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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Tuesday, April 07, 2015

Bethlehem Township Comm'rs Ponder Public Comment Policy

Bill Berry is a former Commissioner
Pennsylvania's Sunshine Act,contains some very sweeping language. It finds that "the right of the public to be present at all meetings of agencies and to witness the deliberation, policy formulation and decision making of agencies is vital to the enhancement and proper functioning of the democratic process and that secrecy in public affairs undermines the faith of the public in government and the public's effectiveness in fulfilling its role in a democratic society." It invests both residents and taxpayers with the right to "comment on matters of concern, official action or deliberation" before any matter is decided. It gives any person, citizen or not, the right to object to a perceived violation of the open meeting law. Yet at their April 6 meeting, Commissioners considered adopting  policy that would essentially limit comments to the beginning of meetings and during public hearings. There would also be a five-minute time limit on speakers.

This is the second attempt Commissioners have made to limit public comment. In September, a similar proposal, spearheaded by Marty Zaworski, was tabled.

Zawarski stated that Commissioners are accessible, by email or phone at nearly all hours. He complained about people who are "redundant" and who come to the podium and read for ten minutes, which is precisely what happened several weeks ago when PennEast Pipeline opponents asked the Board to approve an anti-pipeline resolution.

Michael Hudak stated that the Board follows "Robertson's [sic] Rules of Order", adding that "Courtesy of the Floor"is a "privilege, not a right."

Of seven public speakers at the meeting, five opposed any change that would limit the right to speak to the beginning of a meeting.

Green Pond Marsh activist John Glagola complained that the policy prevents people from addressing issues that come up during a meeting, asking whether he wold need a ouija board to divine  what is going to happen. He was joined by Melissa Davis, who stated public comment has bnever been an issue. She called the proposed policy "disrespectful to the citizens."

Karen Berry took it one step further. She called the proposal undemocratic. "It is in the interest of good government to be as transparent as possible," she argued. "That is what democracy is all about."

Her husband Bill, himself a former Commissioner,noted that in his time on the Board, "We sat here sometimes 'till two in the morning and listened to what residents had to say. The more open, the better."

Tom Nolan cautioned fellow Commissioners at the limitation. "We're not just here to listen to the developers," he complained, calling the policy the start of a slippery slope. "If it's not broken, don't try to fix it," he warned.

Phil Barnard was silent, but has previously supported the public right to speak so long as people are courteous.

Pat Breslin was absent.

27 comments:

Lighthouse said...

"Phil Barnard was silent... Pat Breslin was absent"... brought a chuckle for some reason.

I assume that there will be no type of debate, despite three candidates for each seat. Also, 8 of the 9 are Republicans. So, the primary will actually be the important election, unless the incumbents (or challengers) are also getting friends/supporters to write them in on the Dem side, which I strongly suspect to be the case.

So far, for at-large I have only seen a Z mailer. I know one of his challengers was well known in the past to really hammer the door to door, and was a party foot-soldier. The other has more recent name recognition. Last time, however, Z spent a lot of money on some pretty slick mailers right before the election. No predictions.

Despite (until after elections) living in Ward 3 I have heard crickets from the three candidates. No door to door (important for these ward elections), nor fliers. Thus, so far advantage Barnard who has at least some incumbent name recognition. Kind of like one of the candidates for at-large, being silent on the dais wins no points for leadership, but also fewer enemies. A few votes aimed at some active constituencies....

Ward 1, should be interesting.

Anonymous said...

Folks should consider reelection consequences.

"Zawarski stated that Commissioners are accessible, by email or phone at nearly all hours. He complained about people who are "redundant" and who come to the podium and read for ten minutes, which is precisely what happened several weeks ago when PennEast Pipeline opponents asked the Board to approve an anti-pipeline resolution."

Anonymous said...

Why was Wilford Brimley at a bethlehem township meeting, to promote liberty medical?

Anonymous said...

They are so arrogant. They have no idea who they represent. Marty is so sick with arrogance. Lee Snover should have ran she gives plenty of time for all comments.

Anonymous said...

Pat Breslin was absent-again. Does he ever show up?

Anonymous said...

Zawarski, if you can't be bothered with the time commitment, don't run for office.

Breslin, if you can't make meetings, don't run for office. Have you been at a meeting yet? You are a little weasel that came to my door and asked for my vote. Don't come back. (I didn't vote for you.)

Hudak, you listening to me is a privilege. Get your head out of your ass.

Ron Beitler said...

5 minutes! That's very generous. In Lower Mac by policy we limit to 3 min. The manager even has an electronic timer. Time starts when you begin speaking and very loudly starts beeping (even if your in mid-sentence) as your time elapses. I've never seen one person keep their train of thought through it. At that point Commissioners can allow more time or cut you off.

I'm not a fan of that part of our policy. Yes, we have redundant comments sometimes. But ya know what? That's part of the job.

Rest of our policy I'm ok with. We allow comments on non-agenda items beginning and end of meeting. And we do allow and encourage comments on all motions. Motion, second, commissioner comments, public comments. So ppl have the chance to speak on every action. I think that is very important.

