Letter to Yenta 7/26/99

Dear Yenta,

Once again this is judy butler. i just want to thank everyone in the
community, for all their help and support. my sisters opened their place today "THE BRIDGE STREET CAFE". Lot of locals came out to support them."BRAVO". wow, just think if we could all agree upon certain things, this town would be spectacular.
Think about it. My husband had the electric and phone turned on for them. A big helper was Tom Brown. he is an all around guy. his profession is heating and air conditioning. but in a pinch , he'll do a load of dishes. Hats off to all of you. we love you.

and rots of ruck
judy

Letter to Yenta 7/22/99

Chris Bollenbacher

Letter to Yenta 0718/99

Mr. Bollenbacher raises some legitimate questions in his most recent letter.

This just reinforces the need for municipal training (sponsored free by the Commonwealth) for Borough Council members - so there is less confusion as to the proper process, or proper interpretation of that process - in municipal government. I remember that, prior to the May primaries, several of the Democratic candidates for Borough Council sponsored that municipal training idea as part of their platforms. I hope these same candidates will carry that idea through. And I hope that the mayor and borough manager can take part in the training sessions too! Some of this murky confusion would be settled once and for all, if the boundaries of specific positions are more clearly drawn and agreed upon.....

Janine Witte

Letter to Yenta 07/17/99

Can someone please clear up a couple of issues for me?

Chris Bollenbacher

Letter to Yenta 07/16/99

Dear Yenta,

I just don't know how to start this letter. My name is Judy Butler. my family has owned and operated the Golden Pump restaurant for the last 27 years. It has know come to a tragic end. We want to say thankyou to all our loyal friends and customers. We will sadly miss all of you. My two sisters have decided to branch on thier own. Good luck and I love you both. The new spot is on the corner of Bridge and Stockton ave. It's called " The Bridge Street Cafe ". I myself have decided to do something totally different. you'll find me at Sterling Boutique, on the corner of Bridge and Main. I am very happy in my descion,as are my girls. Love to Denise and Rose. All my best.

Judy Butler

Letter to Yenta 07/15/99

This goes out to Paul Witte. Your letter was on the money. Its because of people like Jay Schneider and former council members that New Hope is now Paying for their actions. And Mr Brobson is to blame for all the legal fees that as taxpayers we all have to pay for. In Jan. when he was fired.,Brobson was entiled to an evidence hearing. It would have been far cheaper for New Hope if he had .But for some reason He was afraid to do this. Instead He wanted a Civil Service Hearing . Because of that, Council had to provide lawyers for him, the council, and the Civil Service commitee.This has cost us 80.000 dollars and is climbing. And
then we find out that Chris Bollenbacher and Elaine Seeb are NOT CIVIL SERVICE.!!. The time has come for the truth to come out. It's time, we, the citizens, were told the real reason why Brobson was fired. It is time for Mr. Brobson to stop hiding behind others and speak for himself. As taxpayers who paid his salary for all these years, He owes New Hope a straight answer. We are waiting....Elaine J McNeely .

Letter to Yenta 07/14/99

I wish to take exception to Mr. Witte’s comment about my excusing myself because of my friendship with Chief Brobson. I do not recall ever meeting Chief Brobson before I became a member of the Civil Service Commission. I have had a professional working relationship with Chief Brobson during my experience as a member of the commission, and he has dined in my restaurant on many occasions as have many other boro employees and officials. I have spent no personal social time with Chief Brobson. My interest in this case is to assure that Chief Brobson gets a fair hearing as is required by the boro code, as I will support the right to a Civil Service hearing if requested by the person whom I have read in the paper may be suspended.

You may remember it was Mr. Gerenser who nominated and voted for me when filling a vacancy on boro council. It was Mr. Prosceno who supported me when nominated for Civil Service. And it was Mr. Witte who said he hated to see me resign my council seat because he liked my maverick spirit. I think with that kind of support it would be Mr. Gerenser, Mr. Prosceno and Mr. Witte whom would be considered friends.

Chris Bollenbacher

Letter to Yenta 07/13/99

Soothsayer/Borough Council candidate, Rick Swanson has shared his wisdom and clairvoyant skills with New Hope residents by describing a detailed scenario of our borough's dismal future on the legal front.

His Prediction #1 was correct (but I'm sure he was privy to that
decision before it was made), that two former Civil Service members would take Borough Council to court over a June 28th ruling which invalidated their positions on Civil Service. Borough Council claimed that they were not properly appointed to the Commission, and that the two Civil Service positions in question were for terms that have long since expired. Therefore, any recent Civil Service rulings must be reheard by a properly constituted Civil Service body including two appointees selected from a new list of New Hope residents who wish to apply.

His Prediction #2 was that the judge would throw out Borough Council's ruling. Wrong prediction on that one!!! In fact, if the two victims of invalidation wish to pursue this further, they will probably be personally responsible for their own legal expenses. Clairvoyance has lost to something that long-term residents of New Hope discovered a long time ago: our politics are not predictable. So, how can we trust the remainder of Swanson's predictions?

But the remarkable quality displayed by Mr. Swanson is that, as poor as his predictions are, his understanding of the past is almost non-existent. His difficulty lies in his source of knowledge of past events which depends on a few past members of the Borough Council who were voted out of office because the voters didn't like what was happening at the time. Mr. Swanson is supported by these fellows who, when they were councilmen, had little respect for proper procedures, sometimes making rules up as they went along. Assuming that their intentions were good when they hired Mr. Brobson, I can only guess that they were quite elated with their success in wooing him to our town and that their pride led to some rather lenient behavior to make up for our low offered salary. Jay Snyder stated in a Gazette ad that Brobson could have made two or three times as much over our offer elsewhere. Soon after hiring, comp time accumulated, a raise was pushed through council and a new police car was purchased for the chief, along with other perks including frequent golf games with council members while the chief was "on duty". Remember, Mr. Brobson was only one party to this pattern. One council member even created a bogus title for himself as police
commissioner of New Hope with Chief Brobson's knowledge, and carried an ID card identifying himself as such. A self proclaimed official, for what purpose?---added prestige, other advantages? So it was clear that we had borough council members then who were out of control, and their behavior in office obviously influenced the chief as well, which provided a non-written ratification of Brobson's acts which displayed a gross misunderstanding of our small town's revenue base. The Police Report made all this clear. We are paying dearly now for that council's actions and the mismatch of Chief Brobson to the needs of a small town.

Knowing all this, it is unfair to blame the current Borough Council
members for the problems that they inherited. Even though the present Borough Council attempted to correct serious wrongs perpetrated by previous councils, unfortunately Borough Council and Mr. Brobson did not share the same vision for necessary remedies and Mayor Keller was generally supportive of Brobson's resistance which exacerbated the problem. Many of us feel that more could have been done, but since the details have not been legally available to the public, much of the specifics will have to wait until it goes to court. Understanding the complexity of the problem is often clouded by the simplistic scenarios painted by people like Mr. Swanson, who suddenly appear on the scene.
Council's work is not an easy assignment and though I agree with their goal, I don't always agree myself with how it is being achieved, and we must be careful not to paint members of council with one broad brush. But it is clear that the unnecessary cost overruns are created by the complexity of the issue and by the extreme positions taken by both sides - and from my viewpoint, more by actions by the Civil Service Commissioners than the Borough Council members. If Chris Bollenbacher, from the beginning had excused himself from making a ruling on Mr.
Brobson because of their friendship, rulings would be based more on sound legal arguments, which would shorten the process. Since neither side is willing to take the short cut because of what that action may imply relative to their position, it is inevitable that we are condemned to a circuitous costly route through the courts. That's my prediction
(er--- my guess).

Paul Witte

Letter to Yenta 07/10/99

Chris and Ellen Bollenbacher

Letter to Yenta 07/08/99

Almost one month to the day. Another police officer in an
auto accident. One from the ignorence of a drunk driver. And the other by the stupidity of a theft. Officers Goss And Keen my prayers go to you and your family's. It's unforunate that chief's Kelly and Stones $5,000 report to reduce the police car fleet wasn't meant by auto accident. I ask (acting) Police Chief Deluca. Are these unneeded police cars aren't being replaced at tax payers expense?

Letter to Yenta 07/06/99

Where have the Fireworks gone? How many of us this past weekend had to tell family, friends and visitors that New Hope and Lambertville doesn’t do Fireworks anymore?

For those who have forgotten and for those who are new to the area and don’t know, let me explain. The New Hope Chamber of Commerce along with the good citizens of Lambertville worked together to produce a "World Class" Fireworks display on July 4^th. The display was continuous from 1984 until 1994. The last successful display was in 1994. The last attempt was made by the Fireworks Committee of the Chamber of Commerce in 1995. Bureaucrats no longer in power shot the event down.

