PALMER TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING
APRIL 4, 2005
A regular meeting of
the Palmer Township Board of Supervisors was
held on Monday, April 4, 2005, at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Room of the Palmer
Library with four supervisors present. Ann-Marie
Panella was absent. Also
present were the Township Manager, Public Services Director, Police Chief, and Township
Solicitor. Joe Nixon from the Morning
Call, and George Wacker from the Express Times represented the news media. Chairman Colver convened the meeting and led
those present in the Pledge to the Flag.
2. APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENT
OF FUNDS – MARCH 29, 2005 AND APRIL 4, 2005
INFORMATION
The reports will be provided at the meeting.
DISCUSSION
On
motion by Mitchell, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved
the disbursement of funds for March 29,
2005 and April 4, 2005.
3. APPROVAL
OF MINUTES – MARCH 21, 2005
DISCUSSION
Bruno
removed “is a function” from the fourth sentence in the fourth paragraph on
Page 10.
On
motion by Smith, seconded by Lammi, and agreed by all, the Board approved the
minutes of March 21, 2005,
with the above change.
4. CHARLES CHRIN
PROCLAMATION
INFORMATION
The
Board is presenting Charles Chrin a proclamation in recognition of the 50th
year anniversary of his business.
DISCUSSION
Colver
presented a proclamation to Charles Chrin on behalf of the Board, stating he
was proud to make this presentation and read the proclamation to the
audience. The proclamation was in
recognition of the Chrin Companies being in business for half a century.
Charles
Chrin thanked the Board of Supervisors.
5. CHARLES CHRIN COMMUNITY CENTER FUNDRAISING
PRESENTATION
INFORMATION
Pamela Zurek will be making a presentation on
additional fundraising for the Charles Chrin Community Center project.
DISCUSSION
Colver
said he expected Pamela Zurek to be at the
meeting tonight. Colver said the
community center is currently under construction and the township expects to
occupy the building around Christmas this year.
Colver said the township put a couple million dollars toward the project
as well as Mr. Chrin. Colver said a
capital campaign has raised approximately $600,000. Colver said at this time we are looking to go
out to the public for a fundraising campaign.
Colver said the Board received a packet with the public campaign
information from Zurek Design. Colver
said Lee Boucher, Charlie Roseberry, Bill Trinchere, and Bob Young, several
members of the campaign fundraising committee, were in attendance tonight. Colver asked the Board if they had any questions
on the packet of information they received.
Smith said Pamela Zurek made a presentation
to the fundraising committee and said we’ve reached out to most of the
businesses in the township and now we would like to turn it over to Pamela for
a public campaign. Colver said we need
to get the Boards approval to allocate funds if we wish to do this
campaign. Colver said the campaign will include
asking residents for $1,000 pledges to be paid over a three year period. Colver said this is the direction the capital
campaign is taking as their next step.
Colver said we’ll hold on this item to see if Pamela Zurek may make it to
the meeting later tonight.
Lee Boucher said
if we can get families in the township to make $1,000 pledges, we will make our
goal.
6. APPOINTMENT
OF ALTERNATES TO THE ZONING HEARING BOARD
INFORMATION
The
Board needs to approve/disapprove appointing Robert Gibbons and/or Peg Kennedy
as alternates to the Zoning Hearing Board.
On motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, and
agreed by all, the Board agreed to appoint Robert Gibbons and Peg Kennedy as
alternates to the Zoning Hearing Board per the recommendation of the Township Manager.
7. FREEMANSBURG AVENUE DETOUR
INFORMATION
The Board needs to approve/disapprove Palmer
Town Centers request for a detour around Freemansburg Avenue near 27th Street from approximately May 17 to June 24.
DISCUSSION
Colver reviewed the detour request. Adams said
they will have access up to the Richard’s Drive In. Lammi questioned if Greenwood
Avenue had any truck restrictions. Smith asked if there would be changes to the
light at Greenwood and
William Penn. Adams said
they will leave it timed as is, but if it creates delays it will be re-timed. Mitchell asked if Keane Street would
still be open. Adams said
yes. Smith asked if direction signs would
be posted for businesses that would be cut off.
Adams said there would be signs.
8. OFFICER
PHIL PROGRAM
INFORMATION
The Board needs to
approve/disapprove the Officer Phil program.
See Chief Fretz’s recommendation letter.
DISCUSSION
Colver said they had received a letter from Chief Fretz
requesting permission for the Officer Phil program. Colver said the program has been in existence
since 1997 and it comes back to the Board annually for approval due to the solicitation
required for the program. Fretz said it
will continue as in the past. Fretz said
they’ve had good participation in the past and typically have to turn
businesses away because there are only a certain number of advertising
opportunities.
On motion by Smith, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all,
the Board approved the Officer Phil program for 2005, as recommended by Chief
Fretz.
9. CONTINUED COACHING STATUS OF MICKEY CORPORA
INFORMATION
The Board needs to approve/disapprove Mickey
Corpora as the Junior Legion baseball coach.
