It hasn't been a good week in Richland Township if your initials are R.C.A. Or A.Z. Or M.Z. And P.S., don't shoot M.E., I'm only the messenger. The Richland Citizens Alliance lost another round in the Y.M.C.A. battle, while supervisor Mike Zowniriw called for the resignation of a volunteer who wouldn't recommend wife Amy Z for a position.
F.Y.I., last year, R.T. approved the Y's land development plan to build on Station RD., and two neighboring families appealed to the courts. Judge R. Barry McAndrews asked for additional INFO., and a public hearing was held on MAR. 24. The R.T. solicitor, A.K.A. Linc Treadwell, ESQ., well respected by both sides, conducted the proceedings.
Testimony was presented by the engineer and architect for the Y, as well as the organization's PRES., and the R.T. manager. Several citizens also voiced their opinions. L.T. ESQ. produced a 26-page summary called "Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law". It couldn't have been worse for the R.C.A. protestors:
The YMCA constitutes a "Municipal Use" pursuant to the R.T. Zoning Codes and applicable TWP. objectives. Translation - the land use is AOK.
The R.T. open space ordinances do not apply because the area had at all times been designated for a civic use. Translation - despite all the uninformed cry about "open space", this land never was.
The R.T. Comprehensive Plan mentions the need for recreational facilities "especially in the southern portion of the township". Translation - the location fits the plan, which, ironically, was created by some R.C.A. members back in the 1990's.
The Y.M.C.A. stated that no one will be turned away because of an inability to pay. Other area municipalities, like Q.Town, E. Rockhill, and U. Saucon, charge for the use of their facilities, and residents also had to ante up for the construction. Translation - Richland found a better way to do it.
And most damning of all: "The protestors did not provide any testimony that contradicts the credible testimony of the experts." Translation - in a court of law, facts are AAAA and opinions are A.W.O.L.
R.T. is one step closer to a REC. CTR. that will be open and available to all residents despite the R.C.A. efforts to K.O. it.
The next setback came when R.C.A. leaders tried to infiltrate the township Preservation Board. The P.B. is a group of dedicated volunteers whose mission is to identify and protect open space. Under the leadership of Craig Staats, there are currently close to 900 acres preserved. The P.B. has also identified APPROX. 135 parcels in R.T., and will be holding a public MTG. on May 13 to discuss land preservation options, and how R.T. might spend its $3.5 million open space bond money.
Perhaps the best reason for the P.B.'s effectiveness is that the members CO-OP so well together. They respect each other, and their mission. That is how GOVT. is supposed to operate.
But despite this model of public service, the P.B. has come under attack from the R.C.A. New supervisor Mike Zowniriw stressed in his campaign last year, including on the R.C.A. website, "Dismantle Preservation Board". Last month, Z also revealed a short-lived plan to take away the board's $3.5 million bond money and use it to build a golf course.
So imagine the P.B.'s reaction when volunteer applications arrived from Mike's wife, Amy, and RCA co-chairman Paul Maderson. Amy wrote, among other things, "I was my husband's co-campaign manager in the recent election".
R.T. receives many applications to join various boards, and people sometimes wait MTHS. or YRS. for a spot. The Z's apparently felt they were entitled to special treatment. On May 3, less than seven WKS. after A.Z. applied, M.Z. sent an email to the board members, and other supervisors, urging them to place his wife on the board A.S.A.P. It said, in part, "It has already been a couple of months since Amy put in her application. I hope this recommendation speeds things along."
M.Z.'s email also said, " I can't think of two people more aptly suited to being a part of our Preservation Board". It appears someone has forgotten his campaign promises. Z's 2003 "elect-me" literature included his intention to "ADHERE TO ZONING ORDINANCES", specifically "follow zoning ordinances and limit/minimize waivers". Maderson is currently being investigated by R.T. for possible multiple zoning violations at his B&B, including ignoring many conditions of a variance granted in 1998.
This may come as a shock, but Staats told A.Z. and P.M. that he would not be recommending them. Maderson was outraged, replying with a long, rambling email comparing R.T. to Nazi Germany and Communist U.S.S.R. And A.Z.'s response was predictable: "I can only presume that your actions have been politically motivated - that you don't want Supervisor Zowniriw's supporters in your group."
How could anyone in their right mind call for the dismantling of the P.B., then expect the blessings of the members? And, in a moment of embarrassing nepotism, MZ publicly called for Staats' resignation. Kind of makes you wonder what will happen if AZ gets on a board, and fellow members don't vote her way.
Citizens, if YOU were putting together a group for a special purpose, who would you want on it - people you personally trust, or the wife and buddy of a new local politician? Running a TWP. is a business. Millions of $$$ are at stake. The goal isn't to insure that every politician's family and friends are taken care of, but to get the best people for the job.
And speaking of volunteers, it didn't take M.Z. long to break ANOTHER of his campaign promises. His platform raised the issue of "Questionable ethics on the part of the Township Supervisors". His written response: "Honesty and Integrity". "SUPERVISORS SHOULD NOT SERVE ON OTHER TOWNSHIP COMMITTEES".
More short memory. On April 6, a Richland volunteer form arrived at the R.T. building, requesting a position on the Planning Commission. The volunteer - Supervisor Mike Zowniriw.
Honesty and integrity indeed. Z gets an F.