To be totally honest the event in 1994 was the most successful display ever in the long history of Fireworks display over the river. That success was its undoing. In a frenzy to find a place to view the display people abandoned their cars on the streets of town creating the potential for disaster. Those problems had been addressed in 1995 to the extent of closing the entrances to the town (except for residents of course), providing remote parking and bussing people in. The reality was that the bureaucrats then in power just didn’t want to deal with the problem and came up with an inflated cost of $40,000.00 to provide police coverage for the event. It wasn’t the high wall of the amount of cash involved, it was the realization that once that obstacle was cleared there would continue to be others.

Also on July 4^th 1995 there was a serious fire in a building on Bridge Street. I immediately commented that it is now scientifically proven that not having fireworks on July 4^th causes fires. In fact had that business been open, as was their custom on a busy July 4^th, the fire would have been spotted much earlier. With pre-positioned fire equipment it would have been dealt with much sooner.

In the five empty years since our last magnificent Fireworks display I have watched the July 4^th weekend sicken and die. This weekend I was the only person on my block to fly the American Flag. Residents deserve a well managed display and businesses require it.

The political landscape has changed. There is now a Borough Council willing to work with everyone to solve these problems. People who recognize the value of having a patriotic display demand it. I believe that if the two town governments work together it is possible to produce a well managed and safe display. All that is needed to succeed is for good people to come forth now and agree to plan for next year.

I pledge my support and would be willing to work with any and all civic groups, emergency services people and individuals to restore the World Class Fireworks to Lambertville and New Hope.

Sincerely,

Robert V. Gerenser 22 South Main Street, New Hope,PA 215-862-2050

Letter to Yenta 07/02/99

Letter to Yenta 6/30/99

I would like to respond to two current letters to the Yenta. First to Mr. Brooke, I have been responding little about the Civil Service Commission of late to anyone because while the hearings were going on I was bound to speak of only procedure. In time when it all becomes public record I will talk / explain at any length to anyone on any Civil Service topic. The questions you have about the test scores were testified to at the last meeting. That was the meeting which Mr. Rudolph and Borough Council chose not to attend.

Boro Council seems to think, we didn’t do this right, so now we can take advantage of the situation to get rid of two people who we fear don’t agree with us. Early in life we learn that we are responsible for our actions and our mistakes. How did our elected officials miss this lesson?

Chris Bollenbacher

Letter to Yenta 6/30/99

I read the recent letters to you, dear Yenta, and I am discouraged that New Hope is crumbling under the weight of so much anger, paranoia and divisiveness.

As we have concluded SO MANY TIMES in the past, there's probably more than ONE side to the post-Borough Council meeting story. I'm sure Mr. Brooke has a totally different version of what happened that night. Is it possible that he was verbally provoked, as Mr. Stahl and Mr. Seneca are now famous for doing?

I'm not advocating fist-fights. Maybe Mr. Brooke should have just rolled his eyes and walked away from these two provacateurs. But the point is that people have the RIGHT to different opinions on issues, or does that not apply to New Hope? This isn't a juvenile detention center, guys! Put your "weapons" away. For the sake of New Hope, call a truce, and agree to disagree. The posturing and name calling get you nowhere!

Do residents, Council members, and other borough employees have to endure taunts, veiled threats and guilt-trips for believing what they believe? From what I have read, some valid points are raised by BOTH sides of this Civil Service issue. Maybe an independent ARBITRATOR would be able to bring all parties to the table and come up with a SOLUTION for all of us? Can't Borough Council insist on that? No more court hearings or appeals or layers of lawyers. Wouldn't that be refreshing!?!

From what I've learned about New Hope's reputation, I can't sign my name to this letter, for fear of reprisal ! Now what does that say about free speech in this town? We ALL have a right to be heard without being taunted, yelled at, threatened or hit. Let's all promise to express ourselves with some civility for a change.

Letter to Yenta 6/30/99

To the Yenta:
I would be more than happy to fully respond to Chris Bollenbacher's letter of 6-30-99, regarding his distortion of
the incident at the last Boro Meeting, but first I would like to know why Mr. Bollenbacher has been afraid to answer my letter to the Yenta, on 5-8-99, regarding facts pertaining to his participation in the Civil Service examination fiasco, referred to in that letter.
You had and still have the right to dispute and answer the questions in the contents of that letter. If you feel you
can back them up with the truth not your interpretation of the truth.  Come on Chris, the truth what is fact is documented and will eventually be released to the public in its entirety,
as well as the truth regarding your distortion of your current letter.
Please don't be cowardly.

William D. Brooke (former New Hope Police Chief)

Letter to Yenta 6/30/99

PS. On Monday evening our borough manager reported that as of the 11th our legal bills amounted to $80,000.00. Although that was true, what she didn’t tell you was that the check cut only a few days later plus the outstanding legal debt now totals over $120,000.00

Letter to Yenta 6/29/99

Letter to Yenta 6/29/99

Dear Yenta:

Even the most cynical observer of Borough Council must find it hard to believe what they did last night in their campaign to avoid getting the issue of Chief Brobson's firing adjudicated in front of a body they cannot control. They have not won a single issue in their effort to date, other than issues decided by the Council itself. Their legal fees now exceed $80,000, and they show no sign of slowing down. They lost their effort to get an injunction against Civil Service, so now they have "fired" two of the members. One can hardly wait to see with whom they are replaced.
What will happen next is very predictable. Civil Service will go to
court to upset the railroad job. Council will probably then fire the
Civil Service attorney. Private attorneys will volunteer to pursue the case pro bono, because they are sickened as we all are with the behavior of Council. After lots of legal wrangling, a judge will overturn the preposterous action taken by Council last night and we will be back to where we were yesterday. This will take many months and be at much cost to the taxpayer. The court's grounds for its ruling will be something to the effect that previous duly elected Councils intended in good faith to appoint various members to Civil Service, culminating in the Council that appointed the two members in question. The individuals, in good
faith, accepted those appointments and were duly sworn in. They were subsequently viewed and treated by Council as valid members. Mere failure to jump through all the right hoops in the administration of those appointments is insufficient to, much after the fact, upset the clear intention of Councils' actions dating back for many years (as was ad tedium described last night by Mr. Rudolf). The court will rule that the proper remedy for getting Civil Service back to the staggered terms called for is to let the current members serve out their designated terms and replace them with people having 2, 4 or six year terms as necessary to get all the positions back into their proper phase. This is analogous to what is done to establish the stagger in the first place. No court is going to allow such a blatant vendetta to be won through use of silly form over substance legalistic arguments.
Then the reassembled Civil Service Commission will make a ruling. They will no doubt rule that the Chief was indeed a Civil Service employee. By law, all members of the police force are covered by Civil Service. There is no provision in the Borough Code that says anything about a Chief, in a borough having a Civil Service Commission, being an "at will" employee. The assertion that the Commission in place when the Chief was hired specifically stated that he was not a Civil Service employee (if such statement was in fact made), is meaningless and of no legal effect. Civil Service Commissions are not empowered to override the Borough Code -- that's the law. So, Council won't like that answer (at least certain members of Council, urged on by their lawyer who by then will have been into our pockets for well over $100,000) and will
appeal the matter to court. After more months and more money, they will lose again. But that's not all.
Civil Service will then have to rule as to whether or not the Chief, now established as having been protected by Civil Service, should have been fired based on evidence presented and argued to them. More time and our money. From what I have heard, the Council will likely lose that one too. Then we're back into court, as the losing party appeals the decision. More time and money.
If the Chief loses at the court (unlikely), its all behind us and we get out for something like $200,000 to a quarter of a million. If he wins (any bets here?), then we will be stuck with his back pay (at that point in excess of $100,000), and maybe buying out some "new chief" which we can't put past Council to appoint prior to this all playing out.
Aside from the suspicion that the whole ugly thing is the product of a personal vendetta against the Chief by at least one certain member of Council, the crime here is that this could have all been handled much quicker and for a lot less money. Given the inevitable fact that this was all going to end up in court anyhow, Council should not have put roadblocks in the process from the get go. They should have let the Chief have his Civil Service hearing and if they did not get the answer they wanted, they could have appealed directly to the same court where this is all going to end up sometime next year anyhow. Instead, at every step along the way, they created barriers. They take the position
that it was Civil Service who slowed things up, by insisting on holding a hearing on the question of the Chief's being subject to Civil Service in the first place, which Council could have appealed after the ruling if they had wanted to. The notion that the cost/delay was Civil Service's fault is like the Clinton White House complaining about all the time and money being "wasted" by Kenneth Starr while throwing up every conceivable roadblock to his investigation they could concoct. The clear fault here for all this cost, time and destructive animosities, is Council and their getting-rich-off-us lawyer. I strongly suspect that their tactics reflect the knowledge that their case will not stand up and they are just hoping to wear the participants down. The damage that is being done to our community and its treasury is a tragedy. That
those on Council who presumably do not have a personal vendetta against the Chief were not wise enough to see through all this is a shame; good intentions or otherwise. "Good intentions" are not good enough, your voters deserve good judgement too.
The one bright light is that, whoever wins the election in the Fall, at least three current members of this Council will be replaced.

