MIKE ZOWNIRIW

RICHLAND TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR

"May the Lord Bless You with neighbors such as you are."

 "The world of politics becomes more meaningful in the times of today. Thank you for always being a beacon for truth, justice, fairness and most important, to demand of politicians to provide a quality life for all people and for future generations."

 L.R.

 

 "Thank you so very much ... for asking the difficult questions, and for getting meaningful answers.  And most of all, thank you for persisting. Your relentless efforts are so VERY much appreciated. What a three ring circus ... send in the clowns."   

B.L.  

 

"Tredwell doth goof?"

 M.J.

 

 "She also remembers when the Bonomo's and the Cressman's said you were the best neighbor anyone could ever have."

M.J.

  

 "My heart goes out to you both. You are both wonderful people who are just unlucky victims of our local hat mongers. My thoughts and prayers are with you." 

O.T.

 

"I have started a "Paco defense fund", you will receive the check shortly." 

M.J. 

 

"I am very glad you printed the rebuttal from Mr. Murphy divulging the lies and misconceptions. It is very disheartening to live under such a corrupt and immoral government. Conspiracies abound and it seems only the strongest among us will bring the light of day to these travesties."
M.J.                 

 

"Again, I am truly sorry for what you and Mike have to endure. I could not be so strong.... Remember we are all thinking of you guys and still working."

F.K.

 

"I feel so bad for you guys that you have to go through all the crap that you do and then have this a**hole put a really negative and twisted light on it for all the world to read.  I don't know how you can handle it. You're in my prayers."

O.T.

 

Responses to a township meeting:

     "-no development is going to make everybody happy."

           ... and if residents don't like it, they can flip on outta here

     "-other communities would die to have our development."

              ... and a bunch of us die when we get our school taxes

     "-developers have rights, property owners have rights."   

 ... and when it comes to development, residents have no rights

     "-there are no guarantees in life."             

... and our political process really is a bunch of baloney anyway

    "-we do a pretty good darn job."

             ... as Mom says, self praise stinks

     "-most of the credit belongs to our staff."

             ... our loyal puppets on a string.

 B.L.

 

"As for roundabouts. Does Logan Circle in Philadelphia count as a roundabout? There are traffic lights, but I don't think it started out that way. How about in front of the Art Museum? Some might consider the road around City Hall in Phila. a roundabout. Maybe Philadelphia does not count as Eastern Pennsylvania. Anyway maybe you should change that sign lest some might consider locals conceited, out of touch, or just plan idiots. Come on you can afford to throw your money around. Have Mike propose it and then have a sign made up that says Mike proposed to correct the first sign."

M.S.

 

"Many thanks for keeping me up to date with what's going on in Richland Township. I really appreciate your email updates.    ....I'm sick and tired of you and Mike getting hammered week after week in the Free Press by that guy Waldow. That guy  needs to get a life.  Don't know how you put up with all of his baloney. Please hang in there.  Your efforts are very much appreciated. Again, many thanks!" 

B.L.

 

"....water line [is] on your side of the wall and the fact that Judge Fritsch never ordered anything to be done nor did he enter a court order which has not been complied with....."

S.J.  

 

"Mike's position makes perfect sense. It is only careful and attentive legislation to define your terms before it will require expensive and time-consuming court cases to do so."

N.R.

 

"Isn't it something that the Preservation Board helps spend money for signs while the referendum money sits and open space vanishes??"

C.S.

 

"What a visionary [Patricia Keller]!! What's next, a redefining of open space?"

C.E.                  

                    

"She [Patricia Keller] gets a sign, that costs $1000, just for doing her job (or a part of it, more or less)? If they are going to put a plaque so little that nobody will stop to read it, why do it? And for $1000!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

M.A. 

                                           

"I just read this 'article' [re plaque at roundabout thanking Patricia Keller] and thought I'd fall off my chair!!  What a waste of money!" 

O.T.

