back to the "hood"!
During Recess
Brown: (whispering to Maskart) I know, it's okay for anybody else to say it but not you.
(speaking to Thomas) funny how Danyielle listens and calls in everyday.
Thomas: I don't talk to you, please…..please…..huh! okay!
Brown: (whispering to Maskart) guess I must have hit home?
Thomas: You hit somebody's home, not mine okay? You better worry about your own honey!
Brown: You seem awful guilty.
Thomas: Who….I don't know who you think you talking to sweetie okay? I'm not the one. Okay? You got a problem with it??? I said, did you have a problem with it? Why you talking about my income. Talk about your own income okay? That's what you do. Talk about your SELF!
Brown: I work.
Thomas: So what! That ain't none of my business! That's your business. Okay! Now you got a problem, you come to me and talk. How dare you stand up there and insinuate! (yelling to the audience)…. You little lyin' somebody! You wish you did know! Okay? I'm not the one! How dare her sit there and tell some lies! Please! She better try to pay Mike back that money and leave us alone! Okay!
Grosso: She better give the flood victims all their money back too!
Thomas: That's what you better do! Go home and pay your mortgage!
Grosso: These are the biggest hypocrites I ever saw! All of yous!
Thomas: Don't call them names.
Grosso: Every one of you's.
Thomas: Doris, none of them said anything but her.
Grosso: How bout the lawyer? He makes the snowballs and she throws them!
Thomas: Well let her call him, Let her be the one to catch them! Okay!
Grosso: Well she better catch them now cause they be going after her ass!
Thomas: Don't say nothing to her.
Grosso: I ain't saying nothing to her. My lawyer will contact them all tormorrow.
Thomas: Yea.
Grosso: They'll be another lawsuit on the boro.
Thomas: But see what she did was "some elected officials"…..
Grosso: Two elected officials is all she said…..
Thomas: Well, it wasn't us okay? But that ain't nothing to say to her. That's nothing to say to her. Please!
Grosso: She ought to go back to East Lansdowne and live. She don't live in Darby.
Thomas: I don't know where she live, I don't bother with her.
Grosso: She lives in East Lansdowne.
Thomas: I don't bother with her so I don't know.
Recess ends
Maskart: Ladies and Gentlemen, we're going to call this meeting back to order……..
Thomas: (yelling) That was some type of Mayor's report!
Maskart: It's been exactly 5 minutes, thanks to our solicitor timing us so I am going to call this meeting back to order. Ladies and Gentlemen, I would just like to ask you again, everyone will have an opportunity to speak. That includes council and all members of the audience. It is very hard to transcribe the tape when people are talking over each other and it's so loud and you can't hear it. We hear over and over again, how everybody wants accurate minutes, we can't get them if everybody's talking at once. So I would ask that you please talk one a t a time and everyone will have an opportunity to speak.
Brown: Should I pick up where I left off at?
Maskart: Yes. Finish up. I want you to finish and get into our special guests.
Thomas: (laughing) so that means we still have to sit here and listen to her???
Brown: No, I'm not going to read the rest of it, I'm just going to say that I pray for the three of you that's all.
Thomas: (screaming) Pray? Pray? Pray for what? Pray for your self!
Brown: I pray that one day you'll let the Lord in your heart, because if you did, then we might not…….
Thomas: (screaming) Pray for yourself!
Grosso: Oh you hypocrite! You better go back to BVM!
Blackson: You don't know about Him, cause if you went back lightening would strike.
Brown: Right now I am asking council…….
Thomas: Oh please!
Brown: To make a motion to write a letter of support be written to the FCC…….
Thomas: (snicker) phew…..
Brown: on behalf of Franchise Radio….Ronald Newsome…of 1349 Park Lane….
Thomas: Ohhhhhh…..huh!
Brown: in support of and to officially adopt his radio station as our Emergency Broadcast…….
Thomas: No!
Brown: …channel, once the FCC allows him to return.
Thomas: She already put it out that he already was!
Parish: I'll make that motion.
Mawhinney: I'll second it.
Maskart: The motion's been made and seconded….are there any questions on the motion?
Grosso: I thought he was already on the radio?
Thomas: I thought that he was already designated as our emergency broadcast station?
Brown: He was until you called the FCC.
Grosso: She didn't call them, I did.
Maskart: Helen, do you have a question on the motion?
Thomas: That is a question on the motion! I thought he was already….
Maskart: He was on the raido….he
Thomas: I didn't say on the radio. I don't know anything about that. I'm saying I thought he already had a FCC because he's already, been appointed, a public service station.
Brown: He wasn't appointed yet. That's not what the letter said. Read it……….
Thomas: Oh this is a recommendation on this paper?? Angel……Mrs. President!
………………………………………………….
Thomas: Alright now, the motion now is, once he gets his FCC, we will adopt him as our radio station?
Brown: The motion is to send a letter to the FCC in support.
Thomas: Oh, a letter in support? I'm not talking to you girl, I' don't care what you ass…..
Maskart: Are there any other questions on the motion? Beth would you call the roll please?
Beth: Ms. Grosso?
