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People’s minds are changed through observation and not through argument. ~ Will Rogers

Considering that the council meetings have been recorded, there are some who should be aware that they are being observed by residents, even if those residents don’t attend the meetings.

Though the sting of the May primary should be receeding, it continues to be a sore spot that festers for both Council President Kelly Gross and her father, Mayor Gerald Gross.

Kelly Gross obviously feels betrayed by the voters, noting at certain points during the meeting, her 20 years of service, that she was “done” at the end of her term, and for everyone to enjoy her while she is here (on council). Mayor Gross sarcastically referred to those who brought up the carry-over money during the primary as, “The Fantastic Four,” and claiming that  false information was presented to the public, or a lack of information was given, with regard to the budget and 1 mil of the tax increase.

If they had run a re-election campaign as strongly as they are doing now, it is likely Kelly Gross would be on the ballot in November.

In fairness to them both, ignoring the results of the primary and not having hard feelings is difficult to achieve when candidate Henry Nodoline began his public comment by accusing Kelly Gross of not helping a resident in need of garbage removal, from an incident of illegal dumping. Henry said the resident sent him a letter and believed Kelly received it. Kelly said she didn’t receive it, but had met with the resident and told him if he moved the items to the pickup area designated for trash removal, it would be removed.

There was also a question of where the items were dumped. Henry believed it to be borough property. Kelly said it was not.

My only thought during all of it was, Why isn’t the resident with the problem addressing the council?

The exchange that followed between them is best viewed, rather than opinionated by me.

The rift between some on the council has widened to such a point that it is now blatantly apparent that even good suggestions will be challenged.

Councilman Dan DePaul discovered that a casino grant was available to aging communities, restricted to boroughs and townships. He had the guidelines and application. It would be a matching grant and DePaul’s idea was to apply for the grant for use toward repairing roads that were already designated for work.

Obtaining the grant would save $50,000 in taxpayer money, already planned for use in road and sidewalk repair along Anderson Road.

DePaul met resistance from Kelly Gross, as she questioned his failure to present it to a committee and doing it unilaterally, before bringing it to the Council. She wanted to review it first.

Not surprisingly, Mayor Gross, who seems able to separate personal differences with what is good for West Easton, tried to make it clear that there was no downside to applying for the grant and supported DePaul, noting that a grant would offset the money already set aside for the road work.

Councilman Tom Nodoline questioned if DePaul was “grandstanding,” before voting on the motion to apply for the grant.

Thankfully, the motion passed.

There were other important items discussed, including a change to the work release facility in West Easton.

Attorney Mickey Thompson, representing developer Abe Atayah’s interest in the facility, who asked council to consider an increase of residents at the facility to 120 at the last meeting, appeared before the council again. He brought with him two county officials and asked council for a motion to increase the resident population to 150. Officials from the county said that 150 residents meets code.

The change in the ordinance to allow 150 residents will be advertised.

Mayor Gross, in charge of public safety, brought up the fact of cars running stop signs, stating he was informed by residents who contacted him that children were almost hit by cars running stop signs in the borough. Mayor Gross stated he has some ideas about addressing the problem and is still hoping for a part-time police officer to serve the borough. He advised residents to stop when required and be sure to wear seat belts.

He is also investigating the possibility of changing the street lights to fixtures that use more cost efficient LED bulbs, but needs to gather more information on the overall cost versus savings.

Currently, I’m in the process of rendering the video from last night’s council meeting. Many other subjects of interest were discussed. The video will be posted next.