Let it never be said that I am not fair-minded and even-handed.
This column has been a frequent critic of Richland Supervisor Mike Zowniriw on any number of issues. I have even referred to him as Pinocchio Mike, because of his penchant for maybe, occasionally, sometimes bending the truth a little, slightly. Most recently, my June 30 column revealed how he had failed to live up to his courtroom agreement to move a basement wall, and give his neighbors, who share the Victorian duplex, access to their own well.
Mike didn't take this lying down. He sent an email on July 3 to his "Friends and Supporters", responding to phrases in my article, and asking that they "please pass this onto everyone in Richland Township" I don't have everyone's email addresses, but what better way to pass it on than to print most of it here.
Keep in mind that Z's neighbors are both elderly and disabled, and lived in the house for 25 years without incident until the Zowniriws arrived.
Mike wrote:
I try not to read the Free Press, but feel I must check Woldow's "column" merely for self-preservation, in case he spreads viscous lies about me - again, and again and again. RW Note: I think he means "vicious".
This Friday I had the misfortune of reading the biggest 'load of manure' so far. Unfortunately, a couple people I've spoken to said they actually believed his fabrications this week, so I felt I must, once again, take time out of my life to rebut Woldow's allegations.
"It will be back to court." There are no plans that I know of to go back to court. I have complied with the decision made by the judge which was agreed upon by both parties (the Cressman's and I) at our one hearing on April 16, 2005. Note: The Cressman's request for a court date is on the desk of Judge C. Theodore Fritsch. Z's attorney received a copy. If I know it, you can bet the ranch Mike does too.
"Z and his wife Amy were frightening the neighborhood. And Mike was abusing his elected position." Frightening the neighborhood?? Never happened. In actuality, these neighbors have continually been harassing us. Note: Six families, former Zowniriw friends and political supporters, came to the Board of Supervisors meeting on April 11 to ask for help in dealing with his "intimidation" Two have hired attorneys.
The "well built wall" was to protect my family and me from the increasing hostility and bizarre behavior on the part of our next-door-neighbors Clair Cressman and her daughter Kelly Collins. Neither my wife nor I felt safe any more knowing that either of them could enter our home at any time through a shared section of our basement, which houses the well they use on our side. I did not design the house this way. If it wasn't for their increasing hostility, they could have continued to have free access from us as they have had for the last 5+ years. If they spent over $10,000 in attorney's fees, then they got ripped off. A simple conversation with me would have cost them $0.
Note: The Z's didn't feel safe??? Mr. Cressman can't even climb stairs! And since Mike didn't honor the court order, imagine what good a conversation would have done.
"He agreed to move the wall but it didn't happen." At the hearing on April 16, my neighbors and I came to an agreement in court for a reconfiguration of the wall and a timeline in which to do it. This is documented, and all was done within the specified timeline. Note: The April 16 agreement contained no dimensions or dates, but did state that the wall must "preserve the privacy" for the Cressmans. Z agreed on May13 to complete the work by June 16 (according to the Cressmans), and had a diagram of how the wall was to be built. The work was not done until June 18, did not look at all like the diagram, and contained a door so Z could still get into the Cressman's home.
"They went back to their attorney to set up a meeting to remind the Zowniriws about their obligation." I suppose they can meet with their attorney as much as they'd care to, but the agreed upon reconfiguration was completed in the agreed upon timeframe. Note: The reminder was necessary because a month had gone by and nothing was done. Only at the May meeting did Z agree to a timeframe and design (which he later ignored anyway).
"After much arguing." There was no arguing; all negotiations were amenable. Note: I think he means "amicable". The Intelligencer ran an editorial concluding that Z "has no business being a supervisor", and suggesting anger management.
"He created a small opening and a door. Not at all what was agreed on". I made the opening 2" larger that what was agreed upon to prevent any further problems. The door was agreed upon and necessary as I need access to my own plumbing in the same area. The Cressmans can conceivably put up their own door on their side if they wish. I gave up about 15 square feet of my own basement to accommodate the Cressmans. It was worth it for the security of my family.
Note: The access he created for the Cressmans is only 20 inches wide. Richland Code Enforcement Officer Neil Erkert said he would require 28 inches. A local plumber who inspected the work said Z has no plumbing on the Cressman's side. We'll see what Mike says with his hand on the Bible before Judge Fritsch.
Please pass this on to everyone in Richland.