Council Meeting Video's
April 20, 2011

The following is a brief description (except for my comments) of several portions of the Darby Council Meeting that took place
on Wednesday April 20, 2011.  Under each section is a link you can  click on to view the video portions of the meeting.  You can
see for yourself, how your borough officials act on your behalf.  Council President Janice Davis and Jennifer Parks were
absent from the meeting.

Public Comment –  by Paula Brown  

Audio portion only – I addressed the council on several issues:
1.1.     Staffing the Police Department

Problem: Crime has significantly risen in the last 10 years.  The Federal Bureau of Justice – UCR reports indicate for Darby
Borough:

Robberies have risen from 31 to 78

Burglaries have risen  100 to 174

Aggravated Assaults have risen 273 to 306

In 2000, there were over 20 full time officers, 17 of which were patrol officers.  Today, there are only 9 full time police officers
of which only 1 is a patrol officer.  Of the 9, 8 are supervisors.  This is a decrease of 283%!!!, While the crime rate has risen an
average of 207%!  



SPRINGFIELD PLAZA

Transparency is the key to good government.  When elected officials communicate to the residents, and bring forth good,
transparent minutes that explain council actions, there is no need for criticism or questioning.  However, when that does NOT
happen, there tends to be a cloud of secrecy where discussions and decisions are held in private and not in public.


At the Council Meeting Held on December 1, 2010, 7 items were voted upon.    Item g. on the Dec 1 Minutes states Resolution
2010-016 Delaware County RDS – RCAP Grant.  Can you explain what this motion is and what it was for?

Throughout 2009 and 2010, residents brought forth their concerns regarding the possible development of 1215 Springfield
Road.  No one was in favor.  Council at that time, expressly claimed that they did not approve anything.  However, through a
search of state records, I located applications for RACP grant funding that Darby Borough applied for, to build a Springfield
Plaza.  The release letter dates were 8-3-10 and 10-12-10 – just a few short months AFTER the residents stated their objections
and AFTER council stated they did not even know of the plans!  How can elected officials apply for funding for a project that they
must affirm that the residents of the community are in favor of this project when in fact, they are NOT?  Is this a fraudulent
application that was submitted?  The advertisement for this project boasts that our residents have a median income level of
$53,000.00!  This is an outright false statement.   So, I am asking this council to make a motion tonight, to rescind the RACP
application for 4 million dollars for the proposed Springfield Plaza.  If these 35 open space acres are replaced with impervious
material, we will surely have worse flooding than we have ever had.  I am quite sure that the State of Pennsylvania would agree
with a decision to rescind the application and use that 4 million dollars toward funding our children’s education budgets or
other significant projects – other than putting money in the pockets of our friends who are developers.  It is beyond me how we,
as a borough, can apply for monies to give to developers who will profit on building sites that will seal the death of our town.


We have houses falling down, streets caving in, bridges about to collapse, a severe shortage of police officers and highway
personnel yet we continue to spend and erect buildings that we do not need.  To put it gently, that’s like living on a fixed income
or working at minimum wage, not being able to afford to pay your bills, your rent, your mortgage, your sewer rent, your taxes….
but yet we take that money and go shopping, or gamble it away or we buy a new Cadillac when we can’t afford to pay the
payment and it gets repossessed.  We are going to spend until we lose everything we have.
Public Comment - 4-20-11  - Paula Brown

Public Comment - Resident Joseph Brescia
addressed council with his concerns about council applying for 4 million dollars to erect a BJ’s next to Little Flower Manor on
the only remaining 35 acres of open space land we have in Darby.
Public Comment - Mr. Brescia  4-20-11

Public Comment - Resident Dorothy Gorman
Resident Dot Gorman addressed Council about her concerns of building a BJ’s on Springfield Road.  Mrs. Gorman also
addressed council and questioned why they have not paid 1.24 million dollars sewer rent to the Darby Creek Joint Authority.
Public Comment - Dorothy Gorman 4-20-11

Public Comment from a resident of North 6th Street regarding snow removal performed by the borough and street sweeping.
Public Comment - 4-20-11

Councilwoman Ruby Robinson Munden - Report for Non Residential Occupancy Permits.  Approved a Non Residential
Occupancy Permit (NRO) for water ice and ice cream 7 days per week.  Total Ordinance Report – 52 seconds.
Councilwoman Ruby Robinson Munden - Ordinance Report 52 seconds...

