Posted: Friday, November 1, 2013 3:24 pm | Updated: 6:50 pm, Fri Nov 1, 2013.
For the next two months, Rita Ledger will not only carry the title of mayor, but she'll be able to oversee the police department before her four-year term is over on Dec. 31, thanks to a consent order.The order by the Bucks County Common Pleas Court puts the court's stamp on an agreement between Ledger and the borough. It gives Ledger, the first borough female mayor, the right to obtain police department and borough records without having to submit a right-to know request and pay 25 cents per page, as the public is required to do. The order also gives her access to the police department office and the authority to sit in on borough council executive sessions and obtain copies of lawsuits and police schedules.
Ledger sued Morrisville borough and police officials in May, charging that they wouldn't give her access to borough records or the police department office and paperwork. She claimed sex discrimination and sought more than $100,000 in damages. The damages portion of the suit hasn't been settled.
The newspaper was unsuccessful in reaching the borough’s insurance lawyer, Christopher Gerber, who dealt with the issue on behalf of Morrisville. Borough officials declined to comment, saying they were leaving all public comment to Gerber.
“It is unfortunate that I had to go to court to resolve this conflict, but I was left no alternative,” Ledger said in a written statement released by her lawyer, Martha Sperling. “I am gratified that the court has ordered that I will have an office in the borough hall. I will now have a key to the police department and access to all the documents which have been withheld during the first years of my term.
“Under the Borough Code, the powers and duties of the mayor are clearly defined,” Ledger's statement said. “This order compels the administration to obey the law, allowing me to oversee police operations, an area that deserves our help.”
Sperling said: "We sincerely hope that this will move all parties towards a spirit of greater cooperation and compromise.”
The Oct. 29 consent order was issued by Judge Robert Baldi after both sides said they wanted to resolve the matter without further litigation or admitting fault, according to court papers.
Under the order, the borough government also must provide Ledger with a cellphone and the use of a private office equipped with a desk, telephone and computer, although court papers noted “it is specifically noted that Pennsylvania law does not obligate the borough to provide the mayor with an officer, office equipment or cell phone.”
Since becoming mayor in January 2010, Ledger claimed in the lawsuit that she’s been denied access to the police department office and paperwork, including lawsuits pertaining to the borough and the police force. “Her ability to make informed decisions has been compromised,” according to the lawsuit.
“She has been berated when she tries to tell the police what to do, being told she is useless and they ‘Don’t need a mayor, they have mayors at home,’ ” according to the suit. “The council has refused to meet with Ledger to try and resolve these issues instead trying to litigate this matter in the press.”
The Morrisville Police Department hasn't had a police chief since January, after former Police Chief Jack Jones left. The small force has been run temporarily by Lt. Thomas Herron.
The borough is searching for a police chief. Seven candidates have been selected. The top three will be interviewed by council members later this month, according to officials this week. Ledger also must be allowed to be involved in that process, according to the court order.
The newspaper was unsuccessful in reaching the borough’s insurance lawyer, Christopher Gerber, who dealt with the issue on behalf of Morrisville. Borough officials declined to comment, saying they were leaving all public comment to Gerber.
“It is unfortunate that I had to go to court to resolve this conflict, but I was left no alternative,” Ledger said in a written statement released by her lawyer, Martha Sperling. “I am gratified that the court has ordered that I will have an office in the borough hall. I will now have a key to the police department and access to all the documents which have been withheld during the first years of my term.
“Under the Borough Code, the powers and duties of the mayor are clearly defined,” Ledger's statement said. “This order compels the administration to obey the law, allowing me to oversee police operations, an area that deserves our help.”
Sperling said: "We sincerely hope that this will move all parties towards a spirit of greater cooperation and compromise.”
The Oct. 29 consent order was issued by Judge Robert Baldi after both sides said they wanted to resolve the matter without further litigation or admitting fault, according to court papers.
Under the order, the borough government also must provide Ledger with a cellphone and the use of a private office equipped with a desk, telephone and computer, although court papers noted “it is specifically noted that Pennsylvania law does not obligate the borough to provide the mayor with an officer, office equipment or cell phone.”