Grosso: No!
Beth: Mr. Mawhinney?
Bob Mawhinney: Yes.
Beth: Ms. Coghlan
Teresa Coghlan: Yes.
Beth: Mr. Robinson?
Robinson: Yes.
Grosso: why do you want me to say yes?
Thomas: Because.
Grosso: No.
Beth: Ms. Thomas? ( long pause)
Grosso: You want me to rescind it?
Thomas: Yes.
GrossO; Beth, can I rescind my no to a yes?
Solicitor: Yes.
Thomas: She can do that, the votes not over. She can do that.
Solicitor: Mechanically, the proper way to do it would be to take a vote, finalize the vote, then re-open the vote and then vote again.
Thomas: Yes. That's what I want her to do.
Solicitor: But if you have an agreement of council to just proceed with the rescission of this individual….
Maskart: Ms. Thomas wants to change her vote……
Thomas: No.no…no…no…no…
Masksart: I'm sorry….it was Mrs. Grosso who wants to change her vote from a no vote to a yes vote. Does anybody have a problem with doing this at this point? Or do we have to close it off and re-open?
Council: No problem.
Maskart: would you please mark Mrs Grosso as a yes vote.
Beth: Ms. Thomas?
Thomas: YES! Despite what the Mayor says, I ….let me get my doobies in too! After that it will be done, I don't want to comment then. I want to comment NOW! I don't want to take business here from no one here in Darby Borough.
Maskasrt: Ms. Thomas: Can we just continue with the vote? We're in the middle of a vote?
Thomas: You can continue I'm done.
Beth: Ms. Parish?
Parish: Yes.
Beth: Ms. Maskart?
Maskart: Yes!
Thomas: How dare you say that. I wouldn't dare do that. Don't you ever say that again!
Maskart: Mayor could you please finish with your report?
Brown: I met with Sheila Carter the president of the Darby Area NAACP…….
Thomas: So if I called here don't mean I called in! You better watch what you saying up there you slandering people girl.
Grosso: (singing) We'll see the news tomorrow…..
Brown: on Tuesday April 22, 2003.
Thomas: hahahahahahaha phew!
Grosso: hahahahahah
Thomas: Hope you took that "hood" off!
Parish: Ignore that Paula.
Brown: …many things were discussed. And an invitation was extended to the NAACP to set up a table at our Community Fair on May 3rd……
Thomas: …what about Connie Smith???
Brown: (pausing till the comments are done)….to make our residents aware that the NAACP is in full swing and accepting new memberships.
Grosso: No not for you.
Thomas: She don't know it's Connie.
Brown: Sheila Carter is now the president.
Thomas: Eeeewww…okay! No wonder you talk to her, Connie wouldn't talk to you!
Maskart: Mrs. Thomas. Please let the mayor finish her report. You will have ample opportunity and you know that. You have never been denied to speak ever. And you will have an opportunity.
Thomas: By that time,I won't have nothing to say!
Grosso: (laughing wildly)
Thomas: I want to say it while she's doin it!
Maskart: Mayor would you please continue?
Brown: On May 1st 2003, the NAACP is teaming up with the Delaware County Family Center to showcase some talented teens. There will be singing, dancing, poetry reading and much more. To register, please call 583-2811. This event will be at the Sharon Hill Christian Center on Sharon and Maple Avenues in Sharon Hill. There are flyers up here that you can take for that. Another item that was discussed with the NAACP was the setting up of a workshop meeting for our police department and the NAACP to work on Sensitivity Training. Although our police officers are already highly trained in this department we are extremely very happy to meet with the NAA….
Grosso: Why don't you train Kristie Voigt first?
Thomas: I think she's not here no more.
Maskart: Mrs. Thomas, Mrs. Grosso,…….
Grosso: I didn't say a word. I am laying here with my head down.
Maskart: Well then, I'm hearing things. Can we just respect each other and act like grown people here?
Thomas: Well, as soon as we get respect!
Maskart: You know what? We're talking elementary school here!
Thomas: As soon as we get respect! I know about respect okay? There's nobody that knows more respect than me!
Maskart:` Have you ever been denied …..
Thomas: I'm not sayin' I'm bein' denied!
Maskart: Have you ever been denied….when you're….
Thomas: We're not talking about bein denied. We're talking about RESPECT!
Maskart: When you're talking and someone interrupts you, I'll ask the same thing to show you the same respect that I would hope you would show everyone else.
Thomas: Look, I been respectful for years! She don't deserve nobody's respect!
Maskart: Well, that's your opinion Helen…..
Thomas: That's right!
Maskart: But she is the Mayor of this town…..
Thomas: That's right! That's everybody's opinion….The first Amendment..
Maskart: She has a right to make a report. Mayor Brown, would you please continue?
Brown: Although our police officers are highly trained in this area…we are very happy to meet with the NAACP to learn more techniques and training. This workshop session…….
Thomas: (laughing) this is a bunch of shit
Brown: …will take place the first week of May. Our police department is continually working to address the drug situation. Again, let me issue a reminder or warning. We will not tolerate individuals who sell drugs in our town and surrounding areas. There is a zero tolerance policy in effect.
