"You're Fired!!!"
The TV catchphrase of the year, perhaps. But the battle cry in Springfield Township for sure.
The Battle of Springfield is just wrong. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong.
Wrong because the Supervisors have given us an excellent lesson in how not to conduct business.
Wrong because they have smeared the reputation of a good police chief.
Wrong because they have done their best to make it difficult for residents to attend meetings.
And wrong because they have shamefully punished citizens who dared to protest.
But most of all, wrong because it has become a fight over who controls the police, and the township. In a battle like this, you can bet the residents will be the losers.
From the recent headlines and stories, you might think that the issue here is the demotion (translation: you're fired!) of former Chief of Police Brian McLaughlin. It's not. This is The Battle between Supervisor Peter Lamana, and the even more former Chief of Police, Robert L. Bell, a 25-year veteran who retired in 2003.
The Battle began back in 1992, when a newly elected majority of the township board requested the resignation of Chief Bell. Instead of resigning, he fought. Approximately 18 months later, after the Board ran up a bill that Bell estimates as $40,000 of township funds on lawyers and private detectives, the supervisors acknowledged they could find no wrongdoing on his part.
The Battle continued. Lamana and Bell clashed over the way to prosecute a former roadmaster caught using illegal inspection stickers. They fought over the form of certain reports, with the rest of the board supporting Bell. They sparred over overtime.
And throughout the wars, Lamana's big threat was always the magic words "You're Fired!" Not just Bell - the entire five-man, 59-year old police department.
According to Bell, the township never provided the necessary money, or support, to the police. And he blames his nemesis. "Why does Lamana act as he does? He wants people to believe that it is out of concern for the finances of the township, but I strongly believe it is more a matter of control."
Lamana says it's a money issue. About one-third of the $1.12 million municipal budget is earmarked for police. Bell says otherwise, and pulls no punches...
"In my opinion, the turmoil now brewing in Springfield Township is primarily the result of inappropriate actions of one supervisor, Peter Lamana. Lamana is an extremely strong-willed individual; hence the other Board members do not stand up to him for various reasons. Whenever his antiquated elementary school standards are rebuffed, he threatens disbanding the police department."
Caught in the middle of this crossfire is Brian McLaughlin, age 34, who was hired as a patrolman in 1999, and named chief when Bell retired in December, 2003. But McLaughlin's patrol position was never replaced, reducing the force from five men to four.
Call volume was increasing and, according to Bell, the severity of the calls increased dramatically. "It was obvious to me that the Board had set him up for failure from the onset." McLaughlin, without secretarial help, was not able to keep up with the plethora of duties, and paperwork, of being a chief, while also pulling full patrol duty.
Things got even worse in June, when his SUV was hit by a car while he was on duty. He missed work recovering from rib, neck, and back injuries. He freely admits that administration is his weak point, but says that he has never been given clear direction by the board. And never had any formal evaluations.
New chiefs work under a one-year probationary period, which is almost up for McLaughlin. If the Board is dissatisfied with his performance, they have the right to remove his title. And they did. Awkwardly and secretly. It just screamed impropriety.
On September 28, McLaughlin was asked to resign. He was demoted to patrolman. He was elevated again to chief. The matter was tabled until November 9. And that was all in one meeting! Approximately 70 irate citizens showed up in the rain to protest. Based on population, that would be equivalent to about 170 residents in Richland or Quakertown, way more than ever attend a meeting.
The supervisors then hired an outside labor lawyer. At taxpayer expense, of course. And on October 5, a small ad appeared in the public notice section of The Morning Call announcing a special meeting of the Board at 8:00 in the morning on Wednesday, October 6. The next day. Can you say inconvenient time ? Or sneaky and underhanded ? Outraged residents could, and did.
" Mr. Pete Lamana has been on a witch hunt to get rid of our chief because he cannot control him", wrote one irate citizen. "The other members of the board usually allow Mr. Lamana to make the decisions because they are too busy to do their job as supervisors."
Others charged retribution. One woman says Lamana went to her employer and tried to have her terminated for protesting. Another claimed, " Since I spoke at the last meeting I am no longer permitted to work on the police vehicles." You're Fired!
And if you really want to feel sorry for someone else here, try Scott Huber, who was designated to serve as Officer in Charge (with a secretary), on a temporary basis, until further notice. Talk about job insecurity.
Or pity the residents of Springfield, who just want their leaders and police to stop the in-fighting and start the crime fighting.
And as a final worry, the Board now has its own key to the police office, and is apparently free to access files, computers, and other information on opponents. There is no way this can be good.
Ex-Chief Bell has had plenty to say. Lamana has a lot of explaining to do. He will have his chance.
Peter Lamana will be up for re-election next year. Guess who I predict will be the challenger.