Political Issues in Northampton Township and Bucks County
The Northampton Township Democratic Committee is interested in bringing issues of interest to the attention of the community. If you have an issue that you would like us to investigate please EMAIL us.
Did Petraus betray us? You be the judge read this editorial he authored in 2004!
For over seven years from 1998 until being caught in November 2006, Mr. Townsend stole over $100,000 from the taxpayers of Northampton Township. He has made a considerable restitution so far and will be spending at least 6 months in jail for his deeds but the big question is how was he able to get away with this?
Mr. Townsend made illegal charges on three credit cards for seven years. This amounts to over 250 monthly credit card statements that were received by the township, statements that should have been scrutinized. If you had charges for liquor, hotel rooms, video rentals, on your credit card bill, that you did not make, would it not stand out like a sore thumb? So who else knew about this or should have known about it.
It makes you think what else the current administration, many of which have been in office for over 20 years, is up to with YOUR money. The taxpayers deserve an explanation and need a watchdog on the Northampton Board of Supervisors!
Township Manager Resigns and is Indicted
Northampton Township Manager, Bruce Townsend, 55, resigned after more than 25 years as manager in November after telling township supervisors he was being investigated on theft charges.
Townsend was arraigned on six felony counts of theft of township money. Released on his own recognizance, he declined to comment. Townsend's attorney, William L. Goldman Jr., said Townsend was cooperating with authorities. He declined to comment further.
According to the complaint, Townsend admitted to an investigating officer that he made numerous unauthorized purchases, but District Attorney Diane Gibbons said Townsend did not divulge the extent of the theft at that time.
Townsend Sentenced
Calling his crime a "major violation of public trust," a Bucks County judge in Doylestown sentenced former Northampton township manager D. Bruce Townsend to one to two years in the county prison and ordered him to repay the township more than $157,000.
"When something like this happens, people question the integrity of all public officials," Judge Kenneth Biehn told Townsend. "This violation of trust reflects negatively on all those who serve honorably, especially at the local level."
Work release? Greedy Townsend deserves tar and feathers Townsend Sentenced Courier Times Opinion - Friday, June 15, 2007
Read more on this story:
Townsend Probe Opens - Nov 2006 Ex-Manager Charged with Six Felonies The Plastic Trail Townsend Arrainged CPA Assigned in Townsend Case Manager Waives Hearing Goldhahn Assumes Temporary Duties Washington, PA article
Blunt political call to arms backfires in Bucks
By Thomas Fitzgerald
Inquirer Staff Writer
The e-mail to Bucks County Republicans urged recipients to lean on "courthouse employees and consultants" for help in registering new GOP voters.
"Many people owe their jobs to GOP leadership," it said. "Professionals, consultants, contractors, and loyal GOP supporters have benefitted handsomely."
Needless to say, the message, sent July 16 by Northampton Township Supervisor Vincent J. Deon, was unusually blunt, and could be read as menacing. See the original email
It has surfaced in the race for control of the Bucks County courthouse, with Democrats calling the e-mail an illustration of the dangers of longtime one-party rule. County Republicans disavowed the message.
In recent years, the number of registered Democrats and independents has increased across the Philadelphia suburbs, threatening the longtime dominance of the Republican Party. "I wanted to personally assure you his e-mail was not authorized and was completely inappropriate," Mike Walsh, manager of the reelection campaign of GOP County Commissioners Charley Martin and Jim Cawley, wrote in a July 25 e-mail.
"Our effort to grow the party is a 100 percent volunteer effort," Walsh said. "No one should feel any pressure."
He said he sent the disavowal to several hundred names on the party's e-mail list.
Deon, in an interview, said his initial e-mail went to about 25 friends and was a personal "call to arms" to rouse volunteers for a much-needed voter registration drive. He said he did not intend to threaten county or local employees or contractors.
"Do I realize now it's something better said than read? Yes, sir," Deon said. "I was a little overzealous. I'm not a wordsmith, just a passionate volunteer."
The Bucks GOP has set a goal of enlisting 5,000 new registered voters by the Oct. 9 deadline for the Nov. 6 election.
Except for a four-year Democratic run in the mid-1980s, Republicans have been in control of county government since 1976. Democrats last won a majority of the three-member Board of Commissioners in 1987.
"This is what happens when you have one party controlling things for such a long time," said Steve Santasiero, one of the two Democratic candidates for the county board. "It's the arrogance of power."
Diane Marseglia, his running mate, said Deon's e-mail was an example of a "pay to play" mentality and questioned the GOP's disavowal of the message.
"I don't know how you distance yourself from someone who's an elected official, whose brother practically runs the Republican Party, and whose family has been involved in Republican politics for years," Marseglia said.
Deon's brother, Pasquale "Pat" Deon, is chairman of the regional SEPTA board and a member of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission.
Vincent Deon said Republicans in his township and throughout the county hire Democratic-oriented firms for government work as well. "We're equal opportunity," he said.
By law, one seat on the board must go to a member of the minority party. Incumbent Democrat Sandra Miller was defeated in the primary this year.
(Find this article at: a href-"http://www.philly.com/inquirer/home_top_stories/ 20070816_GOP_disavows_e-mail_on_voters_.html
WE NEED FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY AND OVERSIGHT
Northampton Township Manager INDICTED and PLED GUILTY to embezzling taxpayer funds from 1999-2006! Northampton Supervisors approved his expense vouchers for liquor, over 20 motel bills, vacation rentals, and personal gifts. (Courier Times 6/13/07) Supervisors refuse to release Forensic Audit Report detailing fraud and embezzlement despite repeated requests, The $50,000 audit was paid for by taxpayer funds.
Vincent Deon, current Township Supervisor, caught strongarming County employees in a recent email reminding them that “Many ... owe their jobs to GOP Leadership.” Deon reminded County consultants and contractors that they “have benefited handsomely by GOP Leadership” and must commit “to maintaining GOP control.” (Philadelphia Inquirer 8/16/07) After the email became public, Deon resigned GOP leadership position in disgrace, but still refuses to resign as a Township Supervisor even though caught imposing “Pay-to-Play” politics in local government.
What is happening with our hard-earned taxpayer money???