DISCUSSION
Colver said he’s
been sitting on the board for eight years and he can’t believe this has come to
this point. Colver said it’s a sad day
to see this have to come to the Board of Supervisors. Colver said we need to come together and put
a band aid on this. Colver said many of
you were here a few weeks ago when this Board heard from over 30 people. Colver asked for guidance from the Solicitor
to proceed tonight.
Bruno said this
issue was presented at the last meeting before this Board. Bruno said at that meeting you heard
supporters of Mr. Corpora. Bruno said he
recommended at that meeting it go back to the Recreation Board to see if it
could be resolved. Bruno said it went
before the Recreation Board last week and they felt it was best to defer the
decision to the Board of Supervisors.
Bruno said at the last meeting before the Board of Supervisors there was
a question whether or not the people with a different view regarding Mr.
Corpora needed to be given an opportunity to speak. Bruno said now it’s brought to this Board to
make a decision based upon the facts you receive tonight. Bruno said it’s up to this Board to decide if
the decision needs to be changed or not.
Bruno said those who spoke at the last meeting were recorded in that
meetings minutes so there is no need to repeat everything; unless, there is new
information to add. Bruno told the Board
you are assuring that some degree of due process is completed tonight. Colver said if anyone has new relevant
information to add that spoke at the previous meeting, I’m not stopping you from
talking. Colver said we’re trying to
eliminate repetitious comments. Bruno
said we want to streamline this best we can.
Attorney Pulcini,
representing Mr. Corpora, asked if the people who wrote the four letters were
speaking tonight. Bruno said if they are
here they can speak. Bruno said the Board
of Supervisors will do the inquiring tonight.
Pulcini asked if the letter writers ever spoke to Mr. Corpora before
writing their letters and would like to know if they attempted to talk to him
first. Bruno said part of Mr. Pulcini’s
concern isn’t an issue to this Board.
Bruno said the issue is the fact whether Mr. Corpora should be
coaching. Pulcini said this is still
about the kids and the kids will say they love Mr. Corpora and his coaching
staff. Pulcini said there has been no
replacement and Mr. Corpora is ready to begin coaching.
Lori Fulmer, representative
of the AA, said she was here to consider whether Mr. Corpora should be a
coach. Fulmer said the decision was
taken into deep consideration and the committee looked into the issues three or
four times, and then granted him an appeal.
Fulmer said it was a 7 to 2
vote against Mr. Corpora coaching, including Mr. Corpora’s vote. Fulmer said we’ve been through mountains of
paperwork. Fulmer said some of the allegations
include the use of foul language, throwing baseball equipment, telling a pitcher
to “ding” a batter at bat. Fulmer said
all the people who wrote letters this year made phone calls last year to the AA
Board. Fulmer said there are more
responsibilities that he has not followed like not returning uniforms on time. Fulmer said there were lost checks that were made
out to the Cancer Society and after a month or two the checks weren’t cashed or
turned over to the Cancer Society. Fulmer
said Mr. Schaffer, AA president, contacted the commissioner regarding this and
nothing was ever reported back. Fulmer
said the individuals cancelled their checks and rewrote them and sent them
directly to the Cancer Society. Fulmer
said we discussed that he should not be using township uniforms for summer
basketball events and when we tried to correct the issue we were asked for them
to keep the uniforms for one more week. Fulmer
said we found out they were thrown out of the Forks
Community Center after a summer
basketball event when they were wearing the Palmer
Township uniforms. Fulmer said these complaints we feel justify the
Associations actions. Fulmer said these issues
were brought to Mr. Mitchell several years back regarding his coaching
status. Fulmer said when we removed Mickey
as commissioner we knew he hadn’t gotten pictures of his team, 35 boys were
denied try outs, a list of players was leaked out at school, he had purchased
team shirts without membership approval, and he was unwilling to help the new league
commissioner. Fulmer said the Association
bought championship jackets and the team members didn’t receive their jackets
for seven months. Fulmer added we’ve
been asking for the AA to meet with the Board of Supervisors, and it has never
happened.
Fulmer said over the
weekend the Recreation Board asked us if there was any way to come up with a compromise. Fulmer said the Association may agree to concede
and allow Mr. Corpora to be an assistant coach as long as the head coach attends
every game, and that Mr. Corpora acknowledge that there
is some validity in these letters.
Fulmer said in conclusion the AA did not take this lightly; we are not
changing our minds and if you reinstate Mr. Corpora, take into consideration
the compromised items. Fulmer said by
not addressing the concerns of these complaint letters, you are basically
calling them liars. Fulmer said we were
told the AA is autonomous and an agency of Palmer
Township. We want to move forward and work together and
we will abide by the decision made tonight.
Fulmer said to also consider the 57 to 60 signatures on a petition
supporting the decision of the Athletic Association.
Robert Smith said in
the past year you said you had complaints and asked if they were phone calls. Fulmer said we were told if they weren’t in
writing it couldn’t be recognized.
