The letter largely criticized the Board of Supervisors and the process they used to appoint the townships professionals. Shortly before the 2011 General Election, the previous Republican-controlled board solicited requests for proposals for engineers, general counsel and Act 511, separately. Five law firms and eleven engineers made presentations in meetings that were open to the public. They were interviewed, their proposals discussed, debated, and ultimately selected on merit, qualifications and what was the best for the Township. It is worth noting, that all of these appointments were approved by a unanimous bi-partisan vote, including the lone republican supervisor, Bill Jenaway. It is even more interesting to note that all of the rates negotiated by the Democratic controlled board were more competitive than previous Republican appointments. Sounds to me the Democrats of the Board of Supervisors are keeping to their promise “any changes made in the professional staff would be solely for the benefit of the township residents” while Republicans continue to distort the record. Maybe that’s because they are trying to hide their own history of giving contracts to political donors regardless of merits or qualifications, or because distorting facts is all they know how to do.

It is sad that the Upper Merion Republicans cannot get over the fact that this community is tired of their rhetoric and attacks. Instead of working to improve our community, the local GOP insists on trying to destroy it in the name of partisan politics.

The 2011 election is over and the citizens have spoken. It is time for Ms. McLaughlin and the Upper Merion Republicans to end the false attacks and childish sulking and start working with the Democratic majority to move my life-long home forward. It is time to put politics behind us, and time for the elected Democratic majority Board to govern for the betterment of the residents and work to move the township forward…and from what I saw on “day one” that’s exactly what they are doing.

TOM KOHLER Chairman, Upper Merion Democratic Committee .

Wednesday January 18, 2012
JANUARY MEETING DATE CHANGE
Please note we have pushed our UMDC January Meeting to January 30, 7:30 pm at Good Shepherd Church. This is a very important meeting as petitions will be underway and we need to help all of our candidates get on the ballot.

Monday, January 2, 2012
Swearing-in Information
Join the Upper Merion Democrats and celebrate a new year and a new era in Upper Merion Township. Tuesday, January 3 at 7:30 pm, Carole Kenney and Greg Philips will be sworn-in as the newest members of the Board of Supervisors. Following the re-organization meeting, we invite you to join us for a reception at the King of Prussia Fire Company. History takes places Tuesday, and we invite you to witness it first hand with the new Democratic majority.