- In 1998 we were only $4 million in debt; TODAY WE ARE $35 MILLION IN DEBT!
- Board Supervisors funneled all $35 Million of bond issues through NO-BID CONTRACTS to brokerage firm owned by Board crony who also serves as Treasurer of Pennsylvania GOP party. Pay-to-Play Politics costs you money!
- Millions of $$$ wasted since commission-free, lower-interest, and staggered-receipt financing was available through Delaware Valley Regional Finance Authority, a non-profit municipal bond consortium established by Bucks, Montgomery, Delaware & Chester Counties in 1985 to specifically provide Townships with low-cost bond financing.
- Board Supervisors RAISED PROPERTY TAXES 19% two weeks after the 2003 election and 35% right after the 2005 election to pay for the Township’s skyrocketing debt (Bucks County Courier 11/20/03; 12/15/05)
- $3.5 Million WASTED in designing Community Center that was never built!!! Actually $8 Million w/interest costs!!!
- $7 Million Municipal Park at Hatboro & Bristol Roads even though land was FREE. No attempt to partner with local businesses or utilize volunteer help to defray outrageous and unchecked park construction costs. Poor planning; even worse execution. True cost over $15 Million when including interest costs of Township bonds.
- Board Crony awarded over $700,000 No-Bid “sweetheart” Contract for engineering services at Municipal Park, which required little engineering services (2 one-story, concrete block buildings totaling approx. 4,000 sq. ft.)
- Board crony gets sweetheart 10-year No-Bid Lease for historic 3,000 sq. ft. farmhouse on 2+ acres. Makes only 1 rental payment in 4 years. Builds 17x35’ addition at Taxpayer’s expense. Board waived building permit fees. Board then sells new & improved farmhouse and land to same crony on 9/14/05 for only $425,000.
- Board overpays $1.5 MM for 60-acres of Morrissey tract purchased for never-built Community Center. Despite paying $82,000+/acre, Board Supervisors sold off 8 acres (valued at $656,000) with a house for only $325,000 - another $300,000+ loss for our taxpayers!!!
Let’s Bring Clean, Honest Government Back To Northampton
VOTE for FRANK ROTHERMEL & JIM CUNNINGHAM
The Case of the Disappearing $10,000,000.00 Dollars
In 2001, the Northampton Township Board of Supervisors borrowed $20 Million for various building projects. Of the proceeds, $1 Million was dedicated to building a Community Center on 60 acres the Township had purchased (through eminent domain condemnation) adjacent to the new Council Rock South Senior High School. The $12 Million Community Center, however, was never built. Instead, $2 Million of those monies were used to build the new Senior Center. That should leave $10 Million left in the account, correct? Apparently not –Because in the Township's Budgets (buried in the Tables and fine print) we discover that the $10 Million of funds are gone, spent, depleted - with only $139,000 reported remaining as of 1/1/05.
Where DID all the money go?
And it's not just this $10 million. In fact, over the last 4 bond issues Northampton Board of supervisors has ballooned the debt from a manageable $4 Million in 1998 to a whopping $35 Million Debt-obligation today!
- Millions Lost & Wasted!
- No Independent Oversight
- We Need Fiscal Responsibility Now!
Vote to restore clean, honest, good government with a return to balanced budgets, fiscal responsibility and real accountability.
Supervisor candidates spar at forum
By KARA FITZPATRICK Bucks County Courier Times
Six candidates seeking two seats on the Northampton Board of Supervisors sparred Tuesday over fiscal oversight, taxes, no-bid contracts and traffic at a candidates forum sponsored by the Northampton Township Business and Professional Association.
Incumbent Republicans Peter Palestina and James Kinney highlighted their combined 48 years of service to the township, while their rivals used it against them, saying one party rule in Northampton should stop.
“We need oversight, transparency and sound fiscal policies,” said Democrat James Cunningham, who is running alongside Frank Rothermel.
Independents Jay Russell and Bill O'Neill were also at the forum, which was held at the Northampton municipal building.
Russell said his candidacy means “working for the people, not the party bosses” and O'Neill called for an end to corruption, a topic that prevailed for much of the debate.
Challengers frequently cited the crimes by former manager Bruce Townsend, who stole $114,000 of municipal funds through use of township credit cards, petty cash and sick time transfers.
However, the incumbents said they're taking steps, like hiring a finance director, to prevent the problem from happening again. Kinney said the efforts by the new finance director and township manager Bob Pellegrino are aimed to bolster the fiscal functions of the administration.
The use of no-bid contracts was also a point of contention. Palestina said the township often uses local businesses because they provide better service. But his opponents had their own opinions.
“We have to stop no-bid contracts and we have to stop them now,” said Rothermel.
However, the Democrats and Republicans did agree on one thing: a new ordinance that would require tenant registration should be approved. The ordinance is aimed to make sure all residents, including residents, are paying their fair share of taxes.
In a question aimed to target the recent debate over whether the candidates forum should be aired on the township public access channel, Kinney defended his stance. “When the channel was established, a policy was established,” he said. Kinney's opposition to support airing the forum on the township public access channel recently produced ire from his challengers.
Preceding the supervisors candidates, two candidates for the Council Rock school board fielded questions about budgets, taxes and teacher strikes. Patricia Vaccaro-Sexton, the incumbent Republican seeking another term, said she'll continue to be a committed leader.
However, Democrat Linda Dobbins said the board needs someone who can generate innovative ways to alleviate the property tax burden faced by Council Rock residents. Kara Fitzpatrick can be reached at 215-949-4190 or kfitzpatrick@phillyBurbs.com.
September 12, 2007 5:18 AM
http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/111-09122007-1406291.html
Study: Democrats are scarce on boards
By BRIAN SCHEID
Bucks County's boards and authorities that deal with development, planning and emergency services are dominated by Republican appointees by a margin of more than 11 to 1, according to a new Democratic study.
The study, conducted by the campaign for Democratic commissioner candidates Steve Santarsiero and Diane Marseglia, found that 14 of the county's boards and authorities that deal with those issues are made up of 111 Republicans and 10 Democrats.
Eight of those 14 boards, including the county's Agricultural Land Preservation Board, the Redevelopment Authority, the Local Emergency Planning Committee and the Housing Finance Board, have no Democratic members, the study found.
