Perkasie, Bucks County, Pennsylvania 18944
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04/01/2005: "Hettel Resigns Position on Borough Council"
In a surprise move today, William Hettel, longtime councilman representing Perkasie's Ward 2 on Borough Council, held a press conference to announce his immediate resignation from Perkasie Borough Council. "It's time to move on," he told a handful of reporters. "I've had problems sleeping at night, and I just can't walk around town any more with my head held high. I've pulled the wool over voters' eyes for too long, and it's time to come clean."
When asked to elaborate, he gave only a couple of examples, saying there are many more if you look at his history on Council. "Two areas I regret," he said: "First was decimating our borough staff of so many good, experienced employees the last two years. We've hurt some good people, and we've hurt Perkasie's future as a result." He wouldn't elaborate, but others suggested the loss of numerous key staff persons the last two years -- from the solicitor, community and economic development director, borough manager, director of public works, director of parks and recreation, borough engineer, and several key committee/board persons -- were what he referred to.
"Second, at my recommendation and leadership on Council, we've seriously mismanaged Perkasie's finances the last two years," Hettel continued. "Electric rates should have been increased to cover increased costs; instead we cut costs and budgets in areas we should have left alone. Perkasie's voters would have certainly understood, but I was afraid if we increased rates before the 2005 elections, I might lose my seat. I know that was wrong, so I'm voluntarily resigning my seat effective immediately so as not to improperly influence the election and continue to mislead Perkasie voters. We must get our financial house in order, and it's time for someone else to provide some leadership. It's not too late to restore good fiscal management to Perkasie, but I'm not the one to do it."
Council president Burke and Councilwoman Handy said they were stunned at the announcement; "I certainly didn't see this coming," Handy responded to reporters questions, "But then I'm often caught by surprise. I guess there's still a lot I don't know about Perkasie's history, and what it takes to run a borough of this size. Maybe I should consider resigning, too." Burke said she was sorry to see Hettel go; "We've worked so closely the last several years, and voted alike on nearly every issue before Council."
Councilman McGonigal said he, too, regretted Hettel's resignation, pointing out he had originally run for Council at Hettel's urging. "I don't say much at meetings," McGonigal said, "But I supported Bill pretty much across the board. I liked Bill's ideas, they seemed to make sense to me."
Hettel would not elaborate on future plans. Other councilpersons couldn't immediately be reached for comment.
