Laws are such an inconvenience to some people. Especially those folks with a political agenda, who carry a double standard into battle.
Take Richland's Todd Oxenford for example. After a federal judge slapped down former Emergency Management Coordinator Patrick Murphy (the other Patrick Murphy), throwing out most of his lawsuit against the township, Oxenford wrote two letters to The Free Press. He is shocked! He is outraged! And, by the way, he is also Patrick's neighbor.
Oxenford wrote "I was shocked to find out that elected officials are immune from prosecution with regards to what they might say while in their 'official' capacity". (He probably meant civil "litigation", not criminal "prosecution", since Murphy's suit was civil). And "They have been put in office by citizen Joe and should not be allowed to defame or humiliate a citizen who they represent. I would like to see legislation...to remove this law for good!"
Murphy, a volunteer, was replaced as EMC in 2003 after the area fire chiefs expressed concerns about him. When he insisted that the supervisors didn't have the proper authority, Governor Rendell did it personally. Murphy claimed that he was defamed. But the judge cited the law, which says that elected officials must have the ability to act in their official capacities without the threat of being sued by every Tom, Dick, and Patrick. There are limits: even elected leaders can't say just anything, such as accusations of wrongdoing, if the matter isn't genuinely part of the official business.
The Sunshine Act requires that township business be transacted in public meetings, so that is the only forum where supervisors can vote on what (and who) serves the best interests of the residents. It would be the ultimate dream of every political dissident to be able to sue for anything said and done there. Few leaders would risk litigation from people like Murphy (who is already suing six current and former Richland officials) and Oxenford by speaking candidly. A protestor's heaven!
Oxenford's outrage reveals a dangerous double standard. He rails against allowing an official to "defame or humiliate" a citizen, but he has no problem with his buddy, and he himself, saying whatever they want about the supervisors. He used words like "disgraceful", "offensive", and "immoral". Murphy called his removal "illegal", and "retaliatory". Apparently that is a right which Oxenford would grant only to some. Like his neighbor. And himself.
You may not agree with Oxenford's double standard philosophy, but at least he is consistent. In 2003, he wrote several letters and emails parroting Mike Zowniriw, blaming the supervisors for overdeveloping the township. Specifically, he complained that people who were new to the area were buying new houses here. But he apparently felt that it was just fine for those folks who were already here (like him) to move on up into those bigger, nicer homes: "What about all of the acreage that how has homes on it with new residents that have moved into the area? I do live in one of these developments, but I am indigenous to Quakertown".
In 2004, Oxenford wrote "I do not want to see my name in this paper again". But he has now personally jump-started the negativity for next year's election in Richland by reviling the supervisors, township volunteers, and supporters. Including, incredibly, the Richland Area Softball Association! The hundreds of volunteer families who contribute time, money, and devotion to their game, and their Field of Dreams. They have worked their mitts off raising money to help build Veterans Park, the future of the township's athletic programs.
Oxenford wrote, "How does RASA, a non-profit, expect to (pay back a loan), plus cough up money to maintain the trails in Veterans Park? Are (they) going to rub Aladdin's lamp and ask the genie for three wishes?" And he topped it off by demanding that the supervisors (not Z, of course), volunteers, and RASA officials all resign!
More misleading double standard politics. Zowniriw voted exactly the same as the other supervisors to approve, build, and finance Veterans Park. But Oxenford simply made it sound like his buddy wasn't involved. Apparently he doesn't find deceptions like this to be "disgraceful", "offensive", and "immoral". Using a community softball group as a political target certainly is.
Paul Hetrick, RASA's president, said "I'm pretty upset that a person who doesn't know me, nor knows what I have done for the girls in this community, could write this. For the past three years I have put in over 1000 hours a year to help provide a place for all the girls who want to learn and better themselves as people".
Although Oxenford has never volunteered in the township, and has no background in either Richland or RASA finances, his letter stated, as if it was a fact, that expenses would fall on the Richland taxpayers. The truth is, Veterans Park is being paid for in large part with developers' fees negotiated by the very supervisors Oxenford tries to blame.
RASA families wanted the best softball complex in the area, so they offered to contribute to the construction by fundraising, and holding lucrative tournaments once the complex is completed. But even if they fall short, any township money used for Veterans Park would be well spent. As far back as 1996, Richland's Comprehensive Plan called for more parks and playing fields. These are normally paid for by the municipality. Anything that RASA adds to the pot is gravy.
And who, by the way, created that 1996 plan calling for more playing fields? The folks who later formed the Richland Citizens Alliance, the RCA. The political allies of Murphy, and his buddy Oxenford who is now objecting! Double standard indeed. RASA members, and all of Richland, can draw their own conclusions about what is "disgraceful", "offensive", and "immoral".
Note to Charles Meredith: When you write in support of borough manager David Woglom, you should disclose that you have a financial interest in his continued employment here. Woglom keeps the borough funds in the bank where you are a director.