Since becoming mayor in January 2010, Ledger claimed in the lawsuit that she’s been denied access to the police department office and paperwork, including lawsuits pertaining to the borough and the police force. “Her ability to make informed decisions has been compromised,” according to the lawsuit.
“She has been berated when she tries to tell the police what to do, being told she is useless and they ‘Don’t need a mayor, they have mayors at home,’ ” according to the suit. “The council has refused to meet with Ledger to try and resolve these issues instead trying to litigate this matter in the press.”
The Morrisville Police Department hasn't had a police chief since January, after former Police Chief Jack Jones left. The small force has been run temporarily by Lt. Thomas Herron.
The borough is searching for a police chief. Seven candidates have been selected. The top three will be interviewed by council members later this month, according to officials this week. Ledger also must be allowed to be involved in that process, according to the court order.
44 comments:
Sad commentary on the entire borough. No one can do a decent job.
Not even the massive waste of money on football....who needs a library or health or even a full 6 period schedule.
My crystal ball says that Jane Burger is feverishly making a list of documents she wants her lacky to get for her. It is ridiculous to to think that someone could waste taxpayer money obtaining any documents they wish from any point in Morrisville's history simply because the mayor desires them. I can see if she is working on something that she may need documented information that she may not have, but to say she can have whatever she wants regarding this seems necklace. I'm am thankful for all of us that this judge saw through her scam of a lawsuit. I'm also thankful that she didn't get the money she was seeking. She must owe her attorney quite a bit of cash. She may have to sue someone to be able to pay it off.
Under the order, the borough government also must provide Ledger with a cellphone and the use of a private office equipped with a desk, telephone and computer, although court papers noted “it is specifically noted that Pennsylvania law does not obligate the borough to provide the mayor with an officer, office equipment or cell phone.”
I'm pretty sure that it also says that she was not entitled to these things but the borough gave them to her anyway. Mayor Tom W. had none of these. I believe Rita is the first. Nice job wasting our money on your power trip.
I'm not convinced that she didn't have access to these things prior to this. I'm glad the borough saw this through and didn't just give into her extortion plot. Their steadfastness with regard to this scam paid off for all of us because we aren't going to have to momentarily reward Rita for her bad behavior. As far as the police stuff goes, I never understood why the borough was being sued for her problem (either legit or imaginary) with the police dept. That was between that dept and herself.
Rita is a joke. It's not a coincidence that she brought about this lawsuit as the cornerstone investigation was winding down. She had to plot this way of getting herself out of her ineptness regarding the police dept.
"Rita Ledger will not only carry the title of mayor, but she'll be able to oversee the police department before her four-year term is over on Dec. 31,"
She has always had this ability but chose not to do it.
I am glad she isn't getting any of the money she demanded, not even the little bit she tried to extort from council to make the whole thing go away. Yes Rita, some people do know just how slippery you are. Have a good time paying that lawyer bill. I'm sure you racked up more than the $4,000 of our money you used on this and it's going to cost you. Maybe Jane will cover that for you too.
You have left a mark on Morrisville of being one of the worst mayors in its history. Don't let the door hit you...
The article says the damages portion of the suit hasn't been settled. Are you sure she's not getting any money for this? I hope not.
Her lawyers could find out what an SOC does when they don't like the bill: they don't pay it.
Put it on the dusty pile with the property taxes, water and sewer bills.
This ends up where most SOC lawsuits do, a big waste of time, money and resources for zip, zilch, nada, nothing. Let the door hit you in the heinie on the way out, sue the door, and lose.
BRISTOL 67
MORRISVILLE 8
Time to cut football or Get a new Coaching staff. The football program is an embarasment. WASTE OF $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Here's this article as well. It includes the attorney who is working on behalf of the borough.
Morrisville's mayor, council settle lawsuit [The Philadelphia Inquirer]
By Ben Finley, The Philadelphia Inquirer
Oct. 31--MORRISVILLE Two months before her term ends, Morrisville's mayor finally will be getting her own office in the borough hall and a borough-issued phone.
She'll no longer have to file right-to-know requests -- and pay 25 cents a page -- to access government records. And if she gets the chance, she'll have a say in the hiring of the borough's next police chief.
