On Monday, June 19th, I made the following comments concerning what has transpired over the past several months regarding the site location of the new municipal building at the Township’s regular June meeting. Below are my edited and explained comments due to the context of my comments not totally contained in the Pottstown Mercury. The individuals I mentioned by their first names are Trace Slinkerd, President of the Board, and Dave Waldt and Cathy Paretti, Board Members. My entire and complete comments are as follow:
Thank you for the opportunity to offer my comments. I have heard obnoxious and insulting comment after comment at these meetings and felt it time to comment myself.
The Township has outgrown its facilities. The big question is how and where to expand. Quite obviously the Smola property is the hot issue and letters circulated are not inclusive of all the facts. Why would we want to spend several hundred thousand dollars to purchase private land when we have 325+ total acres of dedicated (and I stress NOT protected) open space available. An approximate 1.2 acre area of the 36+ acres of the Smola property is minuscule and already owned by the Township. (It’s FREE; you can’t steal something you own). Additionally, of concern is the offer by a developer, as revealed during prior meeting, offering a plot of ground for the twp building in return for approval of the development expansion. (1) (Sounds like a form of bribe to me.)
Wow, for those commissioners and group of backers in support of this, you might as well take your signs and white ribbons and stick them in a desk or closet. You just delegitimized any arguments you have on open space – 263 new houses for approximately 1.2 acres of a 30+ open space plot. To the opposing commissioners, your decisions should be what is best for the Township and not a small group of former and/or current elected officials and small group of backers trying to reestablish their influence.
Cathy (Paretti) and Dave (Waldt) you have come out with your letters not necessarily directed at the open space issue but attacking Trace (Slinkard) for his style of Board leadership. I have read and heard at these meetings an array of accusations, (artificial power, dictator and many other obnoxious comments and yes someone even insulting his military career—that was an asinine statement). These comments at Board meetings include inaccurate and misleading information as well. One of the loudest offering some of these comments has been Herb Miller. He actually made a motion as commissioner in 2010 that was seconded and passed to allow a cell tower to be constructed on this same Smola property(2) (No Issue then).
What is different now, NOTHING except now the present issue is being used as a platform to attack Trace. I didn’t hear anyone chirping when the Township was in dire financial trouble (threat of state stepping in) and put on solid financial ground under Trace’s leadership. If I recall correctly all took credit for that as a group of Commissioners (How convenient for some). In regards to the Smola property plot, Dave you were in favor of it. I guess that was before others started influencing opinions and decisions. Perfect example of prior officials getting their toes stepped on or feelings hurt by the loss of influence and getting those strings cut. It appears desperate efforts were apparently made in attempting to regain influence and the Smola issue popped up, an ideal issue to create controversy and attack those whom they have lost control of. So petty, nothing but grand standing and self serving.
Cathy and Dave, put your bruised toes and hurt feelings aside sit down and get this issue resolved in a manner best for the twp. That is what you were elected for.
Greg Delp, Upper Pottsgrove Township
(1): Board of Commissioners Meeting- Commissioners Comments- May 22, 2023
(2): Minutes- Board of Commissioners Meeting- July 19, 2010