Fulmer said I think these people wrote because they knew baseball was
going to start. Smith asked, when the
letters were received, who followed up on them.
Fulmer said initially Mr. Schaffer and then he brought them to the
Board. Fulmer said Mr. Schaffer planned
on being here tonight but was called into work due to the flooding issues in Easton. Smith asked what Board were the issues taken
to. Fulmer said it was brought to the
Board of Directors meeting. Smith asked
if the Board of Directors meeting of the Athletic Association is a private
meeting or public meeting. Fulmer said anyone
is invited to attend. Fulmer said Mr.
Haas was at that particular meeting, no public was there.
Colver reviewed six
or seven complaints and said they received many letters from every possible
entity. Colver said many of the issues
are repeated and there is a lot of conflicting information. Colver said it says people have known him for
years and never seen such a thing.
Colver said then you turn to the next letter and it’s the opposite. Colver said there’s a letter regarding his ejection
from a game, and then a letter from the umpire saying it wasn’t correct. Colver said a letter from a father regarding
throwing something at his kid. Fulmer said
that letter wasn’t on the table when the Athletic Association made their
decision.
Mickey Corpora said
the situation discussed where they say I threw a baseball at a young gentleman’s
head the letter from the father wasn’t signed.
Corpora said it has now been signed.
Corpora said in that situation Nazareth
squeeze bunted and I explained to the pitcher and catcher what to do. Corpora said I advised them to through the
ball up and in. Corpora said I never
told anyone to throw at a person; that is definitely a false statement.
Anthony Bartolacci, 14
Glenfield Court, said he was an assistant coach on
that team and said we were losing by a great deal, the game was lost. Bartolacci said we had people in positions
making errors so Corpora pulled the boy that was catching and replaced him with
my son and he also replaced the pitcher.
Bartolacci said the other coach wanted to score up on us so Corpora
called a time out for a meeting with pitcher and catcher. Bartolacci said he
and Mr. Marafioti, (our other coach) were standing
next to each other and Mr. Marafioti said to me, “I
hope he’s not doing what I think he’s doing.”
Bartolacci said he didn’t understand at the
time what he was saying. Bartolacci said
Marafioti asked Mr. Corpora when he came off the
field if he said what he thought he said.
Bartolacci said when his son came off the field he asked him what the
coach said. Bartolacci said his son said
he would square and bunt it high inside and I needed to be prepared for
it. Bartolacci said when a child at this
age is throwing that ball they have a hard time controlling their arm. Colver asked if he was told to ding the
batter. Bartolacci said that wasn’t in
his letter. Bartolacci said in his
letter it stated his son said “Dad, if he was going to square to bunt we were
told to throw it at him”. Bartolacci
said his statement is in his letter.
Pulcini said there
are four letters. Pulcini said Bartolacci
said what Mr. Corpora said. Bartolacci
said he sticks with his letter. Bartolacci
said if a ball is thrown in the zone of the head at 65 mph, our boys do not
have the ability to control their arms that well at this level.
Lammi stated these
charges are pretty serious. Lammi said according
to information received, a coach was previously suspended for arguing with a
parent. Fulmer said yes, last season it
did happen and it was due to their language.
Lammi asked if the charges were ever brought to Corpora in the past and if
he was ever suspended in the past.
Fulmer said there were complaints in the past that he was made aware
of. Fulmer said she asked him once if he
was kicked out or ejected from a game and Corpora said no, he was not. Fulmer said the referee wrote that letter
because they were friends of Mr. Corpora and he didn’t want to get
involved. Smith said he asked Mr. Weber
about the ejection and Weber said it was miscommunication between the umpires
and there were no fines paid. Lammi said
in the Athletic Association letter it says there is a code of ethics for the
coaches. Fulmer said it lists 10 to 15
items and it’s not very extensive.
Fulmer said the code of ethics were distributed
to commissioners last year. Fulmer said
it was reviewed by the Recreation Board and would be distributed this year. Mitchell asked for details regarding the throwing
incident. Fulmer said it was throwing of
bats, not at a child.
Colver asked Corpora
to tell the Board about ejections in the past years. Corpora said that was the first game in his
entire baseball career, 41 years, that he was thrown out. Colver asked if that was the incident that
they had received a letter from one of the umpires who witnessed it and said it
was unjustified. Corpora said it was the
same incident. Colver asked if this was
the only issue regarding removal from a game by a referee or umpire. Corpora said that was correct.
Mitchell asked about
throwing the ball high and inside and said it is his understanding that is what
a coach would call in that situation.
Corpora said that is correct.
Mitchell said that is part of the game and that’s what you are supposed to
teach the kids.
Smith asked what
happened with the uniforms. Corpora said
there were issues with Mr. Haas and himself and said he didn’t get them to him
on time. Corpora said they were
late. Smith asked about the lost check
issue. Corpora said during soccer they
were raising money for cancer. Corpora
said the checks were sent to the Cancer Society in Philadelphia. Corpora said Tammy a representative in Philadelphia
said they might be somewhere else and asked to wait until after the holiday to
see if the checks showed up. Corpora
said the checks were never found and were lost in the mail. Corpora said a whole packet was lost.
