Diversity Questioned Over Yardley Board Reappointments

YARDLEY, PA —Yardley Borough Council approved reappointments to six of its boards and commissions Tuesday. But one applicant who was not appointed questioned officials over a "lack of diversity" regarding its decision-making about one board.

Dawn Perlmutter, who regularly attends council meetings and has unsuccessfully applied and interviewed for boards and vacant borough council seats, criticized the council at its meeting Tuesday regarding the Civil Service Commission reappointment.

"In this day and age, the lack of diversity for full-time positions is extremely questionable," said Perlmutter, who later interviewed for the borough council vacancy that went to former board member Uri Feiner.

The council unanimously approved the reappointment of Brian Welch to a six-year term, ending on Dec. 31, 2028.

Other appointments included:

• Park & Recreation —Carol Such, term ending Dec. 31, 2025
• Planning Commission—Richard Hodge and Matthew Sinberg, terms ending Dec. 31, 2026
• HARB —Jerry Taylor, term ending Dec. 31, 2026
• Vacancy Board —Brian Welch, term Ending Dec. 31, 2028

"I'm a little confused about how this process is done on reappointments. There was no discussion here about it. You just all of the sudden had the names." Perlmutter said.

"I have over 20 years of law enforcement experience," she continued. "You talk about diversity, but I don't understand why this important board won't put a more qualified woman on it. My application was in. I wasn't interviewed."

Perlmutter asked the council to reconsider its vote, which it did not.

Last month, Perlmutter criticized the council for not being considered for an alternate position on the civil service commission, stating that the council had her application on file.

At Tuesday's meeting, she also stated that the "white, all-male commission" only promotes the hiring and promotion of "all white men" to the police department.

Councilman David Appelbaum and Council President Caroline Thompson both said that was not the case.

Appelbaum, who reviewed the applicants, said he underwent a vetting process of all the applicants, including Perlmutter.

"It's important to understand that the people being reappointed, there have been no complaints about them. They've done excellent work and have excellent references. About being all white, I hear you, but that is not how anyone would be selected, that's not the criteria."

Thompson said that Police Chief Joseph Kelly III "has done a lot of work trying to pull in" diverse applicants.

"And we have never had one that is ranked top in the civil service appointment process that has not withdrawn their application," Thompson said. "We're not getting the applicants. We're not getting applicants of color and we're not getting women applicants."