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Last year was a pretty good one. Everything just seemed to work out. Predictions I made actually happened, though at least one, most people predicted. Trouble eventually crosses paths with the law.

Irritants have become little more than background noise. The unimportant have been relegated to the irrelevant file where they belong.

Home

Other than the siding on my house needing repair work this Spring, I can’t complain.

No student loans. No liens. Taxes all paid. I don’t have to beg a neighbor for their Wi-Fi password. I actually get along with my neighbors and family members. My siblings aren’t suing me.

My youngest daughter blessed me with another grandchild in December. Another one I can try and spoil with gifts. Both mother and daughter are healthy.

Even my dog stopped biting me.

I’d like to write more in detail, but someone would likely harass and target my family, as was previously done to others on their enemies list.

Ask me though, and I’ll bore you with pictures of the most beautiful grandchildren.

Work

My co-workers elected me to the position of Chairman of our Union Local, and with the help of a newly elected Shop Steward under me, came to mutually agreeable conclusions with management that got a few people back to work.

My driving route continues to be the best I’ve had and it’s the children who make it a job I enjoy doing. All great kids and my employer, CIU 20, does a fantastic job of helping them achieve their full potential.

My employer has been totally supportive, despite the unending RTKs from one individual. Sadly, those RTKs takes time and resources away from children who need it most.

Of course, it helps immensely when an abundance of people with degrees in psychology can evaluate an accuser through interaction. Facebook posts and Letters To Editors also provide a lot of insight regarding unfounded accusations.

Council

I have one of the best seats. As Vice President I get to kick back and watch Council President Paul James run the meetings and put his name on all the incriminating documents, like my quarterly council paycheck.

He did an outstanding job, managing to avoid pissing people off and, I think, taking hidden pleasure in the attention of our local common scold being directed at me, rather than him.

I was able to get a Vexatious Requester Resolution passed unanimously. I then ran with it, independent of Council, in a personal quest to see it move beyond West Easton and was successful.

It is now a PA House Bill that has overwhelming support from boroughs and townships throughout the state, triggering our Vexatious Requester into a frothy frenzy of reflection with insane memes and written rants of uncontrolled hate.

It’s become sadly amusing, watching somebody self-destruct and getting caught in their own lies, as they fail to destroy their intended target.

I’m really proud of the Memorial Fountain and the landscaping improvements to Monument Park that was paid for with grants. Other than one person who disrespects military heroes by calling it a “patio,” I haven’t heard anything negative said. It was received well by those who attended it’s official start-up on Memorial Day.

Speaking of grants, as Chair of the Grants Committee, I’m tempted to take the credit for the flow of grant money, that helped pay for new recycling bins, park sidewalks, and our other projects. The truth is I was a very small cog in the machinery that has produced grant awards on a level that has far exceeded Councils prior to 2016.

Our grant writer from Barry Isett & Associates, in which we are provided 100 hours of grant writing at no charge, and our Borough Manager, Joan Heebner, do the real work in applying for and following through on grants.

It was great to see Mr. Robert Mahady sworn in as Chief of Police. It took a long time to get there, but government paperwork and approval from numerous agencies through each step of the process of forming a new police department is a nightmare.

If you want a real Law Enforcement Officer, it takes work and Mr. Mahady put in the time needed to navigate the bureaucracy of it all.

I have no doubt that the roll-out of the police department with additional police officers will happen in early 2020 and I look forward to being part of that, as well.

I’m going to end this year the way I ended 2018. I’m going to bed early and sleeping in late. Why change what worked so well?

Here’s to a great 2020!