That's all according to a court agreement reached this week between the mayor and council of the Bucks County borough of about 8,700 residents. It's the first sign of peace in a town that's been rife with conflict for months.
In the last year, police officers have sued each other over claims of harassment and a hostile work environment. After only two weeks on the job, an interim safety director resigned over the turmoil, telling officials that the borough is headed toward "tragedy or catastrophe" if changes aren't made. The borough still is looking for a police chief while a lieutenant runs the department.
Mayor Rita Ledger, who is not seeking reelection Tuesday, sued council and the police department in April over allegedly denying her access to government files. Ledger, elected in 2009, also claimed that individual borough officials harassed her with sexist comments.
Chris Gerber, an attorney for the borough's insurance company, said the suit "arose out of a breakdown in communication."
Both sides claimed partial victory Wednesday.
In a news release, Ledger said the agreement, approved by a county judge, compels council and borough officials "to obey the law, allowing me to oversee police operations, an area that deserves our help."
Her attorney, Martha Sperling, said Ledger was denied access to such documents as a lawsuit against the borough that named the mayor and council.
Gerber said in an e-mail that the agreement clarifies the mayor's authority -- as well as limitations under the law -- regarding access.
Gerber said he hoped the agreement led to more cooperation. But unresolved are Ledger's contentions that borough officials harassed her.
Sperling said that borough officials had removed the sign that said "mayor" from the former mayor's office and would permit Ledger only to work out of the council's conference room.
Said Gerber: "I would hope that the mayor will now withdraw the balance of her lawsuit in the spirit of cooperation, now that these protocols have been clarified. It is my view that political differences should be resolved in the board room and not in the courtroom."
Ledger's suit contends "she has been berated when she tries to tell the police what to do, being told that she is useless and that they don't need a mayor, they have mayors at home."
bfinley@phillynews.com
610-313-8118 @Ben_Finley
This calls for the sexual harassment panda. I'm finding it very hard to believe that Rita was sexually harassed. I'm assuming this is where here desired monetary award will rear it head. Even if I ever believed anything Rita has ever said, I would draw the line at this one.
When Tom was mayor he used the caucus room in back of the dais when he needed a space.
I think it kind of sucks Rita has now opened the door for officials to have any amount of documentation they wish. I get that there may be times when someone may need something, but this sets a tone for obstructionists to pull up the truck and have the contents of borough hall copied and emptied into the back. When I read it I thought of Jane Burger and what she could do with this access. It also sucks because it is allowing the Mayor free access to documents that borough council has to pay for.
The items set forth in the document are items that Rita already has.
I still don't understand why the borough is named with regard to her complaints against the police dept. That makes absolutely no sense.
It shames me to think that you folks are citizens of the same borough that we live in. Unless you are completely blinded by the one sided information you receive from those that caused this lawsuit in the first place, the agreement states that she will receive everything she filed her lawsuit for to perform her duties. Obviously the things she was requesting were not provided in accordance to the law. Otherwise the judge would not have granted them! Your are so set in your old ways and insist on maintaining our borough as the joke of the county that you cannot see a need for change? You cannot be this blind. It is not possible. How can you possibly twist the judges decree into something else. He said she was right and had the borough fulfill its obligations according to the law. What part of that are you not getting? Or are you clinging to something more dangerous to our community. You have got to stop supporting the old school, old way, nothing changes political machine in our community and start thinking about doing what is best for our community. Enough is enough!
Having trouble reading?
"Obviously the things she was requesting were not provided in accordance to the law"
It says, “it is specifically noted that Pennsylvania law does not obligate the borough to provide the mayor with an officer, office equipment or cell phone," yet she was given these things anyway.
What are you smoking?
Obviously you did not read the complaint and then based your information on what little you have read, and twisted yourself. The actual complaint is very different than the judgement in that Rita got almost nothing she asked for and what she did get, she had months ago, prior to the judgment. (all of which she had no legal claim to) All of this does not mean anyone is right or wrong. Nobody will know for sure. What I do know is that Rita and her friends have made a shambles of our community and you are persecuting the people who have been trying to clean up what has been left behind because of people like Rita. To the newbie, pick your villains wisely. It's nice that you are finally paying attention.
LOL in the complaint Rita demanded to be addressed at all times by everyone as, "madam mayor".