Lots of discretion for the President which is good thing.

Anonymous said...

I agree with 8:25 why are these people serving and running if it is an inconvenience to them. We need to start a petition calling on Breslin to resign. This is what the local tea party gave us ; a no show. Oh, but he wont miss one of their meetings.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Ron, I don't think anyone has a problem with a time limit. What people like Glagola or Davis find troublesome isx the possibility they can be ambushed by someone after their right to comment has passed, with all kinds of outrageous statements they are unable to rebut. If a developer presents a plan, people should be able to comment after his presentation and before the vote.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"Zawarski, if you can't be bothered with the time commitment, don't run for office. "

You are entitled to your own opinion about Zawarski, but he is pretty good about being there. Hudak drives me nuts with his statement, but he works at his job and is prepared for every meeting.

Breslin's attendance is becoming a concern. My guess is that his attendance at exec sessions and budget hearings is even more spotty. Tme for a RTK.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"Lee Snover should have ran she gives plenty of time for all comments. "

She is one of the best persons I've ever seen at running a meeting. Perhaps the best. But she won't run. Probably too shy.

Anonymous said...

If they want to limit public input, then they need to hold Mr. Hudak accountable when he says "...and that's all I have to say".

Anonymous said...

Breslin never has lived in Bethlehem Township. He lives in upper bucks.

Ron Beitler said...

5 might be better but 3 is too short. Almost every person gets cut off. Before I was a Commissioner I found it very annoying as a resident.

Speaking at a meeting can be very intimidating for people who don't do it often. Get up out of your seat, stand in front of a formal dias, at a podium, speak into a microphone with a ticking clock knowing that media could quote you. Pretty daunting.

I speak in front of ppl all the time and I found it intimidating as a resident.

Anonymous said...

Elected to office in your community and only what to give 3 to 5 minutes to the people who elected you. What a Power Trip, with the amount of people who go to your local meetings give them the time they need. How about if they pay 1/3 or 1/5 of there Taxes. Vote out the people who won't let you speak.

Anonymous said...

That Board is perhaps one of the worst in the Valley. The Township is always in the news seemingly screwing up things and not getting things right. They also spend like there is no tomorrow on things that are not needed. Their roads are in horrible shape. Why not get grants and fix and pave the roads? What about the traffic jams on William Penn Highway? What about the dust from new development? Why ink sweetheart deals with the unions? Why not let dogs be in the park with their owners? It is time for change and the best thing that can happen is that all of the incumbents are voted out. Things could not get any worse!

Anonymous said...

5:53. I guess you go from meeting to meeting so you know. In today's Express times they stated they are upgrading their sports facility to the tune of $1,000,000 and no one says boo. Bethlehem Township want to do an improvement to a park that is long overdue with grant funding and the world goes bonkers. You people are nuts!

Anonymous said...

Palmer is upgrading their park with $1,000,000 in improvements

Lighthouse said...

Just to follow up on my initial comment: While not a "debate" of the 8 Republican candidates, there will be a "candidates forum" that will include a Q & A session on April 16th at NCC in room 130. It will be put on by the NCRC and will include the GOP candidates for BT Commissioner, County Districts 3 an 4, and Scomillio for NorCo judge. Don't know how much substantive Q & A opportunity there will be to differentiate from each other, but at least it is an opportunity for interested primary voters. Hopefully the press/bloggers are invited to report on?

Anonymous said...

@11:28,
That has been the rumor since he filed his petition. The address he used on his paperwork doesn't even exist. The number he used would be the yellow house at the corner of William Penn and Farmersville. According to county property records, that building is part of a consolidated lot at a different address.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Lighthouse, Lee Snover told me press and even bottom-feeding bloggers can go. But if it conflicts with County Council, I have to cover that.

Anonymous said...

You are entitled to your own opinion about Zawarski, but he is pretty good about being there. Hudak drives me nuts with his statement, but he works at his job and is prepared for every meeting.

I'm not commenting on Zawarski's attendance but on his raising the issue of limiting public comment. His remarks indicate someone who cannot be bothered to spend any more time than is absolutely necessary even if it is to hear from citizens.

Anonymous said...

5:53 - Agreed. I'd actually ask the Township to RAISE taxes and fix the damn roads. Horrible. All over the Township.

Bernie O'Hare said...

9:21, I find it incredible that, two months before an election in which two different people are running against him, Marty would propose limiting the rights of the citizens who come before them. Incredible.

Anonymous said...

Rumor has it that Commish Z is looking down every possible alley for votes. He must be worried...

Anonymous said...

In my experience Mr. Hudak isn't listening even when people are allowed to speak.
Perhaps he's reading Robertsons Rules of Order.

Anonymous said...

Why do people elect two rabidly pro-development commissioners and then complain about all the development and traffic in the township?? Get rid of Hudak and Zawarski and there is a good chance there won't be as much to complain about.
Go to any commissioners meeting and see for yourself how gonzo these two are. It's rather disgusting.