Financial Consultant for Darby Borough – Joseph Possenti – Report for 4-20-11 Council Meeting – Reported on Act 90 for
delinquent taxes.  His brother Mark Possenti, Borough Manager, reported on the Trolley Bridge (Green Bus Bridge) being turned
down for funding to make repairs.
Finance Report - Joseph Possenti - 4-20-11

Councilman Donald Deigh submits his Finance Report for the 4-20-11 Council Meeting.    In his report he asked that all spending
be approved by the Borough Manager.   He then asked the Community to pay their taxes and then made a motion to pay the
bills, without announcing  what bills were to be paid.  Total Finance report  - 49 seconds
Finance Report - Donald Deigh - 49 seconds


39 Second Grant Committee report from Councilwoman Darlene Hill – reported that she is checking into getting funding to hire
full time recreational staff.  She also reported that she obtained information on the Alternative Clean Energy Program – but she
did not disclose the information.  Total Grants Committee Report 39 seconds.
Grants Committee Report - Darlene Hill 39 seconds

Highway Report by Councilman Patrick McKenna – reported that Highway Department has been busy working down at the new
“recreation” center moving construction material and working on metering sewer systems.  He also reported that they
installed handicap signs and finished painting the parking lot at the recreation center.  They also have worked on moving chairs
back to the Darby Fire Patrol # 2 that were used for the grand opening at the recreation center.  The main broom on the street
sweeper has been fixed.  Total report for Highway – Municipal Services – 51 seconds.
Municipal Services Report - Patrick McKenna - 51 seconds...

Mayor’s Report – Mayor Helen Thomas reported that traffic, abandoned vehicles and curfew will be enforced.  She also
thanked the residents for helping to reduce crime?  Total time for Mayor’s Report 45 seconds.
Mayor's Report 4-20-11  45 seconds...

Public Safety Report -  Solicitor Raymond Santarelli stated that he advised NOT to put Chief Smythe on Administrative Leave or
Suspension following the altercation that Chief Smythe had with Colwyn Police Officer Clinton Craddock.  So the Solicitor for
the Borough, Raymond Santarelli - explains why Chief Smythe was not put on Administrative Leave or Suspension after a video
surfaced that caught him on camera, in an altercation with a Colwyn Police Officer.  Unfortunately, Raymond Santarelli appears
to not comprehend the Pennsylvania State Borough Code - Section 1121 that clearly states the MAYOR is in charge of the
police department, not the Solicitor....The Solicitor stated he didn't want to "rush to judgment" and that he would make a
recommendation to Council when the investigation is complete.  So....what Mr. Santarelli is saying, is that Chief Smythe can do
whatever he wants, and continue to collect a full paycheck, and operate as the police chief without any stipulations until the
investigation is complete.  In the REAL WORLD, when a Chief of Police is caught on camera, in a verbal and physical altercation,
screaming at a police officer to stay out of a town, and his officers have to physically drag him away....it's okay to stay on full
duty - even though there is clear cut evidence of temper flare ups several times, in other situations...In the REAL WORLD, he
would have been put on Administrative Leave or suspended with or without pay until the investigation is complete.  However,
Darby Borough is not in the REAL WORLD.  Darby Borough allows a Chief of Police with a hot temper who displays it vividly at
the drop of a dime...to continue working and contacting the public.  This clearly raises our liability.  The next time he displays
his temper, may be too late and someone may get seriously hurt by his uncontrollable actions.  Unbelievable.  Section 1121 of
the Pennsylvania State Borough Code clearly indicates the Mayor is in full charge and control of the Chief of Police and the
entire police department.  Perhaps Solicitor Santarelli should re-read the Borough Code...and stay out of matters that are not of
a legal substance!  Council also during this 3 minute report, hired a part time police officer who currently works in Parkside
Borough for the Chief’s personal and business friend…..
Public Safety Report 4-20-11

Solicitor’s Report  4-20-11   - Solicitor reported on the passage of Act 90.  He also reported that council should reduce the real
estate taxes for two business properties – a 24 unit apartment complex at 416 S. 4th Street in Darby and Roberts Filter
Company on Columbia Avenue.
Solicitor's report 4-20-11

