Last night’s West Easton Council Meeting found almost every seat filled with residents asking questions and seeking answers after the release of the Audit conducted on West Easton’s finances.
During the public comment portion, the range of emotions ran from quietly listening to obviously agitated.
Comments from various speakers covered a wide range of issues. Carry-over money, mil rate increase, police coverage, missing councilmembers, road repair, jeep purchases, and more, including that of the desire for a hiking trail.
One resident even asked about what West Easton could do to eliminate the feral cat population, as he noted they are living in the storm drains in his area. This had me jokingly giving him a warning that he may be accused of killing cats, something my political opponent accused me of, when I wrote an article about the feral cat population last year and my live trapping them.
It ended up being a 2-hour long meeting, with most of the time spent between public commenters, most limited to the “three minute rule” being timed, and the responses given by council members, or Mayor Gross.
Whether or not the attendance was due to, “it must be a campaign year,” as Mayor Gross commented, I believe the attendance has made Council aware that residents are starting to pay attention, once again.
It should also make more residents aware that the Council is willing to answer those questions and concerns you have and that your input is required for our council to get a feel for how residents in West Easton view recent or past decisions they have made.
Many of you may read what I write and I’ll be the first to admit that though I try to be fair, it is impossible to be totally unbiased. My opinions are my own and to form your own opinion of what we are told, you have to attend a meeting for yourself. You must also let the council know of your concerns. That was done well last night, though that’s not to say there weren’t moments of contentious exchanges. Even a heated exchange is not a bad thing, as long as it remains civil and personal insults are omitted, which they were last night.
On a personal FYI for Mayor Gross, who thought I misquoted him in calling the carry-over money “Fools Gold,” I direct him to the time mark of 40:40 of the recorded meeting from 12/8/14.
UPDATE 4/14/15 @ 9:25 pm – Added video of meeting after rendering completed and uploaded to Youtube.
Disclaimer: On January 4, 2016, the owner of WestEastonPA.com began serving on the West Easton Council following an election. Postings and all content found on this website are the opinions of Matthew A. Dees and may not necessarily represent the opinion of the governing body for The Borough of West Easton.
