I got a phone call the other day from a fellow who said that he is going to be running for borough council next year. He hopes the current council doesn't fire manager Dave Woglom.
Everyone is entitled to an opinion, so I said nothing, and waited for the inevitable explanation. A long silence. And then an even longer laugh. "Because I want to be the one who beats 'em in the election, and then fires that (expletive deleted) guy's (hindquarters).
Mr. Future Candidate may get his wish. Despite the new revelations that Woglom has handed out yet another improper no-bid contract - the 13th at least - and then upset already fragile union negotiations by outsourcing borough work without the knowledge of council, our seven ostriches have apparently decided to bury their heads (not to mention bury Woglom's wrongdoing). Again.
Even after holding a private emergency "Executive Session" last Wednesday, and then conducting the usual work session on Monday, council is, in typical fashion, keeping the citizens totally in the dark about whatever they are thinking. "I honestly can not tell you, because I do not know what to expect." "It was not discussed how, if, and what may happen Monday night." And the best: "Sometimes the most powerful statement is saying nothing at all."
Say what?? If that is so, then Quakertown borough council is the most powerful council in the world. To do what they have done (nothing) is shameful. To then arrogantly refuse to tell anything to the people who elected them is inexcusable. I suppose a real possibility is that saying nothing is telling us exactly what they are thinking!
There is a crisis of leadership in Quakertown. You can tell by council's inane comments that they have absolutely no plan. They were elected to make the important decisions, but they just don't know how. They are paralyzed. Most have always been employees rather than dealing with them. They have no understanding of managing controversy or opposition.
Perhaps they are afraid to act because their prior record has been so abysmal. They wasted millions of your tax dollars in the Krupp fiasco, the pool, the bungled electric contract, repaying huge overcharges to Bucks County Water and Sewer, and a half-dozen major lawsuits. They didn't win a single one! They are blowing a fortune (of your money) on mega-priced attorneys to negotiate with the employees' union because they are way over their heads. They should be able to turn to the borough solicitor, Chuck Fonzone, but his poor advice has made him as suspect as Woglom. They meet, and they talk, and, well, that's about it.
And how much incentive does council really have to force change? As long as Woglom is running the town, he is available to continue the special favors he does for them - improperly buying from their businesses, hiring their children to work for the borough, providing free stone deliveries, arranging free meals and free travel (at your expense).
You may hear the excuse that there is currently an expensive investigation into the role of the manager, and, therefore, nothing should be done until the report is complete and presented to council in October. This is utter and complete nonsense, and gives us a clear glimpse into what to expect.
Council already knows all about Woglom's shenanigans. If they were inclined to discipline or fire him, they have all they need on their desks right now. No-bid contracts. Misleading reports and statements. Years of illegal purchases. Arrogance that caused the employees to unionize. Voiding the pool warranty. All of those lawsuits. Hiring terrible consultants. The kind of actions that should lead to firing for any one of them. But council has kept their buddy in his $117,000 a year position no matter what he pulls.
So when the report is issued, they will conclude "We just need a new way of doing things, not a new manager". They will adopt a slew of the recommended procedures, and Woglom will solemnly nod and promise that he will follow them faithfully. Just like he said that he would follow the old procedures...right before he handed out more improper no-bid contracts, and offered council more special favors.
Dave Wilsey, in a burst of spontaneous honesty, explained why his fellow councilmen aren't acting. When I asked him directly "Do you believe that council has failed to take any action against Mr. Woglom, or even admit any wrongdoing on his part, because they don't want to acknowledge that the things I have written in my column are correct?", his answer was "Yes, I've heard that".
No wonder they only discuss Woglom in secret! What a way to run a government. When wrongdoing is exposed, they allow it to continue, and even become more widespread, just to spite a writer. So what if it cost the taxpayers. So what if it embarrasses the town with screaming headlines in area newspapers. So what if it hurts local business by scaring off potential buyers, renters, contractors, and investors. Ignore the problems, and maybe they will go away. Maybe the writer will go away.
Neither is happening. What needs to go away is the borough's good 'ol boy culture of government. Woglom, Fonzone, and the useless members of council. Just like former police chief Jim McFadden, and former council president Ray Fulmer. Quakertown needs a fresh start, with ethical, honest, dedicated leaders who will replace Woglom and Fonzone, and will have the courage and responsibility to act when it is necessary.
People like Mr. (and Ms.) Future Candidate, who will represent your best interests, not theirs. Who won't bury the problems in secret meetings, or blame the messenger. I expect that there will be many to choose from next year.