Delco Fire Training Project Tabled — County GOP Finance Director Dave Galluch of Newtown defended a proposed interior fire training building before Delaware County (Pa) Council, July 3.
The structure at the training center 1600 Calcon Hook Road in Sharon Hill was expected to be passed as a consent item but removed after objections from Councilwoman Christine A. Reuther.
The 23-acre site is owned by the county but leased to the Delaware County Board of Fire and Life Safety.
The building would cost $5.5 million with $2.05 million coming from the state and the rest evenly divided between the county and the tenant.
It was a rare instance of Ms. Reuther objecting to spending. Was the project too macho?
Christine Reuther And Speech
Ms. Reuther made herself a target of citizens ire when she objected to Charles Alexander of Marple facing the audience during the first round of public comments.
“Can I raise a point of order, just about public comment” she said. “. . . Is public comment really meant to be comment to council . . . or is it sort of, you know, open mic night at our local bar?”
John DeMassy (phonetic) of Drexel Hill spanked her a few speakers later when he pointed out that Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Law obligates Council to allow speakers to comment to Council and/or the people, and face whatever why the speaker wishes.
Michael Straw of Media also ripped Ms. Reuther. He defended the First Amendment and blasted her for objecting to speech. He also noted that Council has blocked comments on its Facebook page ostensibly to stop “misinformation.”
The only antidote for lies is truth. “Misinformation” doesn’t disappear because it isn’t posted on a particular forum. It just hides in the woodwork like termite causing destruction in secret. When the “misinformation” is seen, though, perhaps on an official site, it can be countered and defeated.
Wonder why Council doesn’t get that.
Of course calling truth “misinformation” is worst kind of misinformation. Maybe that’s what they fear.
Ms. Reuther was later taken to task by a Springfield woman for being “smug”. She also bizarrely said illegals bathing in Darby Creek were not a county concern but a local matter. We could almost swear she was laughing when she this.
Other Matters
Kimberly Brown of Colwyn demanded an audit of George W. Hill Correctional Facility where she works. She said pay discrepancies are demoralizing the staff. Competency and effort are not rewarded, she said.
Executive Director Barbara O’Malley said bridge work on New Road in Aston and Manchester Road in Middletown will be completed by year’s end.