Free Press –
Dear Friends,
Good morning. Today’s topics are the activity and cost of Richland and Quakertown’s police forces, plus the possibility that the Quakertown School board may realign itself. But first…some praise and a confession.
Mighty Betsy’s sister had a recent stay at St. Luke’s Quakertown Hospital and received a nice note from the nurses who cared for her. Wishing Barbara well were: Lois B., Amanda Healy, Tina, Ellen, Kirsten, Lisa and Rosanne Neiman. That was very thoughtful…a nice touch. Thank you ladies.
And now for the mea culpa. In a letter to the editor (Aug. 17), Coulter Watt pointed out that my facts were wrong in a recent column. I quoted President Bush as identifying Iraq, Syria, and North Korea as the “Axis of evil.” Coulter Watt correctly wrote that Iran, not Syria, was the member of that threesome. Thank you for the clarification.
And now to
business.
The Quakertown school board is examining the best way to realign its nine members. Presently, the three regions each elect three directors. Haycock and Richland Townships plus Richlandtown make up Region 1 with a population of 14,970. Region 1 has 43 percent of the residents in the school district. Milford Township and Trumbauersville form Region 2 with a population of 10,790 (31 percent). Quakertown is Region 3 with the smallest population of 9,020 (26 percent).
Richland Township Supervisor Rick Orloff believes that Quakertown has more school directors than it deserves. His fellow supervisor, Craig Staats, says that Richland residents favor abolishing the three districts and have voters choose the nine directors at large. Understandably, Quakertown is very happy with the status quo. Any change may reduce the number of directors that Quakertown presently enjoys.
Last week, school superintendent Jim Scanlon gave four possibilities for the school board to consider: 1. Elect all nine directors at large. 2. Form nine regions with one director from each region. 3. Create three regions with two board members each, plus three at large board members. 4. Continue the three regions but redefine the boundaries to evenly divide the population.
Haycock Township supervisor, Henry DePue, favors the at large concept. DePue said he supported an at-large system because it would better serve all residents. “You could have a higher percentage of people from one area, but if they’re the best for the job, it shouldn’t matter where they live,” he told a reporter.
Personally, I think DePue’s opinion is right. I served as a Bucks County Commissioner 40 years ago. The three commissioners were then, and still are, elected at large. Two of us were from Middletown Township. I was the only Upper Bucks commissioner. It didn’t matter that 52 of the 54 municipalities didn’t have equal representation. And it still doesn’t…even with a population in excess of 600,000.
I would suggest that staggering the terms of the nine directors would be preferable to having all nine voted at large in the same year. So, three of the nine would be chosen every municipal election cycle, every other year.
One thing is clear. Municipal jealousies are alive and well. If I had my way, I’d dissolve the six municipalities and substitute a council of nine members with all of them elected at large.
And that
takes me to the
Meanwhile, Quakertown’s police force has remained at 15 for four years, according to borough manager Dave Woglom. He told me that he’s working on a plan to determine whether Quakertown’s police force requires additions.
Anyone who follows the local news realizes that crime is increasing in the region. I chatted with Quakertown Police, Chief Scott McElree, last week. He gave high praise to the seven members of his drug task force, which successfully staked out and arrested nine villains in the heroin trade. “Sergeant Don Bender did a great job,” the chief said.
Looking at the Richland Township, Richlandtown and Quakertown region, it seems obvious that the three should have one police force. Richlandtown depends upon the state police for protection. Because Richland surrounds Quakertown, its police department constantly drives through Quakertown from one side of the borough to the other.
When will municipal mergers occur?
Last June, Governor Rendell told me that he would address that topic when he begins his next term in January. He has to beat his Republican challenger first, of course. And the New Jersey legislature is tackling that very subject right now. New Jersey has 1,412 towns, villages, cities and school boards. Pennsylvania has more than 2,600. Do the two states need more than 4,000 municipalities? Hardly.
As I’m fond of saying, we just have to stay tuned.
Sincerely,
Charles Meredith