Rick Swanson

Letter to Yenta 6/12/99

Not to validate a very sorry and unfortunate situation, but...( I am
not a particular friend of the person in question) But what sentimental clap-trap of opinion was expressed by recent writers and a few others who felt the need to "wax poetic" (ad infinitum) about the recent accident ( "I'll drive the person to re-hab, etc., etc., how noble, ...sure. ") (lOOK UP THE DEFINITION OF "SOPHOMORIC") about the "accident". Unfortunate that it happened, and the justice system will handle the details and possible punishment, etc., but there is no need to make more of this than it deserves.The writer sounds like "Dr. Laura" (and I don't want to be around when THAT loose screw falls out) of doom and gloom. Oh please, Hillary says it takes a village to raise her husband. (Oh, did I get that part wrong?) . The message? This "village" resident shouldn't write "holier than -thou" messages until the whole story is revealed and needs to have a little compassion. Last time I looked, we still believed in "innocent until proven guilty" around here...gee??? Is that written DOWN somewhere? Where could I have gotten THAT idea.?
A "townie"

Letter to Yenta 6/8/99

When you celebrate another's "misfortune" you celebrate your own. This, my dear Yenta, was a personal choice, not misfortune brought on solely by this individual. You speak of caring; do you believe Mr. B. cared the first time he got behind the wheel intoxicated or the second, or anytime in between that he may or may not have somewhat successfully aimed his vehicle at anyone of the, how many?... 1750 or so of us, that may have unfortunately be in his way at the time?

I know that I will care for him enough; along with his "friends" that will not consider him "damaged goods" in this political hotbed in which we reside, or those that can swallow the bitter pill of the uncaring actions he has exhibited toward them; to taxi him to a support group which may help him in any way avoid this catastrophe in the future. He may need our help now, if he so chooses. Sincerely, Louise Williamson

Letter to Yenta 6/8/99

I also agree with the Yenta's recent commentary on the car accident. Of course, no one wants to condone or encourage irresponsible behavior. People must pay the consequences for their behavorial choices. The only "good news" I see is that no one was hurt. I'm glad Cpl. Goss AND Greg Burch got out with as few injuries as they did.

The "gloaters" mentioned in the article were not celebrating because a drunk driver was apprehended. Instead, they were cheering the fact that the person arrested was someone on the
opposite side of their political arena...someone who has been a thorn in their flesh for the past year in re: to the police issues plaguing this town. Gloating about someone's demise because he/she doesn't share your beliefs is pretty disappointing behavior - especially in a town where everyone knows everyone.

Using my non-smoking stance as an example, it would be the equivalent of me cheering the fact that a fellow New Hope resident or business person, with whom I don't agree on local issues, just had his house and part of his neighborhood burn to the ground due to careless smoking! I could guarantee you that I would be down there in the bucket brigade trying to douse the flames.....not cheering the fact that there was some kind of sick justice metered out to my political opposite! That's what small towns are all about - CARING - and putting aside disagreements when an accident
or a tragedy occurs.

When I'm accused by one of the above gloaters of not having the "heartbeat of the community" because I disagree with him and his negative methods, I can only be amused at the irony of his
comment. I can just hear the cheering now if something tragic were to happen to me or to my loved ones. That is not what New Hope is all about........Don't they get it? They've really lost it this time!

Janine Witte

Letter to Yenta 6/8/99

As hard as it is not to sneer and cheer and pick a side, I try
very hard to try to understand - to see all the sides of any dilemma , argument or situation before I jump to any conclusions about something. It may not be the most amusing or easiest way, but it is the decent way of common sense and fairness.
Usually, no one is ever totally right and sometimes no one is
totally wrong. I try to take all the facts and make my own
decisions about things based on as much common sense & experience as I can muster from my nearly five decades of life filled with many mistakes, trials and tribulations my share of blessings,
losses, changes and new beginnings.
What it truly boils down to in my opinion is, that we are
"ultimately" responsible for our own actions. We cannot
constantly seek to place even partial blame on others for what we
do and what we cause unless we are unfortunate enough to really be an innocent victim of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
We have the ability to make choices. When we make a choice or
decision to do something we know has the potential to hurt or
injure another person or their property, I feel our society does
not have the right to ask others to assume some of that persons
responsibility to be an accountable human being, unless it is an
under age child.
Every day I hear on the news how sad it is about people addicted
to drugs, alcohol, gambling, tobacco, etc.. My heart breaks for
the babies innocently born to mothers and fathers of theses
people. It is the ultimate crime to a newborn and people get away
with it every day. I am sick of any of my tax dollars helping
these people. I did not make those choices for them. It is not the
same as helping someone who lost their home to a tornado. If
people as individuals or private groups wish to help these people,
I think that is wonderful and commendable. That is your choice as
well.
Why does our society seem to be increasingly looking for someone to share blame? What has happened to personal responsibility? Are too many people finding excuses
for lacking integrity, conscience, honor, dignity and self-respect? It is so easy to look to have others share inappropriate actions - and if we do not pay close attention to situations that might effect our lives, then we too are making weak, irresponsible or potentially dangerous decisions.
I believe that if our society doesn't stop the bleeding hearts, we
will be so over-run with crime ? stupidity that life will become
totally unbearable. I wish people would wake up and stop being so afraid to tell our kids "no" and make them responsible for their
actions by child appropriate punishments. When done with love,
it builds character and teaches them that there are consequences
to our actions as humans. Stop coddling criminals, stop helping
those with harmful or illegal habits have access to materials to
help them continue their destructive habits - but only in a safer
way, especially at my expense. Put the blame where it belongs,
with the individual.
Shouldn't we be sending the message that we are not going to
accept stupid choices when it effects the lives of all of us as a
society? Forgiving and accepting are two different things.
Forgiving opens a space for someone to continue with no remorse or debt. If you do not accept despicable actions and inflict some
worthy penalty for it, it will send the message that we have had enough.

Just sign me someone who does not want to be the next victim.

Yenta Column 6/8/99

Nowhere in the Yenta's column was it suggested that taking drunk
drivers off the road was not a good thing. Anyone committing a crime should be apprehended and should have to face the consequences. That goes without saying - or so I thought. It appears that you missed the point of the last column. Quite simply -- when you celebrate another's misfortune (no matter what the incident), you celebrate your own.
Actually, your response evoked some additional questions. Like --
where were the bartenders in all of this. Didn't anyone notice that
this individual should not be driving. He wasn't a stranger. Couldn't someone have called his home, or driven him home? There were alternatives. And that my friend is what a caring community is all about -- you don't have to like each other, or agree with each other, but you do need to care for each other. Amen.

Letter to Yenta 6/7/99

I took great offense to your comment about how rude it was that
individuals were celebrating the (alleged?) DUI arrest of one of our store owners. Anytime a drunk driver is taken off of our streets to no longer harm our community is a time for celebration! It is indeed a shame that Officer Goss had to AGAIN suffer the pain of this store owner. If anyone needs a reminder - it is a matter of public record that Officer Goss was the arresting officer for this SAME, yes you read that right, same drunk driver previously. Shame on the store owner for his drunk driving, and shame on
us as a society that lets people like him get back behind the
wheel again and again to potentially hurt, maim, or kill. Why do we give animals like this the opportunity???!!! I am disgusted at you, Yenta, for doing anything less than celebrating the removal of this timebomb from our streets. I wonder how sympathetic you would have been had you been hit head on and now suffer the dehabilitating lifetime affects that come from such a brutal, senseless and unnecessary attack such that Officer Goss faced at the hands of this less-than-a-man. I am a mother who allows a
daughter to join her friends in our town to enjoy its greatness -
what kind of parent does that make any of us that allow our young adults with their wonderful lives ahead of them to walk our streets with a revolting creature like we currently have on the loose. I am revolted and sickened by this senseless act and yes, indeed celebrate any righting of the repeated wrongs acted out by such a societal villian.
Signed, Louise Williamson

Yenta Column 6/7/99

On the political front the "dream team" continues to put out campaign literature and is publicly calling for the resignation of Acting Chief DeLuca and the Bob Gerenser. They aren't even in office, don't have the details, but they are certainly taking agressive postures and letting us know what will be in store if they are elected. Sound judgment and thoughtful decision-making based are careful analysis of the facts..

