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Here you will find facinating and sometimes questionable happenings in our town and in the surrounding area. The following is strictly my thoughts and opinions and most times a release of frustration, so sit back, relax and enjoy the comical and sometimes sad "state of affairs" ! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Opinions are like appendixes. Everyone has one, but doesn't mean it's actually useful -- and in fact, under certain conditions, they can cause you a lot of pain! Well, maybe so. But the fact of the matter is, I like having opinions. My opinions have gotten me into a lot of trouble before, sure. But here in America, you have the right to say what you feel needs to be said -- and because you have that right, I think that means you have an obligation as well. If you're just sitting there with your mouth shut, you're probably doing something wrong.
Updated February 6, 2000 ----(update on State of Emergency and Police car is toward the middle of this page). Well, it's been quite awhile since I've been able to edit this particular page! But believe me, it's not because there haven't been many "questionable" things happening that's for sure! Floyd came, tried to conquer and we kicked his butt! Since Hurricane Floyd, things have been relatively calm in the Borough of Darby. At least in some aspects. The Chief and I have developed a new "relationship" so to say. We decided to put all differences aside and concentrate on the disaster that affected us and the people we represent. So far, so good. And I can honestly say that I expect it to stay that way.......at least with us anyway. I'm sure there will be times when we disagree and knowing us, we will probably "duke it out" as usual, but the difference will be I turly believe that each of us has had a chance to see how the other operates on a daily basis and what our capablities are in the face of a disaster. So whatever problems arise.....we'll handle it, get over it, correct it and get back on track. Now remember.....that's just for the Chief and I......who knows with the rest of the Council members..... As most of you know, I am now driving a borough owned car. Actually it is an unmarked police car that was driven by the borough manager. This has cause quite an upset with most of the council members. It all began like this.......... I drive an 81 Ford Granada that is pushing 150,000 miles.....We call her "Bertha". Bertha is shared between myself and 3 of my children. My other son Billy, has his own car which we are restricted from driving. You see, his car is a stick shift and we have burnt the clutch out several times......so...back to Bertha, She is a beautiful car so we think.....but she is getting tired and very old. She has matching dimples on each side....(dents in the rear quarter panels) from people backing into her.... she has heat in the summer....airconditioning in the winter....and many other qualities....mainly, she gets us where we want to go.....as long as it's not more than 4 or 5 times per day.....she doesn't like to start after 5....plus, she travels all the way to Aston twice a day to take my daughter to college. That's quite a hike for her but she enjoys it most of the time. Especially in the parking lot next to all the new cars! Well, Bertha couldn't possible keep up with me and the kids during the Flood. Plus the kids couldn't keep up with me either..... A police officer would be assigned to cart me around to all the locations etc.....I didn't feel comfortable with this....taking an officer off the streets.....so the fiscally smart thing to do was to use the car driven by the Boro Manager ( which we no longer have). This afforded me the opportunity to put in more time and get more things done. Especially since this car enjoys starting more than 5 times per day! Not only did it transport me from the Flood Center to the Borough Hall and vice versa, it enabled me to accomplish much more. It enabled me to drive each street at night and log down every street light that was in need of repair or upgrade. It enabled me to log down problem areas or any other problems that were occuring. Bertha, however loyal she was....could never do this. But however, some council members thought that they too should have a borough car. I ask FOR WHAT? WHAT"S UP WITH THIS????? If they put in this much time, then I would say more power to them. But unfortunately, those who are complaining, just sit back, collect their check, attend a meeting or two and that's it! They also complain how much time they are losing from their personal life! Well, my answer is this.....if you can't stand the heat in the kitchen then get out! Personal lives? I forget what one is! Public officials rarely have personal lives.....at least ones that dedicate themselves to their residents..... There is entirely too much work to be done in Darby to stop now.....so therefore, I have to continue to drive the car. The Chief and I are in agreeance with it.....and if there is a real need for the car to be returned to the department, then I will return it.....but for now.....I have loads of work to do.....so..... Maybe 2000 will be different....with different attitudes......I sure hope so! Wednesday, February 2, 2000 The Green Eyed Monster is BACK! Well, it all started like this............ The day was quite hectic. At 8:45 AM Mike and I (the senior citizen who was pistol whipped and his house was set on fire) and Janice Davis, traveled to the Grand Opening of the Acme in the Granite Run Mall. We were presented with a check for $10,000.00 for our Flood Victims! Then we had to travel to Aston District Court for a preliminary hearing with our Former Code Enforcement Officer Dennis McErlean. He currently has charges on me for Assault & Battery etc.....The hearing was continued again......Then, we had to be back to the Borough by 11:00 AM. I had a meeting with a representative with FEMA to review my application for reimbursements for salaries of our Police Officers and Highway Department. Hurricane Floyd put a terrible strain on our finances because we had numerous police officers scheduled to work for security and our Highway Department had to remove all the debris. All figures for these expenses have to be carefully calculated and submitted to the Federal Government so we can be reimbursed. I have been working on this for quite sometime and let me tell you, it is not an easy job. During this meeting, our Council President appeared at the Borough Hall. I guess he decided now was the time to interfere and question the reimbusements.....that we haven't received yet. It really is a shame because if those who criticize put forth the least bit of effort in the beginning, and bothered to read the many reports and documents I have submitted to them over the last few months, there probably wold be no need for questioning now. Anyway........the interruption was not welcome at the time. It wasted precious time and delayed us a bit longer. Immediately following this meeting, Mike and I had to meet with a Polish Interpreter and prepare for his preliminary hearing......Needless to say, it was a very full day! Mike went to the preliminary hearing and did very well for an 88 year old man with a language barrier. His testimony was excellent and helped send one of the defendants on to Common Pleas Court. To avoid further conflict or confrontation, I decided it would probably be best not to attend the evening Council Meeting. I am trying desperately to resolve all issues privately so all business can be conducted publically without interruption. But.....this is getting much harder to do. However, I did submit a Mayor's report and requested that the State of Emergency be continued for at least one more month. This does not cost a cent and certifies that we still are in a state of emergency therefore we are still requiring that extra security measures and debris removal can still take place. Unfortunately, Council did not feel the same way. WHAT'S UP WITH THIS???????? How come everyone in the State of Pennsylvania realizes that Darby Borough is still in an Emergency Situation, but 6 council people do not????????? During the meeting I was notified that Council lifted the State of Emergency. So.....I thought maybe if I attend and explain further, they may change their mind. WRONG! HOW STUPID OF ME! I arrived at 10:45PM and tried to explain this to no avail. Obviously the plea fell upon deaf ears. If it doesn't cast anything and only helps certify that we need help.....why in the world would anyone vote against it?????? WHAT'S UP WITH THIS??????? Perhaps maybe this was my "punishment" forCouncil finally acting upon my request and documentation to terminate two employees???? Council finally followed my recommendation and reviewed documentation I provided to the Solicitorand followed through with termination. It appears as though after this was done.....then it was my turn. the State of Emergency was lifted and the car was taken away from me. Oh well, so be it. I am tired of the fighting. Nothing gets accomplished......so instead of resisting, I promptly returned the car 30 minutes later.,.....as directed to do. However, I must cut back my schedule and will not be able to perform all the duties I had previously been doing without transportation so........the Chief and I will go back to our original roles. I am thankful in a way because I have not had one day off or to myself since September 16......hopefully I will have at least one now! And so the story goes........again another obstacle was put on the course but that's okay....we'll