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Take away the arguing, accusations, and sour grapes of the West Easton council meeting on June 8th and you’ll find useful information and valid points made by Mayor Gross.

Obviously, as a father, Mayor Gross must be disappointed that his daughter, Kelly, was defeated in the primary, but his assertion “half-truths” were used to defeat her and getting the “real truth” out wasn’t possible, isn’t totally accurate.

She had the opportunity to campaign like the rest of us. She didn’t. She could have walked the streets and talked to residents. She didn’t.

I think I might be included in his “Band of Brothers” classification, of those who won the primary, and he queries if I include what he says among the other things I write.

I do currently and I have in the past. Also, full videos, with no editing of council meetings.

I even offered on this website, an open invitation to Mayor Gross or any council member to submit any writings they wanted. There was never a response. It was believed to be inconsequential and after writing some articles that weren’t viewed as favorable, it was pretty much ignored as a means of getting information from them, to the residents.

Instead, Mayor Gross admitted he got his information from a “third party” of what was written and if he wants to depend on people like Tom Nodoline or others to provide that information, then he will hear the truth from me, even over the shouting interruptions of Mr. Nodoline, who accused me of campaigning at a council meeting (he can be heard shouting it, while I addressed the Mayor).

The videos are up, Tom. Find a time in any of them where I told people to vote for me, or anyone else, for that matter.

That invitation on this site is still open. Especially, for Councilman Nodoline.

Mr. Nodoline can also explain why he chose to campaign for the ever-absent Vernon Moore at a council meeting. Who, exactly, was he trying to defeat on the Democrat ticket? Tom, being a representative of the Democrat Committee. Why he chose to do so following the Mayor specifically stating that a council meeting is not a political forum? If he knew that using public resources for campaign purposes is a prosecutable offense?

I take no joy in explaining to Mayor Gross something he was told out of context and I certainly won’t apologize for the truth – even should it embarrass him by calling out one of his council for being unethical.

If accusations of half-truths are made, he should know the whole truth before making a statement about what I wrote, possibly thinking it would embarrass me. It ended up turning on him and he can thank the person who didn’t provide all the truth to him for that.

As far as his “Band of Brothers” remark, if Mayor Gross believes that includes me, he is mistaken.

I removed myself from the 2013 primary because I refused to be part of the existing “Band” on the council, including Tom, who expected me to vote as I was told and make motions they proposed. Win or lose, I will be independent of any “band,” “clique,” or “voting block” that ends up on Council after November. I follow my own path and will do what I see best for the borough.

I’m not saying that as a campaign speech, but rather an announcement to those now sitting on council and those that may be sitting after the election. I’ll be indebted to nobody except the residents, should they choose to elect me.

Now, the valid points made by Mayor Gross.

To paraphrase, It’s about the borough.

The fighting amongst council members needs to stop. Nobody gives a damn when Dan DePaul first talked with Henry Nodoline, or candidate Lewis. The brotherly “love” between the Nodilines shouldn’t spill over into a council meeting. The back and forth “Gotch-ya’s,” amidst a power struggle among council members, needs to end.

As one resident could be heard to say at the last meeting, “It’s pathetic.”

A predator.

There was an expense caused by a resident who is sue happy, wasting much of the council’s time and taxpayer money. Mayor Gross quoted $20,000 and likely most of it was in defense of lawsuits, but it should be noted that the borough generated at least some of that expense. Demanding a Right To Know Law request being submitted and having a solicitor review that request for every piece of information, then appealling Office of Open Records losses was simply wasteful on the borough’s part.

The next council will have to deal with a mandated 2 mil reduction by the current council, if it happens.

Mayor Gross and the Council President have enough votes to mandate a 2 mil reduction for the incoming council, even if they don’t think it is feasible. The Mayor thinks it is possible and because those running (myself included) think it possible, I would welcome the the challenge.

With all the infighting and bullcrap going on, it’s no good for the community.

That sums it up in a nutshell.

Now, if you want to hear all he had to say, and for me to avoid being accused of having omitted something, go to the video HERE and jump to the time of 1:41:53.