Trappe Election Results

The following are the results for Trappe Borough Council:

Rep - Trappe Council

1/1 100.00%

Under Votes	397
Over Votes	0
	Vote Count	Percent
Theodore Patrick	219	24.72%
Matthew Watson	229	25.85%
Catherine Johnson	218	24.60%
Nevin H. Scholl	220	24.83%
Total	886	100.00

Just for editification an under vote is when a voter chooses not to vote on a specific race or issue. An over vote is when a voter votes for two candidates in a race or connects the arrow for both "yes" and "no" on an issue. Pay attention to the under votes as it is important to what the current power is doing to continue their stranglehold.

A Planted Story

In case you missed the story in the Philadelphia Inquirer (and there is a great chance you could have missed the story as the circulation for the paper is is less than 20% in the area) that appeared on May 17, 2009 (see here). I do not think it was a coincidence that this story ran just before the election primary on the following Tuesday.

Now let me tell you straight up this is a planted story and the cast of characters here can only bring laughter! The irony here is so thick it is going to most likely take several posts to connect the dots.

Let me close this post in pointing out that in the what several people have pointed out to me that in the printed version of The Sunday Inquirer where the above story appeared there was a picture of Peck Electronics, owned by Trappe Mayor Connie Peck (a Democrat) and her Husband Bob. And guess what - prominently featured in that picture is a campaign sign for Republican Terrie Stagliano running for District Justice. Coincidence? You decide but also consider there was not a sign for the Democratically endorsed candidate.

Some Luck in Limerick

While we believe it was more than just luck in Limerick we are very pleased to hear the great news for the battered and abused citizens of Limerick Township that Tom Neafcy cleaned the clock of Renee Chesler by besting her with 36.50% of the vote compared to her 29.34%. That may not seem like much in politics but it is a good old fashioned a** whooping in a tight race ... and the Limerick Township race was tight!

We wish Mr. Neafcy the best in his bid this coming fall as he is a good and honest man and that is hard to find today in politics. If Ms. Chesler had any brains she would have followed David Kane when he left. All that education (BA and MBA from Eastern University in Saint David's PA) and they still have no common sense ... go figure. Oh well, now she suffers the humiliation of defeat due to her arrogance.

As we move towards November we will give you the skinny on all of the Limerick candidates as well as the surrounding boroughs and townships.

38-1-20 Race Results

The final numbers for the election are out and all of them can be seen here. Specifically here are the results for the Magisterial District 38-1-20 race and they speak for themselves.

Martin P. Dorminy
Total Vote Count: 96
Total Percentage: 3.10%

Terrie Stagliano
Total Vote Count: 777
Total Percentage:25.11%

Cathleen Kelly Rebar
Total Vote Count: 2,221
Total Percentage: 71.78%

The people have spoken and now we set our sights towards November. We have received a fair amount of e-mail asking us to check out Matthew Watson in Trappe who is running for re-election to Council. Our results will shock you and suffice to say that we will give Mr. Watson the long holiday weekend to really consider pulling out of the race and we will let it go - otherwise he is fair game.

The Forced Crahalla Endorsement

It seems that everyone in this area knows and loves Ben Crahalla, the current sitting judge for Magisterial District 38-1-20 who must retire as required by law, as he will reach the age of 70 in July.

In April 2009 the letter here (click to enlarge - after viewing use the browser back button to return to the blog) was mailed out wherein Mrs. Crahalla notes she feels compelled not only to set the record straight due to the misinformation being spread (most likely from the Stagaliano Camp since it benefited Ms. Stagliano) but to make an endorsement.

Mrs. Crahalla had hoped to stay out of this race and our sources tell us that for the past several years Mrs. Stagliano very heavily pursued Mrs. Crahalla for a personal relationship. In fact, we were told that none other than Albert Stagliano, husband of (and current Mayor in Collegeville Borough) Mrs. Stagliano showed up at Judge Crahalla's office demanding he resign so there would be no need for his wife to run in an election (apparently the Stagliano's thought they had it wired with the Pennsylvania Governor to appoint her). I have the feeling that did nothing to bolster that personal relationship.

