Representing the Best Interests of All Residents Must Be Our Priority.
The primary responsibility of every elected Upper Pottsgrove Township Commissioner is to represent the best collective interests of all residents. This is not a novel concept; it is the foundation of public service. However, recent actions compel us to reflect on who truly represents whom.
When I was first elected, even before my formal installation, I had a pivotal conversation with the Commissioner President. He shared succinct yet profound guidance on our priorities: ensure residents’ safety by maintaining a strong police department, keep roads accessible, and represent the majority of taxpayers rather than serving the interests of a select few. That brief conversation left a lasting impression, and I memorialized it by taping a printout inside the cover of my commissioner binder, where it remains to this day.
Recent events exemplify why it is necessary to question who represents whom. In September, during an executive session, our solicitor presented a recommendation to address escalating legal costs resulting from an individual allegedly exploiting the Right-to-Know Law. This situation had already cost taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars in legal fees, both for reviewing excessive requests and defending appeals against denied requests. Legal appeals consume significant time and taxpayer-funded resources that could be better allocated elsewhere.
All five commissioners unanimously agreed that pursuing an injunction was necessary to stem the financial drain. Filing the injunction required considerable preparation, and in early January, the formal complaint was submitted. However, following this action, Commissioners Paretti and Waldt publicly distanced themselves from the decision, claiming in The Mercury that this was the first they had heard of the injunction—despite their prior participation and agreement.
It appears that complaints from the defendant in this case prompted these commissioners to shift their positions, placing the interests of one individual above the collective well-being of the residents. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident. Similar situations have occurred where the voices of a few were prioritized over the collective good of the community through misinformation.
A particularly troubling example is a letter sent to residents by Commissioners Paretti and Waldt. This letter accused the Commissioner President of various ill-defined charges, including obstructing accountability, silencing free speech, overriding board votes, undermining the democratic process, and making unilateral staffing decisions. These accusations of course are all false and a shining example of the spread of misinformation I so often warn people about. When challenged on these assertions, Paretti and Waldt’s response was, in typical fashion, vague, providing little substance beyond a call to “move on.”
More concerning, however, was a statement within the letter asserting that the Commissioner President’s refusal to negotiate had cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars in unnecessary lawsuits. This claim references lawsuits initiated by developers seeking to push high-density housing projects, despite residents’ clear opposition to overdevelopment. Why, then, are some commissioners placing developers’ interests ahead of the community’s expressed desires? Public servants must be held accountable for their positions and actions.
The same commissioners who now criticize the President’s stance on overdevelopment and the legal means to do so had previously voiced opposition to the same overdevelopment. Yet they now fault him for adhering to his commitment to protect the township from such encroachments. This inconsistency raises a critical question: Who are they truly representing?
As the Commissioner President advised me during my first days in office, this role is complex and demands time to navigate. However, one guiding principle must remain clear: We are here to serve the collective interests of all residents—not the narrow interests of individuals, developers, or factions.
Our duty is to safeguard taxpayer resources and prioritize the welfare of the entire community. Let us renew our commitment to this responsibility and work together to ensure the prosperity and integrity of Upper Pottsgrove Township.
Wishing everyone a happy and prosperous New Year!
Commissioner Don Read, Upper Pottsgrove Township