The total 46 county-related boards and authorities the study looked at were made up of nearly three times more Republicans than Democrats (254 to 88), as well as 47 members who were not registered to vote in Bucks County and 18 who may have another or unknown party affiliation, according to the study.
Both Marseglia and Santarsiero said the imbalance of party membership on the county's boards and authorities was occurring “to an embarrassing degree.” Both Democrats painted the imbalance as examples of a culture of patronage and pay-to-play politics they claim is prevalent in county government.
“It is very troubling to learn that political favoritism is occurring on these key boards,” said Marseglia.
Positions on the boards and authorities are nearly all unpaid positions, but can carry heavy influence in county government, Marseglia and Santarsiero said.
Commissioner Chairman Charles Martin, who along with fellow Republican Commissioner Jim Cawley is running against Marseglia and Santarsiero in November's race, dismissed claims of patronage.
“When somebody applies for a board we don't go running to check their party affiliation,” Martin said. “We want qualified people.”
Cawley said party affiliation has never played a role in one of his appointments. He said he and Martin have spent “zero time” researching the political party affiliation of potential appointees.
“It has not and it will not be a factor,” Cawley said. “We make appointments based on abilities. I don't focus on [party affiliation], but clearly Steve and Diane do.”
Harry Fawkes, chairman of the Bucks County Republican Committee, said party affiliation bears no weight when the commissioners are appointing people to boards and authorities.
“I think what [Marseglia and Santarsiero] are saying is just outright wrong,” Fawkes said. “We try to get people that are qualified to do the job. That's it.”
Santarsiero said the overwhelming number of Republicans, however, is evidence that Republican registration may have been one of the qualifications county commissioners were looking for.
“I don't think anyone's being fooled here,” Santarsiero said. “I think party affiliation is being taken into account when appointing these folks. If the numbers were a little closer, I might be inclined to believe [county Republicans].”
John Cordisco, chairman of the Bucks County Democratic Committee, said that while anyone can volunteer to serve on these boards and authorities, several registered Democrats who have volunteered were denied. Cordisco, a former teacher, school board member, state lawmaker and graduate of Bucks County Community College, said he was denied a spot on the Community College board of trustees about two years ago. That board has 11 Republicans, three Democrats and one member with an unknown party affiliation, according to the report.
“This is not government, it's a mere extension of the county Republican Committee,” Cordisco said. “If you look at the numbers, they speak for themselves.”
Martin said the large number of Republicans on boards and authorities, however, is not surprising in Bucks, a county long controlled by Republicans. “I think if I went to the city of Philadelphia I'd find more Democrats than Republicans [on boards],” Martin said.
According to the Bucks County Board of Elections, of Bucks County's 414,940 registered voters, nearly 45 percent are Republicans and 40 percent Democrats. The other 15 percent are Independents or members of another party.
Martin pointed out all appointments were unanimously approved, including approval votes from Commissioner Sandy Miller, a Democrat.
Martin also said the Bucks County Economic Development Corporation, which has 18 Republicans and no Democrats, according to the study, is a private corporation whose members are not appointed by county officials. Brian Scheid can be reachedat 215-949-4165 or bscheid@phillyBurbs.com
http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/111-09132007-1406733.html
Democrats will be different
To the Editor:
Twice in recent weeks The Intelligencer has published editorials suggesting that if Democrats Diane Marseglia and Steven Santasiero win this fall's commissioners' race in Bucks County, it would not be shocking to see them adopt a “pay-to-play” policy similar to the current system in place in the Bucks County Courthouse — a policy so eloquently outlined by GOP heavyweight Vincent Deon in his recent e-mail to the party faithful.
I would like to know how you could draw such a conclusion. Are you basing this prediction on the past record of Democratic administrations in the county courthouse? If you are, then you would have to go all the way back to 1983 — the last time the Democrats won a majority on the county commission — to suggest that Marseglia and Santasiero would be checking party registrations before they hire staff, retain attorneys, engineers and other consultants, and award professional services contracts.
There aren't many people around who remember the Democratic administration that served from 1984 to 1988, but I'm one of them. As a journalist for The Intelligencer and the Allentown Morning Call, I covered every administration of Bucks County commissioners from 1979 to 2006. Therefore, I believe I speak with something of an expertise when I tell you that Democratic Commissioners Carl Fonash and Lucille Trench did not practice pay to play and, for the most part, were not guided by the patronage system when they hired members of the courthouse staff.
That doesn't mean Fonash and Trench didn't hire Democrats. There is always a desire among incoming officeholders to reward the people who worked in their campaigns with jobs in their administrations. This is a routine and acceptable part of politics that goes back centuries and is practiced today on every level of government.
There is no question, though, that when it came to hiring people or awarding professional contracts, whatever tidbits Fonash and Trench were able to throw at their loyal campaign volunteers pale in comparison to the Republicans' institutionalized system of pay to play that Mr. Deon revealed in this summer's e-mail.
Indeed, as I recall, in the waning weeks of their lame-duck administration in 1983, the Republican commissioners who had just been voted out of office took a number of steps to ensure that the GOP patronage system would continue unabated during the four years the Republicans knew they would be out of power. The lame-duck commissioners started off by passing a totally bogus budget, slashing jobs and programs and cutting the tax rate to a ridiculously low level that can only be described as fictional. When Fonash and Trench took office a few weeks later, they were able to reopen the budget, restore the jobs and return the tax rate to its rightful level, only to be hounded by Republican leaders for the next four years with the accusation that they had raised taxes.
Next, the Republicans made dozens of 11th-hour appointments to stock the various county boards, commissions and authorities with GOP appointees, further extending their influence into the Democratic administration. And then the Republicans used their majority on the county salary board to artificially lower the salaries for all jobs the Democrats expected to fill, most of which were on the commissioners' staff. As such, Fonash and Trench were forced to offer jobs to a number of people at salaries well below what the former holders of those jobs, all Republicans, had been receiving.
Finally, a Republican lawyer obtained a federal court order that prevented the Democratic commissioners from firing most Republican jobholders, meaning that Fonash and Trench were forced to govern for the next four years with employees who were openly hostile to them and in many cases worked to undermine their bosses.
