With this is mind, it becomes immensely unsettling when conflict erupts internally. Naturally, disagreements within the Borough government are expected and encouraged. Council is a deliberative body and should be discussing contrasting points of view. However, the hostility that has reared its head as of late has compromised the civility and objectivity we pride ourselves in exercising. Rather than helpful suggestions, we have been subject to brutal and unilateral demands both of ourselves and of employees. The art of compromise (the mark of good government) has been woefully abandoned, and in its place a hostile environment of mistrust and strife has erupted. In such a scenario, we who still strive to govern through courtesy, deliberation, and respect to our colleagues feel increasingly irrelevant and pushed away from the table. Discourse between calm and conscientious members of our administration is no longer present. Sensibility and rational decisions have given way to an unquenchable drive for absolute authority and concentrated micro management done at the peril of employees and the stability of our government at large.

It is for these reasons that I feel I am no longer able to effectively exercise the duties of Mayor. By continued sidelining and marginalization, my policies and legitimacy as an officer has faltered; once even being regarded, quite erroneously and extra legally, as an official with “no legal status”. Even the simple act of being denied an orderly forum at meetings in which to explain thoughts and opinions has undermined the collegial relationship I had previously enjoyed with Council in past years. Therefore, I submit my resignation to Linesville Borough Council to be effective immediately with the receipt of this document. I have made few requests and even fewer demands of Council during my terms, but I humbly ask that this letter be accepted as soon as possible. All Borough-owned materials and keys will be immediately turned over to the Borough Secretary. As per §1030 of the Pennsylvania Borough Code, Council President Fizer will carry out my duties until a successor can be named by Council or the Vacancy Board in accordance with §901. All relevant documents, scheduled meetings, weddings, and other appearances will be turned over to him upon my departure.

On a personal note, my time with the Borough has been the best experience of my life, and my decision to vie for this position is without regret. I have been defined as a person by my experiences with the Borough, and I hope that my involvement and the assets I bring to the table have benefited those who I was elected to serve. It is with a heavy heart that I submit this letter, but I have immensely enjoyed getting to know all of you and feel privileged in calling you friends and colleagues for the betterment of the community that we all love.

With warmest regards,

Christopher R. Seeley, Mayor

Borough of Linesville, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania”

Asked to further explain about the hostility, Seeley was reluctant to say too much about his former colleagues. Rumors have abounded about time spent in the borough office by at least once councilman, information sought through the police department,and who was in charge of the police department - council or mayor.

Council at its early July meeting adopted the property maintenance code, reviewed in these pages before where rooms for example, for sleeping had to be such and such a size, where basement ceilings had to be so high, etc.

Council changed several items in the code with Ron Vennre’s motion and second by Kevin McGrath, passing on 6-0 vote with Vennare and McGrath joined by Harper, Fizer, Sue Lewandowski and Sharon Kobol voting yes. Tom

McGarth was absent.

It was noted the code is for single family homes with an eye to the outside appearance. K. McGrath said there was a concern of people [inspectors] coming into homes and forcing changes, but listened to what people said.

He noted the code deals with grass mowing, leaving paint peel and devaluing a neighbor’s property.

He indicated that there are businesses and rental units that need to be addressed, saying some rental units have some living in poor conditions.

Left yet to be addressed are an appeals board to be setup and fees with hopes fees charged will cover costs.

Other discussion at the early July meting included McGrath saying that bills for water and sewer needed paid in full or the water would be shutoff. He said one couldn’t pay $10.00 of a $10.02 bill and expect the water to be left on.

Council also took the stand that if notices say the water would be shut off at 11 a.m., it must start then.

McGrath also asked for a discussion on billing tenants, noting that at rentals tenants have been billed. Harper said the bills should go to the owners. McGrath asked that the committee look the matter over and make a recommendation.

McGrath also noted that when the new sewer plant comes in, all owners would pay a flat fee whether the building was in use or not. He said it would encourage those with vacant buildings to do something with those buildings. He wants the borough to look at doing a similar thing with water users, so those with vacant apartment, houses, would pay.

if hooked up for water use, would pay a fee. He said it would bring in revenue.