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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Bethlehem Tp Reacts to Ross Tp Tragedy

CPL Brian Frantz and PTLM Jarod Knouss
In the wake of the Ross Township tragedy, in which three people were shot and killed during a municipal meeting, Bethlehem Township is taking precautions. "I don't think it's necessary," states a seemingly embarrassed President Paul Weiss. But this is one instance in which Township Manager Howard Kutzler played his safety trump card to ask for a police presence at meetings "until further notice."  Two men in blue, CPL Brian Frantz and PTLM Jarod Knouss, quietly kept an eye on democracy in operation.

An argument against a police presence at public meetings is that it chills free speech. But it did not chill Chetwin Terrace resident Wayne Kresge, who told Commissioners he's ready to sue unless they do something about the stormwaters cascading into his back yard from the bike path after every downpour.

Kresge will meet next week with Kutzler and Township Engineer Brian Dillman to review possible solutions.

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

He knew there was a problem when he bought the place. If he doesn't like it here, he should move.

Anonymous said...

"I don't think it's necessary"

Neither did Ross Township.

Anonymous said...

An overreaction that borders on the sensational, and dare I say, a waste of resources.

Bethlehem Township's police department is in the same building where the meeting takes place. If there were a problem, they are right there. Couldn't get any closer.

So on a night where you hear the Township manager explaining serious vandalism elsewhere in the Township, he has not one, but two officers attending a meeting, just because they might have to taze the gentleman who's upset over stormwater issues?

Bernie O'Hare said...

Actually, just one. The other was there to find out about the widening of Freemansburg Avenue. I think a Tp Manager was acting prudently.

Anonymous said...

Just another way to justify overtime pay those two clowns were getting $32.00 an hour with a 4 hour guarantee for being there....not bad huh twps residents?????

Anonymous said...

Mr. O'Hare sometimes I think morons actually read your blog. Ross Township is a local example of what occurs at governmental meetings all over this country.

How many courts, county offices and municipal offices have come under attack because of one nutcase?

Police at public meetings IS NOT a waste of resources.

Anonymous said...

Actually their only guaranteed two hours and that officer was on his normal shift during the meeting. No overtime was paid out

Anonymous said...

10:24 YOUR FULL OF SHIT and You know it!! but nice try....

Anonymous said...

9:21 Ross twps. is teh first we have heard of but as usualall You liberal shitheads must take it to exstremes..I have been going to meetings for the last 20 years and other than resident outbursts i=they are mostly calm but hey lets put more monitarie burdens on the taxpayer....

Bernie O'Hare said...

10:37 is Tricia Mezzacappa, who has terrorized West Easton for several years.

Anonymous said...

Acting prudently??

Really? I think you actually believe what you write here.

Too bad we don't and neither does your buddy Angle

Bernie O'Hare said...

Take your drug cocktail, Tricia.

Anonymous said...

Absolutely correct 5:05.

I would rather be safe than sorry. Who knows if that nutcase Mezzacappa decides to come up this way. There are probably more like her out there as well.

Peter J.Cochran said...

Stop criticizing the cop on duty,and derogatory statements are not productive. With or without a possible anger issue ,there is nothing wrong with having an on duty cop stop into any public gathering. Hell , they should walk threw a bank a school building or strip mall unannounced ,and you all should be happy about that.Don't worry you have stuff coming your way soon with the "AFFORDABLE HOUSING " wait and see .

Anonymous said...

I say that Township and others are damned if they do damned if they don'. Prudence would have them put an officer there if one is available. Reasonable call by Township officials. I bet if Ross Township could have had a cop at their meeting, they would have welcomed it. IMHO.

IYAW - YAR said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Bernie O'Hare said...

If you want to say something stupid, identify yourself.