Meanwhile it seems that AWAKE may have gone to sleep. Nothing from them since the election. To win in this town and beat the established Republican machine, they better get going. They are going to have to be more visible, more vocal and more active -- SOON!! The Yenta has been in this town a long time. Mark my words.

Even little towns like New Hope have their share of the "natural" disasters - or almost disasters. In the past week or so the first was heralded by sirens and a stream of fire trucks as someone on a bulldozer hit the "natural gas" line on South Main Street.
Fortunately, nothing blew up and all was well.

Shortly thereafter, a large cement truck came through town on a crowded day with his left tires substantially over the yellow line. As luck would have it, a lovely new Lexus was travelling north and ended up hooked under the bumper of the cement truck. No
injuries, traffic was routed in a loop through the bank parking lot, and we all said for the zillianth(?) time that trucks should be routed around New Hope's Main Street. Well, maybe the state will get the message this time.

Unfortunately, the third incident is quite disturbing. One of our residents, allegedly intoxicated and driving home a 2 AM or so, hit a police car, driven by Officer John Goss, head on. John was bruised, but fortunately neither were seriously injured. The police car appears to be totalled. The driver of the passenger vehicle was arrested and taken into custody. The fact that this occurred is bad enough. The fact that the lives of these two people is seriously interrupted is bad enough. The fact that the Borough will sustain additional financial loss is bad enough. But what is worse -- is that there are people gloating and celebrating another's misfortune. They are glad it happened.

Hey gang -- take a step back. Put what is going on in this town in perspective. There are only 1750 or so people living here. This place is not a big deal in the total scheme of things. Politics in this town is like being a big fish in a little pond. Get over it!! If you
can't separate politics from caring for the well-being of all who live in this town, maybe it is time for you to move on. Celebrating anyone's misfortune is sick by anyone's standards. Maybe you should "take a time out" or meditate, or go to church, but get it
straight! Which leads to the last letter received by the Yenta. . .

Mr. Duncan. . . the Yenta applauds you!! Your analysis of the criticism of the police department as micromanagement is right on target. And how is it, that the same group that is vehemently defending the previous chief's position, claiming that the council was micromanaging him, is now attacking and trying to inflict micromanagement on an officer that is only temporarily filling the position while a permanent chief can be interviewed and hired. Who knows, maybe ex-chief Brobson will be the next chief? Seems rather odd. The Yenta doesn't understand why the group that is supporting Brobson has to attack the current temporary chief. Perhaps someone can explain.

But Mr. Duncan . . .your dream is the dream of many in this community, especially those who have been here for many years. New Hope is a special place, it is a place where dreams can come true, especially the dream of community. Let's do it! Let's have a
community picnic. PIP and the Chamber would be the perfect sponsors. The open green at the high school a perfect spot. No uniforms, no politics, no agendas. And the only games played will be with the children. After all, as you suggested, maybe we can
all take a lesson from the children. It would make our world a much simpler and more pleasant one.

Letter to Yenta 6/5/99

Dear Yenta,
I would like to comment on the letter written on June 2nd
about Officer DeLuca's actions. I am a former police officer, and know that when I was a cop, we were required to carry a gun off duty in the event that we ran into a crime in progress. I do not know all of the details of this case, and do not know whether Officer DeLuca had a police radio in his personal car or  not. If he didn't, then he could not have known that the chase was called off. Cops take a pledge to uphold the law at all times, not
just when they  are on duty. Sometimes you have to fly by the seat of your pants and have to make instantaneous decisions that your gut tells you are right. Sometimes you even have to make decisions that may go against policies and
procedures if you honestly feel that what you are doing is for the betterment of all. You don't always have the luxury of perusing the policies and procedures manual before you take action, because most crimes happen in the now and an officer must sometimes react in the now. Would it have been better for Officer DeLuca to stop his chase and let the criminal get away? I don't think so, but thats a decision that Officer DeLuca had to personally make, and in this instance everything turned out OK and I believe he did the right thing. Chases, especially high speed chases are under scrutiny because so many people have died as a result of
crashes during these chases. I'm sure that if Officer DeLuca had
felt that the chase was unsafe, he would have broken it off, because arresting a shoplifter is not worth losing a life over.
I am also sure, that if the acting chief had felt strongly
about Officer DeLuca violating policies and procedures, then he would have taken administrative action against Officer DeLuca. If he didn't take action, then he would have been remiss in carrying out the duties of his own position. I do not know Officer DeLuca, in fact I do not know any of the officers in New Hope personally. I do know, however, that being a cop is one of the most difficult and pressure filled jobs in the world...especially lately in New Hope. It seems as though every single action being taken by our
elected officials and police officers is being placed under a microscope, and everyone seems to be an expert in areas that some of them shouldn't even have a right to comment on. Frankly, I'm really getting sick and tired of all the  nit picking and micromanagement by people who don't have the guts to run for
office or become police officers themselves, and then take the
cowardly way out by not even signing their names to their opinions. Lets all try to stop this insanity!!! Lets all acknowledge
the good for a change and try to work together instead of against each other!!! I can't believe that anyone in their right mind would run for office in this town for the sake of their ego or their own financial gain. In fact, I think you have to be half nuts to even consider running for office nowadays, on any level, because you know that every word and every action will be used against
you somehow in the future. Maybe I'm naive, but I think that
everyone who chooses to go into public service does so initially with good intentions and a good heart, and we need to applaud them and support them for sacrificing so much for the good of their communities. I really believe, that we all need to get back to basics. I think we all need to become kinder and gentler to each other. I think we need to have something like a big community picnic, where everyone can come with their families and just have fun for a day. Politicians could shed their political  mantles and just relate to each other as human beings with the same feelings
and emotions as their political enemies. Cops could shed their
uniforms and let the community know that they are human too, that their hearts ache when they have to deal with tragedies and that they have insecurities and fears just like other people. The children could teach us the most though, because they would relate to the children of their parents enemies, as just other
kids to play with...and in that there is a profound lesson.
I've been called a madman, a poet and a dreamer...but I'm
most proud of being called a dreamer. I dream of a kinder, gentler New Hope, and know that my dream can become reality if enough people put aside their differences and embrace each others likenesses. Is my dream possible? I don't know...but
I'm throwing it out there to see if anyone else has dreamed the
same dream.
Allan P. Duncan

Letter to Yenta 6/2/99

Yenta,
I've been quiet too long and would like to present a question to all
concerned. The Boro council was so diligent in its pursuit of Chief Brobson,  what happened to their by the book stance when Officer DeLuca pursued shoplifters in New Jersey in his personal car? Did I miss something ? I thought I saw them giving him a commendation,,,,,,, for violating police procedure and the order of the then acting chief John Goss? Newspaper accounts said that the pursuit was called off and DeLuca then joined the pursuit. I believe that the procedures would number one call for an officer
not to engage in such activities while off duty and that he certainly should have broken off when the pursuit was canceled. Somehow none of this ever was noticed by council as they handed out their congratulations.
Just some food for thought,,,,,,,,

Thanks for the vent!

Letter to Yenta 5/27/99

Dear Yenta,

Now that the primary election is in the books here in New Hope, I have a comment.
I know there are strict laws about conduct in and around a polling place and I'm sure that they are adhered to in New Hope. When I pulled into the Eagle Fire Company's parking lot to cast my vote,
I noticed a crowd of probably 25 people standing in the lot in front of the sidewalk leading into the polling place. I groaned to myself as I have had to run this gauntlet in times passed, but as I parked and started to walk up to the entrance I was literally mobbed with people handing me literature and telling me who to vote for and who not to vote for, candidates telling me they knew I would support them etc., etc.. I must have looked somewhat harried in that as I finally approached, or should I say shouldered my way to the entrance, a person I did not recognize, who I took to be an election official, looked at me a said, "It's legal"! I made a comment inside to the effect that is was a little intense outside and all agreed.
I mentioned this to my wife on my return and she agreed that is was actually intimidating for her. This bothered me and I mentioned the episode to a number of others. Two people told me that they did not vote because knew it would be like that and one person who told me she pulled into the lot to vote, saw the crowd, and left! She actually drove to the firehouse to vote and left rather then deal with what was going on.
That is wrong.
I applaud the candidates and their supporters for their zeal, and I'm not suggesting anything illegal was taking place, but can we lighten' it up a little in the parking lot. By the time you have made it to the polls you have decided who you will vote for. Making people uncomfortable helps no one.
We have had many an election in this town were three votes MADE a difference!

