Please see below a letter from Commissioner Don Read to all Commissioners and, in particular, Cathy Paretti and Dave Waldt, concerning the appointment of members of the Planning Commission during the January Upper Pottsgrove Board of Commissioners Meeting.
Commissioners,
I have reviewed my notes from Monday’s meeting, and I remain stunned that both Cathy and Dave nominated the very person responsible for overdevelopment to the Planning Commission—the same commission that had to be shut down because of him. Others took notice as well.
I cannot reconcile this decision. The excuse that “we wanted someone with experience” was clearly a pre-packaged talking point, and it convinced no one.
Cathy, for years, you’ve insisted that we needed to reinstate the Planning Commission. I didn’t necessarily disagree. After months of work, we finally got it reestablished. And yet, in all that time, you failed to find a single qualified candidate? Did you even try? Trace, Hank, and I put in the effort—we conducted interviews, vetted applicants, and nominated a full slate of five highly qualified individuals. Trace, in particular, stepped up and led this process. Meanwhile, the best you could manage was to nominate unqualified applicants , or worse, someone who should have been disqualified outright.
It’s obvious your intent is not to build but to obstruct. You consistently block progress without offering real solutions—just complaints and manufactured grievances. Leadership isn’t about standing in the way; it’s about taking responsibility and driving results.
If you disagree with how the three of us are leading this township, then step up and do the work. Recruit candidates, run a campaign, and win at the ballot box—that’s how democracy functions. You both claim to be Republican leaders; why not act like it? If you can’t handle the job, then we will find someone who will.
The reality is simple: flip just one of our seats in the next election, and one of you will be President. Then, and only then, will you have the authority you crave. Until that happens, your posturing means nothing. Just beware your clapping seals will turn into growling wolves when you sit at the head of the table.
Lastly, Evan forwarded me the email where you dismissed Eric’s memo about our infamous executive session as “not true” and even questioned its drafting. You were caught lying, and rather than own it, you doubled down by accusing others of dishonesty. So let’s settle it: if Eric was lying, we fire him at the next meeting if that is what you wish. But if he wasn’t—if you were the ones being dishonest—then you step aside and let real leadership take over.
Your move.
Commissioner Don Read