get over it and continue on as usual....for the sake of Darby. UPDATE 2002/2003 And so goes the story of the "car".....Several months later...............the winds changed and the police car came back! Guess they figured it was cheaper to let me drive the car and perform the duties I did at no cost......This lasted for a little over a year! Now keep in mind, this police car was not in the best shape to begin with. Trans problems etc.....therefore, it really couldn't be put into circulation in the police department anyway. And surely couldn't go back into patolling for 12 hours, so.......again I drove it and did many errands for the borough and police department. All of council was aware and knew that I drove that car wherever the borough needed me to. How? Because most times they would go with me! Except for the calls in the middle of the night to bring domestic violence victims to the Safe House etc. These middle of the night calls, well, the council had to get their beauty sleep! Anyway, in January of 2002, when we didn't put in an ALL DEMOCRATIC administration, some members of council felt the car should be taken away from me. Seems like the green eyed monster came back and stronger than ever this time. So strong, it fogged their memory! Back in the summer of 2001, since I didn't have a car of my own, I borrowed a huge Conversion Van from S & S Auto Sales in Darby to take some of our youth down to Wildwood New Jersey to watch our Championship Drill Team for the Police Athletic League compete. I thought it would be a great idea to show support for our Police Department's PAL team by bringing people down to watch them perform. And the people I brought down? Well, they had never had the opportunity to visit the Jersey Shore and see all the sights. 9 kids and 3 adults crammed into the van and off we headed to the Jersey Shore! So...........at my own expense, not only did we vist the Drill Team, but we went to the Cape May County Park and Zoo, the Cape May Point Lighthouse, The Cape May Ferry and all sorts of other good tourist attractions! The Darby kids we took had a ball! They had never seen this before and they really enjoyed themselves. The two adults who came with me, Councilwomen Janice Davis and Helen Thomas, also enjoyed themselves and helped tremendously with the trip. In fact, Janice even drove the van back, while I sat in the back and told ghost stories of the Henry Ludlam House on Rt 47 and of the Jersey Devil! But, all good things must come to an end, so....when the green eyed monster appeared in January, tensions were high. These same individuals who went on the trip in a van that I borrowed and gassed at my expense, now forgot how they got there! They must have been so upset at not being chosen for Council President etc., that when Doris Grosso, stated at a council meeting that I drove the BOROUGH POLICE CAR TO WILDWOOD, for this trip, they all agreed! My how jealousy tends to fog the mind! When questioned, Janice couldn't remember how we got there! ( But she drove home on the way back) How in the world can you confuse a police car with a luxurious conversion van? What's up with this????? And Helen???? Well, first she said we went to Atlantic Cityin the police car, not Wildwood. Then she said we didn't go. Then she said we did go but we went in Janice's minivan!!! Then she said we went somewhere else, in the police car but she couldn't remember for what???? I had to REMIND them, how we got there, when we got there, why we went and WHO went! And then what happened??? Well, the press got hold of this and did what they normally would do! Made a farce out of it and rightly so! An opinion column by the infamous Gil Spencer appeared making a mockery out of the situation. It was quite funny though, and Gil made up a ficitional story that said we actually went to New York for the American Kennel Club show, picked up a few dogs on the way with signs that said "New York or bust"........and what did Janice, Helen and Doris and the rest of the small Democrat party do? Blame me for calling the press and telling them this story! I guess they got confused again and the jealousy fogged their memories and made them forget the difference between a "real news story" and a fictional satirical story! Just think! This is what was running our Borough! And they wonder why we put qualified individuals in offices and positions and not them???? But to end the saga of the police car.....and my method of transportation....I now have my OWN vehicle that transports me wherever I need to go whether personal or for the borough. I have my son Joey to thank for this! He went into the United States Marines and I have the privledge of caretaking for his 86 Chevy Monte Carlo. A bit of a gas hog with a 350 engine, 750 Holley Carb, Posi Rear etc., but it gets me where