Letter to Yenta 5/27/99

Dear Yenta,
Is it my imagination or is the Gazette filtering the news in New Hope. I seem to be reading articles in the Beacon lately about serious matters in New Hope that are not even mentioned in the Gazette. Most notable of late, an article in the Beacon on the discovery by the mayor of a policeman being not qualified etc. Not a word in the Gazette. Did I miss it?
It seems to me that since the current editor took over at the Gazette that they have an agenda, especially on controversial issues. I've also noticed that they seem to try and create some issues and news on occasion, and play down or not report items that apparently I have to read about in the Beacon.
Anyone else notice this or am I being paranoid?

Letter to Yenta 5/20/99

First, I would like to add my congratulations to all of those who came out ahead in the primary races on Tuesday. I completely agree with my friend and running mate Chris that New Hope was the big winner. Lots of people share credit in that winning; not just the candidates. On my part, I would just like to say a big THANK YOU to all of those who helped me and my teammates get out our message.

Secondly, I completely agree with you that the next election needs to focus on issues. I am also confident that it will, based on the
candidates. As a relative newcomer to town, one of the great benefits of running for Council was that I had the pleasure of meeting so many of my fellow New Hopians. Among those that I met, were all of the candidates on the Democratic side. I could not imagine how anyone could possibly expect to prevail in the Fall election by attacking any of our Democratic opponents personally. Standing out there at the firehouse for 13 hours with all of them gave me plenty of time to recognize they are all fine people. I'm sure we have certain differences of opinion as to priorities, as well as differences in terms of what we bring to the
table. What none of us has, as far as I can tell, are hidden agendas, power egos or any personal animosities towards each other. I look forward to the campaign.

Best wishes to all,
Rick Swanson

Yenta Column 5/20/99

Here's the cow flop on the election!!

Well, here are the results you have all been waiting for. . . the
primary is over and the Yenta agrees with Chris Bollenbacher. New Hope is a winner after all. The four new candidates from each party represent the clear sentiment that change is in the wind for our town. And that is the one thing that all of the candidates agree upon. The voters made a clear cut rejection of the incumbent council president as the Dream Teams "herd" stampeded over Ralph and the rest of the candidates with their voter turnout and resounding victory. Meanwhile, the Democrats acting strangely like Republicans, selected their candidates without fanfare, while maintaining a quite dignified stature
through the entire affair. It is the hope of the Yenta that now ALL of the candidates will run their campaigns by addressing only issues, not personalities or rumors, and will offer the voters their thoughts and plans on how they will address each of the issues now pressing the borough. The Yenta knows -- the voters are tired of name calling and innuendo. If you want to be elected -- you better stick to the issues and offer solutions. That is what your constituency wants -- overwhelmingly!!! So candidates-- get to it and let's hear what you have to offer!!

Congratulations to Bill Tinsman on his supervisor's seat in Solebury. Now, hopefully there is a chance to reopen dialogue between New Hope and Solebury that is constructive and will address the sewer and water issues that jointly affect both communities.

A challenge to candidates of both parties -- will you address open
communication with Solebury and will you reinstitute the pursuit of a joint planning effort to save, preserve and promote the historic landmarks and vistas and natural resources that remain? If so, how? The Yenta and the rest of the town would love to hear your responses.

Meanwhile, back to one of our old problems. Any idea on how much money has been spent on the legal fees for the ex-chief? If the bills are in, they should be posted -- all of them. The people have a right to know what this is costing.

To my loyal fan and supporter who addressed some of their concerns on the police -- the inconsistencies need to be addressed, I agree. But where the Yenta parts company is the DARE program. When it comes to kids, Sean is to be commended for volunteering. The fact that no full time, two year officer volunteered -- shame on them!

'Til next time, I remain

The Yenta

Letter to Yenta 5/19/99

Nice & conciliatory letter Chris. Hope it stays that way. We are all
watching.

Letter to Yenta 5/18/99

Letter to Yenta 5/16/99

a loyal local

Letter to Yenta 5/15/99

Chris Bollenbacher

Letter to Yenta 5/14/99

RALPH PROSCENO-THREE TERM INCUMBENT
CANDIDATE for NEW HOPE BOROUGH COUNCIL

Dear New Hope Resident,

In Borough Council I have always supported giving former Police Chief Mr. Brobson an opportunity to have an open forum to explain his view of the Kelly and Stone Operations and Management Study of the Police Department. Since his termination Mr. Brobson has been given every chance to hold an open hearing so the community can hear his side of the story. Mr. Brobson refused to grant the community an opportunity to have an open hearing. Mr. Brobson requested a Civil Service Commission Hearing closed to the press and the public, which was granted by the Civil Service Commission.

Mr. Bollenbacher, a long time supporter of Mr. Brobson, who sits on the Civil Service panel, did not recuse himself, but instead voted to grant Mr. Brobson a closed hearing, not giving the community the opportunity to hear the complete truth about his termination. It is and has been the opinion of Borough Council that Mr. Brobson is not a Civil Service Employee. Mr. Bollenbacher’s decision to conduct this hearing is part of the reason for the legal bills that the Borough is facing.

During the Civil Service Commission Hearing, Mr. Bollenbacher stated that he does not read the campaign flyers of the "Dream Team" for which he is an endorsed member. Under direct examination by the Borough lawyer, Joe Rudolph, Mr. Bollenbacher was asked how he could sit as a commissioner hearing Mr. Brobson’s case when he has campaigned on the "Dream Team" platform in favor of reinstatement of Mr. Brobson.

Mr. Rudolph produced copies of a flyer from the "Dream Team" stating that Ralph Prosceno had made a "legal quagmire" of Mr. Brobson’s firing. Mr. Bollenbacher replied that "Rick Swanson wrote that", and that he had not read the flyer. He said further that he did not read any of the material on the flyer, except for his biography, which he wrote. PLEASE NOTE: on one side of the flyer is Mr. Bollenbacher’s photograph, and on the other side of the flyer in bold type his name appears asking for your vote. But under OATH Mr. Bollenbacher claimed he had not read the flyer.

During the same hearing, Mr. Bollenbacher was questioned about the score of the oral exams given by him and the other members of the Civil Service Commission. The test scores were consistently added incorrectly, lowering the scores of the applicants, except for the two part time officers that Mr. Brobson wanted to hire. These two members had their scores raised higher:

Mr. Bollenbacher was asked who added up the test score numbers. Mr. Bollenbacher’s answer – BROBSON.

When Mr. Bollenbacher was asked if he checked the math, he responded "No, I trusted the Chief".

NOTE: There were seven 2-digit numbers to add up.

Mr. Bollenbacher stated that, "if I had added the numbers, "I would have made more errors than Brobson…I’m not good with numbers". This statement was made from the self-proclaimed expert on the Borough budget, and someone who was Finance Chairman at his own request. (HE TOLD THE BOROUGH COUNCIL THAT HE WAS QUALIFIED TO UNDERSTAND THE FINANCES OF THE BOROUGH.)

Mr. Bollenbacher, as a member of the Borough Council, and sitting as a member of the Civil Service Commission, urged the Borough Council to hire two more Civil Service Police Officers. I opposed this hiring, and fortunately for the community, so did the rest of the members of the Borough Council. All on Council agreed and did not hire anyone recommended by the CORRUPTED Civil Service List. To have hired from that list would have placed the Borough in a serious legal position with the other 35 applicants who went through the Civil Service process.

Another issue was uncovered at the May 5^th Civil Service hearing. On May 10^th this issue was brought up at the Borough Council Meeting. - Where does Mr. Bollenbacher live? When Mr. Bollenbacher was asked by Mr. Rudolph for the address of his marital home Mr. Brobson’s attorney’s objected. All attempts at clarifying the issue were blocked by Mr. Brobson’s attorneys. In an attempt to protect his running mate and the integrity of the "Dream Team" Mr. Hepburn Duncan stood at the Council meeting and addressed the audience, saying, " That issue came up in February and was discussed by all of us. We were quite comfortable with it because Chris had bought a house and would be moving back here in the future". This was reported in the May 11, 1999 issue of the Doylestown Intelligencer (page 4). Mr. Bollenbacher stated, "I’m now sleeping in the house in Holland", and "I am using the address of the restaurant for my campaign".