Grosso: What a creep.
Bruce Rogers: I too want to piggyback on that letter that was put out. I thought it was a disgrace that the three council women's names weren't put on it
Brown: The situation is increasing with the weather. So much so that drug dealers are actually selling their products in neighboring towns and some in our town, from stores and businesses right out in the open. This will not be tolerated. Thank you very much to our police officers for aggressively addressing this issue and ensuring our residents are safe. Grants. The Bullet Proof Vest Grant will be applied for by May 2nd. This will help us cover the costs financially for up to 50% of the cost. Now I would like to turn the rest of my report over to Tommie Robinson the Police Committee Chairman for the hiring of the 4 new police officers.
(laughing and giggling from Thomas and Grosso)
Tommie Robinson reports…….
New officer's sworn in
Tommie Robinson reports on the resignation of full time officer William Sminkey.
Thomas and Grosso are making fun of Robinson's report.
Tommie Robinson: I need a motion to regretfully accept the resignation of William Sminkey effective May 2nd…..
Grosso: Good, he's a fucking creep anyway.
Brown: He's not a creep Doris, he puts his life on the line for you.
Robinson: …2003. He has accepted full time employment as a police officer for the Upper Darby Police Department.
Motion made and seconded. Questions on the motion.
Brown: I don't have a question, I have a comment. I would like stricken from the record Doris Grosso's comment that Officer Sminkey was a creep. That was disgusting he puts his life on the line.
Grosso: You're disgusting.
Thomas: Shut up.
Grosso: Go back to East Lansdowne where you live.
Brown: I'd like to see you take a bullet like he's saved more lives than anyone.
Grosso: That's Darby Borough's sick Mayor for you…..
Public Safety portion ends…..
Thomas: Oh, this is the easy part. Paula's gone, I don't think she's coming back.
Grosso: She has the audacity.
Thomas: That was horrible.
Grosso: She taught us, everything we know.
Thomas: I'm really thinking about suing her.
Maskart: Public comment from the first row.
Grosso: I want to sue her ass. I'm going after her. She had the audacity to talk about us when she taught us everything we know.
Thomas: Yea, that was low.
Maskart: Ladies….please.
Rogers: Bruce Rogers, 131 Fern Street. I thought that flyer that was put out was a disgrace that three councilwomen's names weren't on that, now you say it's only because they aren't on committees, but, on that paper, it says official Darby Newsletter. I never saw that and I've been at every meeting and I never saw that letter come up for council approval or I never heard it go through council as it being approved. The 3 council people are elected officials here in Darby just happened that they happened to be the 3 democrats who have not been put on any committees that have been formed up here, and it's also, you know a fact that each name that's been up here is a Republican representative. And I personally, as a 3rd Ward Representative, I mean resident was offended that those flyers were put out by Community Service, but they weren't approved by Council. The other thing is, I'd like to know, cause I don't know so maybe you could tell me, who pays the electric bill when Community Service is up here playing on the weekend? Cause their certainly not doing anything down on2nd street, they're not doing anything on 3rd street, they're not doing anything on Main street and everyonce in a while, they'll put a blue bag out but if you go up the little streets, you'll see their not doing a thing down there. So who pays the electric bill while they're playing? You know and I thought for a fact that they had to be insured or something and I know that that only happens when Paula Brown has Community Service in Darby Borough. So maybe that could be looked into too. And the other thing is about street sweeping, the notices were put out, there was trash all in the third ward, people just..the stuff was blowing in the street and whether it costs 2 or 3 hundred dollars, we're paying taxes for that so some people have to be told and we go through this every year, you know it, every year, people got to be told not to put their trash out. And when they saw that they didn't pick it up on Friday, they didn't take it back in the house and it was out there all weekend long. So the trash was all over the street. We have no street sweeper and again, Community Service is in here, not doing a thing, not doing a thing, and Main Street looked terrible over the weekend. That's all I have.
Maskart: Thank you Mr. Rogers.
Meeting continues………………
President's Report
Maskart………reports on the upcoming 150th Anniversary Celebration.
This weekend Community Service will be hand delivering this letter regarding the 150th Anniversary through out town, door to door. While we are on the subject of Community Service, I want to say, what some people don't realize, is that everybody knows the Mayor as a Community Service Supervisor. But a lot of you don't realize that I am also a Community Service Supervisor. And the funniest thing of all, is that the Mayor has not been scheduled in Darby Borough for over a month, she just was here last weekend. I have been here and people all over town, see the van and if my hair is in a pony tail, they don't even realize that it's me in the van, and they yell out "Hey Miss Paula" and I wave. So. For all the people who like to blame the Mayor for her people not doing anything, I would welcome you to drive around, the past couple weekends, we have been stationed, under the director of Community Service, we have been stationed at Darby Little League and everybody that comes down there is amazed by the amount of trash and debris that we removed from there. We are very fortunate that we have Community Service in town every weekend. We are very fortunate that the Mayor is a Supervisor, I am a Supervisor, Tommie Robinson is a Supervisor and there are two other people that live in Darby Borough I don't want to broadcast their names, that also are Community Service Supervisors. We know this town better than anybody else because this is our town. So we know it and you have a better opportunity with us here, and these streets do get cleaned up, and there are a lot of blue bags everywhere and the streets are swept. You have services that Darby Borough cannot provide on the weekend, but we are here so instead of complaining about community service, be grateful and thankful because it would be a horrible thing if the county pulled them out of Darby Borough and that's exactly what is going to happen. And for the people who want to sit on their steps, and make comments about Community Service and call our Director and complain because "the radio was too loud in the van" or because the "kids did this or the kids did that". Those kids and adults are supervised and maybe if those people would get off of their porches and their steps and come down and not only take care of their own property, but the properties around them, we wouldn't need community service in this town that much. So, we need to be real careful on how we address things, because they will pull Community Service out of town and I don't think any of us want that to happen.