In spite of all this Mrs. Crahalla did not wish to get involved but as she cites in her letter that she originally planned to remain neutral but, unfortunately, she intimates she was forced to take a position.

Once again a key endorsement not only due to a much more qualified candidate, Cathleen Rebar, but as with Mr. Draksler, an endorsement due to the tatics of her opposition.

A Ray of Class in Collegeville

In our blog posting of May 12th we spoke about the conflict of interest that occurred in January 2008 when Ms. Stagliano was appointed Collegeville Borough Council President (something she desperately wanted and needed as she crawled nearer to her goal for the DJ position) wherein her Mayor-Husband broke the tie for her.

Based upon what we read in the January 2008 meeting minutes for Collegeville Council and what we have heard, we concluded that the past President, Charles Draksler, was forced out by the Stagliano's.

Well we would say based upon the letter above we think our guess is correct. A very good letter with a lot of class ... but why would we expect anything else from a classy guy. Well done Mr. Draksler.

Disremembered Omissions II

To left is a copy of the Statement of Financial Interests form for Terrie Stagliano. These forms, by law, must be filed with the State for all persons holding public office and/or running for public office.

If you carefully review the form to the left (click to enlarge - use your browser back button to return to our blog) you will see that Ms. Stagliano left off her ownership and financial interests in Bella Flora (see internet listing here) and is registered with the State of Pennsylvania (see here) since 2005.

This business clearly should have been listed on the ethics form that Ms. Stagliano filed but once again why should she have regard for the law based upon her past actions.

Criminals for Stagliano

In today's Norristown Times Herald two letters to the editor appeared (image to the left - click to enlarge) and while their timing is somewhat suspicious (what is else is new for Stan and gang when they have refused to print many letters in support of Ms. Rebar) but the real story here is Tony Salamone.

Anthony Salamone is a small time criminal and all around deadbeat who has supported Terrie Stagliano through such things as web based online videos wherein he shows himself to and his friends as outlaw bikers.

He has a history of civil judgments against him including but not limited to delinquent child support payments and two liens - one federal (see here) and one state (see here) against him. Perhaps that is where he met Terrie Stagliano - at a support group for tax deadbeats. He is transient who has no roots and does not live in a community that is affected by this judicial race. In the criminal arena he has had a DUI conviction and was charged with domestic abuse. In the aforementioned video he admits to being a criminal and in the video includes actual footage of Bill Mahr making communist statements.

Now let us look at the letter from Mr. Salamone who states that he at one time was undecided for who he was going to support in this election - wait a minute - Mr. Salamone lives in Norristown and can't vote in this election. It is our belief that Mr. Salamone was never undecided as he has been friends with the Stagliano's for many years and produced the aforementioned video last year.

And finally, if there were so many witnesses to this alledged incident we feel that the letter would be much more credible coming from someone who witnessed the incident and was of more character then a deadbeat Dad and a drunken criminal.

Disremembered Omissions

We were not so surprised to see articles in the Pottstown Mercury and Norristown Times Herald in reference to the local DJ race. The articles, while appearing fair told us nothing about the candidates that is not in their campaign literature.

This is the first time I had knew who Martin Dorminy was so we conducted a background check and found an article (see here) wherein Mr. Dorminy appears to have majorly screwed up a death penalty case. You read and you decide if this guy should be in any judicial position.

In addition, we received a copy of a new mailer from Terrie Stagliano (see above) and we want to set the record straight on a few things.