Marc Knox, Bonney
Lane, President of the Blue Mountain Soccer League,
said there was more than one group of checks missing within the league, not
just Palmer’s.
Smith asked if
anyone who wrote the original four letters was in attendance that would like to
speak other than Mr. Bartolacci. Smith asked if anyone in the room would like
to speak against Mr. Corpora.
Marie Smith, 616
Raub Street, Easton, said
she’s put in many volunteer hours in the township. Smith said her son played for Mr. Corpora and
she didn’t care for Mr. Corpora’s coaching styles. Smith said I feel it’s a travesty that tax payers dollars are being spent on a volunteer position. Smith said the line of communication has been
this way for many years. Smith said she
spoke with Mr. Anckaitis and Mr. Mitchell in the past about it. Smith said there has been a uniform problem
and coaching problems for years. Smith
said I feel the turkey in the newspaper was well deserved.
Sue Wilkins said she
understood that the Athletic Association came to the Board of Supervisors at a
previous meeting. Colver said that
didn’t happen. Wilkins asked Smith if
that wasn’t what he told her. Smith said
that was a 2-2-2
meeting.
Jim Marafioti, 2765
Stephens Street, said these people are all my
friends and I’m now at a fourth meeting regarding this matter and wondering why
we have to justify why we want to volunteer coach. Marafioti said the fact of the matter is
everything I hear I could tell you a story. Marafioti said I can tell you a day Mickey
and I were scrounging through a township garage where we went through moldy
shirts looking for uniforms for the kids.
Marafioti said he and Mickey also went to Magestic and bought t-shirts for
a dollar that the kids could wear.
Marafioti said I don’t clearly recall the conversation as Mr. Bartolacci
does. Marafioti said I knew Mickey
would tell them to come up and inside, because that’s what you do in baseball. Marafioti said I knew what he was
saying. Marafioti said I’ve coached with
Mickey for eight years and only saw him thrown out once. Marafioti
said I wrote a four page letter because it says he’s one of the most decent
guys I know.
Smith asked for
information regarding manipulating drafts.
Corpora said I don’t know what you’re talking about. Corpora said when he took over as
commissioner, the draft process included numerous people who came out and rated
the kids. Corpora said three years ago it
was the upper echelon of the baseball community and there has never been anyone
who manipulated anything. Smith asked
about the choosing of an all star team.
Corpora said when we entered into the little league we were going to
have tryouts. Smith said we had a lot of
rain and could not hold tryouts. Corpora
said the baseball committee made a decision to let the coaches submit names and
the committee would choose who would be on the team because we had no time. Corpora said teams were chosen and some
misconceptions were made by someone, and were told to someone else, and it elaborates
into something that Ms. Fulmer stated. Corpora
said the paperwork ended up in school because one of the kids took his fathers
paperwork.
Rich Drey, 1331
Wayne Street, said there was no time for a
tryout. Drey said he stood in for their
head coach that night and they had talked about who should be on the team. Drey said it was a good way to do it because
we saw the kids play all year and it worked better than having a tryout when a
kid could have an off day. Drey said when
I came to the meeting that night they had a list of nine kids and I agreed with
the list; then we looked at other positions we needed and I feel we did a good
job.
Smith referred to
meeting minutes of the Athletic Association dated June 19, 2003 that confirmed the process
regarding tryouts that year. Smith said
let the record reflect that those minutes also indicate that Barry Schaffer said
he was never made aware of the process.
Colver asked if
there were any additional issues regarding tryouts. Fulmer said I think it’s absurd that each
child doesn’t get a clean slate from one year to another. Fulmer said denying them that, I don’t think
is appropriate. Fulmer said coaching is
a privilege and should be reviewed each year.
Fulmer said I’ve witnessed the manipulation with Mr. Corpora in the
past. Fulmer asked if parents are
allowed on the field during drafts and evaluations.
Corpora said the
year I was commissioner the people that were on the field were the people who
were asked to do the evaluations.
Corpora said the last two years I wasn’t commissioner and was just
involved in the process.
Fulmer said a few
years back a coach was suspended indefinitely for getting kicked out of a
game. He came to the Board of
Supervisors and he was told he wasn’t allowed to coach.
Vic Guadagnino, said
he wasn’t here tonight to state he was for or against Corpora. Guadagnino said he now lives in Forks
Township and it’s a shame how
everyone is laughing at Palmer and the problems with the baseball program. Guadagnino said he was tossed out a few years
back and that he was blackballed by a few people who wanted him out of
coaching. Guadagnino said he went
through the procedure and took the necessary steps; Athletic Association,
Recreation Board, and the Board of Supervisors, and he hired an attorney. Guadagnino said he was told nobody could help,
so I backed off. Guadagnino said I
didn’t want to make a big deal so I backed off for my family. Guadagnino said if you reinstate Mickey, then
why wasn’t I reinstated. Guadagnino said
what’s good for one person is good for everyone.