Public Comment again at the end.
Opened public comment to everyone…..
Maskart: Anne, did you want to comment on anything because you were very vocal back there so I wanted to give you the opportunity to come up and speak.
(Anne Blackson was very vocal throughout the meeting but her comments were unintelligible on the tape)
Blackson: I said what I had to say.
Maskart: I'm asking you if you want to make it a part of the record?
Blackson: No Angel, I'm not getting into a circus fight
Maskart: It's not a circus fight. You had a lot to say in the audience, I'm giving you an opportunity to say it now.
Blackson: Whatever I had to say, I'll say it so leave me alone.
Maskart: Thank you Ms. Blackson. At this time we'll open it up one more time if somebody on council has something they wish to say.
Grosso: Good.
Thomas: I do.
Maskart: The only thing I want to comment on, is I am a Republican and I'm damn proud to be a Republican….
Grosso: man not me….
Maskart: Don't use the word like it's so bad for "you vote with Republicans".. It's about working together and that's all it's about. So don't say the word "Republican". The question would be, let's weigh the balances here….What has the Republican Party accomplished, what has the Democrat Party accomplished? When they work together, what do they accomplish? Check the minutes of Darby Borough and when DarbyBorough filed for bankruptcy, why don't we see who was in control at that time, and who especially, the Mayor was the Chairman of the Democrat Party, that refused to work with Republicans and worked their way right into bankruptcy court.
Brown: Not this Mayor, that other Mayor.
Maskart: Charlie Sanders
Brown: Thank you.
Maskart: Ms. Parish?
Parish: The one thing……
Grosso: Very good speech Angel.
Maskart: Well, you are a former Republican, so I am sure you take offense to the remarks too.
Grosso: I am not! (screaming)
Brown: Yes you are.So is Helen, So is Anne, you all are.
Grosso: (SCREAMING AT THE TOP OF HER LUNGS) And who did we change for BITCH? You!
Blackson: (screaming)Hey Paula, let me tell you, go ahead, hit on my name. Go ahead and see what happens. I'm warning you don't let my name come out of your mouth.
Brown: I'm out of here. I'm late for work. (brown leaves)
Blackson: Don't let my name come out of your mouth.
Grosso: Go ahead, leave with your delinquents.
Blackson: Don't let my name come out of your mouth.
Brown: Please get your hand out of my face.
Blackson: And what are you gonna do?
Brown: Get your hand out of my face.
Blackson: And what are you gonna do?
Brown: Somebody please get her away from me so I can leave?
Blackson: Don't let my name come out of your mouth.
Brown: Get your hand out of my face! Please!
Blackson: And what are you gonna do if I don't??? (screaming and spitting)
Maskart: Paula you have to go to work, try to come around this way if she won't move.
Blackson: Just what are you gonna do?
Brown You need to get away from me.
Blackston: I don't have to go no where. I ain't moving.
Brown: Get your hand out of my face.
Blackston: And if I don't?
Maskart: Paula, you have to go to work, try to get over here.
Brown: I have a job I have to go to, now get out of my way please
Blackson: She has no business speaking my name. No business.
Thomas: Let her go, she' ll get hers.
Blackson: What does she think. Now I didn't say anything to her tonight.
(tape stopped)
Mayor's Report for January 8, 2003
STATE OF THE BOROUGH ANNUAL REPORT
Happy New Year to all. I hope this New Year brings prosperity to the Borough of Darby and our residents. We truly deserve this. The Year 2002 was filled with many vivid memories, both good and bad, however, 2003 looks more promising than ever! I look forward to serving you again with intensity.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
The Crime Statistics for the year 2002 are not finished being put into the computer as of this date, however, they should be updated in the next week or two.
Dear Residents:
Listed below is the Mayor's Report for August 2nd, 2000.
Please feel free to send me your comments or complaints. You may also check my web page for updates at: http://members.aol.com/PaulaBO23/index.html or click on this link: Paula M. Brown's Homepage
Announcements and Updates from the Council Meeting on August 2,2000:
At the Council Meeting on August 2nd, I inadvertantly asked the Finance Chairman, Jackie Townes when would the real estate tax refunds be sent out.