Chief's report - After my report of the shortage of staff of FULL TIME police officers, Chief Smythe ran in the back and looked up
the information I spoke about ( he didn't know if off hand obviously)  He then made a report - which was clearly not what I was
referring to.  He stated that we have 28 officers.  This is not accurate.  He is including those who are listed, but not actively
working and are part time officers who do NOT work 40 hours.  He also disputed the figures I obtained from the FBI UCR report -
and covered that up, by stating that Darby Borough has a very good clearance rate.  Again, he is not comprehending state of the
art methods for policing.  Perhaps because he does not have a degree in Criminal Justice, so these proven successful
methods are unfamiliar to him.  The problem is, we need to PREVENT the crime BEFORE it happens, not AFTER the occurence.  
If we are to successfully clean our town and protect our residents we must be PROACTIVE and not REACTIVE.
Chief's report 4-20-11
News and Information -Hot off the press....or the "video cam".....

Here are some video clips of various Darby council meetings that depict
accurately, how YOUR representatives govern our community....
Check back frequently for updated video's and information about
Darby...
Darby Recreation Center - August 27, 2011

Several residents who live near areas that frequently flood, visited the Darby Recreation Center to find out
why their electric was shut off without notice prior to Hurricane Irene.  The residents were concerned that
many were not given notice and some were elderly and depended on oxygen or needed refrigeration for
their medications.  The residents lived in areas that do not flood, but are near streets that sometimes flood.
 Apparently the electric was shut off in error but no one had answers.  When they approached the mayor
for answers, the Council President's daughter jumped up and started screaming at the residents....

Council President's daughter screams at Darby residents for questioning the mayor

Violent Darby Council Meeting - August 18, 2011

Darby resident Aaron Howell, attended the Darby Borough Council Meeting to voice his opinions and
concerns over trash and debris in his neighborhood and questioned the mayor as to why she was not
accessible and did not have an office.  As he was speaking, the Mayor's husband approached Mr. Howell
and intimidated him by standing behind him while he was speaking.  He then followed Mr. Howell back to his
seat and started an argument with him where Mr. Howell was threatened and screamed at by the mayor's
husband and her daughter.  The Mayor's husband then picked up a chair in a later altercation and
attempted to throw it at residents....

Resident Aaron Howell addressing the mayor and then later being threatened by the mayor's husband and
daughter


Part 2 of the altercation of the mayor's husband and daughter...


June 15, 2011 - Council meeting - Public Comment - Paula Brown

5-18-11  - Mayor's Report

5-18-11 - Mayor's Report Part 2

5-18-11 - Public Comment - Paula Brown
2009 Videos

11-4-09
Public Comment - Harold Finigan

Public Comment - Lewis Shacklock

Public Comment - Sonya Hoffman

Public Comment - Jan Haigis

Public Comment - Dorothy Gorman

Public Comment - Rosemary Graham - Administrator of Little Flower Manor Nursing Home

Public Comment - Lindy Wardell

Public Comment - Mr. Ricciuti


10-21-09

Mayor's Report - 10-21-09

Chief's Report - 10-21-09 (political commentary at the end)

Mayor Swears in 8 Part time police (can't find the oath)

Public Comment - Residents - Springfield Road Development

Public Comment - Mrs. Dorothy Gorman - Springfield Road Development

Public Comment - Dorothy Gorman continued

Public Comment - Sonya Hoffman

Public Comment - Lindy Wardell

Highway Department Report

Borough Manager's report

Communication Report - given by Borough Manager in Council President's absence


7-15-09

Mayor's Report

Council President's Report

Public Comment - Paula Brown


8-19-09

Mayor's Report

Chief Smythe's Report

Public Comment - Paula Brown

Borough Manager Report - Council Confusion

Solicitor's Report

Council President's Report

Council Confusion

Request to open Al's Sunoco at 4th and Main to a Convenience Store

Borough Engineer Report  Borough Manager Report - Police Pension - Minimum Municipal Obligation



9-16-09

Mayor's Report

Finance Report and Council President's report on "Spooky Grounds"???

Public Comment - Tony Spano

Public Comment - John DeAngelo

Public Comment - Paula Brown

Council President Janice Davis announcing she is receiving an award for inspiring women?  

Solicitor tells Council how to make a motion....

Ball of Confusion among council members and business owner trying to open a daycare...
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