Colver again said
this Board needs to be looking at the issues on the table.
Jeff Quinn, 2909
Washington Street, said he had to correct two
things that Ms. Fulmer said. Quinn said
regarding tryouts changing from year to year; this happened after a season took
place, it wasn’t the following year. Quinn
said Fulmer also insulted me when she said something about the summer
basketball program, uniforms, and police being brought into an incident at Forks
Township. Quinn said that had nothing to do with Palmer
Township, it was something we
entered on our own. Quinn said the
uniforms were used this year by Gary Huff and I did it with my team this summer
and I was told about it. Quinn said
baseball was doing it so they ended up letting me do it too. Quinn said Mr. Corpora had nothing to do with
the summer basketball program.
Dan Eckel, 2019
Stocker Mill Road, said if my numbers are right, four
letters were against Mickey and 40 were for him, which means 90% are for
him. If four people were affected, I’ve
been coaching with him for five years - he’s coached more than 400 kids. Eckel said it’s probably more like 700 kids. Eckel said that’s one percent against
him. Eckel said you’re never going to satisfy
everybody. 90% are for him. Eckel said out of those problems has any of
his coaches been asked to deny or agree with the accusations. Eckel said I’ve never seen it and I’ve been
with him for 400 of those kids. Eckel said regarding Mickey’s concern about injuries;
I’ve never seen anyone act more responsive, even if it was for the other team. Eckel said Mickey will beat any coach out
onto the field to make sure any kid is okay.
Eckel said regarding the high and inside pitch; isn’t it every coaches
job to teach the theory of baseball.
Anita Fleming, 200
Berks Street, said Mr. Corpora is a volunteer
signing up to coach, he wasn’t a year round coach and he doesn’t have
tenure. Fleming said things are
evaluated each year. Fleming said we as
a Board would be negligent if something happened to a child. Fleming said the Board stated no thank you,
take this season off. Fleming said this was
supposed to be between the Board and the applicant. Fleming asked who is going to pay for the
liability if something does happen. Fleming
said three to four people told me they wouldn’t sign the petition because of
repercussions. Fleming said she made her
decision on the facts in front of her.
Judy Schwab, 12
Camelot Drive, said the Board has taken a great
deal into consideration and said no one wanted to embarrass anyone or wanted to
violate anyone’s rights. Schwab said this
has gone way beyond what it should have.
Schwab said this Board has over 80 to 100 years of service and the
decisions are made on the facts in front of us.
Schwab said if there is a safety issue or concern it has to be addressed
and that’s what we tried to do. Colver
asked if she chaired the Board in the past, she said yes. Schwab said they had verbal reports in the
past and we asked for them to be put it in writing. Schwab said last year the vote was 5-3
regarding his coaching. Schwab said last
year a coach was kicked out of a game and he wasn’t approved to coach and was asked
to sit out the year.
Kim Snyder, 2602
Seip Avenue, read a statement and said she was
faced with a difficult decision and it was based on the facts and concerns
presented to them. Snyder said no
personal agenda came into play. Snyder
said she stands with her decision.
Joe Olah, 1204
Dunkle Street, said people are afraid to speak out
and write a letter against Mickey. Olah
said he participated in the decision on the Board and a year ago Mr. Corpora
participated in deciding to suspend a coach that was a friend of mine too. Olah said he respected this Board and would
support their decision. Olah said at our
March meeting we suspended a coach from basketball for one year and nothing was
done with that. Smith asked if the
bylaws state one year suspensions. Fulmer
said the Board determines the length of the suspension and said in that case there
were no written complaints. Fulmer said
the basketball coach was suspended by the league and the Board agreed to
suspend him from coaching.
Russell Swick, 1329
Jeffrey Lane, said we made a decision on the
information in front of us. Swick said it
wasn’t a rash decision. Swick said if we
can’t make a decision without being criticized, I don’t see the validity in
it. Swick said it’s been a circus in the
newspaper and I don’t even know Mickey personally. Swick said he supports his decision and if this
Board decides to overrule it, he’d be appalled.
Bob Elliott, 23
Ridgewood Road, said nine years ago he coached a
team that participated in a Forks Township
end of year tournament and the way we picked that team is the same way it was
done by Mr. Corpora. Elliott said regarding
the ejections you need to weigh the severity.
Rich Drey, 1331
Wayne Street, said he was appalled it’s come to
this. Drey said he’s been friends on both sides. Drey said three years ago after the all star
picks a statement was made by Mr. Schaffer that Mr. Corpora would not be back
as baseball commissioner, that’s a fact.
Drey said I don’t know if it’s a vendetta or legitimate.
Michael LaValva, 2675
Bonnie Lane, asked the Athletic Association Board
members if they ever saw Mr. Corpora coach. LaValva said you say
you want to protect the children of the township but yet they want to cut a
deal.
Bruno asked to keep
with the facts on hand.