In December of 1999, Council passed a budget with a millage rate of 6.5 mils. The figure given to the Tax Collector by the Chairman and the Borough secretary, was 6.9 mils. The mistake was discovered and notices were given to residents that the correct millage was 6.5 and not 6.9 mils. Those who had already paid their tax with the 6.9 figure, were told that their overpayment would be refunded. Some refunds were distributed already, but most were told that they would begin to recieve their refund in July or August.
The Finance Chairman, Council and the Secretary were informed that a millage rate of 6.5 was higher than allowed by law in the first year of an assessment. It was too late for a change in millage so a rebate would have to be issued in addition to the refund. The rebate would be for the difference in millage from 6.5 to 6.1 mils. Council voted unanimously on this issue.
However, on August 2nd, when I asked the question of when the refunds would be mailed out, The finance Chairman announced that her and the Borough Secretary had decided that a tax credit for next year might be implemented instead of the refund.
First of all, the Finance Chairman and the Borough Secretary do not have the authority to change law. The Tax Ordinance was adopted with a millage rate of 6.5. No one can change this Ordinance. Therefore, a refund MUST be issued to all who overpaid their taxes. One or two individuals do not have the authority to change or amend ordinances. If you overpaid your taxes with the initial bill, you paid a millage rate of 6.9 which is higher than what was voted on. Darby Borough MUST refund your overpayment. Some were already issued refunds. To not refund all who overpaid would be selective and open the borough for possible litigation.
The Finance Chairman and Secretary have stated that the Financial Consultant to the Borough, Mr. Joseph Possenti, has advised Council that the refunds cannot be given. This is not true. At no point in time, in any meeting with Council or the Mayor, did the Financial Consultant ever advise this.
Again, as I have stated before, this is not the fault of the Tax Collector. The role of the Tax Collector is to collect the taxes that Council adopts as a millage rate only. Please do not call the Tax Collector with your concerns on this matter. This is strictly an administrative problem.
If you are due a refund, please call the Borough Hall at 610-586-1102 and address your concern to Kathleen Gamble, Borough Secretary or Jackie Townes, Finance Chairman.
The Darby Borough Police Department is accepting employment applications for the position of TurnKey. Turnkey monitors prisoners in the jail cells while incarcerated during non business hours. Accepted applications are put on a rotating on call schedule with no set hours. Hours depend on if and when we have to house prisoners. If you are interested in this position, please fill out an application at the Police Department.
Mayor's Report - August 2, 2000
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Congratulations go to Dominque Fenwick and Dalton Howells, two of our borough residents who bravely testified in Court for two incidents that occurred in our Borough. Their testimony was excellent and extremely important in helping our Police Department solve these crimes.
Dominque is 13 years old and Dalton is 8. Both were subjected to grueling cross-examination by defense attorneys for the defendants. Both of them withstood the cross-examination and testified firmly and accurately. In today's society, very few people have the courage to come forth as witnesses, relay information to police, or testify in court. These two individuals came forth and greatly helped our police department with their testimonies. We thank them and commend them for their bravery and good citizenship. May they be an example to all.
DOMESTIC ABUSE PROJECT COLLECTING USED CELL PHONES
The Delaware County Domestic Abuse project is collecting used cell phones for help with victims of Domestic Abuse. Domestic Abuse affects all of us whether we are victims or witnesses. The most frequent call for Police Assistance is for Domestic Situations. Domestic Abuse runs rampid among all areas and particularly here in Darby. Victims frequently are in situations where they need help immediately from Police and most times cannot get to a phone or let the abuser know they are calling police. The type of cell phones that the Domestic Abuse Project is looking for are small phones that can easily be hid in pockets or purses. No large phones or bag phones. They are also requesting that donors also donate the charger so the phones may be charged. The Darby Police Department is setting up a collection box for collection of these phones. The first two cell phones to be donated are from myself and the Chief. Our phones, which are Nextels that have two-way radio features, were burned out during our State of Emergency. The 2 way feature does not work but the phone does. The phones will be re-programmed to dial 911 only for the victims. As an example and encouragement for all, we are donating our phones in the hopes that many more follow. A box will be located at the Darby Police Station and you may drop the phones and chargers off anytime or give them to an officer.
DEMOLITION OF CHESTNUT STREET AND CREEK AVENUE
The Demolition of Chestnut Street and Creek Avenue is coming along fine. The contractor, Shultz Enterprises is doing an excellent job and is most considerate of the surrounding residents. He had offered Philadelphia Surbuban Water Company to attach a meter to the fire hydrant and pay for water so he can keep the dust down in the area but Surburban Water refused. However, residents in the surrounding area are supplying him with water to do the same. Thank you to these residents.
At any given time, many former residents including those who have lived here long ago, are stopping by to see the demolition and to reminisce. It is very sad to see these homes come down but it is quite necessary. Many residents have been inquiring as to the possibility of having a block party gathering at the completion and inviting all former residents. AS the completion nears, we will look into this possibility. I have collected 43 bricks representing the 43 homes and would like to inquire as to the possible donation of time of an engraver to engrave these bricks with the names of the 43 families. If anyone is interested, please contact me. The following is an accounting of the first days of demolition:
Bringing closure to Floyd's havoc has it's ups and downs. Similar to a Hurricane itself. The calm before the storm, the anxieties stirred during the storm itself, the eye of the hurricane that brings an eerie peace and the violent exodus of the storm.