I need to go and NO one can say a word about it except Joey! Stay tuned for more! BACK THEN.........BEFORE FLOYD: The March Winds Blew In! The Council meeting of March 3rd was absolutely disgraceful. There really is no other term for it. Briefly, The Council adopted by a vote of 7-2 a Resolution Condemning my language used on the telephone. I thought this was the United States of America???? Did we move somewhere else? I guess I have lost all consititutional rights here in Darby. Obviously, this Administration feels that it is more important to discuss and distribute my private telephone conversations than it is to conduct the Business of the Borough. I can't even ask the question "WHAT'S UP WITH THIS??? It is too violating and disturbing. February. What a beginning! February started out terrible. I hope it doesn't continue! Much of the Council meeting really didn't make sense at all. Contradictions and accusations, and personal attacks. I think the biggest contradiction of all, was reducing the part time police officers on the street for lack of money and to save money. 10 officers were cut down to working 1 day per month. This was done without my authorization or consultation. When I noticed this, I immediately reinstated them. The reasons for this were a reduction in calls in the winter months; no longer cover Colwyn; and loss of Colwyn's contractual money for coverage. Due to the recent exposure of expenditures that I discovered, I thought that priorities should be set and police protection should be first. One of the problems we have is low visibility. This is not due to the officers, this is due to low manpower. All officers on duty, are either scheduled for certain details, or answering calls. In their spare time, they can patrol, but due to the heavy volume of calls we receive, most times, regular routine patrols can not take place because our officers are too busy answering calls or filing reports. This is why we need a separate sector to specifically just patrol. The number one deterrent of crime is police presence. The number one remedy would be a foot patrol or routine patrol. This is what we really need to implement. But for some reason, Council does not want this to take place. All efforts should be made to implement this for the safety of the residents and businesses. If for financial reasons, this would be a strain, then measures to reduce expenditures in other areas should take place in order to fulfill this need. This is why I changed the schedule back to it's December status and scheduled these 10 officers to 3,4, 5, or 6 days per month instead of 1. Some residents complained at the Council meeting of drug dealers congregating in the rear of their homes in driveways, and no patrols to deter this. Some complained of large groups congregating on corners or in front of businesses. Council woman Jackie Townes' recomendation was for neighbors to get together patrol and chase the problems away! WHAT'S UP WITH THIS????? Why can't we have the police do this with the tax money that we pay????? Neighbor's getting together for a common goal to clean their neighborhood up and work along with the police department is fine, but it is not recommended to do this without police presence. That is a little bit ridiculous! Other members of council didn't feel patrols were necessary!!! WHAT'S UP WITH THIS?????? But yet, SOMEHOW, Council found the money to purchase a new vehicle for the Code Department for $22,000.00. This has never been done before. The Code Department always were given the old police crusiers when retired. Where are our priorities? Is it more important to furnish a code enforcement officer with a new vehicle than putting police officers on the street to patrol? WHAT'S UP WITH THIS????? Much more happened at this meeting, please check back for more updates. January's Happenings! Now we all know that I've been asking for the last few months now for Council to release funds for 2 very MINOR expenses. Minor pricewise, but extremely important. #1 to purchase name tags for the Officers to wear as part of their uniform. In 1991, Council voted to require our Police Officers' to wear an identification name tag as part of their uniform. Due to the high turnover of Officer's we've had recently, and I guess a lack of enforcement, our Officer's do not have name tags. This presents a problem when dealing with the public and in addition to problems that can develop such as the one we had recently when a former officer identified himself with a false name, and a crime was committed. To rectify this, I requested to purchase these name tags, approximate price is between 5 to 8 dollars per tag - MINOR EXPENSE. I also requested funds to purchase new personnel folders to organize and update the personnel files of the Police Officer's so they may be