Bill Trinchere, 4350
Eisenhower Drive, Bethlehem, said
I know Board members and Mickey.
Trinchere said when reading the newspaper you see that Palmer
Township now has a black eye. Trinchere said this issue will be resolved
and there will be people happy and some that won’t be happy. Trinchere said this has happened in the past
and Palmer Township
has always risen above the issues and came back with a solid venture for the
sports program. Trinchere said he hopes
that the same passion can get everyone’s attention in this room when we sit
here in December to open a township community center. Trinchere said Palmer
Township has always had these
issues and has always rebounded. Trinchere
said I hope all you folks here put the same effort into the community center.
Rick Lynch, 3555
Southwood Drive, said he spoke on behalf of Mickey
at the last Board meeting. Lynch said
regarding what Bill Trinchere said, I know the people on this Board have the
right ideas in mind. Lynch said I saw Judy
Schwab take over a team when they lost a coach.
Lynch asked that you keep that in mind.
Robert Varju, Forks
Township, said he umpired the past 19
years in various leagues. Varju said
he’s seen Mickey play and coach and at no time has he ever seen him act out of
order. Varju said everyone hates the
umpire and there are usually a lot of issues that come up during a game and at
no time did Mickey ever act out of context in his presence. Varju said he was an assigner for 400 – 500
games during the season and he never had an umpire complain about Mickey as a
coach. Varju said he’s known Mickey for
over 23 years and he’s taught me dedication and motivation for athletics.
Dave Race, 203
Vista Drive, Easton, said he supported
Mr. Corpora and has known him for 25 years.
Race said they were fellow football officials in Phillipsburg. Race read a statement about Mickey’s previous
football official experience. Race said
he feels Mickey should be kept on as Junior Legion baseball coach. Race read another letter of support for Mr.
Corpora from Joe Schull, a Skyland Conference assigner.
Gary Rooks, Alpha
NJ, said he’s known Mickey for eight years
through umpiring football games. Rooks
said he helped me a lot in learning the game.
Rooks said he’s never seen him lose his temper and he always stressed
sportsmanship. Rooks said he doesn’t see
any reason why he shouldn’t coach.
Brad Hunsicker, 2019
Ferry Street, Wilson, said
he’s known Mickey for a long time and has coached against him. Hunsicker said he’s never seen him get out of
control. Hunsicker said most of the
issues have been talked down tonight and said he thinks it’s a shame if he’s
not returned to coaching.
Jeffrey Hunsicker, 2019
Ferry Street, Wilson, said he
played against Mr. Corpora’s team and he can remember when his shoulder went out
during a game. Hunsicker said Mr.
Corpora had my shoulder popped back in before I even knew what was going
on. Hunsicker said he cares abut the
kids.
Nanci Oakley, 2718
Plymouth Drive, said she believed the Board voted
to suspend him from one season of baseball on the basis of letters written from
parents who felt their children were put in danger. Oakley said our schools have a zero tolerance
policy and I think we need to do that also.
Oakley said we’re not saying he’s not a good person because we know he is.
Oakley said I think we need to keep this in perspective; it’s three months not
the rest of his life. Oakley said it may
be a time to reflect. Oakley said I
think it’s terrible for the Board of Supervisors to have to be involved.
Lori Velekei, 144
Forest Line Road, said she sat on the Board two
years prior to this and she knows every person on that Board is here for the
same purpose, the kids. Velekei said the
gentleman who said there were only four letters, does that mean we should disregard
those letters. Velekei said I know of
kids who won’t go out because there are only two spots open and they know they
won’t make it. Velekei said I don’t
think Mickey’s a bad guy but how do you discount four letters that obviously
have something in them. Velekei asked how
do you say to those parents that your comments don’t mean
anything.
John Bisco, 4024
Nicholas Street, said he wanted the Board to
understand the American Legion Rules.
Bisco said he’s a veteran coach and involved in the Legion. Bisco said if a coach is throwing equipment
the umpires would have to eject him from the game and the coach would have to serve
a three game extension. Bisco said the American
Legion rules are Puritan rules and go back to the 40’s. Bisco said if a coach is ejected from a game
it’s an automatic five game suspension in their rules. Bisco said Palmer
Township would have had nothing to
do with it; the American Legion would have suspended him. Bisco said 18 teams are in the Junior Legion,
19 are in the Senior Legion and of that group they unanimously voted Mickey
into a position. Bisco said what we’re
doing here with a situation with 600 kids this man coached, and only four
letters of complaints, you’re going to have other people think they won’t want
to coach because they won’t want their names in the paper. Bisco said we have 38 kids with only 18
roster spots, that’s the American Legion baseball rules. Bisco said at least in Palmer there is a Babe
Ruth League. Bisco said there is a
passion for the game and it’s not a three month job, it’s a 10-11 month job to
do it right. Bisco said if you want a
coach that will prepare the kids to play at the next level you need somebody
with passion like Mickey.
Ray Guffy, Forks
Township, said he knows Mickey as
well as other basketball faces in this room.
