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03/02/2004: "Council Slams Staff, Little League, and Local Business"

I left Perkasie's Borough Council meeting last night with a sick feeling in my stomach. Things are already beginning to spin out of control under the new Council.

Council members slammed, in public, every department head on Perkasie's staff. The Public Utility Supervisor was slammed for supposedly being overstaffed, by a new Councilman who hasn't done his homework. The Public Works Supervisor was slammed for not having his monthly report ready for Council (he's away on vacation) -- a very routine report that is not time critical, and for which he had cleared a later submission date with the Borough Manager, common practice in the past at vacation time and never a problem. The Borough Manager was slammed for allowing the report to be submitted late, as well as a few other things. Even the Police Chief was criticized for not knowing the sidewalks by the police station hadn't been cleared within 24 hours of the last snowstorm, despite the fact that they had been cleaned instantly when it was brought to his attention, and it wasn't his job in the first place. One councilman tried ... (continued; click the "more.." link below to read the rest of the story)

to retract that criticism, but it was too little too late.

There is no one on Council with experience at handling employees -- or at least no one with the fortitude to stand up to those who are abusing our staff. Overall, Perkasie has an excellent, well trained and knowledgeable staff serving our fine Borough. Are they perfect? No, of course not -- but experienced managers know better than to criticize their staff in public as happened again last night. We're going to lose more of our staff if this continues, and it's going to cost the Borough tens of thousands of dollars -- maybe much more -- in lowered morale, lost time, and training of replacements. Who is going to stop the abuse? Unless more citizens speak out, I'm not optimistic things are going to change anytime soon.

And it's not just staff being abused. Council spent a full hour last night micromanaging the rules for the new skate park -- something the Park and Rec Board had already done, and did a MUCH better job than did Council last night, in my opinion. I likened Council's efforts last night to nine people who can't drive trying to write the rules of the rules of the road; perhaps okay in theory, but sorely lacking in input from the very people they're trying to serve. As an afterthought they did invite input from Jessica Frankenfield, the Junior Councilmember, but then they entirely ignored her suggestions.

Council wasn't satisfied to change rules making the skate park as unpopular and delaying its opening as long as possible; they also went after the Pennridge Little League. Previous Councils have been very pro-kids, encouraging and helping organizations that provide worthwhile activities for our kids in many ways. Not this Council; in their first volley against the Little League, they've decided (not official yet but almost a certainty unless there's a public outcry) to withdraw the offer of free electricity to the Little League, because someone left the lights on too long once or twice last year and it's time to teach them a lesson. My guess is that the next thing to go will be the $1 lease on the ball fields.

The worst part was the snub to Perkasie businesses; this Council may yet be the most anti-business that Perkasie has seen. Suzi Baskin, owner of Board Out of Your Mind, the skateboard shop on Walnut Street, was present to discuss a proposal she had earlier made to Council to staff the new skate park: she had offered to provide staff for the skate park at no expense to the Borough, saving the Borough thousands of dollars per year, in exchange for the opportunity to sell skate-related items, to users who needed them, from the shed at the park. It sure sounded like a win/win situation to me, but Council members, one after another, all tore the proposal to shreds without even giving her the benefit of any explanation or input. They did it under the guise of not wanting to favor one business over another, even though the only other business in town who might be interested had already declined an invitation to participate. Then, to make matters worse, Council turned right around 180 degrees and agreed that providing vending machines in the park from an out of town vendor was a great idea, in exchange for micro-commissions on sales. Talk about a slap in the face for Perkasie business! They turned down guaranteed savings of thousands of dollars from a Perkasie business, and allow an outside business to provide uncertain commissions on uncertain sales. I sat there, stunned, as a disappointed Suzi Baskin left the meeting. What hypocrisy.

The crowning touch, though, was Councilman McGonigal's announcement that Council President Metzger had appointed him liaison to Perkasie Olde Towne, the business organization to which he has previously been one of the most outspoken and acrid critics. Talk about adding insult to injury. What's next? Maybe we should just close Perkasie for business.

Replies: 7 comments

Since I wasn't at the Council meeting, I cannot
logically comment on the proceedings.
I wanted to give this new group time to
learn the job. But having heard from two
different parties on the conduct of the
meeting, I will have to pay more attention
to what's coming up and going down.

Hey, they're just making good on their campaign promises. There should be no surprises here for anybody who's been watching politics in this town for the last year. I don't think a nuclear explosion could rouse Perkasie residents from their complacency. Well, maybe a 5% electric rate hike. ;-)

Maybe this site should be called "Former Councilman's BOB"s Opinion Page" after reading this. All I can say is WOW, because it certainly DOES NOT express the opinion of the people that I talk to.

Dear Perkasie Council members,

First and foremost I would like to say “Thank you” for taking your time to review my proposal. I do think that my intentions were very misconstrued. The fact that you did not even ask me if I’d like step forward and respond or comment on my own behalf was rather unprofessional not to mention rude. There are always two sides of the fence and to just dismiss that without question makes me ask myself why I choose Perkasie to locate my business.