And so, when you publish editorials suggesting that Santasiero and Marseglia would also adopt a pay-to-play policy, I suggest you look at history. If the two Democrats win election this fall, you can bet they won't. And it will be the Republicans who make sure they don't, because the Bucks County Republican Party is simply not willing to give up the very lucrative system of patronage it has carved out for itself over the years. Trust me, it will find a way to keep sucking the teat, and it doesn't seem to matter to the GOP who wins the election.
Hal Marcovitz
New Britain Township
http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/319-09012007-1400966.html
Editorial, Bucks County Courier Times
September 21, 2007
Campaign County Mailings
REFUND OUR MONEY
A so-called newsletter and other material emblazoned with the commissioners’ pictures amounts to de-facto campaign literature.
They should pay it back. County Commissioners Charley Martin and Jim Cawley ought to reimburse taxpayers for the cost of publicly funded newsletters, brochures and kids' worksheets distributed countywide in recognition of National Preparedness Month.
The refund should come out of the Republican candidates reelection campaigns because they used the mailings - paid for with federal homeland Security funds - as de facto campaign literature by stamping the material with color photos of themselves.
County Chief Operating Officer David Sanko denied that's the case. It's not about candidates,'' Sanko said of the literature, ''It's about public safety” When bad things happen, people need to know who's in charge
In that case, shouldn't the mailings have had John Dougherty's picture? He'd the county director of Emergency Management and also head of the Southeast Regional Counterterrorism Task Force. Doesn't he make the call about evacuations and other emergency measures when bad things happened?
Isn't that why he was hired?
From our perspective Dougherty's in charge If he's not, why are we paying him? People need to now who their leaders are said GOP campaign manager Mike Walsh of the mailings. “I don't think it's political. Its common sense and smart''
Politically smart!
The reality is that winning an election has a lot to do with name recognition. Get you name and face out there enough and your chances of winning improve.
Democratic candidates Diane Marseglia and Steve Santarsiero, supervisors in Middletown and Lower Makefield respectively were no less guilty of this tactic with past newsletters mailed out in their townships, as the Republicans counter. So is this just a case of the pot calling the kettle black? Perhaps to some degree.
Still, since the commissioners are paying attention to what others do, let us point out that the Montgomery County Commissioners sent out a similar preparedness brochure but WITHOUT their pictures.
Point is, taxpayers shouldn't fund what amounts to political literature. That's not just our view. That's what the head of the government watchdog group Common Cause Pennsylvania said.
This is particularly disappointing because the county administration had taken a fairness pledge. We refer to last month's promise by Sanko that the board would abide by a state law that bars Pennsylvania lawmakers from doing mailings 60 days before an election. The law is based on the well known fact that taxpayer-funded mailings sent out just before an election can give incumbents an unfair advantage. Commendably Sanko promised to abide by the law even though it doesn't apply to city or local candidates. Some promise! The county preparedness newsletter went out just a few days before the 60 day cutoff.
How's that for cynicism?
Voters deserve an apology - and a refund.
CHARLEY'S MILLIONS: BUCKS GOP COMMISSIONERS WASTE TAX DOLLARS ON CONTRACTS TO SAME-DAY GOP DONORS - September 24, 2007
LEVITTOWN – The campaign to elect Steve Santarsiero and Diane Marseglia released information today showing Charley Martin and Jim Cawley gave millions of tax-dollars to political friends and supporters with one hand while receiving contributions to the Bucks County Republican Party and their own campaign coffers with the other…often on the same day.
This bonanza of government handouts to friends and allies occurred while Martin and his fellow Republican Commissioners were voting to increase property taxes 46%. The Bucks County Intelligencer [editorial, 5/27/07] had it right when they noted that "pay to play remains alive and well in Bucks [County]" – but who could have guessed it would be this blatant, and cost the taxpayers this much?
The Republican Commissioners' waste of taxpayer money is indefensible, issuing contracts to GOP donors on the SAME DAY that their party accepted large contributions.
Begley, Carlin and Mandio High-powered Republican law firm Begley, Carlin & Mandio has contributed $145,294.65 to Martin, Cawley, and the Bucks County GOP since 2000.
• On December 20, 2006, Martin and Cawley voted to approve an agreement with Begley Carlin to pay the firm $200 per hour for legal services to the Solicitor's office. The same day, six of the firm's attorney's contributed $9,000 to the Bucks County Republican Party. Two days prior, Michael Fitzpatrick, a former and current Begley, Carlin & Mandio attorney, dumped $2,549.82 into Party coffers from his congressional campaign.
• On May 21, 2003, the Board appointed Begley as special council to prepare closing documents related to approving a $2.5 million Section 108 HUD loan. The next day, firm attorney Jeffrey P. Garton donated $500 to the Bucks County GOP.
On their website, the Begley, Carlin and Mandio client list includes Bucks County Community College, Bucks County Economic Development Corp., Bucks County Housing Authority, Bucks County Industrial Development Authority, Bucks County Redevelopment Authority, Bucks County Water & Sewer, Bucks County Conference and Visitor's Bureau, Inc., Bucks County Treasurer's Office, SEPTA, and County of Bucks (Special Counsel).
The Santarsiero-Marseglia campaign is awaiting an information request on total solicitor expenditures by the County. According to the county budget, in 2006 the Solicitor's office paid $11,405 for "Legal," and they have budgeted $14,000 for the same item in 2007.
George Komelasky Northampton Township Supervisor and Paist & Noe Vice President George Komelasky has contributed a total of $32,395 to Martin, Cawley and the Bucks GOP since 2000. At the same time, the Board of Commissioners has approved more than $9.2 million worth of business for Komelasky's firm.
• On May 7, 2003, Martin and the county signed over $172,800 in contracts with Paist & Noe. The same day, Komelasky contributed $1,200 to the Bucks County GOP.
• On September 17, 2003, the county signed another two contracts worth $355,982 with Paist & Noe, and the Bucks GOP accepted another $250 check from Komelasky.
• February 18, 2004 brought another $463,436 in county contracts for Paist & Noe. February 19, 2004 brought another contribution from Komelasky to the Bucks County Republicans, this time for $200.
