2009 News
July 2, 2009
Commissioners Celebrate American Independence by Recognizing “Patches Kids”
During its bi-monthly meeting at Newtown Township’s Morell Smith American Legion Post 440 headquarters, the Board of Bucks County Commissioners, Chairman Charles H. Martin, James F. Cawley, Esq. and Diane M. Ellis Marseglia, LCSW, approved 27 business resolutions for 11 departments.
The meeting’s patriotic theme included a proclamation presented to “Patches Kids” founder Kathylee Forrester. Ms. Forrester, who has been a children’s’ advocate for the last two decades, addressed her program to help children express their feelings through a stuffed bear named “Patches.” “We started this program to assist fallen heroes, children of long or multiple deployments and those who serve multiple deployments,” Ms. Forrester commented. She went on to observe, “We need to rekindle patriotism in this country.”
Complementing Ms. Forrester’s appearance was Army Reserve Col. Chuck Hutt, who led the meeting in the Pledge of Allegiance. A veteran of 35 years armed service, who has been a part of five military deployments, Col. Hutt addressed the importance of the big picture. “If family cannot be taken care of, troops cannot do their job,” he stated. The Commissioners’ board proudly presented a $1,000 “other civics” check to Patches Kids in recognition of the non-profit group’s efforts.
The meeting location was significant, as it paid tribute to World War I hero Morell Smith, who was killed in action on Oct. 18, 1918, at the age of 30. A plaque in the hall honors Lt. Smith thusly, “He willingly sacrificed all that the Principles of Enduring Peace – the Liberty of Free People – and International Justice might be wrought anew.”
The business portion of the agenda included the approval of 27 contracts for 11 county departments and tabled four items, including three contracts to provide vehicle maintenance and repair services. Chairman Martin recommended that the vehicle contracts specify service from the closest available location, and the contracts will be reviewed for practicality.
The board also re-tabled a cooperative agreement with the Redevelopment Authority of Bucks County for the redevelopment project related to the Rohm & Haas property in Bristol Township.
The commissioners agreed to continue researching the project, with specific concerns regarding the development of residential property within a flood plain. Commissioner Cawley plans to invite representatives of the Redevelopment Authority to the next meeting of the Bucks County Economic Development Advisory Board (EDAB), which is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Friday, July 10, at the Upper Bucks campus of Bucks County Community College in Perkasie.
Additional approved contracts included a $640,949 contract with Aramark Services to provide home meals for the next calendar year, a voluntary contract with PECO for load reduction of energy at the Doylestown courthouse based on the PECO “Smart Returns” program, and a $318,010 agreement with Chubb Insurance Company for property renewal on county facilities. According to county Finance Director Brian Hessenthaler, the contract represents a cost savings from previous estimates.
During his Chief Operating Officer’s report, David Sanko touched on multiple developments, including the state confirmation of Robert Baldi as a Common Pleas Court judge, the approval of Bucks County pharmaceutical distributor ExpressScripts as an approved Keystone Opportunity Enterprise Zone (KOEZ) participant in Bristol Twp. (the former Jones New York complex), and the current seven-year stretch of Pennsylvania state budget negotiations without an “on-time” resolution, which continued this week.
Mr. Sanko also touched on the $2.4 million proposal to link county police, fire and EMS agencies, which recently was backed by a $300,000 funding proposal from Sen. Arlen Specter at the federal level. He mentioned the previous $1 million commitment from Sen. Specter, and expressed the hope that Congressman Patrick Murphy will uphold his $1 million funding pledge.
During miscellaneous comment, Commissioner Ellis-Marseglia proposed a “whistleblower” human resources policy, which the board agreed to review and revisit at a future date.
For a full audio account of the meeting and a copy of the business agenda, please visit www.BucksCounty.org. The next meeting of the Bucks County Commissioners will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 15 at Peace Valley Nature Center, Lakeview North Pavilion No. 5, Doylestown Twp.
Information on Lt. Morell Smith (Sept. 3, 1888-KIA Oct. 18, 1918), from a plaque hanging in the American Legion Post 440, Newtown Twp., PA:
“His life was spent in ardent devotion to nature. He willingly sacrificed all that the Principles of Enduring Peace – the Liberty of Free People – and International Justice might be wrought anew.”