In no way was my proposal a means to “monopolize” the park but an exchange of MY time so that I could give something back to the community for supporting my business. Yes, I would be promoting my business but most of the small goods that would have been in the shed for sale are things that the kids will break and need as they utilize the park, items costing a mere $2.85 - $5.00; items that they will walk a ¼ mile for and then back again so they can skate. (However, they will not have to cross the street for a Coke or Pepsi, that can be purchased from a multi million dollar, non-Perkasie based business). These items mentioned above are things that I give away to people for free on a regular basis at my shop so that they can continue to enjoy skating. I have given away skateboards at my cost to kids that cannot afford to buy their own and I give gift certificates to every school or charity that has knocked at my door. I am not all about the money, which is what you have made it out to seem. What I am for is that the kids have a safe facility to practice their one love. To prove this, I still put out on the table my time up to 20 hours a week with NO strings attached, No advertising, No selling, just my time free and clear.

Council had compared my proposal to a business wanting to sell swimsuits at the pool………..Hey not a bad idea, I wouldn’t have to go all the way home to get a new one if I happened to rip mine while I was there. Not to mention it would save me a trip to the mall. And yes, then I would be supporting a LOCAL business as well!

The comment was made that other businesses would ask to be involved and want to “profit” from the park. Well, the way I see it is, if that is the case then let them donate their time too. If you have enough people donating their time then the borough will have enough supervision that they will not have to pay anyone to man the park.

Skateboarding is a passion of mine. I have two boys that have me eating, sleeping and breathing skateboarding. So along with my family’s store you can say that skateboarding is my life! I care about the area kids and I truly enjoy watching the talents that this special group possesses. I love being involved and promoting skating however I can. I have and will continue to, give my time and money to kids in the name of skateboarding. If not in Perkasie’s park, then somewhere else where it will be embraced not scrutinized.

I am sure I come off sounding bitter. I sound that way because I am. You have people on council who have never stepped foot into a skateboard park, know nothing about the business, the sport or the kids that practice it. The majority of council have never even stepped foot inside my store! It sounds like council assumes that all of these kids listen to gangster rap, do not support their fellow students because they play in the school band and need no grand opening for a park that they have spent almost three years working to get. Keep in mind that these kids DO deserve a grand opening even if it coincides with one for the whole park. Just the fact that you think it won’t draw a crowd shows that most of you know little of this sport. Please ask any council member who attended the initial meeting about the skate park, how many people showed up………….so many that they made people wait outside because the building was over its capacity. I attend skateboarding demos and contests on a regular basis and I can tell you from actual experience that there will be a crowd. Not only will you have all of the local kids show up but also you will have others that will travel many miles into your town to see it and skate it! And they will spend money at your area businesses while they are here!
Sincerely,
Suzi Baskin, owner
Board Out Of Your Mind
P.S. - I was truly offended at the fact that a councilperson did not want the school band to play at the grand opening assuming that skaters would not want this, when there are people in band that skate!!!!! Shouldn’t we be promoting unity, acceptance and tolerance between our children? I know that is what is taught in my home!

Suzi -- thanks for adding that P.S. ... Councilman McGonigal owes the Pennridge High School Band a public apology for his derogatory comment that no boarders would want to hear band music at the grand opening ceremonies of the new park area. He must have tunnel vision when it comes to music. I hope he hears from a few band members, too!

Ward -- you're obviously talking to people who were not in attendance at actual Council meetings (I know, because there were only three of us at the last meeting, the same three who are usually there). Why not come out to a meeting yourself, and witness firsthand what goes on! I've been urging citizens to come out for years, but unfortunately most, like you, rely on secondhand information that is only a tiny part of the story. Come on out -- you may be shocked at what actually goes on!

As a new resident to Perkasie (9 months) I was somewhat stunned in regards to the report on the latest Council meeting. I believe Council wants to safeguard the township and tries to make the best decisions which will represent the entire community, not just a certain sector. This is no easy task. I think their actions were quite harsh (if the report above is accurate)

1) Maybe a review with key supervisors prior to a public meeting would be good. This would give both sides a "private" time to air problems and review facts prior to going public.

2) The Police chief was criticized for not having sidewalks clear after a snowstorm? I could care less.
I think the Township Police do a great job. Such a minor issue, it's almost ridiculous to even mention. Let them do their job.

3) The skate park should be handled by Parks and Rec.
I am wondering if the actual kids who will using the park had any input? I think safety issues are a great concern and Council has every right to question methods and equipment. Sounds like too many chefs in the kitchen.

4) I see no problem with allowing Suzi Baskin to set up shop. She has the experience (2 children and a skateboard shop) and seems very dedicated to the sport and to the community.

5.) I do support local business and think that the township should as well. I think we could use some local vendors at the park. (ie: refreshments, skate equipment) The township could rent the vendor area's and make advertising available (ie: Fence signs), this would generate income for park maint., improvements, and insurance.

In regards to the Council, I think they have good intentions, just not enough experience. I would give them a few months before judgment.