The "Trusted Team" - Parental Approach to Governing

Trappe Borough’s “Trusted Team” isn’t the only team with a vision for Main Street renovations.  But they are the only Council members whose vision for Main Street will cost taxpayers millions in new taxes.  Council mailed a questionnaire a few years ago to all residents asking if we would like a beautified Main Street.  Council member Nevin Scholl proposed that a question be included: Would you be willing to accept a tax increase to pay for it?  Council President Fred Schuetz, controller of the majority faction, overruled Nevin and forced the borough manager to exclude that essential, relevant question. 

This enormous nice-to-have spending, involving sidewalks with dozens of street lights, trees, inlaid crosswalks and other exceedingly expensive cosmetics is not in the budget and they’ve already spent $57,000 in our tax dollars on drawing up plans for their pet project.  The plan they presented at a public meeting totaled $3 Million in cost.  Another plan they hid from the fiscally responsible Council members (Scholl, Johnson, Liberi) was discovered by accident and it totaled $7 Million. 

Schuetz, Stomel, Edwards and DiPrete claim that Main Street renovations will not cost taxpayers, that grants will cover it.  That is misinformation.  Grants come with matching requirements.  The Feds and State do not issue grants even in good economic times that come without a matching requirement, sometimes 50% or more.  So if the Trusted Team somehow manages to apply for and receive a 50% match grant, for the $7 Million Main Street nice-to-have plan, each household in Trappe will need to pony up $2,700 in new taxes.  Then there are the annual maintenance costs and legal easements. 

The Trusted Team’s “vision” is a very costly one.  They rejected the opportunity to ask taxpayers if we would ever consider paying more in taxes to fund it.  They talk of grants but not about taxpayer matching requirements. 

Perhaps Trusted Team faction member Paul Edwards said it best: “People oppose taxes but want services, want things.  Sometimes you have to be an adult and do what’s best for Trappe.”  Parental government.  Trusted Team government.  The opposite of Representative government.  

Edwards practices this approach even with his own neighbors who know him and supported his candidacy.

A barbed-wire "prison fence" not in compliance with Borough fence codes pops up overnight to protect our mulch.  The Council member behind it, Paul Edwards, does not give his neighbors the courtesy of discussing it with them first, completely ignores the permit process and doesn't apply for one until after materials are puchased and on site, with no competitive bidding for materials.  Because he can.

http://perkiomenvalley.patch.com/articles/residents-upset-over-new-fence...

Trappe residents spoke out against the newly erected fence around the shared boroughs' compost site at the January 2, 2013 meeting.

"I'm disgusted with the process," said Pacer Lane homeowner Bob Swartley. He showed a signed petition indicating that none of the homeowners around the site had been asked for input on the fencing project.

"There's been no respect for adjoining property owners," Mr. Swartley stated.

The new 6-foot tall chain link fence has barbed wire laced across the top.

Homeowners informed Council that the fence does not keep the site secure as a newly installed gate is wide open and unlocked.

Councilman Paul Edwards ...requested that Public Works remove the barbed wire by the end of the month.

"Where is the plan for this project and what is the budget?" asked an audience member. "How much has this already cost the taxpayers?"

Edwards said that he did not have that information in front of him, but that Public Works would have it.

"I'm concerned about the procedure here," said Councilman Scholl. "Where is the plan? We get an estimated cost and then go out for bid."

The Trusted Team of Schuetz, Stomel, Edwards and DiPrete.  Trusted by voters to run it all.