» East Franklin Residents Question Validity of Township Officials

East Franklin Residents Question Validity of Township Officials

East Franklin Auditor Chairwoman Rose Brosius challenged the state of employment of multiple East Franklin Township officials' during a meeting held yesterday morning.

by Nathan Lasher

East Franklin Auditor Chairwoman Rose Brosius questioned the validity of various East Franklin Officials positions during a packed Supervisors’ meeting yesterday morning.

Brosius addressed the Supervisors as well as the approximately 20 people in attendance by saying, “If you have not taken your oath, then your position is vacant.” Brosius went on to explain that she has recently filed a Right to Know form requesting information regarding the Oaths of Office for various East Franklin Township Officials. She stated that her research found that some officials have not taken their oaths.

According to Article V, Section 501 of the East Franklin Township Code, every person elected or appointed to any township office shall before assuming the duties of the office take and subscribe an oath or affirmation before a notary public, district justice, or judge to support the Constitutions of the United States and of the Commonwealth and to perform the duties of the office with fidelity. A copy of the oath or affirmation shall be filed with the township secretary before assuming the duties of the office.

“If that is true, we have officials in our township holding titles that should not be here presently,” said Brosius. “What do we intend to do?”

Supervisor Barry Peters responded by saying, “I guess we will have to find out from our Solicitor.”

East Franklin resident Kristina Quinn added to Brosius’s comments. “I’m a notary public. You can’t retroact a date,” she said. “You are responsible to uphold the township codes, and you have not done your job. There is no reason that anyone working for this township should not be sworn in. If we filled-out right to know forms and this is all we got, then these rules are not being followed. If it all goes down to the end, anything that they passed and approved is gone. Also, all compensation is to be repaid to the township, and I’m sure the solicitor will find the same thing. What do you plan on doing?”

Secretary Debra Cornman addressed the situation. “There is a certification you sign and send into state. That’s what I was told,” she said.

Quinn replied, “Section 501 specifically states that anyone elected or appointed must follow those guidelines.”

At this time, Peters said, “We won’t argue. We will contact our solicitor.”

Brosius explained to the Supervisors that she did not want any more decisions to be made until the solicitor, Roger Mechling, was consulted. The auditors’ reorganization meeting as well as a planning committee meeting will be postponed until a decision is made. “As residents, I think we would like to have Mr. Mechling here to discuss this at the next meeting if that can be done,” said Brosius. “He may be able to solve a lot of issues and a lot of anger in the township.

The Supervisors agreed to ask Solicitor Mechling to attend the next Supervisors’ meeting which is planned to be held Thursday, March 25.

East Franklin Township | nlasher March 4, 2010