Supervisor Calls for Resignations, Questions Park Funding

Supervisor Elizabeth Cowden accused fellow board members on Tuesday of trying to "hoodwink" taxpayers over what she called "misappropriation of funds" for the development of Klinger Park.

The newly elected supervisor then called for her fellow board members to resign, saying they should have been keeping a more watchful eye on where the cash was coming from to pay for improvements to the site.

Cowden questioned how two grants for $210,000 could pay for the purchase price of the park—about $300,000—and other improvements, demanding to know where specifically the money would come from to pay for other expenses related to Klinger Park.

She then suggested that the township had paid for that and other improvements there in part with taxpayer money—a move she said goes against a policy the board approved regarding Klinger Park.

"Elizabeth, don't you know this by now?" Supervisor Andy Schrader asked, explaining the different sources of money that have gone toward Klinger Park expenses—none of which came from the general fund.

Township Manager Don Genusso then explained that the money for Klinger Park came from grant sources as well as the township's local share of casino revenue.

Board Chairman Mike Debbis then said: "This money was not transferred as it was supposed to."

But Cowden was unswayed, saying that the township's local share of casino money was actually taxpayer dollars that should not have been spent on the park.

But Gennuso and Debbis disagreed.

"If we need to go to court to figure this out, we'll do it," she said, suggesting that a forensic accounting audit of township funds be conducted.

The crowded audience cheered Cowden on, some of them hollering out, "Amen!," "Yes!" and "You violated your own policy!"

"Do I need a cease and desist?" she asked. "I will go to the (Washington County district attorney)."

Board Chairman Mike Debbis then moved on with the meeting.