• On February 16, 2005, Martin and Cawley gave Paist & Noe a $248,394 contract, and Komelasky contributed another $500 to Bucks Republicans the same day.
"The extent to which Charley Martin and Jim Cawley are abusing tax dollars is shocking," said campaign manager Ben Tevelin. "You don't have to look very far to see where the revenues from the 46% property tax increase went. Just check the pockets of George Komelasky and the lawyers of Begley, Carlin
Pete Palestina, running for supervisor, is an employee of Paist and Noe and George Komelasky
Pay-to-play politics Just a coincidence?
More donations to the county GOP were revealed to have been made on the same day county contracts were awarded
It's not quite as tattered as "the dog ate my homework" story. Still, the "coincidence" explanation offered by county Republicans is showing signs of wear.
Last week, Bucks Democrats revealed that the GOP-led county board of commissioners approved a rate hike for its chief legal advisor on the same day that six of the firm's attorneys made contributions to the county Republican Party.
The Democrats also revealed that the GOP received, over a seven-year period, $32,000 in contributions from the vice president of a county-appointed insurance agency In that time, the insurer received $1.2 million in county contracts - with four of the contract votes coming on the same day that checks to the party were written.
The county appointed insurer mentioned is Paist and Noe in Richboro. Northampton Township Supervisor, George Komelasky is an officer and Peter Palestina is an employee of the company.
Coincidence, county Republicans insist.
Likewise, it is mere happen-stance that a county engineering firm landed county contracts on the same days its engineers made contributions to the county Republican Party, GOP campaign manager Mike Walsh said this week.
According to an analysis by county Democrats, this coincidental merging of giving and getting occurred four times.
Walsh said the donations, made in May and February over four years, correspond to annual dinners that attract hundreds of GOP supporters. It's "not odd," he said, for party contributions to spike at that time; nor is it unusual for those contributions to include donors who "happen to work" for the county's engineering firm.
Nonsense, say the Democrats, who charge that the Republicans are guilty of engaging in play-to-play politics, something they say they won't do.
We'd like to believe the Democrats, but they haven't spelled out how they'd choose consultants and contractors if not from a list of donors and political pals. And so we have a suggestion. In fact, our suggestion is offered to both parties. That way, the same system could be instituted no matter who's in the majority after the election.
Our idea? Appoint a non-partisan commission to review the records of consultants and contractors who want to work for the county and let that commission make-a recommendation based solely on qualifications, experience and how much an applicant wants to be paid for its services. We know the county has a review panel now, but it is stocked with county employees - ALL Republican.
A non-partisan system could greatly diminish concerns about how pay to play is affecting what taxpayers get for their money It also might enhance the election process by focusing more attention on what county government is doing for taxpayers, and less on what it's doing for the political parties.
Bucks County Courier Times Editorial, Wednesday, october 3, 2007
CAUGHT ON TAPE: BUCKS GOP INITIATE COUNTY PAY-TO-PLAY
LEVITTOWN – The campaign to elect Steve Santarsiero and Diane Marseglia as Bucks County Commissioners today released comments made on video by Bucks GOP Party boss Harry Fawkes that clear up any confusion concerning the relationship between the Bucks County Republican Committee and contractors doing business with Bucks County.
In a 1995 interview, party boss Fawkes told Bucks County Intelligencer editor Lanny Morgnanesi that he asks all contractors to donate to the Republican Party when they get contracts.
Morgnanesi: If a professional firm, say, contributes $10,000 a year to the party, and then puts in a bid for some work, do you think he’s factoring that $10,000 contribution into the cost of doing business? Do you think he’s got that into his bid? And therefore if the bid is awarded the taxpayers basically are subsidizing the parties?
Fawkes: I don’t know what he thinks. I can’t answer for him. But if he gets contracts or whatever he does, I ask him to contribute to the party. (Emphasis added) [Intelligencer Monthly – TV show, 1995]
Concerns over GOP party influence in county business first surfaced in the commissioners race after Bucks Republican Party Executive Board member and committeeperson Vincent Deon wrote in an email to courthouse employees that “many people owe their jobs to GOP leadership” and that “many professionals, consultants, contractors and loyal GOP supporters have benefited handsomely [from Republican leadership]”. Deon’s comments landed him on the front page of the Philadelphia Inquirer and he later resigned from his positions with the Bucks County Republican Committee.
A few weeks later the Santarsiero and Marseglia campaign blew the whistle on GOP influence on Bucks County’s boards and authorities. The campaign’s report showed that county boards and authorities are overwhelmingly packed with Republican appointees, including a margin of 111 Republicans to 10 Democrats on the boards and authorities dealing with county development, planning and emergency services.
Just recently the Santarsiero and Marseglia campaign also revealed that the relationship between county contractors and the Bucks GOP is so cozy that the Bucks County Republican Committee accepted thousands of dollars in contributions on the same day that county contracts were awarded to those contributors. The Martin and Cawley campaign have labeled same-day donations as “odd coincidences” and attempted to characterize any pay-to-play donations thusly, “After [contractors] get work, a company may say they enjoy working with Republicans and will contribute to keep them in office.” [Courier Times, 9/21/07]
The comments from Harry Fawkes released today seem to directly contradict the latter characterization. Given the full list of improprieties, the reality appears to be that the Bucks GOP is twisting the arm of contractors for financial support.
In light of these discoveries and the comments made by party boss Fawkes, the question needs to be asked: Has Harry W. Fawkes also asked for contributions from County employees and appointees?
A quick glimpse at the facts shows the answer may be yes:
- County Solicitor Guy Matthews has contributed $15,540 to Cawley and/or Martin and the Bucks County Republican Committee since 2000. In that time period his county salary has gone from $26,089 per year to $108,150 per year.
- Pasquale T. Deon, Sr. has donated $35,129 to Martin, Cawley and the Bucks GOP and is one of the two Bucks County appointees to the SEPTA Board. He is also a member of the Enterprise Zone Organization.
- Vail Garvin-Unterberger has donated $11,420 and has been appointed twice since 2000 as the Bucks County representative to Independence Blue Cross of Philadelphia. The board pays a $12,000 yearly salary and offers an optional health benefit stipend.
