Perkasie council member not representing his ward

To the Editor:

I would like to express my extreme disappointment with Perkasie Borough &RunFLO DnG Ln VSHFLfiFDOOy Jim Ryder. Councilman Ryder proclaimed during an interview with 69 News his reasons for seeking placement on our local council was that as a citizen of the community, he was not being heard by this council and did not feel that the current members were adequately representing the townspeople. He wanted to change that and be a true representative of the people in his ward. Unfortunately, his voting record proves just the opposite.

Many residents feel, as Councilman Ryder did, that their voice falls on deaf ears with most members of coun- cil. From the moving of the skate park, the police shooting over the summer and outrageously high electric bills to forced public water hookups by residents with wells, not to mention the overly expensive renovations to the train station buildings, Perkasie residents have had many things to voice their opinions on during public forum over this past year. Regardless of residents oppositions or disagreements on any given issue, Councilman Ryder consistently sides with whatever decision is dictated by our current “GRRG 2OG BRy” nHWwRUN RI council members.

As was the case again at the Dec. 17 council meeting. Many residents had expressed their concerns about the 2013 proposed budget. Over spending by more than $200,000 from last year, the high cost of health insurance coverage for borough employees, across the board pay increases and dipping into the reserve fund instead of producing a balanced budget have all been addressed in public forum and acceptance of this budget rejected by most residents in Perkasie. Although Councilman Ryder indicated that he disagreed with all of the DERYH, KH VWLOO YRWHG “yHV” to the pay increases and excepted the budget as is right along with all other members of council, excluding Councilman Justin Stottlar wKR YRWHG “nR” Rn EHKDOI RI the residents in his ward.

Councilman Ryder, the residents that you represent are deeply disappointed in your voting history to date. They expected to see you speak up on their behalf by voting accordingly. This council already had enough “yHV” PHn. :DUG 3 GLG nRW elect you to be just another “JR DORnJ wLWK WKH JURuS” council member.

We understand the pressure put upon you to conform to council majority opinion. I was at the meeting to witness borough council President Matt Aigeldinger’s shameful reproach of Councilman Stottlar, along with his disgraceful attempt at reprimand for Stottlar’s noncompliance to vote with the pack. Peer pressure at any age is hard to combat; howHYHU, DV Dn HOHFWHG RIfiFLDO LW is your role to rebuff these pressures and represent your constituents adequately. Rebecca Miletic

Perkasie