She didn't get anything other than what council offered her, which she had already been receiving. Something was put in writing for her so she could save face & wouldn't be embarrassed. For example to say she can sit in exec sessions is a joke because she has been doing it for four years. It's in the order to make her feel like she won something.
But she did try to extort money from council to make the whole thing go away and THAT she didn't get.
You people really have no life.
All 10 of us?
Don't get too hung up on labelling people.
When you first get involved, it's hard to tell who's with who, and separate good guys and innocent civilians from enemy combatants.
You might just need the people you're dumping on now.
Think about it. Everyone.
In a similar vein, you might find out you're being played by people who at first appear to be 'friends' and 'supporters'.
If you're not dumb and gullible, this will dawn on you over time as the stories and 'facts' start to not add up.
Exactly - what group has worked hard to bring us all together and what group has worked hard to create factions, strife and fear?
It wouldn't take a newer person long to figure out who belongs in which group.
"Mike Honcho said...
You people really have no life.
Sunday, November 03, 2013"
Which makes you even more pathetic for coming in here to hurl your juvenile insults and prattle. Climb back under your rock, everyone knows you're nothing more than a nebbish.
Justin Bowers = Mike Honcho.
Mike Honcho = Cal Naughton Jr.
Cal Naughton Jr= Brian Jones
Rita tried to do her job. Bates and others wouldn't let her. They didn't give her a key to the police department; an office; or the tools she needed to do the job. She shouldn't have had to sue the borough to get access to what was legally hers all along. Most of you don't know all the facts. So before judging her about filing the lawsuit, get the facts! When the mayors were men, they had access and an office (regardless of the location). Rita, however, was NEVER given anything. So it was obvious that this was discrimination against her.
Yeah, keep flogging that chicken. We can all read and see what is happening. Rita asked for things NO mayor ever requested or required. She ignored her responsibilities and waited until the 11th hour to file a lawsuit. She is only looking for another payday at the taxpayers' expense. We've already paid enough for her perfidy, NO MORE!!
actually Kurt holthenrichs is Mike Honcho
Awe, I hope that isn't true. That would be disappointing.
"Bates and others" Who are the "others"?
Who didn't give her a key to the police dept?
Who didn't give her an office?
Who didn't give her the tools she needed to to the job?
She didn't have to sue, she chose to.
"Were legally hers all along"? You must have read something different than the rest of us.
Rita's lawsuit was actually taken from another lawsuit having to do with another female mayor. It's almost word for word.
I understand someone's desire to defend their friend, but just the fact that Rita waited years to decide she thought she had been discriminated against and needed to sue her own borough, speaks volumes to me.
Awwww Kurt "Holt" is Honcho...? Makes sense - think he's salivating for Dave's council seat once Dave becomes mayor....
"LOL in the complaint Rita demanded to be addressed at all times by everyone as, "madam mayor". "
It depends on how you pronounce it. I say it *My Damn Mayor*
seems to be a growing line of people wanting Dave's seat when he becomes Mayor
wonder if any have worked on a almost 18 million dollar budget or helped work on a new labor contract where the old one cost millions in increases over the life of the contract to work out a new one that saved millions hmmm anybody
There's no better sure-fire way to get an appointment to council than to go under the name of Mike Honcho.
Not sure where that seat's been? You ain't smelled nuthin' yet.
The question remains- when he loses, will Peps sell the ole casa and get out or try running for council next?
I had heard that his plan was to win the mayor's race, then put his spouse up for the council seat in two years.
I have no doubt that when Pepitone was convinced to take Dave on, the cronies left out a couple of details about Dave.
So I can assume Pepitone's plan will change when Dave wins.
I'm sure we will be going through the Pepitone nightmare again when it's time for Nancy and Jeff to win their elections.
Be careful what you wish for, Patricia Schell's name has been brought up for his seat! Is that who we really want in there? She will only create more problems. She already lost the mayor seat to Ms Ledger, and her race for council twice. I think the residence of the fourth ward have already decided against her, more than once.
I don't live in that ward, but no offense to her I'd prefer someone else.
Who does Pepitone want in that seat?
It's only fair the he be allowed to choose.
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