- Since January 2000, Joseph Volk has donated $20,850 to Martin, Cawley and the Bucks County Republican Party. He is currently a Financial Analyst in the Controller’s office at an annual salary of $29,373.
- David Sanko has donated $545 to Martin, Cawley and the Bucks County Republican Party since he was hired in January of 2005.
In clear contrast to the behavior exhibited by party boss Fawkes and Commissioners Martin and Cawley, Steve Santarsiero and Diane Marseglia are the only candidates for County Commissioner that have publicly pledged to take groundbreaking and meaningful steps towards cleaning up Bucks County government:
- They will establish a County Ethics Commission to monitor contractor-contributor connections and review board and authorities appointments.
- They will create online, searchable database of all county contractors and political contributors.
- Steve and Diane have taken a public pledge to base all staffing decisions and vendor selections on competency and merit.
See the Intelligencer Pay to Play Interview in the MEDIA section
Bucks GOP makes YouTube debut
Democrats post video clip of Republican Party chairman discussing pay-to-play politics
By Scott Kraus
Of The Morning Call
October 10, 2007
Bucks County Democrats have turned to the popular Internet video site YouTube in their ongoing effort to paint their incumbent Republican opponents as masters of ''pay-to-play'' politics.
The Democrats posted a brief 12-year-old video of Republican Party Chairman Harry Fawkes discussing the pay-to-play issue on a local newspaper's cable television show to the ''viral video'' Internet site Monday.
It's a strategy that's here to stay, even in local politics, said Chris Borick, a Muhlenberg College political scientist.
Low-cost, user-driven sites like YouTube that thrive on content such as videos of skateboarding bulldogs are becoming a growing part of political campaigns, Borick said.
They let candidates use video in ways that -- especially in local races -- would be cost-prohibitive through traditional forms of media such as broadcast television.
''Increasingly, you are getting a very wide swath of voters who at least have access to this type of thing,'' Borick said. ''In a tight race where you are looking to find ways to get your message out, it is an awfully attractive way to go.''
In this case, Fawkes is asked by the host of the cable show whether county contractors factor the cost of making campaign donations to the Republican party into their bids.
Fawkes says: ''I don't know what to think. I can't answer for him. If he gets contracts or whatever he does, I ask him to contribute to the party.''
Contacted Tuesday, Fawkes said he didn't remember the cable show, but he emphatically denied forcing any county contractors to support the party with contributions.
''Anybody says that is a …damn liar,'' Fawkes said. ''I've been here 36 years and we've never done that. It's not that anybody has to, but we ask them.''
Fawkes said he casts a wide net for campaign donors and suggested his Democratic opponents do the same.
''It's not just contractors,'' Fawkes said. ''We send letters to people who live in Bucks County. We run dinners and ask people to buy tickets.''
Democrats Steve Santarsiero and Diane Marseglia have hit incumbent Republicans Charley Martin and James Cawley repeatedly on the number of county contractors who have made donations to the county GOP.
Last month, the Democrats pointed out that Paist and Noe Insurance of Richboro, and Begley, Carlin and Mandio, a Middletown Township law firm, have earned more than $9 million in insurance premiums and legal fees from the county since 2000, while their employees contributed more than $177,000 in the same period.
A week later, they said Carroll Engineering, a longtime county engineering firm that is doing work on the courthouse expansion, had donated more than $64,000 since 2000.
The Republicans have pointed out that in their roles as township supervisors in Middletown and Lower Makefield townships, Marseglia and Santarsiero also have awarded contracts to party donors.
Ben Tevelin, the Democrats' campaign manager, said YouTube is a great way to let voters hear directly from the county party's top official and decide for themselves.
''I think it is very telling, and you are getting it straight from the boss' mouth that the Bucks County Republican Party initiates pay to play,'' he said.
Technology has not been kind to the GOP in this year's commissioners' race.
In August, an errant e-mail on the same topic from party activist Vincent Deon of Northampton Township gave the party a black eye.
In the e-mail, meant to fire up party volunteers, Deon urged activists to get county contractors and employees involved in maintaining control of the courthouse because they had benefited greatly from it.
Party leaders disavowed the e-mail, and Deon resigned his position on the party's executive board, but not before the e-mail somehow fell into the Democrats' hands, who passed it along to reporters.
scott.kraus@mcall.com
215-230-4930
See the Intelligencer Pay to Play Interview in the MEDIA section
Political opposition?
Editorial Comment Bucks County Courier Times
You don't have to wait for an election to hear a political debate. Just attend one of the many government meetings taking place most week nights anywhere in the area, including Northampton Township.
We mention Northampton because Supervisor James Kinney, who's been around long enough to know better, claims government meetings are free of political debate. He said as much this week when discussion turned to whether the township's public access channel should be used to broadcast an upcoming candidate debate.
Kinney said a political debate has no place on the channel, which he argues is strictly for communication about township business. Of course, that business includes questions from and statements by board members' political rivals. That's not a formal debate, but it's political debate nonetheless.
The sponsor of the formal debate in question is the Northampton Township Business and Professional Association, which has no political ax to grind. A spokesman argued, reasonably, that the debate is a public service, and televising it would be an act of public service by the township.
We couldn't agree more.
We know Mr. Kinney to be a reasonable man whose many years on the board of supervisors attest to his dedication to public service. So we're mystified by his unreasonable and illogical opposition to what would be a clear benefit to citizens.
September 2, 2007 4:35 AM
Northampton can do Better!
Its election time again and in Northampton Township as in many local communities the fight is on between the Democrats and Republicans. Two supervisor positions are up for grabs. The incumbent Republicans, who have been in office longer than many of our residents have even lived here, say Northampton is a wonderful place to live and they want to continue the status quo. The Democrats counter that the one party rule, which has existed since Northampton became a township in 1722, has lead to corruption and cronyism and at the very least an attitude of elitism, which leaves many residents feeling like second class citizens.