If Mr. Bollenbacher really believes that he is a New Hope resident, WHY DID HE NOT ANSWER THE QUESTION, UNDER OATH, AT THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION HEARING? WHY DID MR. BROBSON’S LAWYERS OBJECT TO THE QUESTION?"

There are serious questions about the integrity of a candidate who swears on his electors affidavit that he lives in the district and than is discovered to live elsewhere. Also, there is a higher standard for Civil Service Commissioner Status. Residency is paramount. That is why Mr. Rudolph required an answer. The "Dream Team" makes accusations towards Borough Council about exorbitant legal fees, however, they conveniently ignore the fact that their running mate is the one who is offering the false hope of a Civil Service hearing. This false hope has forced Borough Council to fund an attorney for the Civil Service commission while at the same time defending against that same attorney. Since the "Dream Team" apparently approves of this situation, you may want to rethink their other qualifications and deny them your vote.

There is a clear choice this primary. I ask for your vote and I pledge to work for you and the good of New Hope.

Sincerely,
Ralph J. Prosceno Borough- Council President and three term incumbent.
Please call if you have any questions 862-3306

Yenta Column 5/09/99

So much information to process . . . and so little time!! As the election draws near, the candidates from all parties and I do mean all parties, are putting out campaign literature and propaganda at an incredible pace. What really is fascinating, is that unlike most towns where you have the standard donkey and elephant thing going on, we have the "cow" thing. That's right, the "cow". It seems that the "dream team" (the endorsed Republicans) have been putting out literature with the byline "heard about town". Included in that literature were comments about how they would vote as team for their agenda. Well, one thing has led to another and now the unendorsed candidates are referring to the "herd around town" and sporting buttons with cows.

But mooove over, Friday evening was the crowning event. Bob Gerenser, not even running for office, but greatly opposed to the early endorsement of the dream team candidates, got or maybe didn't get (depending on who you talk to) a parade permit. At the appointed hour, traffic came to a halt as farmer Bob paraded a prize winning Guernsey, Katie Lynn, from borough hall to the Logan Inn. Followed by a wheel barrow and escorted by Chief DeLuca, the parade route took them right down Main Street, past the truck of Republican Dream Team supporter Jay Snyder sporting a poster with the dream team ticket, an American flag and a parking ticket to the front porch of the Logan Inn. Meanwhile, inside the Logan Inn, the Democrats gathered for a fund raiser. (For those animal rights activists who may be concerned over the public display of this cow and her treatment, rest assured that the 4-H owner was present and supervised the handling of Miss Katie Lynn who actually seemed to be somewhat amoooozed by the onlookers and all of the attention showered on her including an offer by Paul Lecitra to milk her).

Meanwhile, another trailer appeared in front of Birch and Jones (interesting location). This sported the names of those who can't find a political party to pay any attention to them - Ralph Prosceno (the current council president seeking re-election), Ian Haight-Ashton and Elaine McNeily.

It is refreshing for the Yenta to see so much amooo, er ado, over this election. For so long, no one has been paying any attention to any issues and the same old crew was doing their same old good old boy thing. Well, it looks like good bye good old boys - your town has come alive. There's plenty of new blood and new interest on the part of a very well educated constituency. They are taking the time to research the rumors and search for viable solutions. The Yenta is very hopeful that this thirty year reign of the good old boys will soon end.

Speaking of the end of an era - it sounds like the Chief may be in for a rough time with the Civil Service hearings after reading the press release prepared by the Borough Civil Service solicitor Rudolph. Some of the first hand accounts of testimony would seem to support Rudolph's position. Meanwhile, supporters of the Chief are contending that nothing of any consequence occurred at the hearing. Stay tuned. It's not over 'til it's over.

Switching to a positive note - Officer Sean Pirog volunteered to become the DARE officer, attended the classes and finished first in his class. Congratulations Sean! It's great to see an officer, who in spite of all of the politics, has continued to act in a professional manner and support a program which has been long overdue in coming to the borough. The Yenta says "hats off" to you and wishes you tremendous success in promoting and building the DARE program for the benefit of our youth.

Another "hat's off" to acting chief Frank DeLuca - who in spite of the rumored lack of support from some of the officers, continues to put forth his best efforts. Not an easy task, but Frank continues with good spirits, professionalism and his attitude and sense of humor in tact.

The Yenta overheard a great idea which perhaps someone will pick up on. Ruth Hirschfield, wife of candidate Richard Hirshfield, suggested that after five years in the borough she really didn't know many of the officers by name, and that a gathering similar to the salute to the volunteers recently held at the Logan Inn, would be a great vehicle for residents to get to know the officers on a more personal level. Push for that one Ruthie!

Another exciting event was the awarding of the $100,000 transportation grant to the borough. The letters exchanged by Jan Witte and Candidate, Chris Bollenbacher tell it all. The best news - another positive for the borough. Two in one month!! We're on a roll and it looks like we're headed for three with the progress on Union Camp and George Michael's development plans.

New Hope is waking up - and as long as YOU continue to stay AWAKE - New Hope will continue to report on positive change. It's been a long time coming - but things are looking good. The Yenta salutes all of those who are participating - it's what makes New Hope a vital, energetic, synergistic place to live and visit.

Letter to Yenta 5/08/99

In a letter to the Yenta dated, 5-5-99, Mr. Chris Bollenbacher criticizes an author of a letter sent to the Yenta on 5-4-99.
First, he states, that whom ever sent in that letter was incredibly cowardly to make uninformed accusations without signing their name.
Chris, goes on to state, "You are incorrect on a few issues."
Point 1, of Mr. Bollenbacher's answer to said letter says "It was never determined by anyone that my work by the New Hope Civil
Service Commission was handled improperly, and that if it was, the Commission was never notified." This statement is a complete
falsehood!
I, William D. Brooke, first approached Mr. Bollenbacher at his place of business and questioned him regarding certain
procedures he had taken that were contrary to State procedures and Borough Code C5 laws. His response was I don't know anything except that when I ask Chief Brobson a question, sometime I get an answer and sometimes I don't.
As a result of our conversation, I made copies of the Civil Service Laws, as shown in the Borough Code and gave Mr. Bollenbacher a copy.
Learning that nothing was done to correct the improprieties on Civil Service, I went to the next Civil Service meeting that was open to the public, taking with me the Borough Code and the 1994 edition of the Pa. D.C.A. Manual. At that meeting, I challenged the fact that after the test was given the passing grade was changed from 70 to 60.
Mrs. Seeb stated then that her book had said that 70 was the passing grade. Mr. Bollenbacher insisted that it was always
60. As a result, testing scores remained the same. I also quoted state law that prohibited extra points given for prior service and the limited scope of Veterans points.
At the next open meeting of the Civil Service Board, I again questioned Mr. Bollenbacher regarding the Borough Codes
and Regulations, the 1994 Pa D.C.A. and the changing of rules after the fact. Mr. Bollenbacher, again argued that the passing grade was always 60 and I pointed out to him that I had a copy of the same rules book he had and walked up to the table and showed it to him. Mrs. Seeb again stated that her book still said the passing grade was 70.
After this debate, Mr. Rudolph, the Civil Service Attorney, who wrote the Civil Service Law Book, who now represents the borough, stood up and addressed the Commission. He stated the following, "What you have done borders on criminal."
After this meeting the Civil Service Commission voided the test results, rightly so.
Now, Mr. Bollenbacher, in considering these facts and also considering your testimony under oath Wednesday night
at Borough Hall at the Civil Service Hearing, which was recorded, can you still possibly say that you were never as a member or as an individual of the Civil Service Commission made aware of any improprieties?
Now for Points 2 and 3 of your letter:
How can you in good conscience state that there wasn't any costs to the Borough??? Then answer the following questions:
1. How many man hours did former Chief Brobson spend authoring these regulations? (This fact that Brobson authored
these regulations is verified under oath)
2. How many man hours did it take for his secretary to type and make copies of these new regulations, etc?
3. How many man hours were spent by the former Chief Brobson, the Detective and Corporal in the oral interviewing process?
4. How many man hours were spent in the physical agility testing??
5. In as much as you state that there wasn't any expenses for phone calls or letters, how did we notify the applicants when to
appear for the written test, agility test oral examination, etc??? ( I am definitely sure Borough does not own any carrier pigeons)

How do you account for the fact that the state said 35 applicants passed the written test and then somehow it was changed
to 37? P.S. I was not the unsigned author of the letter you responded to.