Guffy said he’s a referee in the community basketball league and
PIAA. Guffy said he’s never had a
problem with Mickey or his kids and he’s a great teacher and motivator. Guffy said regarding the Forks summer league
uniform problem, two thirds of the teams there wear their uniforms from the
league instead of going out and buying new ones.
Pat McLaughlin, 16
Wilden Drive West, said if you deny the kids of
this township from playing for Mickey you’re making a huge mistake.
Sue Wilkins, 2
George Court, said the job that the Board has in
front of them is figuring out who’s telling the truth. Wilkins said where are the people who wrote
those four letters. Wilkins said if
Mickey is so bad how can he be allowed to coach anything. Wilkins said at the Recreation Board meeting
they said they wanted the truth but yet they never spoke to any of Mickey’s
coaches, so where did they get the truth from.
Wilkins said I know when I came before them I didn’t have a room full of
people, people were afraid to come before the Board because they’re afraid of
what happens to their children. Wilkins
said when my ten year old daughter and I left the last Recreation Board meeting
she told me, “Mom, that the lady in the red shirt said she would take care of
you later.” Wilkins said I’ve been in
Mickey’s shoes and it’s outrageous that it continues, and it’s your job to find
the truth.
Ken MacDougall, 1405
Jeffrey Lane, said his son was on Mickey’s team
and that he’s never seen or witnessed any of these allegations.
Jim Marafioti, 2765
Stephens Street, said as Mr. Bisco said, we have our
first Junior Legion meeting in July and we went to make sure that Palmer
Township had a representative,
otherwise we would be fined. Marafioti
said when we turn in our rosters we have to show two written newspaper accounts
that we held tryouts and we have to turn in rating sheets for each kid. Marafioti said we can’t just pick our
favorite kids. Marafioti said we’re lucky in this township that we have Babe
Ruth and other options for players that don’t make the team. Marafioti said he’s seen Mickey tell the kids
that don’t make the team what they need to work on to try to get better to make
the team next year. Mickey held a
mandatory meeting for his coaches to teach first aid. Marafioti said that he was voted unanimously as
league representative is impressive.
Ed Murray, 3315
Virginia Street, said he’s been coaching for the
last 12 years, but when things like this come up it makes you not want to coach
anymore. Murray
said he hopes we can settle this quickly.
Marie Marafioti, 2765
Stephens Street, said her husband coaches with
Mick. Marafioti said she’s listened to
what people have to say tonight. Marafioti
said she agrees with what everyone said about Mickey, and tonight we’ve all
been educated about the game of baseball.
Marafioti said the three other people who wrote those letters haven’t
come to this meeting and the people who were against Mickey have all left the
building, they are nowhere around. Marafioti
said she finds it interesting that there aren’t more people here with these
complaints. Marafioti said you can’t
forget about the four people who made the complaints but where are they.
Allan Wolfe, 125
Grandview Drive, said in the Blue Mountain League each
coach is given a card. Wolfe said if
your behavior is unacceptable they will pull your card at that game. Wolfe said I know of one time they took Mickey’s
card because he ran on to the field to help a kid who was hurt. Wolfe said it was worked out and they didn’t
keep his card. Wolfe said we need to
come together and work this out.
Ray Baurkot, 65
Clairmont Avenue, said the Palmer Athletic
Association made a decision and it wasn’t respected, the Recreation Board made
a decision and it wasn’t respected. Baurkot
said if the Board of Supervisors makes a decision, will he respect that.
Christi Corpora, 189
Jonathon Drive, said there are several things
being said I’d like to comment about.
Corpora said I see my husband at home and as a coach. Corpora said regarding Mrs. Snyder saying she
based the decision on the facts, unfortunately only the negative facts were
brought to that meeting. Corpora said
the committee didn’t have the positive ninety some letters that were
written. Corpora said regarding Mrs.
Fulmer’s comments about tryouts; we have 100 cheerleaders and they don’t have
tryouts, so why should someone get upset about not having a tryout for
baseball. Corpora said Mr. Swick doesn’t
know my husband but his son was placed on a team Mr. Swick doesn’t like because
the coach belittles the kids, yet he chastises my husband based on four letters
received. Corpora asked is that fair, I
don’t think so. Corpora said it cannot
work for one and not the other. Corpora
said Mrs. Smith used to ask my husband to take her kid back and forth to
practice. Corpora asked if my husband was
such a bad coach to her child why would she trust him to take her child back
and forth to practice.
Fulmer summarized
that the argument is not that each and every time his performance has not been
stellar. Fulmer said there are 57 signatures
on a petition supporting the Athletic Association’s decision. Fulmer said if it’s one percent of the people
it’s my duty to make a decision for that one percent. Fulmer said she believes it sets us up for a
liability issue when it’s been a topic of discussion and we didn’t do anything
about it. Fulmer said we stand firmly on
our decision due to the issues on the table.
Fulmer said she would respect this Board’s decision, but if you do
reinstate him, I hope it comes with conditions.