There are about 25,000 registered voters in Northampton Township, which has a population of about 41,000. Democratic registration is about 10,000 or roughly 35% and has been growing steadily. Compare this to the townships many boards, which have a less than 8% Democratic representation (4 out of 54), with many of the boards being totally Republican. Additionally most of the boards have no term limits, and like the Supervisors, have been inhabited by the same individuals for decades. The supervisors choose who serves on these boards. If the boards truly represented the residents of the township at least one in three board members would be a Democrat.
The pay-to-play phenomenon, which we are hearing so much about in this election, has existed in politics since day one but where it really gets out of hand is when one party is exclusively in power for an extended period, as is the case in Northampton Township. Do we see conspiracy in everything? No but when we have a once trusted leader in jail for embezzlement and a supervisor blatantly espousing a pay-to-play policy it is time to ask questions. Do you think “we didn’t know” is a good response? Yes maybe if the period was a short time, but over six years! Yes, for over six years multiple monthly credit card statements show such things as liquor, video rentals, and local hotel rooms charged by the former township manager, items that should never appear on a township statement. No one noticed, even though the bills are paid with the approval of the supervisors. Do you look at your monthly credit card statement? Do you really think that several hundred statements were never scrutinized? Was it outright fraud or just poor record keeping? We may never know but there is no excuse for either.
This shows the kind of complacency that comes with one party rule. This point was driven home when supervisor Deon implied that Republicans were rewarded for their contributions and this was shown to be a fact when supervisor Komelasky’s insurance firm gave multiple contributions to the Republican Party on several occasions within days of receiving lucrative county contracts. The list goes on, bond issues given to insiders which included fees that could have been eliminated had the bonds been place independently, a township that is badly in debt which will almost certainly mean significant tax increases in the future.
The average person pays little attention to all this. As long as their trash is picked up, they have a place to play ball, and no one is breaking down their door they are happy. But this is an important issue. Dishonesty or even perceived dishonestly in government should not be treated lightly. Leaders are accountable at all levels and you have the power at the voting booth to make them accountable. You also have the right as a taxpayer to ask questions and expect good answers. Our whole moral fiber slowly breaks down if we let these things go unanswered. Rather than expecting and demanding honesty in government we turn a blind eye. Is this what you want your children to see?
Northampton Township should be represented by more than one party to ensure fairness. I would not want a totally Democratic board any more than a totally Republican one. The people of Northampton deserve this and the more than one in three voters registered Democratic deserve this. Republicans as well as Democrats should want this. It is time for one party rule to end in Northampton. There is absolutely no reason why a mixed party board could not operate effectively and more fairly represent ALL of the people of Northampton Township. The Democrats are offering two impeccably honest and hard working supervisor candidates, Jim Cunningham and Frank Rothermel. Make your voice heard on Election Day. Bad public officials are elected by good citizens who don't vote!
Township contradiction on Forensic Audit Release
Below is an example of the lack of integrity in current Northampton Township government. In a correction submitted by the Northampton Republicans to the Courier Times it was stated that the forensic audit relating to the stealing of township funds by former township manager, Bruce Townsend, was released to the public. The letters below from candidate Frank Rothermel on July 31, 2007 and the response from township manager, Thomas Pelligrino, totally dispute this.
July 31, 2007
Via Fax: (215-357-1251) & U.S. Mail
Mr. Thomas, Pelligrino, Township Manager
Northampton Township
55 Township Road
Richboro, PA 18954
Re: Filing of Exceptions to 4/30/07 Denial of Open Records Request
Dear Mr. Pelligrino:
It was nice speaking with you yesterday and I look forward to meeting you on Thursday morning to review the records and accounts that were previously requested and "cleared" for my review. In addition, I had previously requested (by letter dated 3/14/07) the following records relating to the arrest and indictment of our former Township Manager, Bruce Townsend:
I. Copy of the Criminal Complaint filed in February 2007 against former Township Manager Bruce Townsend by the Bucks County District Attorneys Office;
II. Affidavit(s) of Probable Cause for any Search Warrants executed against Bruce Townsend either at his Township Office or his Northampton residence; and
III. Forensics Audit Report prepared by Joseph Barbagallo, CPA of Margolis & Company at the direction of the Northampton Township Supervisors regarding the Townsend Fraud matter.
These requests were denied at the time due to the ongoing criminal investigation of Mr. Townsend. Given that the criminal investigation has concluded, and Mr. Townsend pleaded guilty and commenced serving his sentence, I am renewing my request for these same records.
Frank A. Rothermel, Esquire
64 Chapel Drive
Churchville, PA 18966
Work: 215-568-0100; Cell# 215-435-0552
E-MAIL: frothermel@bernhardt-rothermel.com
Township Manager Bob Pellegrino responded by letter dated August 8, 2007 -- and here is the relevant part verbatim:
"I am also advised that the Forensic Audit Report is not a public record under the Open Records Law as determined by various Court decisions, as outlined in the Solicitor's memorandum dated April 4, 2007."
View original Northampton Township letter disputing public forensic audit claim
In Mr.Pelligrino's defense this is what he was told by his superiors (the township supervisors) at the time. He only reported what he was told and that is his job. Questioning the supervisors on an issue like this, especially after having only been the manager for several months would not have been expected.
Supervisor Candidate Answers Residents Plea for
Answers on District 8 Proposed Sewer Project
Can you shed some light on how your election into office will benefit the residents who are facing having to fund the cost of the public sewers? The residents all seem to agree that the current representatives don't seem to be working for our best interests, but electing someone new just for the sake of running the current officials out isn't the answer if the newly elected officials aren't going to be working for us either. Please give us some specifics on how you will help alleviate some of the financial burden that we will be expected to incur due to this project and what you will do to make it an easier transition.
Thank you, Lisa Caffrey
Subject: My Response to Ms. Lisa Caffrey's Question Re: Upcoming vote -- Tuesday Nov. 6th
Dear Lisa -- thanks for the question.
Several of your neighbors asked the same question so I am taking this opportunity to respond to everyone.
First, let me review how I see the current problem, and then I'll address my thoughts on how best to approach it.
The Problem:
In 1996/1997, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection "DEP" raised concerns with the Northampton Board of Supervisors and the Northampton Water & Sewer Board ("Northampton Municipal Authority") about possible groundwater contamination in Traymore Manor and surrounding properties in the western areas of Northampton Township.
