For Quakertown council, secrecy is sacred. But in their zeal to outsource jobs, and lay off union-organizing workers, it seems that they repeatedly violated the state Sunshine Law. Councilman Dave Wilsey candidly admitted that members have discussed outsourcing privately for the last two years, before going public on April 5.
Council's own records show that they rarely, if ever, comply with the Sunshine Law. A law intended to insure that you know what council is doing. They frequently hold private "executive sessions", giving improper reasons like "for personnel matters" or "litigation". Borough solicitor Chuck Fonzone apparently erred (again), because Commonwealth Court made it clear back in 1993 that the town must reveal exactly why they are keeping you out:
"The reason given, of course, must be meaningful. To simply say 'personnel matters' or 'litigation' tells nothing. The reason stated must be of sufficient specificity to inform those present that there is, in reality, a specific, discrete matter or area which the board had determined should be discussed in executive session. The reason given...must be one the citizen can understand."
But outsourcing would not even be under consideration if council, and manager Dave Woglom, had not wasted millions of taxpayer dollars. They try to blame the cost of electricity for the shrinking borough coffers. Bullspit!
$800,000 in cost overruns on the pool. More than a $1 million to clean up the polluted Krupp site because council didn't do its homework before buying. $200,000 in illegal no-bid contracts. $10 million to replace leaking, century-old water and sewer lines, an expense that should have been spread over decades. $800,000 to Bucks County Water and Sewer for overcharges. Yet no one was laid off, or even admonished, for any of it. There are plenty more examples, and lots more secrecy:
Last month, in a matter kept off council's printed agenda, Vice President Jim Roberts quietly admitted that the contractor who rebuilt the train station is suing the borough. Actually, Richard Harlow began the action almost a year ago, asking more than $50,000 ! You have already paid over $3000 in legal fees. It was finally revealed publicly the day Woglom learned that I was investigating the matter.
Back in 1990, Diane K. Drake charged that two borough police officers broke her arm during a traffic stop, resulting in permanent injury. She sought $200,000 in damages. Quakertown's insurance company settled out of court, while Woglom refused to discuss the matter. So when Drake told the Morning Call that the payout was "near" what she sought, Woglom lashed out, "For her now to be commenting at all is totally inappropriate ... There's to be no public disclosure".
When reminded that taxpayer money was used to cover the deductible, and the increased insurance premiums, Woglom said, "I just have no comment on that." But he did say that the entire situation was "no big deal" and "not worth pursuing". A woman's arm is broken by alleged police brutality, she received a huge settlement, and it is "no big deal"??? Can you say "incredible insensitivity" ??? How about "incredible whitewash" ???
The Morning Call even wrote an editorial, which said, in part, "These quiet settlements are a disservice. If those claims are true, the people of Quakertown have a right to know. If they are not true, then the officers deserve to have the cloud removed from over their heads. Sometimes, both parties can be satisfied but justice still is denied."
In 1995, public works employee Russell Faust brought Woglom a letter from his dermatologist stating that he had skin cancer, and needed to work out of the sun as much as possible. Faust says Woglom did nothing. Over the years, Faust brought additional similar letters, and underwent three operations. Woglom refused to make any changes.
Finally, in 2004, Faust filed a Workman's Compensation claim against the borough. Then Woglom acted. He fought it. Unsuccessfully. Faust was awarded a six-figure judgment. Quakertown could have avoided the large payout, and the ensuing insurance increase, if Woglom had merely done what Faust's doctors - and common sense - called for. When a man has skin cancer, you don't assign him long hours in the sun. The borough refuses to release any documents about the claim, or the judgment.
Ray Domalewski, a former Qtown electric lineman, filed a 1996 "whistleblower" lawsuit, saying he was improperly fired after he threatened to tell OSHA that several borough linemen were untrained, and borough equipment was unsafe. Woglom, who fired Domalewski personally, argued "His own work practices were unsafe. Plus, he was difficult to work with." (Look who's talking!)
Apparently the town's insurance company found Domalewski more credible than Woglom. They offered an out-of-court settlement of $90,000, which council unanimously approved. Borough legal fees cost $3250 more. Qtown's Workman's Comp premiums, now over $220,000 a year, have skyrocketed by 58% in the last three years, and an astounding 144% in six years!
Kathy Walsh was a seasonal worker between 1996 and 1999, mowing grass and doing general maintenance. But she was not offered employment in 2000. Walsh said that it was because she exposed violations of workplace rules (sound familiar?). Quakertown paid her, and her attorney, $16,000 (plus $4350 for their own lawyer) on the condition of her silence. Taxpayers still don't know why.
Today, merchants in downtown Qtown are rightfully upset that there are no signs telling motorists how to reach their stores during the Broad Street sewer project detours. Stores like (irony of ironies) VP Roberts' Friendly Bookstore. Another Woglom fiasco. Borough sources say that "nobody thought of getting signs for the project", and that Woglom was still ordering on April 17, two weeks after the road was closed!
Illegal secret discussions. Workplace rules violations. Hidden documents. Enormous increases in insurance costs. Millions of dollars wasted - and you can bet that the outsourced workers will be suing for millions more. No answers from Woglom or council. Your tax dollars at work.
Note to Charlie Meredith: There are none so blind as ol'-boy-buddies-of-council-members who refuse to see. And especially directors of banks that make million-dollar loans to the borough, and where Woglom keeps town money. Of course you think he is "excellent"! My files are open any time you want to actually fact-check your column.