1. Does the Stagliano camp really believe that the average voter is going to swallow that 4 weeks of DJ school is going to trump 4 years of undergraduate study and 3 years of law school? Hell, we know nothing about what level of education Terrie Stagliano has or even if she has graduated from high school. Her resume attempts to sizzle but there was no steak to be found.
2. Does the Stagliano camp really believe that the average voter is going to think that someone who has practiced law as a prosecutor and in private practice for many years is not better suited for this position than someone who has been elected to public office and owns a business?
3. Terrie Stagliano compares herself to Ben Crahalla but she does not have his support or that of his spouse. Ask yourself why that is?
4. Ben Crahalla is an educated man with a BS in Criminal Justice and prior to becoming a DJ he spent 25 years as a Pennsylvania State Trooper. He has plenty of legal experience prior to being a judge. Cutting hair and being a community activist (spending public money) is not the same.
5. The only reason that the State of Pennsylvania allows someone who does not have a law degree to serve as a Magisterial Judge is that Pennsylvania is very rural and if they did not it would be impossible to fill the positions. But make no mistake about it - the State iteself and the State Judiciary prefer someone with a law degree to serve.

In closing, let me remind you that on this blog in many posts we have presented the facts that were culled from various public records. The newspapers have access to the same information as we do - but Stan Huskey and gang just choose to ignore these facts and just disremember so they could make many omissions when they report the 'news' ... or is it simply their own agenda?

But let us not forget Stan's user profile on his blog that states "I'm about finding the truth and helping people understand what is happening where they live, work and play." We are listening for the truth but oft times Stanley your silence is deafening!

Conflict of Interest

(Click on images to enlarge - use the browser back button when complete)

A reader sent an e-mail to us pointing out that she had received a mailer (image above) from Terrie Stagliano that on one side showed a bullet point that stated 'No Conflict of Interest' (as well warrants was spelled wrong - warrents' - this is the 2nd mail piece from Ms. Stagliano with a spelling error).

Well after being shown the January 2008 meeting minutes for Collegeville Borough Council there was and still is a huge conflict of interest and it all has to do with how Ms. Stagliano became Collegeville Borough Council President.

It is in the Collegeville Borough meeting minutes for January 2008 (full page of meeting minutes are above) . Here is the excerpt.

NOMINATIONS FOR COUNCIL PRESIDENT: Mayor Stagliano called for nominations for President of Borough Council. Louise Tulio nominated Teresa Stagliano. Rowan Keenan nominated Chuck Draksler. Mayor Stagliano offered that nominations for Council President be closed.

Mayor Stagliano requested a vote by show of hands for Teresa Stagliano. Voting for Teresa Stagliano were MaryLynn Gaydos, Louise Tulio and Teresa Stagliano. Mayor Stagliano then requested a vote by show of hands for Chuck Draksler. Voting for Chuck Draksler were Rowan Keenan, Tim Mahon and Andrea Baptiste. Both nominations received 3 votes. Mayor Stagliano broke the tie by voting in favor of Teresa Stagliano.

Well if this is not a blatant conflict of interest I am not certain what is! This move caused Chuck Draksler to quit politics after many years of service and was totally disrespectful to him. My only question is where was Chuck Draksler that evening? Was he told to stay away?

Above the Law III

It appears that candidate Terrie Stagliano has in the past not paid her federal taxes to the tune of $10,996.41 and the IRS had to file a federal lien against her and her husband, Albert Stagliano.

It is all right here on the Montgomery County website.

In addition, we have heard from a very reliable source (an official) at the townhouse development where the Stagliano's live (see here) that in the past few months the association had to bring legal action due to many months of unpaid association dues in the area of $3,000.00. They were sued in the very court that Terrie Stagliano is running to be the judge in!

Once again this points to the moral character and ethics this candidate possesses. Once again, Terrie Stagliano thinks she is above the law!

Above the Law II

(Click on image to enlarge - click the browser back button when complete)

In our last blog we eluded to the not so fortunate and to the aging who live on meager pensions and Social Security and how it hardly seemed fair when people who are politicians make decisions that often times have a financial impact on their respective taxpayers and rate payers but especially those referenced above and in this economy are hard hit.

In 2004 two minority (meaning they joined 2 other Trappe Council Members representing a majority) were appointed to CTMA and CTJPW. During their tenure they noticed that meeting related documents (agenda, financial reports including bills to be paid, etc.) were distributed just prior to the start of the regularly scheduled public meetings when it is common practice and common sense to provide these documents to the members of such a committee 5 business days prior to such a meeting. This allows a timely and in depth review unless of course you don't want anyone to scrutinize what is going on.