The contamination was believed to be caused by several factors:
Aging and/or poorly maintained septic systems; high-density overflow; and higher than average concentrations of clay in the soil.
Sandy soil will have better absorption rates (known as perc test) whereas clay-filled soil has much lower absorption rates. With a lower absorption rate, you need a larger septic drain field (also known as a leach field) to comply with DEP sewage-code standards, and this was problematic for higher density areas where some properties were believed to have undersized leach fields.
So far, no problem. DEP is just doing its job, raising a legitimate concern in 1997 to ensure that the community's drinking supply drawn from the underlying aquifer is not contaminated by leaching from the community's private surface septic systems.
The first problem, however, is with the Northampton Board of Supervisor’s response in 1997. Rather than explore all other possible alternatives to address the DEP's concerns, the Board simply agreed to have sewers placed throughout Traymore Manor and the surrounding properties as outlined in the map hanging in the Water & Sewer Board Meeting Room. DEP's only concern is in having the aquifer protected, and if a community wants to put in sewers, the DEP is happy to agree because their ultimate objective of protecting the aquifer is met. Once the Northampton Board declined to pursue any other alternatives and advised DEP that they would put in sewers in the western end, the parties entered into a #537 Plan that formally memorialized that the Northampton Board had agreed to sewer the western end. As is customary, DEP then gave Northampton 5 years to complete the sewer project. But the Board of Supervisors and their appointees on the Water & Sewer Board did nothing -- literally nothing -- apparently under the delusional belief that DEP would simply forget and the whole matter would go away. And it is true that the enforcement arm of DEP has been cut back over the years and it wasn't until (I believe) DEP was recently reviewing the plans for the Heritage Home development immediately across Almshouse Road that they realized that the Township had never put in the sewers as it had agreed to back in 1997. You can only imagine how angered DEP officials were (and are) that the current Board did nothing in the intervening 10 years to come into compliance with the #537 Plan that the Township Supervisors had themselves come up with.
So, that's another major problem for us now. We know not to trust our currently elected Supervisors and their Water & Sewer Board appointees; and DEP knows not to trust them either. That's a big problem because the Supervisors will never be seen as honest brokers to help work out a solution with DEP given that they totally disregarded the mandate they put themselves under to build a sewer system in the western end by 2002.
Now where does that leave us and what's my Plan. My Plan would be to sit down with DEP immediately and work out the best solution that accomplishes their ultimate goal of protecting the aquifer at the most financially reasonable cost to our community and neighbors. First off, I would seek an exemption for every property owner of 1+ acre since this is the believed minimum that DEP will allow for a private septic system. And I know that's correct because they're permitting the entire new Heritage Homes development to be built across Almshouse Road without requiring the builder to bear the expense of putting in sewers. Next, I would seek to establish a Plan or protocol whereby homeowners could have their septic systems certified as DEP compliant. Many of you have already installed, at considerable expense new state-of-the art septic systems, or undertaken extensive renovations of the existing system. Again, remember, DEP is not requiring sewers for new construction, so it's not as though they are recognizing sewers as the only approach to protecting the aquifer. They are obviously willing to permit private septic fields if they can be assured that they are working and won't allow contaminants to leach into the deep groundwater that feeds the aquifer. So we need to work together on the best plan to accomplish that, thereby providing DEP with the assurances it understandably needs that the aquifer will indeed be protected. And while I'm honest and hardworking, and try to work through an issue, I'm not arrogant enough to believe that I have all the answers. To the contrary, you and your neighbors will have many good ideas and working together I am confident we can get a Plan together that satisfies DEP requirements without requiring sewers for the entire area now being considered. And the more properties and areas that we can exclude from mandatory sewers, the more likely DEP will permit us to proceed with a private-sewer compliance program and then concentrate our efforts on the difficult cases where other solutions may be needed (i.e., the industrial park).
Basically it comes down to trust and leadership. Do you trust the incumbents who put us in the difficult straits we find ourselves, already? Do you think "they've got your back?" I've been working since I was 10 years old and can fully understand the fear and apprehension that each of you has in facing a $40,000 - $50,000 assessment for your property.  I will work very hard to implement the plans and alternatives above and/or other plans that we come up with together to provide the assurances to DEP. I will also be open and accessible, and share all information and documents as I receive them as a Board member so that you see everything that I see, and with more eyes trained on the problem, the greater likelihood we can come to the best solution possible under the circumstances. I would also be in a position to have the Township staff undertake research efforts to help our approach -- i.e., task our Township manager and staff to pursue non-sewer solutions. This is by no means a unique situation. Communities all across the United States face similar groundwater contamination problems and we could task our Township employees to help find out how other communities have successfully addressed this without requiring to "sewer the Township." Think the current Board is committed to any of this? Do you think they would be? Did you even believe them when they say they don't have any cost estimates as to the project -- not even ballpark numbers? And even if that was true, that's even more reason to vote them out of office for not doing their homework and providing you with a rough estimate as to their current proposal anyway.
And hopefully, everyone who was at the first meeting in early October remembers my questions to the Water & Sewer Board -Â they were simple: if you (the Board) are going to proceed with sewers, it will obviously involve issuing municipal bonds. I only asked whether they would agree to finally bid the bond-work out rather than give no-bid contracts to their "friend" -- who happens to be the Treasurer of the Pennsylvania Republican Party. All $35 million of the Township's previous bond-work went to that firm on no-bid contracts. Another $11 million of Water & Sewer bonds went to that same firm in 2006 on a no-bid contract. We paid nearly $1 million in commission fees to that brokerage firm when commission-free and lower interest financing was available through the Delaware Valley Regional Finance Authority. So we could have saved literally millions in no-commissions and interest payments over the 20-year life of these bonds. And knowing all that, do you remember their response -- they refused to agree to bid it out. So who's back are they protecting -- certainly not yours -- but their bankers. Hopefully the above provides a guide as to how I will conduct myself on the Board. I will be honest, hardworking, open, accessible, courteous, and always remember that I work for each of you. While I can't promise anything more, I certainly pledge to provide nothing less.
Take good care, and finally please know that I won't betray your trust and will make you proud of your vote for me on November 6th. My best to you and your family, /s/Frank Rothermel