Settlement day in December was happy and sad. All the memories came back. Good times and bad times. Stories were shared next door in Maggie O'Neills while waiting their turn or after their turn. Promises were made to stay in touch. And stay in touch they did! Some stayed in touch so much that those of us "softies" sure did get in trouble with those that just couldn't grasp the heartache and devastation for lack of involvement. As Charlotte spoke with tears in her eyes about the fear of leaving and going into a new home after 60 years of living on Chestnut Street, not being able to find a home right away, who could turn their back on this woman and tell her she couldn't stay until she found a new home? How can you tell Mr. B. who has marked every flood for the last 33 years, and can connect a memory or story with every item in the entire area, that it's time to go? And Stella, Kelly, Kitty and all the kids? How can you tell these families that you can't stay 2 or 3 more weeks until you find a house? You can't tell them, if you have a heart, or if you've witnessed the devastation they've suffered. So the anxiety rises until all are settled and in their new homes. And the calm begins.
But now it's time for the storm again. At least in the 1400 Block. The heavy equipment rolls in. Everyone is outside waiting.......and waiting....Sue and Bubba come back for one more look. They are first in line. They've started fresh in another town like everyone else. But they still had to come back for one more look and the tears began to flow. Marie sat quietly waiting in anticipation, wondering when her mother's house would go. Her daughter watched intently taking all memories and activities in. She was going to compile the information for a school project.
One by one they started to come back. Shorty could tell by the looks on their faces. He knew this wasn't just another Demolition job. This was a special demolition that had a Flood of Memories. He is so patient and compassionate. Alyssa who is pregnant with her second child was determined to stay through wind, rain, sleet, or snow. This was her first house. The beginning of her life with Rob. Closure was imperative. And of course there was Mr. B. Slowly sifting through his house for one last memory. Kelly came back. She would have to wait at least a week. The 1400 block had to go first. 14th, 13th, 12th, Woodbine and Upper Chestnut all came to say good-bye to Lower Chestnut. Some just couldn't come because it was too hard. Jackie came to say good-bye to two. His and mom's. Even Mom Theresa came. I don't think she has been back since September 16. But she came on Monday. She too has to wait possibly 2 weeks.
When Mary & Joanne's came down, we saw a bright pink box similar to a Barbie case hanging from the second floor. Wait a minute Shorty, that might be Barbie memories we have to save. Hold up the demolition! No, high tech Camcorder's showed it was just a Fashion Bug box. It's ok to resume.
Now we moved down to Jess' house. The beginning of the end of the 1400 block. Her sister Jamie watched in awe as her house came down piece by piece, memory by memory, clothing, toys, dishes, tools came tumbling out.
Then came Leo Sr.'s. Leo Sr. came too but he couldn't stay. Kitty couldn't stay away either. She just had to swing by and see. Her house was next. And then came Maggie. Crying her eyes out. She too had to wait until next week for the 1300 block. She wanted to go back one more time. Can I please she asked me? Of course Maggie, let's go. So we walked in the door and the tears flowed more. The mud and floorboards still twisted. The crystal door knobs! They're still here! Can I take them please? Are they still upstairs? Well, Maggie, it's not too safe but what the hell, let's go. So up the steps we ran. The sigh of relief was heard throughout lower Chestnut. They're still here. But no tools to take them off. Shorty to the rescue again. Maggie told Shorty she would be back tomorrow at 3:30 to get the door knobs. Please don't take the house yet. Shorty complied.
Mr. B. again is still sifting through his house. 6 more and it's his turn. But wait, there's orange chairs in Mr. B.'s basement. He brings them out for us to sit on. It's Kitty's turn but she's not here. But that's ok. Alyssa is still here. She'll tape it for her. So up we go to Regina's deck to watch and tape. Then comes Charlotte's house. I am thankful she is not here to see this. Kathy's house is next with the beautiful bay window. Alyssa is concerned. She has a doctor's appointment the next day and doesn't want to miss her house. Shorty? Can you help us out? Of course! She tells Shorty her dilemma. She can be here by 11:30. Can you wait? Of course! Shorty to the rescue again. Shorty and the crew load trucks with debris until Alyssa gets here. But wait. Where's the mayor? Unfortunately, my son took the car before I could get the keys to it. So Alyssa had to wait. She frantically called Anna at the Police station. Is she there? It's time for my house! I finally arrive and we go back up to Regina's deck and it begins. The beautiful mural on Brett's bedroom comes down with all the memories. You can still see the stenciling. Just when it's time for the front and last part to come down, Alyssa's battery dies! Not to worry though, John is there. His house is last. His battery is good and he has film. He tapes it. And we discover that Ken's battery fits Alyssa's camera! Ok, we're all right. Allysa can go home now. It's over and she needs to get out of the rain. Tomorrow is Rita's house.
