In a recent video posting, the Republican Party of Chester Heights, and their candidates for Borough Council stated that we violated the rules around Council Reorganization and the PA Sunshine act by replacing the Republican attorney in 2017. Their video is full of misinformation and is not accurate or true. Unfortunately, since this is a direct attack on our integrity, and shows that they have a serious misunderstanding of Borough management, we feel we must respond to these comments.
First, according to the PA Borough Code, Section 1116, “the borough solicitor serves at the pleasure of council”. As a result, a solicitor can be hired or fired at the discretion of the Council. This does not have to be done during a Reorganization Session of the Council. The solicitor is an employee of the borough, not an elected position. Second, with respect to the PA Sunshine Law, Section 708 (Executive Sessions), part 1, states that executive sessions are used to “to discuss any matter involving the employment, appointment, termination of employment, terms and conditions of employment, evaluation of performance, promotion or disciplining of any specific prospective public officer or employee or current public officer or employee employed or appointed by the agency, or former public officer or employee”. It is not fair or just to discuss the employment of a Borough employee in an open session (unless so requested by that employee), and the Sunshine Law recognizes that.
The replacement of the Borough Solicitor in 2017 was done per Borough Code and the PA Sunshine Law.
The comments in the video or more uniformed attack and show a lack of integrity and the Borough deserves better than this.
If you have any questions, please contact us. ChesterHeightsDems@gmail.com
It is also ironic, that during the last Borough Council meeting, the Republicans announced the hiring of part-time help with non-budgeted funds & without discussion (executive session or otherwise) or vote as a Council.
We stand by our service to the community and the work we have done on Council.
Philip Block
Susan Clarke
Marta Driscoll