Unanswered Questions the 3rd “Special” Council Meeting in a month
Time and location: Jan 10th, 10am Starrucca Baptist Church
EDITORIAL OPINION of this site:
There are many many irregularities about this meeting. As a resident and private citizen of this Borough I have questions.
This meeting is irregular, or different from standard meetings, in a few ways that raise questions:
• Three (3) Special meetings have been called in less than 30 days. Meetings were called by this Darl Haynes, Donald Haynes Jr., and Keith Payne. This implies that either:
Something is so urgent that it must be addressed ahead of the next scheduled meeting on Feb 1st 2022, 7PM @ 316 Starrucca Creek Rd.
What is either so important or what are these council members failing to accomplish they need this many meetings?
• The Monday, January 10, 2022 meeting was called as an “organizational meeting.” In fact, the Council already had an organizational meeting on Jan 3rd. 2022. 3 council members (Darl, Keith, Donald) left the meeting of their own will, thereby forfeiting their right to vote or to have a say in the proceedings.
• The announcement for the January 10 meeting refers to Kirk Rhone as a council member ‘(4)’. As of the meeting on November 6th, Mr. Rhone. It seems to me that he is is no longer a council member. Based on PA Borough Code.
• Meetings at 10am on Mondays discriminate against people who work on weekdays, forcing them to choose between civic participation and supporting their households.
Meetings announced with only 24 hours notice make it difficult for borough residents to participate, particularly when they are called during business hours.
• Seems to be a recurring pattern with these council members who you will recall are elected officials sworn to protect the common good that meetings are called with short notice for times when most borough residents cannot attend.
• Who ran the ad in the Tri-county Independent announcing the meeting. Who paid for the ad? Was it purchased with borough funds?
• Who paid the constable to serve notice of the meeting to the other council members?
• Three (3) council members appear to be acting in concert with one another, and NOT with the rest of the council members. This raises concern for the ability of the council to act in good faith on behalf of the borough and for the residents of the borough to be served by the Council.
Text of the “Notice of special meeting” follows:
Notice is hereby given that Starrucca Borough Council shall have a Special Meeting on
Monday, January 10, 2022 at 10:00 a.m., at the Baptist Social Room located at 352 Starrucca Creek Road, Starrucca, PA, for the purposes of reorganizing Borough Council and to conduct such other business as deemed necessary to the affairs of the Borough that may come before Council at this meeting. This Special Meeting is being called upon the written request of four (4) Members of Council: Darl Haynes, Donald Haynes, Jr., Keith Payne, and Kirk Rhone.
UPDATE Jan 9th, 2022. 11am
Agenda posted to the Starrucca Baptist Church
STARRUCCA BOROUGH COUNCIL
Special Meeting of January 10, 2022
AGENDA:
Mayor Jason Heeman convenes Reorganization Meeting
Pledge of Allegiance
Oath of Office Administered to Jack Downton, Kristin Potter, and Council Reddon council members
Inquiry as to the events that occurred at the January 3, 2022 meeting
Nomination of President of Council - Mayor Jason Heeman (after voting, President takes Chair)
Nomination of Vice President of Council - President (voting)
Committee Assignments - Council President
Appointment of Secretary
Appointment of Assistant Secretary
Appointment Open Records Officer
Appointment of Treasurer
Appointment of Assistant Treasurer
Appointment of Solicitor
Appointment of Engineer
Appointment of Constable
Motion to Approve Bonding of Treasurer and Tax Collect
Appointment of Building Official
Depository of Funds
Council Meeting Dates
Appointment of Emergency management Coordinator
Appointment of Planning Commission Members
Any other appointments
Other business
Public Comment and Privilege of the Floor
Adjournment
Update Jan 28th, 2022
Meeting was short. mayor read a statement refusing to open a reorganization meeting since one occurred on Jan 3rd 2022. Keith attempted to make a motion, but meeting was not opened and everyone left.
Mayor’s statement.