I haven't seen Rita lately. This was hard for her as it was for everyone. It's also time for Mr. B.'s house. He's been here everyday but not today. We are glad he is not here. This is too much pain for all of us so it is entirely too much for him and Rita. 33 years of memories came crashing down. But before they did, someone came and got the door that has been marked in every flood. But "Jacob's Ladder" is still laying out back. Mr. B. had it in every home he was. Except now. And finally, it was time for MaryLou, John, Ed, Mike, Joe, Tom, Jim, Tish and Goliath's house. The last one. Tish and Goliath were the last official residents to leave Chestnut Street. They stayed several month's after everyone left. Mike came everyday to feed and see them. Mike couldn't take them with him. The Apartment Complex said no. So they stayed. They were so hospitable to all who came. Finally they had to go. So over to 14th street they went with Regina. Everyday they are there and they watch their neighborhood come down. Do Alaskan Husky's cry? Yes, they do.
John wanted the last memory. He wanted to tape his house. But unfortunately, he has to maintain our borough, so he gave us his camera and we tried. Again, Shorty to the rescue. Demolition stopped and other duties started until we arrived. But, the same luck that Alyssa had, so did John. The tape ran out! But no fear, one family has been here through and through taping every house. So we're covered.
And so goes the Demolition of Chestnut Street. 11 homes down and 32 more to go. This has been an experience that I will never forget for the rest of my life. But is has also given me more than anything else could ask for. An opportunity to know 43 wonderful families and share disappointments, sorrows and happy times. I miss them dearly.
Paula Brown
Mayor
Darby Borough
Mayor's Report
July 19, 2000
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Congratulations to Lieutenant Ray Blythe who was promoted to Lieutenant at the June 7th, 2000 Council meeting. This was a long overdue promotion and we are proud to have him serve the Borough of Darby.
The Bike patrol is in full swing with officers alternating between riding and walking. We are still in need of hiring additional part time officers to offset the court time that is mandated weekly. I am requesting that council review the applications that we have and consider hiring additional part time officers. Currently, part time officers are scheduled for 40 hours per week due to the necessity of patrolling the borough. However, they are still accumulating comp time because in addition to the 40 hours, they must appear in court 8 hours per week. The solution to this accumulation is to reduce the hours to 32 per week plus 8 for court time. This would leave a void in patrol hours that would need to be made up by additional officers.
A COPS MORE 2000 grant was submitted for the salaries of 4 police clerks totaling $97,000.00. If we receive this grant, we will be able to designate and re-deploy officers for a Community Policing Program that will strengthen the bond between the community and the police department. It will also enable our officers to participate in programs that are geared toward community policing such as Neighborhood Watch and the Police Athletic League. Currently we only have one administrative secretary in the police department that is handling everything. It is imperative that we hire clerks so they may be able to free the officers to interact with the community.
It will also enable our department to stay open to the public more than the regular 8 to 4. Valuable time is taken away from the police officers and the community because they must return to headquarters to log their incidents and handle paperwork.
CHESTNUT STREET AND CREEK AVENUE DEMOLITION
I met with the Contractor, Shultz Enterprises and they have informed us that demolition is scheduled to begin on 1219 and 1221 Chestnut Street on Friday morning. Demolition equipment will be brought in on Thursday. Following the completion of the demolition of 1219 and 1221 Chestnut Street, Demolition will begin on the 1400 block on Monday morning. The 1300 and 1200 blocks will follow respectively with 16 & 18 Creek Avenue being the final homes to be demolished. The Chief and I are working with the contractor to secure a water source to wet down the area and contain the dust. The contractor is quite sensitive to the residents in the surrounding areas and diligently trying to prevent as much dust and debris as possible.
FINANCE
I am submitting a sample proposal from Barbacane and Thorton for council's review. I am recommending that we follow the recommendations of the Grand Jury Report and we terminate the services of Jones, Hayward and Lenzi and hire this firm for the annual audit. They will at our request perform an accrual method of accounting versus a cash basis accounting. There is no visible fee increase in switching to the accrual method. An accrual method measures everything when it happens instead of when the cash is paid out. It keeps everyone up to date all the time. It is also recommended that we consider using the MIP Program that most municipalities use instead of Quick Books. There are no security features with Quickbooks and MIP is a fund accounting system that can record accrual entries. Grants can be explored to switch to this program.
WAKE UP CALL
The last altercation that took place in this Borough Hall should be a wake up call to all elected officials in Darby Borough. We are on a path of self-destruction and drastic measures need to be taken to pull ourselves out of the cesspool we are in. I am deeply saddened by the behavior of some elected officials.
How can we forget and push aside the fact that the country we live in is free for us to speak what is on our mind? How can we forget that millions of men and women gave their lives so that we may be able to speak freely? How can we forget or IGNORE should I say, the rights of the citizens who voted to put us into office? How can we forget or ignore the fact that we are Public SERVANTS?
We are here to serve the public. The public does NOT serve us. The public has a RIGHT to know what the financial condition of the borough is.
