Forks EMS

With respect to Board of Supervisors Candidate David Billings letter to the editor in today's Express-Times, though we do not necessarily disagree with his position regarding financial disclosure, the issue is how this was done.

Supervisor C. David Howell chose to make the "for internal use only" information public before seeking legal advice from the Township Solicitor and/or consensus opinion from his fellow Board members.

While he may have ultimately done the right thing, it is this kind of random lone wolf action that leads to a fractured Board.

We agree wholeheartedly with Candidate Billings that greater transparency in *ALL* sectors of township government is greatly needed and long overdue, but, it should be done in an orderly and unified way.

Who runs this township?

This seems like a fair question after you read this article.

It certainly seems that as it relates to development, township engineer (not a township employee by the way) Fred Hay, and zoning officer Tim Weiss are calling the shots and not the publicly elected Board of Supervisors.

This doesn't come as a surprise by the way, but you don't often see this brought to light by our local media.

Is there a doctor in the house?

Wow, based on this article and his actions, we sure hope that C. David Howell, Esquire, and Forks Township Supervisor doesn't need the services of the Forks Township EMS any time soon. Yikes!

298 Update

1. With respect to our substantive challenge, the court ruled in favor of the township.
2. As for the land use appeal, the court has remanded the case back to the township for explanation.

While we were disappointed with the outcome of the substantive challenge, we are very encouraged with the court's questioning of the land use decision.

Will we appeal the substantive challenge ruling? What happens next with the land use case?

Stay tuned ;-)

Where is the truth?

C. David Howell, Esquire, and Forks Township Supervisor, admitted that he and his wife Reta constructed and placed “RIP” signs on Route 611 for the trees cut down by Strausser.

Township Zoning Officer Tim Weiss was quoted in the newspaper saying that there was NO permit issued for these signs.

At last Thursday's (10/4) Board of Supervisors meeting Supervisor Howell stated that he did have a permit.

The signs were placed on township property. In order to secure a permit to place signs on Township property, it is our understanding that approval must come from the Board of Supervisors. Our initial investigation indicates that there was no such approval given.

So what’s the story here, and where is the truth Mr. Howell?

What are we missing?

Two out of five current Board of Supervisor members (David ("Dave") Hoff and John Ackerman) will be off the Board as of December 31, 2007.

So why in the world would these two public servants want to suspend litigation now regarding the action brought against the township regarding Kings Mill in the FP District?

One wonders.....

Billings hits a nerve

Based on Supervisor Chairman David ("Dave") W. Hoff's Letter to the Editor (Express Times) today, it certainly appears as though Supervisor Candidate David Billings has hit a major nerve with Mr. Hoff. Based on the amount of double-talk in this letter, it certainly seems like a "done deal", especially when sentences are used such as "All avenues of resolving this situation need to be explored".

Considering the amount of money, time and resources the township has spent on this matter to date, other than outright rejecting the proposed development, why should all avenues be pursued to resolve this? Isn't it funny how the town has not worked to resolve other controversial development plans and instead is relying on the court system to deal with these matters?

Actually, come to think of it, it isn't funny at all :-(

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No Kings Mill settlement

I believe it is important to point out several inaccuracies in David Billing's letter ("Public input needed on proposed homes").

There is no possible settlement between KMRD and Forks Township as indicated because there have been no discussions at this point.

The Forks Township Board of Supervisors did not initiate any settlement talks. KMRD contacted Solicitor Karl Kline about the willingness of the board to suspend the current hearings and discuss a possible solution to the litigation. The board directed our solicitor to respond by indicating that if all litigation was suspended there could be dialogue. No "significant decision" has been reached as indicated in Billing's letter because no decisions have been reached.

Since the first development plans were submitted more than two years ago and litigation has been ongoing for about 15 months, I find the suggestion that this can be settled prior to the November elections highly unlikely. It is unlikely any agreement could be reached prior to the new board being in place in January.

Kings Mill is an important issue in Forks. All avenues of resolving this situation need to be explored. Being open-minded and willing to have an open dialogue are part of that process. I don't know how this will all work out. It may happen through discussions or through the courts, but I know discussions will take place in the end.

This topic will be on the Oct. 4 board agenda.

David W.Hoff
Chairman Forks Township Board of Supervisors