Conrad Bowers, Nazareth's One Man Wrecking Crew, Tries to Close Skate Park

Appointed Nazareth Borough Councilman Conrad Bowers is doing all he can, in his waning days on borough council, to prove voters are right about him. This is the story of how one unelected councilman took it upon himself to alienate skateboarders and cause even more divisiveness in Nazareth over an emotional topic.

Who is Conrad Bowers?

Nazareth Borough Council first disappointed Bowers last December when it decided to follow the Sunshine Act, even when it only involves borough committees. Bowers adamantly opposes opening the doors to the public. Giving people a say in their own government might make it "too unwieldy."

After being forced to open his "transition" committee to the public, Bowers still refused to allow them to participate. For that little trick, Bowers lost his chairmanship .

Bowers was finally forced to listen to people at the one place where it truly matters - the ballot box. He finished dead last among four candidates seeking two positions. He ended up with 55 votes. Perhaps we thought he might make council "too unwieldy."

Now a lame duck, Bowers has become a divisive one-man wrecking crew, intent on creating unnecessary rifts throughout Nazareth. And he's doing it with the skatepark.

Nazareth's Skatepark a hot topic

Skateboarding, at least in Nazareth, is controversial. When the skatepark opened this Saturday, many people responded enthusiastically. Over two hundred people attended the ribbon cutting ceremony. Among them was Congressman Charlie Dent. He was not there for votes, but because his sons insisted. Parents brought lawn chairs to watch their kids in action. Curt's Cyclery joined other sponsors mentioned in my original post. Businesses and families kicked in another $200 on opening day.

But there's a dark undercurrent in Nazareth that seems to detest the very idea that kids might enjoy themselves. "All I want from you is silence, and damn little of that." Here's what some folks anonymously say about the skatepark, skateboarders and me. They're only right about me.

Whoopdee damn doo.

Hey the world needs ditch-diggers, too. And, I guess, skateboarders.

Mr. Herbst almost did a good job with the skate park the only thing he forgot to do was..... THINK it through.

Your [sic] an asshole. Glad i moved out of that town before you moved in. Get a life. Vermen [sic] like you deserve everything they get.

I just read your crap about the poor skateboarders. You really have no idea what the community of Nazareth puts up with when it comes to these monsters. They have no manners and are not taught any respect.

Well, these folks now have a champion. His name is Conrad Bowers. And he's out to kick some skateboarder butt.

Conrad Bowers, Skatepark Inspector

Early yesterday morning, he took it upon himself to inspect the skatepark in his official capacity as chair of the public property committee. He didn't like what he saw - litter. Apparently, he filled half a garbage bag with trash that skateboarders had failed to dispose of on their own. But then, for whatever reason, he became a "committee of one" and decided unilaterally to shut the park down.

Conrad Bowers, Skatepark Supercop

When skateboarders and their parents arrived to find the park closed, they began to complain. Police officers arrived, including Officer Gabriel and acting chief Alan Koch. Amazingly, they decided to open the park. But that didn't last long. Conrad Bowers returned, and locked the place up again, claiming there were "safety" issues. Acting Chief Koch pleaded for the kids, but Bowers outranks him. He's the skatepark supercop, and he doesn't have to answer any questions.

Believe it or not, cops sided with the kids. They like that park open. It keeps kids off the streets, away from traffic. That makes it safe enough to them. Helmeted or not, kids in skateparks are a lot safer than kids boarding down a street or around a business. And lest we forget, an insurance company inspected the park and agreed to cover any claim. But it's still not safe enough for Bowers, who refused to say what particular safety issue he had noticed.

Conrad Bowers, Minister of Secret Safety

Mother: "What safety issues?"

Bowers: "As a mother, you should know ..."

Mother: "I don't know. The park was safe on Saturday and now it's unsafe. Why?"

Bowers: "I'm not at liberty to say. You'll find out tomorrow."

Top Secret! He could tell her but then he'd have to kill her.

After all this had happened, some miserable old bastard appeared on scene. And no, it wasn't me! Hard as this may be to believe, Nazareth actually has a few miserable old bastards. This dude directed the thirty or so kids to start calling everywhere, and they did. There were calls to The Express Times, Morning Call and Channel 69. Borough council members, Mayor Keller, police, borough secretaries, and even Congressman Dent, were peppered with calls.

Conrad Bowers Takes a Powder

By late afternoon, Bowers was at the park again, refusing to answer questions. Jack Herbst, the councilman who promoted the skatepark, was also on hand. Unlike Bowers, Herbst does not consider himself a "committee of one." Channel 69 was also there, interviewing everyone. Finally, council prez Chiavaroli ordered the skatepark opened, and the kids cheered. A cameraman approached Bowers, asking to speak to him.

Bowers: "No!"

Cameramen: "Can you explain the safety issues that prompted you to close the skatepark?"

Bowers (now running to his car): "No!"

Gee, Conrad, the voters have already said "No" to you. I saw a news video of the controversy on Channel 69 last night. It really should have included Bowers running to his car, if only for comic relief. This evening, I visited the skatepark around 7 PM, and counted 32 kids in there, happily going up and down ramps.

Go figure.

These kids are off the streets, disturb no businesses and are engaged in a sport. That's where police want them. That's where kids want to be. Why is this so hard to understand? And why this constant negative undercurrent?

Bowers may think he's the skatepark inspector, supercop and minister of secret safety. He's actually a lameduck councilman who's proving to be a one-man wrecking crew in Nazareth. Maybe he should blog.

Update: Both The Morning Call and Express Times have entertaining accounts of yesterday's festivities. Only in Nazareth.