more presentable, organized and accurate when subpoened to Court, and for the benefit of the Officers's so they may review their own personnel files in an organized manner. A VERY MINOR EXPENSE! Really, how much can 50 folders and dividers and jackets cost?????? Especially when it will more accurately reflect the contents that will benefit the Borough???? Council has denied these purchases. WHAT'S UP WITH THIS???????? Are we that poor??????? While researching bills that council has ALREADY paid and some that will be paid, I've found some very important expenses. Expenses that Council I guess feels were extremely beneficial to the Borough. Expenses that are so beneficial, they were never discussed, or questioned, or even denied to be paid! I guess they are much more important than identifying our Police Officers and updating and organizing their personnel files. The expenses are: March 13, 1998 - $34.18 to Copy Shop Plus re: 1000 Business cards - Black Gold for Councilman Steve Davish October 9, 1998 - $45.00 to Arnold Press re: 500 Business Cards with Blue Gold Ink - Raised printing for Council President Alfred Robinson. (Wonder what 1000 would cost???) September 24, 1998 - $45.00 to Arnold Press re: 500 Business Cards with Blue Gold Ink - Raised Printing (Nothing but the best!!!!????) for Jackie Townes, Finance Chairman. And last but not least, January 7, 1999 - $45.00 to Robinson Printing re: 500 2 color Business Cards for Councilwoman Sandra Stewart - Blue Gold Ink (Robinson charges the same price as a Union Printer (Arnold Press) and he is non-union???? What's wrong with this picture????) Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but these IMPORTANT expenses, that the Borough paid for, without question or comment, add up to approximately $169.00. What purpose does this serve the Borough of Darby??? Does it benefit the Borough because these council people now have business cards???? Why do we taxpayers have to foot this bill??? Council and the Mayor receive a stipend every month for expenses. I buy my own business cards, out of my stipend. How many others have been doing this???? But we can't spend the money to update our files, or identify our Officer's?????? WHAT'S UP WITH THIS???????????? Then one day, one of the employees was suspended, (in my opinion unjustly) without even notifying the Chairman, Janice Davis. Therefore, Janice wrote a letter. A letter of complaint and documentation to the Borough Manager. A few days later, She was removed as Chairman, no reason, no explanation AND SHE WAS REPLACED BY STEVE DAVISH, A MALE REPUBLICAN FROM THE FIRST WARD! WHAT'S UP WITH THIS??????? Alfred Robinson owns Robinson Printing located in Darby. Alfred Robinson prints forms for the Darby Police Department. When Alfred was elected, I informed him of the State Borough Code Section 1404 which states: "Penalty for Personal Interest in Contracts or Purchases" Except as otherwise provided in this act, no borough official either elected or appointed, who knows or who by the exercise of reasonable diligence could know, shall be interested to any appreciable degree either directly or indirectly in any purchase made or contract entered into or expenditure of money made by the borough or relating to the business of the borough, involving the expenditure by the borough of more than one thousand dollars in any calendar year. BUT IN THE CASE OF A COUNCILMANOR MAYOR, IF HE KNOWS THAT HE IS WITHIN THE EXCEPTION JUST MENTIONED HE SHALL SO INFORM COUNCIL AND SHALL REFRAIN FROM VOTING ON THE EXPENDITURE OR ANY ORDINANCE RELATING THERETO, AND SHALL IN NO MANNER PARTICIPATE THEREIN.ANY OFFICIAL OR APPOINTEE WHO SHALL KNOWINGLY VIOLATE THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION SHALL BE SUBJECT TO SURCHARGE TO THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE SHOWN TO BE THEREBY SUSTAINED BY THE BOROUGH AND TO OUSTER FROM OFFICE, AND SHALL BE GUILTY OF A MISDEMEANOR,AND UPON CONVICTION THEREOF SHALL BE SENTENCED TO PAY A FINE NOT EXCEEDING ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS OR NOT EXCEEDING 180 DAYS IMPRISONMENT OR BOTH. Now, Alfred Robinson is well aware of this State Borough Code section. I personally informed Mr. Robinson prior to January 1998 and through 1998, that in order to adhere to the code, he must publicly state PRIOR to voting, that he will abstain, then he must abstain from voting, and again, publically state why he abstained and back it up in writing to attach to the minutes, every time a bill for Robinson Printing appears and council votes to pay it. He has not done so. When I remind him, he makes a joke out of it, and asks the audience if they have a problem with him paying himself??????? This is not what the code is all about. This is about being accountable to the people who elected you. This particular