The public has a RIGHT to know how THEIR money is spent and how WE spend it. The public has a RIGHT to tell us BEFORE we take action, what their questions and concerns are. And most of all, ELECTED OFFICIALS HAVE A RIGHT TO SPEAK OUT FOR THE TAXPAYERS THEY REPRESENT WITHOUT FEAR, INTIMIDATION, FALSE ACCUSATIONS OR PHYSICAL HARM .
All of this was ignored last Thursday night. Mr. Robinson, you IGNORED the taxpayers when you closed the meeting to the public in violation of the Sunshine Act. You IGNORED the taxpayers when you restricted Mr. Mawhinney from stating his opinions on behalf of those he represents. And you harmed the ENTIRE community when you let the meeting get out of hand and you inflicted those wounds upon Mr. Mawhinney. By your actions and not controlling the meeting, several council people other than yourself and Mr. Mawhinney were also injured in this altercation in trying to maintain order which you DID NOT do. Is this what elected officials have to look forward to? Will the fear of receiving injuries contnue?
I have watched you brag over the last several days about the injuries you caused. You even bragged to the Philadelphia Inquirer when you described how you grabbed his face and punched it 7 times. Is there anything that you can truthfully brag about that you have done to move this borough forward in the last two years? Is there any project that you have personally involved yourself in and done physical work? Is there any borough related item that you may have actually taken the time to look into and familiarize yourself with? Is there anything that this community can truthfully say that they have observed you hard at work for US?
Unfortunately, the only agenda that I have witnessed you vigorously defend is your own personal agenda and obsession with the title you wear and not the job that comes along with it.
Darby Borough is the best borough in the United States as far as I am concerned. This is my hometown and I plan to stay here for the rest of my life. 99.9% of the people who live here are the most dedicated, compassionate, committed, hardworking people there ever was.
It is only a very few handful of people that govern this borough that are destroying it every day. This small handful of people are rapidly dragging us deeper and deeper into the cesspool. I for one am not going to tolerate it anymore. I don't know about you, but there are 12,000 people in this borough that need my every attention and they desperately need the attention of the elected officials who represent them.
Therefore, I am recommending that you resign as Council President before the next Council meeting on August 2, 2000 for the sake of the borough.
Actually, in my opinion you should resign from council all together and so should anyone else who is "consumed" with the title they wear and not the sworn duty.
We can't afford to let one more day go by where we are distracted from our duties as elected officials because of the personal agendas. The motion WILL be made to remove you as Council President on August 2nd, 2000. For the sake of Darby Borough, please don't let it go that long. Step down now and let those who truly want to be public SERVANTS, serve the public as they should , as they desire and as THIS community deserves.
I REFUSE to waste one more minute fighting and arguing over personal agendas. My efforts will be concentrated as they have been on this borough and the 12000 people who live in it and what is best for them and what THEY are concerned with. And I think the MAJORITY of this council feels the same way no matter what our political affiliations are. Those of us who are committed to this borough received our "Wake up Call" and we intend to use it for the betterment of our borough.
Mayor's Report
June 7, 2000
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Congratulations to Chief Robert F. Smythe for 30 years of dedicated service to the Darby Borough Police Department. Thank you for 30 years of dedicated service to our Borough. Congratulations also go to Sgt. Ray Blythe for his duly earned and long overdue promotion to Lieutenant. And to our newly appointed Corporals, Baker, Dawson, Pitts and Gabe. Thank you and congratulations on the Award of Merit and Commendation to Lts. Guy, Della Vecchio, Sgt. Gibney, Officers Della Barba, Quartapella, Sminkey, O'Donnell, Trigg, Colucci, Dawson, and Pitts. Good Police work should always be commended. Thank you for a job Well done! The Bike Patrol is in full operation now and the Foot Patrol will be implemented this week. Personnel Files for Police Officers and Police Department Employees have finally been returned to the custody of the Police Department where they have always been kept. We are in the process of updating and organizing them. Any council member wishing to review the files must contact the Chief or myself and we will set up an appointment for review.
BLOCK PARTIES
Residents are reminded that if you intend to have a block party on your street, a permit application must be filled out and attach a petition with the signatures of the residents of the block requesting the block party. Applications are available at the Borough Hall. All Block Parties must keep one lane open for passage of emergency vehicles.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
The Delaware County Community Service Program under the direction of Walt Omlor has been diligently working in our borough picking up trash and debris and cutting grass and weeds from Abandoned or Municipal properties. This much-needed service is extremely helpful in keeping down the mosquito population and preventing the spread of the West Nile Disease. Residents are encouraged to report to my office any properties that are in need of this service. I would like to thank Council for taking the time to fill out the request forms and reporting areas in your wards that need attention.
HURRICANE FLOYD/FEMA & PEMA RECORDS/FINAL REPORT
For the last several months, it has been stated at previous Council Meetings that FEMA records of spending are being kept in my office preventing the release of FEMA funding. This is totally false. For the record, when we apply for Reimbursement of Expenses, "COPIES" of actual bills incurred are submitted to FEMA. "COPIES" of payroll expenses are submitted for reimbursement of eligible sa