William D. Brooke (former chief of Police of New Hope Borough)

Letter to Yenta 5/08/99

I would like to thank all of my supporters and those of Ralph and Mitch, who helped make last night's Club of New Hope Republican's fundraiser at the Logan Inn a success. All candidates were invited and all of the Democratic candidates minus one were present. We had an open forum where the community of New Hope could talk issues first hand. Though the "dream team" received invitations through certified mail they refused to attend such an open forum, perhaps in fear of being accountable.
In addition, two of the candidates running for New Hope/Solebury school board attended to share their views. New Hope became a
community last night were candidates and residents shared positive ideas, and support for the betterment of the town.

Respectfully,
R. Iain Haight-Ashton

Letter to Yenta 5/06/99

GENTLEMEN OF THE JURY:
The best friend a man has in the world may turn
against him and become his enemy. His son or
daughter that he has reared with loving care may
prove ungrateful. Those who are nearest and dearest
to us, those whom we trust with our happiness and
our good name may become traitors to their faith.
The money that a man has, he may lose. It flies away
from him, perhaps when he needs it most. A man's
reputation may be sacrificed in a moment of ill-con-
sidered action. The people who are prone to fall on
their knees to do us honor when success is with us
may be the first to throw the stone of malice when
failure settles its cloud upon our heads.
The one absolutely unselfish friend that man can have
in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him, the
one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous is his
dog. A man's dog stands by him in prosperity and in
poverty, in health and in sickness. He will sleep on the
cold ground, where the wintry winds blow and the
snow drives fiercely, if only he may be near his master's
side. He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer; he
will lick the wounds and sores that come in an en-
counter with the roughness of the world. He guards the
sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince. When
all other friends desert, he remains. When riches take
wings, and reputation falls to pieces, he is as constant in
his love as the sun in its journey through the heavens.
If fortune drives the master forth an outcast in the
world, friendless and homeless, the faithful dog asks no
higher privilege than that of accompanying him, to
guard him against danger, to fight against his enemies.
And when the last scene of all comes, and death takes
his master in its embrace and his body is laid away in the
cold ground, no matter if all other friends pursue their
way, there by the graveside will the noble dog be found,
his head between his paws, his eyes sad, but open in
alert watchfulness, faithful and true even in death.

Letter to Yenta 5/06/99

Because the New Hope Civil Service Commission has decided to grant former Police Chief Robert Brobson's request to keep the
hearings related to his termination closed to the public and the press, and because New Hope Borough Council believes that the press and the public have the right to know about what transpires during these hearings, it has prepared this press release.

Mr. Brobson was hired as a non-civil, at-will managerial employee of the Borough under Pennsylvania law, such employees may be
terminated with or without cause or notice. However, notwithstanding the fact that the Borough did not need a reason to ask Mr. Brobson to step down from office, the Borough's decision to terminate him was prompted by specific instances of wrongful conduct by Brobson revealed in the course of the Borough's investigation into the New Hope Police Department. These instances of misconduct were fully explained to Mr. Brobson in his January 5, 1999 termination letter. Mr. Brobson has repeatedly and publicly denied that he has engaged in any wrongdoing and has proclaimed on numerous occasions hat he has been "wronged" by his dismissal.

Up to this point, the Borough has refrained from publicly airing the specifics of Brobson's misconduct, and has resisted Brobson's
actions which would provoke it to act otherwise, with the intent of leaving the door open for the Borough and Brobson to part ways
amicably. The borough presumed that the public would eventually be informed of Brobson's misconduct in due course as it presented its case before the Civil Service Commission during public hearings. However, on April 30, 1999, the Commission inexplicably decided, in violation of Pennsylvania law, that it would hold a secret hearing in this matter and close the proceedings to the public and the press.

The Borough has now been forced to publicly voice the wrongdoing uncovered by its investigation of Mr. Brobson. Just some of those instances with respect to which the Borough will present evidence during the closed civil service hearings are set forth in this Press Release.

As you know, in 1998, the Borough commissioned Chief William Kelly and Chief Tom Stone to conduct and prepare an Operation
and Management Study of the New Hope Borough Police Department. One of the most shocking revelations resulting from that study was the vast amounts public tax dollars expended by Brobson in compensating certain part-time police officers. Brobson made it a regular practice of paying certain part-time officers of the Borough, in particular Terry Hammerstone, for 80 hours every two weeks regardless of the number of hours the officer actually worked. For numerous pay periods, Brobson paid Hammerstone for a full 80 hours of work plus overtime pay at 1and 1/2 times his regular rate of pay, when Hammerstone did not actually work 80 hours and therefore earned neither the 80 hours of regular pay nor any overtime pay. For example, for the two-week pay period beginning 8-10-97 and ending 8-23-97, Hammerstone worked only 61 hours. Brobson, however, paid him for a total of 93.5 hours (80 regular hours plus 9 hours of overtime pay.) For the two-week pay period beginning 8-24-97 and ending 9-6-97, Hammerstone worked only 55 hours total, whereas Brobson compensated him for 90.5 hours of work (80 regular hours plus 7 hours of overtime). These are just a few instances of
this improper practice of drastically overpaying Hammerstone, who was not the only part-time officer paid in this manner.

However, the impropriety of Brobson's conduct in this regard was further compounded by Brobson's subsequent attempts to cover
up his actions. After this practice of paying Hammerstone came under scrutiny as a result of the Police Management Study in 1998, Mr. Brobson set about to justify the payment by going back and "correcting" Hammerstone's 1997 pay records and then
resubmitting them to the Borough. During pay periods for which Hammmerstone had been paid but did not actually work 80 hours,
Brobson went back in filled in on the time sheets, that Hammerstone had used comp time during those periods to justify the 80 hours of pay and overtime. Brobson claimed that the comp time filled in on those days had been earned and accumulated by Hammerstone and that he had a separate set of records which reflected that alleged back comp time.

During the Borough's investigation into the payments made to Hammerstone, Brobson was interviewed before a stenographer who transcribed the interview and was asked why he corrected the time sheets. He stated, " What I did do was go back and go over his records based on the knowledge that I gained from Mr. Stone and Mr. Kelly and verified, by the way, and I went back and tried to make the corrections necessary in those records to make them accurately reflect FLSA(Fair Labor Standards Act) rules. Not changing the time or anything." Similarly, in his January 4, 1999 letter responding to the Borough's charges of misconduct, Brobson claimed that he was merely correcting Hammerstone's time and attendance records to comply with the FLSA.

A side-by-side comparison of the original timesheets submitted to the Borough by Hammerstone and the "corrected" timesheets revised by Mr. Brobson is a very educational experience, and it become evident that Brobson did change and add time on Hammerstone's time sheets. Specifically, on several occasions, Brobson not only filled in comp time to justify 80 hours of pay and
overtime payments, but he also altered the time sheets to indicate that Hammerstone worked hours which Hammerstone himself did not even claim to have worked.

Just a few examples of this are as follows:

For the pay period 9-7-97 through 9-20-97, the original time records submitted by Hammerstone indicated that he did not
work at all on 9-18-97, indicated by the letter "D" in the Regular Hours Paid column and by the fact that he did not write in regular
hours worked. Brobson altered this timesheet to reflect that Hammerstone 8 hours on that day, and wrote in himself that
Hammerstone had worked from "2300 to 0700" on that day.
For the pay period 11-2-97 through 11-15-97, the original time records submitted by Hammerstone indicated that he did not
work any hours after 0300 on 11-15-97. Brobson altered this timesheet and wrote in himself that Hammerstone had worked from
0300 to 0803 on that day.
For the pay period 11-30-97 through 12-13-97, the original time records submitted by Hammerstone indicated that he worked a
regular shift from 1700 to 2300 on 12-4-97. Brobson altered this timesheet by switching these hours over to the overtime earned
column and credited Hammerstone with 4 1/2 hours of comp time which he did not actually earn.
For the pay period 12-14-97 through 12-27-97, the original time records submitted by Hammerstone indicated that he did not
work at all on 12-19-97, as indicated by the letter "D" in the Regular Hours Paid column and by the fact that he did not write in
regular hours worked. Brobson altered this timesheet to reflect that Hammerstone had worked 8 hours on that day.

Copies of the original time sheet submitted by Hammerstone, along with Brobson's "corrected" time sheets are attached as an Exhibit to the Press Release.

Aside from the improper alteration of these documents, the Fair Labor Standards Act, simply does not permit comp time to be
used in calculating whether an individual has worked a sufficient number of hours to earn overtime pay. Thus, if you do not actually work 80 hours in a two week pay period, you cannot earn ant overtime pay, and compensatory hours may not be counted in determining whether 80 hours have actually been worked.

