There was a lot of emotion involved with the recycling issue. It still upsets me personally that some of our elected officials insist on trying to hide behind Environmental initiatives. On the flip side environmental issues have been highly political since the late 60's and early 70's resulting in the formation of the US Environmental Protection Agency. There is still confusion that I do have a plan to get to the bottom of. It is imperative that anyone who has a desire to serve the public accept accountability for their actions without blaming other state or federal agencies for their positions. The public we serve has the right to know our true positions so they can informatively choose the people they want to represent them in elected government.
I was attacked by a councilwoman for saying that council pushed the decision through to end the use of Borough Land for Recycling. Carl Boyd moved to set a departure date of all Lion recycling equipment land from the Borough Garage Property. This action was necessary to make room necessary for the construction of a retention pond that is being paid foe by a grant. He then made the motion to "end recycling". Jim Bortz said that question could be tabled to latter. However, Carl was adamant that it had to end now. Becky Matesevac seconded the motion and it passed 4 to 2 with Debbie Jobe being absent. Jim Bortz and myself were opposed. The token offer to try to find an alternative site was not made until after this vote. This all happened at the February meeting. I believe the facts as they transpired should be able to be recalled more than 30 days after the event. My interpretation of this action was the Lions were railroaded because the second vote was not tabled for study and exploration but pushed through. Everyone is free to interpret these actions as they wish, but this is why I specifically, used the term railroaded and it was this expression that brought the angered response from Becky to me.
The Lions made a very good argument and there are a lot of grant opportunities available for recycling. It would take research to determine if Council support would be needed to obtain the grants.I received a phone call from a long time resident who informed me that he would personally make a drive to continue recycling. Thus resident is a member of the Lions as well as a former Borough official.
The way the "final decision" statement was delivered left me conflicted. Being an elected official we must make decisions and some of the them are hard. The actions that we may declare "final" are final only as long as the majority of those who made a particular decision are in a position to uphold it. The beauty of a democracy is officials only serve at the will of those who entrust them to represent them in government. It was stated that "change is good" I believe a more fundamental change to those who would be more receptive to the will of the Borough residents would exemplify the quote, "Change is Good"
This next comment I will probably take some heat on, but so be it. The mayor asked, to name the park after a Mary Wigfield. I will concede that the Mayor can name areas in the Borough anything she wants. I also concede that naming can be a highly debatable issue. Personally, I believe that the naming of places, buildings, monuments, etc should be of persons or organizations that have Historical Significance or have made major contributions to life in our Borough. Perhaps there should be guidelines and/or a citizens committee that suggests names for consideration. Forgive my ignorance but I have no personal knowledge of any historical significance or community involvement that would warrant the park let receiving her name. I am doing more research on the historical aspect to see if I might have missed something from that perspective. Off the top of my head some more appropriate names for the park let could be: Joann Mook, Marjorie Ewing, Norman Hines, John Mook, Lion's Club, Rotary, Jim Davis, Monnis, Bash, Faulk, Paul Kerstein, or others. The point is that names of places in communities should reflect important cultural ties to the community.
Again the rest of the Council is choosing to sit on the contract with Westmoreland County Port Authority. This could effectively end Bus service in our Borough even after The United Church of Christ made great strides to alleviate the parking problem. I urge all citizens that want bus service from Delmont to push the issue. 6 to 1 says it would be tabled yet again, if I attempted to bring it up. Although citizens of other communities may not be given a chance to speak, this would be the decision of Council President, I would encourage you to come to a Council Meeting if you use this service.
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