Fulmer thanked the Board for hearing them tonight.
Pulcini said those seven
on the Athletic Association are still standing firm, they have an agenda and they
will stand firm. Pulcini said there have
been a lot of innuendos made here.
Pulcini said he doesn’t believe people are afraid to come here. Pulcini said if Mickey is a danger or liability
why can he coach basketball and soccer. Pulcini
said Palmer Township
has a program to be proud of because of coaches like Mickey. Pulcini said you would be doing injustice to Palmer
Township if you don’t reinstate
Mickey as a coach.
Bartolacci
asked to correct the attorney in stating that his letter was an innuendo; and
stated his letter brought up many incidents and Mr. Pulcini didn’t accurately
state his position. Bartolacci
said regarding the statement that these letters were solicited; my letter was never
solicited by anyone. Bartolacci
said he mentioned his concerns earlier and approached Mr. Corpora and gave him
an opportunity to respond.
Mickey Corpora,
thanked the Board of Supervisors for their time and effort to hear all this
jargon that’s been put in front of you. Corpora
said the positive enforcement that’s here prove it’s true. Corpora said the Athletic Association made
some accusations about the facts. Corpora
said the Athletic Association didn’t take all the facts in consideration. Corpora said the AA president didn’t
understand the protocol or go through it properly. Corpora said they retracted their initial
position and took another vote. Corpora
said Mr. Schaffer said he followed the bylaws to a T, and that is incorrect. Corpora said the fact that I threw a baseball
at a kids head, the father stated it was incorrect and Mr. Schaffer stated he
talked to the father. Corpora said when
you are a president of an association your job is to bring the facts to the Board. Corpora said information from the Junior Legion
president never made it to the Board; none of the positive information was ever
given to the Board. Corpora said Mr.
Schaffer said he talked to the upper level commissioner of baseball, another
fabrication; Mr. Schaffer hasn’t talked to him in eight weeks. Corpora said the comment about baseball being
only three months, I’ve been going to Junior Legion meetings for the past three
years; we meet every other month. Corpora
said I’m not saying I am perfect; yes I’ve turned in uniforms late. Corpora said I don’t swear at home, so you
know I don’t swear on the field; ask the players, there are two players here
tonight. Corpora said this was a
vendetta that went back two years and they put it on their list of
grievances. Why is that? Corpora thanked everyone who came to support
him.
Mitchell asked if we
knew if the American Legion and Junior Legion fall under the AA or not. Mitchell said if they’re not under the AA then
they can’t fire the coach. Mitchell said
as far as the complaints, we still need to look at them.
Colver said they use
the township fields and funds and have for years acted under the township
AA. Colver said their money flows
through the AA. Corpora said the fees
come out of the Recreation Board.
Jim Worley, 714
Stones Crossing, said the budgets for the Junior Legion and Senior Legion are
handled as every other sport through the Recreation Board. Worley said the Junior and Senior Legions used
to require a sponsor of a local legion, I don’t know if that’s true any
longer.
Colver asked about
costs to the league. Corpora said we
request through the Recreation Board as a coach for the fees needed. Corpora said it pays team fees and insurance
for the year. Mitchell asked if the rules
and regulations are governed by the legion.
Corpora said yes. Fulmer asked if
that covers the kids and coaches who play on the fields. Corpora said yes.
Fulmer said every
sport has a budget approved through the Recreation Board liaison to purchase
equipment, referee fees, etc. Fulmer
said the AA covers when they are out of money or for tournaments, and they pay $5
per child. Mitchell asked if the AA pays
the Legion money. Fulmer said they could
request it. Mitchell asked if the Legion
ever did that. Fulmer said she couldn’t
say. Fulmer said if they win a league
championship we give $45 per child for jackets.
Worley said if
anyone has a bill to be paid the liaison from the Recreation Board puts in the purchase
order and it gets paid through the township budget. Mitchell asked if the legion is under the
township or the AA. Worley said they
never treated them any differently than any other sports team.
Bob Walker, 2764
Queen Street, Chairman of the Recreation Board
this year, said funding is no different for the legion than any other
sport. Walker
said the legion form has a place for a legion to sponsor, but on the Palmer
Township form it has the AA
information and Barry Schaffer’s signature.
Bruno said regarding the application form it was filed on behalf of the township
with no reference of the AA. Bruno said
it’s the municipalities that participate in the league. Bruno said this shouldn’t be a sticking point
tonight. Bruno said everyone in this
room are either volunteers on the AA or Recreation
Board, and that is to be commended.
Bruno said people are losing site of the issues and making this a huge
thing. Bruno said this is the right
process to have the Board of Supervisors hear this since the Recreation Board
deferred it to them. Bruno said this Board
has to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the residents, which gives them
the right to get involved in this matter.
Bruno said everyone who’s been involved in the decision making should be
commended, they based the decision on the information that was before
them. Bruno said this Board will now use
only the facts that have been presented to them. Bruno said it’s not quantity but the quality
of the complaints that have been presented.