When the two new Trappe representatives requested that the documents be distributed earlier so they could review them prior to voting Mr. Ernest Schmidt replied "that is not how we do things around here". Mr. Matt Watson was the third member of both CTMA and Trappe (and is a current Trappe Councilman running for re-election this year) and voiced that it was not necessary to change this practice.

This whole situation stems from the formation of the Collegeville Trappe Joint Public Works Department (CTJPW) in 1992, which was supposed to spell the end for the joint municipal authority, according to the agreement of 1990. However, more than 15 years later, the Collegeville Trappe Municipal Authority still exists. Why? No one from either Trappe or Collegeville has or can give a valid reason.

In the middle of this is Ernest (Ernie to Terrie Stagliano) Schmidt, a former resident of Trappe who moved to Lower Fredrick more than five years ago (at the time) and served on CTMA since its creation as a municipal authority in 1968. Mr. Schmidt represented Trappe on the regional sewer authority until he was not reappointed by the Trappe Council in January 2006 citing he was not a resident of Trappe Borough. State law requires that a person maintain their primary residence in the borough or township that they serve.

As the Treasurer of the Public Works Department, a part-time position that paid him $32,000 a year (working an estimated ten (10) hours a week but this cannot be confirmed as time records are not kept for the employees of CTJPW) after he refused to resign after Trappe Borough Council cited he was a non-resident. Andrew Cantor, Solicitor for Collegeville Borough, CTMA, and CTJPW stated that if Schmidt was appointed to the CTMA as a resident of Trappe, then he can serve out his five-year term even though he moved out of the borough during that term. Trappe disagreed and had their solicitor challenge it through the offices of the Montgomery County District Attorney and State Attorney General.

In all correspondence directed to Collegeville from Trappe, Trappe pointed out that Mr. Schmidt could not legally serve as chairman of the Lower Perkiomen Valley Regional Sewer Authority (which had just started a $60 million plus capacity expansion and has led to a nearly 67% increase in the sewer bills for Lower Providence, Upper Providence, Trappe and Collegeville) because he was not a resident of Collegeville. Trappe provided to Collegeville a court deposition transcript in which Mr. Schmidt had given sworn testimony that he was a resident of Lower Frederick Township (where he is now a Supervisor and the former the Building Inspector). Mr. Schmidt refused to resign and had to be removed by then Montgomery County's District Attorney Bruce Castor (see letter above) in July 2006 as Trappe’s representative on the CTMA.

It took legal action (which cost the taxpayers) from the Trappe Borough Solicitor through The Montgomery County District Attorney, Mr. Bruce Castor cited state law that requires residency for Mr. Schmidt to represent either Trappe or Collegeville. Mr. Schmidt, with the encouragement and backing of Terrie Stagliano, refused to resign. Terrie Stagliano screamed at Trappe Officials telling them to leave Ernie alone as he is a "good man" and that she did not care if he couldn't serve legally.

Then Collegeville Borough Council under the direction of Terrie Stagliano not only attempted to appoint Ernie Schmidt as Collegeville's representative on the LPVRSA she also attempted to pay the legal bills for Mr. Schmidt out of the treasury of CTJPW but this effort was blocked by Trappe Representatives. Terrie Stagliano knew that appointing Mr. Schmidt and attempting to pay his legal bills was unethical and illegal but she moved forward anyway in another incident where she disregarded the law.

When council members from Trappe brought the 1990 agreement to the attention of the Collegeville Borough Council, the response was, "Where have you been for 15 years?" The 1990 agreement was in response to a lawsuit filed by Trappe against the CTMA years back. As a result, the joint public works department was formed to operate the sewer system. According to the agreement, the CTMA was supposed to cease operations when the joint public works system was formed. We have 2 entities (CTMA and CTJPW) operating the Sewer and nearly doubling the cost for this service. All so they can appear to being doing more than they really are.

In our next posting we will review the sweet contract Terrie Stagliano cooked up for the employees of CTJPW and CTMA.