Moreover, the Borough maintains an inordinately high number of police vehicles when considering the number of vehicles
actually needed to patrol the Borough at any one time. When Borough Council and the Police Committee investigated the need for all of these vehicles, Mr. Brobson was called upon on several occasions to provide any and all information which would bear upon the Borough's actions to Borough the proper action to address the situation. At that time, Mr. Brobson specifically told Borough Council that it could not legally reduce the number of police vehicles maintained by the Borough because police officers, including certain part-time officers, had the right to take the vehicles home after their shift and further stated that in light of the Borough's past practice, taking away this right has been prohibited by the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board and would constitute an unfair labor practice. It subsequently came to Borough Council's attention that these statements by Mr. Brobson were false and that he deliberately misled Borough Council in this regard. Contrary to his assertions, Mr. Brobson had in fact drafted and caused every officer to sign a policy which specifically stated that the take-home use of vehicles:
is a privilege granted by the Chief of Police and Borough Council (which) may be withdrawn at any time at the sole discretion of either the Chief of Police or Borough Council..It is understood there can be no argument involving 'past practice' with regard to the assignment of Borough vehicles.

At no time did Brobson disclose that he had drafted, or that every officer had signed, such a policy, and, instead, told Borough Council that the take-home use of Borough police vehicles was a legally irrevocable right when he knew that was not truly the case. The purpose, design and effect of Brobson' conduct was to prevent the Borough from discontinuing this costly practice. (A copy of this policy is attached to this Press Release) Brobson's actions in making knowingly false statements to, and withholdings vital information from, Borough Council, constitutes serious misconduct on his part.

The Borough's investigation also revealed that Mr. Brobson was responsible for certain improprieties in the Civil Service testing
process in when the Borough endeavored to hire a new full-time police officer in 1996. Among these improprieties is that the oral
examination scores were calculated inaccurately and on an inconsistent basis, the net effect of which was to provide Terry Hammerstone, and certain other part-time officers, an unfair advantage over all of the other candidates for the position. The oral exam scores were calculated by Brobson himself and approved by the other interviewers, including Commission members, Christopher Bollenbacher and Elaine Seeb. One of the candidates, Mr. Brian Roman, who failed the oral exam as calculated by Brobson, requested a hearing before the
Commission upon learning of his score. When he appeared before the Commission, it summarily dismissed him without even
recalculating or reviewing his scores. However, a review of his oral exam score indicates, had the oral exams been calculated in an
accurate and uniform manner, Mr. Roman would have actually passed the exam.

As part of its case against Mr. Brobson, the Borough requires the participation of Commissioners Bollenbacher and Seeb as
material fact witness regarding the improprieties associated with civil service testing process in 1996. To avoid the procedural
irregularities and due process concerns that would result from having the triers of fact take the stand to testify and then resume their role as trier of fact only to perform the hollow task of evaluating his or her own credibility, the Borough has made prior attempts to have an impartial hearing examiner decide the matter---specifically, respected Doylestown attorney Jeffrey Garton, Esquire. However, the Civil Service Commission has flatly rejected the Borough's efforts to have an impartial hearing examiner preside over the matter and has insisted that it decide Mr. Brobson's fate during a secret hearing. The fact that the Commission has so vigilantly protected its own ability to decide Mr. Brobson's fate, and that it has chosen to do so during a hearing closed to the public and the press hereby censoring their own testimony, suggests that they may recognize their duplicity in this conduct by Brobson.

Setting aside for a moment the fact that it is fully within the Borough's legal rights to terminate Mr. Brobson for no reason at all, any one of the instances of misconduct mentioned above are sufficient to warrant Mr. Brobson's termination or any other Borough employee for that matter. Considering all of these instances together, along with the other instances of misconduct set forth in Brobson's termination letter, as well the findings of the Police Management Study, which called his competence to manage the New Hope Borough Police Department into serious question, it becomes compellingly clear that Borough Council simply had no choice but to end any employment relationship the Borough had with Mr. Brobson.

Unsigned

Letter to Yenta 5/06/99

Hooray for Jan Witte! It is exciting to read a letter from someone who actually thinks. I have not always agreed with the Wittes, but they make you think. It is a pleasure to read criticism which is not full of cutesy immature cow jokes. If elected to Council I look forward to the Wittes continued attendance to discuss facts. I hope Jan or Paul consider running for a seat themselves in the next election two years from now.
Chris Bollenbacher

Letter to Yenta 5/06/99

Two items in Chris Bollenbacher's letter to the Yenta this week have left me quite frustrated. Realizing that half of the details were left out once again, thereby demanding a strong response, has prompted this letter. The tactics deliberately used to discredit Borough Council and the Borough Manager, once again, are cruel, negative, and totally unfair. The items concern the Keystone Grant, which was just offered to New Hope, in the amount of $100,000.

Mr. Bollenbacher's questions about the grant-writing process have been discussed and responded to so many times, I can't understand why he keeps bringing up the subject as though it had never been addressed before.

In September of 1998, Victoria Keller, as Borough Manager, attended a REQUIRED pre-grant application seminar. One cannot apply for the Keystone Grant without this training. With only one month remaining before the grant application was due (October 18,1998), it was obvious that time was running out.
I don't know whether Mr. Bollenbacher has ever written a grant, but there is MUCH DETAIL and TIME involved in the process.

Victoria HAD started the grant writing process, but realized that she would not make the deadline if she were to try to finish it by herself, since she still had administrative and budget preparation duties to attend to. (Don't forget that it was also mandated by Council that the new budget proposal be presented in the late fall, rather than wait until the end of December - as has happened in the past). In other words, Victoria had a lot deadlines at one time.

She talked to Anne Toole, who has been a professional and VERY POSITIVE consultant to New Hope during its open
space/Comprehensive Plan studies. She offered to HELP get the Keystone Grant application written so that we wouldn't miss the
deadline. Dennis Wise from P.i.P. stopped his own work and volunteered countless hours doing PRELIMINARYsketches of the Randolph Street Landing site to be included along with the application. Other community members and council members offered help and support wherever they could. What one would hope, and expect, in our town!!!

FOR THE RECORD, ONCE AND FOR ALL:

Yes, Anne Toole's grant-writing fee was over $2,000. Yes the Borough Council voted AT A PUBLIC MEETING to pay her the fee, because they felt the grant would be a real PLUS for this town. (Something positive?????). BUT, THE POINT THAT THE DREAM TEAM keeps omitting, or not acknowledging, is that OVER HALF OF HER FEE WAS PAID THE SAME NIGHT THAT COUNCIL VOTED TO HIRE HER. There were pledges from P.i.P., the Chamber of Commerce, and private citizens. In other words, the Borough invested a little over $1,000 to get a $100,000 grant. I'd say that's a pretty good return on investment!

Yes, the grant is a matching-funds grant. But, if it's decided that New Hope could benefit from such a project, it's very possible that the matching money could/would come from the existing Riverwoods escrow funds, set aside SPECIFICALLY for Open Space/recreation uses for the Borough.

Rather than trying to attribute even more secret motives and negatives to this community project, why don't Mr. Bollenbacher and the rest of the "Dream Team" help come up with some POSITIVE and creative suggestions for usage for the Keystone Grant? I'm sure there are positive other uses for "water transportation" other than boat ramps. Council had ALSO MADE IT CLEAR AT PUBLIC MEETINGS that the water transportation ideas they presented were only a VERY PRELIMINARY "sketch" of what could be utilized at the Randolph St. landing...They also INVITED ideas from the community. Council said they will hold public meetings to hear these ideas.

It was also my understanding that, if no action is taken on our end regarding the Randolph St. landing, then no money is spent. This
grant is not a use-it-and-match-it-or-else. It's a commitment to match our funds to make Randolph St. an area that the public can access, and enjoy a river-view of our community. If we don't take advantage of it, then that's that.

I do agree with Mr. Bollenbacher that part of the plan should include nicely designed public restrooms, which New Hope is sadly in need of. But again, at this point, all suggestions are being WELCOMED and CONSIDERED. I wish the POSITIVE events this town creates would stop being turned and twisted into negatives by the Dream Team.

Regarding Jarret's letter to the Yenta. Your thoughts were well stated, and I thought you should know that ALL Borough Council
candidates have come out in support of the responsible development of Union Camp, not just the Dream Team. The Planning Commission had a very POSITIVE meeting about this last week, and the WHOLE TOWN was excited about the great possibilities for Union Camp and the surrounding area. The Dream Team, the AWAKE candidates, AND the Independent Republicans all seem to agree on this.

Thank you,
Jan Witte

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