code was written actually for protection, for when problems such as this arise, so the official does not make an appearance of conflict, and Alfred Robinson jokes about it? Who then really is accountable to the electorate???Not only does Mr. Robinson vote to pay himself, he signs the checks, to himself! Check # 153 September 2, 1998, for $185.00,signed by him, not a rubber stamp! Made out to Robinson Printing. WHAT'S UP WITH THIS???? I guess this is enough for now, thanks for listening to my personal comments and frustration. Feel free to add yours and drop me a line! Thanks.. November December Happenings. (Wonder what January will bring??) An approximate 19 1/2 % increase in salary was implemented to the Borough Manager. From $42,000.00 to $50,000.00. On July 1, 1998, Councilwoman Townes was recorded in the minutes on Page 4 making a motion to hire Mr. DiGregorio at a salary of $42,000.00 per year with no contract. Minutes further reflect no salary increase until the budget year of 2000.(Now pardon me for asking but, how in the world can you give a person a 19 1/2% salary increase in 4 months???? Sure he may be doing a good job. But do our police officers get a 19 1/2% increase when they save someone's life or solve a crime or do an excellent job??? No they don't. They do not get a raise at all except for their contractual raises annually which usually are between 3 5%. Does our Highway Department get a raise when they do an excellent job of clearing a street or unclogging a main sewer? No they do not. They only get annual contractual raises which usually is around 3% (for 2 years, they agreed not to take a raise to save the Borough money) And finally, how can someone who specifically stated 4 months ago which was recorded in the minutes, that this position would not get an increase for 2 years, and turn around 4 months later and award a 19 1/2% increase????? What's Up With This? Now check this out. In November, I suggested that Council obtain an OUTSIDE, INDEPENDANT AUDITOR, to review the leave records of Sgt. Galli. I feel that there are possible discrepancies in the recordkeeping of this and other employee leave records, namely because, last year, Sgt. Galli borrowed 30, then changed it to 40 sick days, from what I learned last year (1997), that would leave a balance of 0 sick days, then this year he had requested his "balance" of 59 sick days, that was changed to 31 sickdays a few weeks later in a letter of request from his attorney, a few weeks later, in a discussion with the Borough Manager, it then went down to 22 days, then 15. Therefore, I recommended that an outside auditor review the records to determine accurately and fairly, without input from myself or anyone else. Miracously, Council agreed! Wonderful! We are finally coming to our senses and working together! But wait a minute, not too soon, at the next meeting, for some odd reason. Council changed their minds????? They decided to have the Borough Manager audit the records. Well so much for outside and independant. What's up with this ???We'll just have to wait and see what happens when the Borough Manager submits his "signed" audit to see what the final result and tally is. Here's another one: Sgt. Galli was suspended in April without pay. Yes, without pay, but Council thought otherwise, and decided to pay him for 20 days. (at least that's what they decided in a public meeting.) (and that is what was recorded). Until the leave records could be reviewed and audited. Well, somehow he was paid: $20,365.17 that's pretty high rates for 20 days. Are you wondering how that happened? I was too, so I asked. And the response??? NO ONE KNOWS WHO AUTHORIZED IT????? One member thought they voted on it, sorry, they didn't. At least not publically like the law states. What's up with this???? Who's minding the chicken coop????? 2 months ago I called for an investigation into who authorized these payments and that steps should be taken to recoup these monies.Think they'll investigate and try to recoup the unauthorized payments???? We'll have to wait and see! That's all for now, check back in January to see if anything new develops with YOUR tax money. Thanks for listening!
But there's more to opinions than politics. Shall we talk about the state of modern entertainment? Or, more accurate, how the phrase "modern entertainment" seems to become more of an oxymoron every day? Closer to home, I've got opinions about my neighbor's dog -- starting with one that says any full-grown dog smaller than a bowling ball should be reclassified as a rodent. You've probably guessed by now that I've got an opinion on just about every topic -- and you're right! I do! Some come by again sometime and see what I'll be saying about the world around me. You may or may not agree -- but you'll never be bored, I promise!
