Good grief. Is it ever going to stop raining in the Atlantic community? The lighting storm on June 1, was so intense my skin prickled with electricity. I’ve never experienced that before. And flooding caused plenty of damage, I assure you.
In case you didn’t read my West Fallowfield Township article, I’ll warn you to avoid Rocky Glen Road, if possible. The storm washed gravel onto Route 18 and carved seven-foot-deep ditches. The berms are crumbling. It’s just plain dangerous.
So, who’s to blame? Who’s going to fix the problem? Here’s the reality: West Fallowfield Township’s road crew can’t repair Rocky Glen. They don’t have the money, equipment, or manpower required to overhaul this road.
Having reported on township meetings for ten years, I’ve grown accustomed to people blowing their tops at supervisors at least a few times a year. And they always end the same way: without resolution.
The fuel for these explosions usually stems from weather-related road or home damage, disputes between neighbors, and overall road conditions.
Let’s tackle these one at a time. Township supervisors cannot prevent floods, blizzards, tornadoes, thunderstorms, or any other acts of God. They’re not God. Ask God for help. Then read you insurance policy and call your agent.
Townships are not magistrates. They can’t resolve disputes between neighbors. Call a lawyer.
And as far as road conditions go, we need to understand there are two types of roads in our townships: state and township roads. In East Fallowfield Township, for example, Atlantic-Lake and Adamsville Roads are state roads. So if they’re drifted or flooded, call PennDOT.
If it’s a snow-related problem on a township road (such as Pine, McMaster, Laird, Haun, Rocky Glen, Baird, etc…) my understanding is road crews plow before the school buses pick kids up and before they drop them off. They’ll go out in the middle of the night sometimes, too, but you can’t expect Laird or Haun Roads to look like Route 79 during or after a blizzard. Again: not enough manpower or equipment. Our townships’ bank accounts don’t have the same balance as Jeff Bezos’. (He created Amazon, in case you’re curious).
Now here’s the thing. All the supervisors I’ve known over the past ten years, a total of nine between East and West Fallowfield Townships, have given their time and energy in a major way serving their community. They get angry phone calls at home about loud neighbors or blighted properties. Residents gripe at road crews about potholes, washed out ditches, plowed-in driveways, and every weather-related issue imaginable.
These folks don’t get paid much for their hard work, either. This is true of all public servants, sadly. But my point stands: they take a lot of criticism while working their hardest for the good of their community and don’t get much in return, whether respect or remuneration.
I’m positive none of the East or West Fallowfield Townships’ supervisors, much less their invaluable secretary/treasurers, Donna Kean and Brenda Williams, took their jobs to get rich. They want to use their skills to better their community. And they do.
Here’s another observation: supervisors rarely complain. All three supervisors at East Fallowfield work all day, whether for the township or at another job, and then come to the meetings. They’re tired. But they prioritize these meetings because they’re there to serve.
West Fallowfield supervisors are all retired, but even in the worst meetings I’ve attended (and they’ve had some doozies), they don’t yell. They don’t walk out. They patiently listen to complaints and offer any suggestions they can to solve their problems.
Township employees deserve our respect. They all serve our communities knowing they’ll work hard for little or no money.
I hope this didn’t come off as a lecture or guilt trip. I know everyone can’t drop everything and go to a township meeting. And I know not everyone enjoys hearing about the ins and outs of township business. I get it. But the next time you run into Doug White, Fred Vincent, Kevin Kean, Marguerite Scullin, Cecil Courtney, or Jim Saulsbery, stop and thank them for their heart for our community. Their work matters, and I’m sure they’d appreciate you reminding them of this.
All God’s blessings to you this week.