Officials hear SEPTA report, remember journalist
NORRISTOWN » The Montgomery County Commissioners heard a presentation detailing SEPTA’s economic impact on the county and honored the memory of longtime area journalist Margaret “Peg” Gibbons at their April 4 meeting.
The SEPTA Economic Impact Study, presented by SEPTA General Manager Jeffery Knuepell, outlined the increasing role the transportation authority is playing in spurring economic growth and prosperity throughout the re-
gion, with a special focus on Montgomery County.
Knuepell pointed out that the capital investments made possible by Act 89, a state transportation bill passed in 2013, have made it possible for SEPTA to purchase new equipment, and make improvements to the county’s stations and other facilities.
The study also highlighted the ways in which proximity to SEPTA regional rail lines has helped to increase property values and featured ongoing initiatives aimed and increasing ridership, capacity, and efficiency, including the future use of locomotives, multi-level rail cars and the King of Prussia rail line.
HONORING “PEG” GIBBONS
Calling it “a tremendous loss,” Commissioners Chairwoman Val Arkoosh expressed the sentiments of many courthouse and One Montgomery Plaza employees on the recent passing of Margaret “Peg” Gibbons, who covered Montgomery County for Montgomery Publishing, The Times Herald and The Mercury and Calkins Newspapers with a uniquely acerbic, but always fair and forthright style.
“Peg was just really an amazing person,” Arkoosh said. She covered the county news for
about 40 years. I truly believe she knew more about this county than any of us.”
Arkoosh said Gibbon’s legacy of holding officials’ feet to the fire garnered her respect and she appreciated Gibbons for “asking questions that deserve answering.”
Commissioner Ken Lawrence recalled enjoying Gibbon’s her columns and eventually getting to meet some of the people she wrote about before he took office. Lawrence said Gibbons was “truly a Montgomery County institution and she will be missed.”
Commissioner Joe Gal remembered Gibbons as “everpresent figure of the courthouse” who was “very passionate about her work.”
“She will be missed by many and we should all keep her family in our prayers during this difficult time,” Gale added.
EMPLOYEE SALARY ADJUSTMENTS
The normally uneventful salary board portion of the meeting took an uncharacteristic turn when Controller Karen Sanchez objected to a motion to approve county employee salary adjustments resulting from a compensation study issued in December by Evergreen Solutions.
Sanchez said the report — which dramatically reduced the number of pay grade categories and adjusted employee compensation to align more competitively
with neighboring counties — had undergone numerous changes between December and April without the issuance of a supplemental report or an explanation or documentation as to how or why the changes were made.
“When you don’t have them (Evergreen) issue a supplemental report, I think you lose the independence of that report,” said Sanchez before delivering her “no” vote.
The commissioner’s all voted in favor of the motion, with Arkoosh explaining that she believes the final adjustments were appropriate because they were made by county officials and department heads who are best suited to make those final decisions.
Commissioners’ notebook
OTHER BUSINESS
In other business, the commissioners unanimously passed an ordinance establishing maximum gross weight limits for motor vehicles on more than two dozen county-owned bridges. The ordinance includes the installation of additional weight postings and allows for the enforcement of penalties and the collection of fines (to be split with local police) for violators.
The commissioners also honored the Upper Dublin High School girl’s basketball team for winning the PIAA-6A state championship and recognized the Jenkintown girl’s squad for their PIAA Class A title.