Who's Got the Dirt on Upper Mt Bethel Tp?

Judith Henckel chairs Upper Mt Bethel Supervisors

To their credit, Upper Mount Bethel Supervisors have corrected a violation of the Sunshine Act. A week earlier, at a poorly attended meeting, they reorganized without allowing public comment. Not even from Ron Angle. That led to an Express Times Turkey and a stinging rebuke from Editor Jim Deegan. Even their own lawyer told them they screwed up.

So at last night's meeting, Supervisors did it over. But this time, instead of the usual two or three bobbleheads in the peanut gallery, there were 32 angry dudes, with about 64 teeth, and they all had something to say. The parking lot was full of their pick-up trucks, each of which had a gun racks. Dressed in NASCAR and Marine caps, they had read the news accounts, were unhappy, and wanted the Board to know they were unhappy.

Ron Angle, who does happen to live in Upper Mount Bethel Township, managed to speak about 400 times before the night was over. It didn't really change any votes, but it certainly was entertaining. Enough hot air came from that little meeting room to heat the entire Lehigh Valley for the rest of this Winter.

Doors to a men's room and ladies' room are right inside the meeting hall. This was a long meeting, but not one woman felt the need to use the facilities. For the guys, it wa a different story They were in there nonstop. And the acoustics were such that it was easier to hear the rush from someone's urinary tract than to hear Chairman Judy Henkel's soft voice. Since the sound of rushing water is supposed to be relaxing, this is probably a good thing.

Let me give you my take on some of the Supervisors.

rest rooms conveniently located

Judith Henckel - She is Angle's political foe and is probably among the worst Chairs I've ever seen. She is completely unable to run a meeting. But I like her and consider her a good Supervisor who cares about her community and puts in the time. She took quite a bit of heat for her stand on environmental issues, but she believes in something.

Larry Hallet. - This Supervisor, in his 80's, is concerned about Dirtgate - a Township practice of giving free topsoil to just about anyone who asks for it. In fact, it's even codified in an ordinance adopted 12 years ago. But under that law, only one or two loads is permitted. Not forty. According to some Township residents and Hallet, as many as forty loads of topsoil went to one residence in the Saddle Ridge development. Former Roadmaster Gerry Geake agreed that may have happened. But he disputed Hallet's claim that as many as 1,200 loads of topsoil have gone to preferred residents. "Only a fool would believe that," says Geake.

We need a few more fools like Hallet, if only to make sure everyone is doing the right thing.

The value of each truckload is unknown, although some place it as high as $500.

Gerry Geake - He's under a cloud of suspicion as a result of charges of sexual harassment made by a female employee. He's also a recent convicted drunk driver, and is the Supervisor most closely identified with the growing "Dirtgate" scandal. Need I say more?

Yes. I consider him their best Supervisor. He should probably be Chair. He is extremely knowledgeable about Township issues and basically keeps Henckel from going too far adrift.

He did serve as Roadmaster but voluntarily left that position when the sexual harassment charges were made. Last night he explained that was his decision, even though Angle reminded him he is innocent until proven guilty. He stated that he would stay away until the investigation is complete and will not ask for back pay either. He remained calm as accusations flew back and forth last night and never lost his cool.

Bob Gerwig and Joe Batillo were the quiet ones, so I'm unable to read them.

At last night's meeting, a Connecticut transplant told me it was the worst public meeting he's ever seen, so we've got that going for us.