 

"I can't believe anyone would even consider putting an acknowledgement plaque at the traffic circle but I must consider who suggested the idea and then I can understand it. Obviously the residents that think it is such an improvement don't use it on a daily basis....[nor] hear all the horn blowing, cursing and squealing tires. I travel every day on [a very large road] which has much more traffic and I don't have as much concern about being in an accident as I do on the weekends navigating around the circle. Old Bethlehem Pike drivers still feel they have the right of way and 90% of them ignore anyone that is in the circle.  My family and I have had too many close calls and I'm not a fan of 'roundabouts'! Too bad I couldn't attend this last meeting because Tamburri would have gotten an ear full from me on this subject."

W.D.

 

"I received a call last night from the Staats campaign assuming that since I was Republican I was going to vote for Staats. Luckily for me I had no plans last night so I had the opportunity to keep her on the phone for a long period of time and keep her busy with me so I can waste her time. Like how she has wasted the time of the average Richland township citizen by bring personal issues to township meetings.     This also gave me an opportunity to tell her my frustrations in a very professional way. I told her that I knew who she was from the papers. I told her that I was embarrassed to live in Richland because of the bad name she gave our township. Then to defend herself she tried to explain the situation to me but I had to cut her off and tell her that I don't care about her personal problems. The next thing she did to earn my vote was insult Mike. Once again I had to cut her off and tell that I was happy with the job Mike was doing and the only negative press I read is either from her, Woldow, or Woldow's cronies. Then I asked her if she has ever taken money from Woldow to attack Mike and try to discredit him because that's how I feel about the whole situation. The rest of the call was me explaining to her how she was being used as a political pawn and it is embarrassing herself and her family well as the rest of the township. I finally ended the call by saying that my vote is for Stevens, and I will never ever vote for someone Woldow wants in office."

L..P.

 

"After reading the an article in the intel about the toilet situation for the historical society, I now realize what an uphill battle it will be, and i want you to know that many people in Richland are behind you.  I was appalled and ashamed of the attitude of the current board for the childish way this situation was handled.  I look forward to some new and positive changes for my community, and i believe that you and your people will provide it.  I no longer want to be ashamed of richland township."

N.S.

                                  

"You must be working with good people. Hopefully this good alliance will maintain a productive momentum, and "take back the township for the people." Are we really allowed to say that? I thought that they can put people in jail for saying things like power to the people. It's been a while... "

W.J.

                                                           

"While the emotions were flying, it was comforting to know that you had won and would represent a counterbalancing force to the status quo."

W.J.

 

"We need to get rid of the "click" that is running the township. It needs across the board representation."

N.B.    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For anyone who might wonder why we do not use the full names of those who write in, it is for the protection of the writer. We know that Patricia Keller has, and Richard Orloff continues to feed information to his avowed friend Richard Woldow of the Free Press, to use disparagingly and in a most twisted manner against whomever Orloff perceives as "his enemy". This has included the Zowniriw Family and anyone who has supported them, past members of our township's boards, and alleged members of "RCA". What a chilling message this sends to current volunteers..... Remember the zoning change Orloff, Keller, and Tamburri voted in which increased the housing density allowed on Woldow's property to 24-48 unit condominiums, and thus significantly increased its value? And this was done on land that our Comprehensive Plan had slated for "preservation" and "future growth". It is indeed telling that Woldow has never uttered an unpleasant word about Orloff or Keller - or Staats.  

"I didn't even read the Woldrow [sic] column--why bother? It's just more garbage."

B.D.  

                                       

"The man leading the meeting threw a temper tantrum and thought by saying he was sorry at the end of the meeting would make it ok, will it didn't."

H.K.  

                                                                             

"It is very sad to have so many residents who pay taxes, come to meetings, make their opinions know, and then have the (2) supervisors ignore their constituents and vote in favor of items that seem to go against public opinion."

S.K.

"I just read the mission statement on ymca.net home page. It states 'To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all". With the 'CA' in YMCA standing for Christian Association, doesn't giving land to a religious-based organization such as the 'Y', violate the separation of church and state set forth in the Constitution?"

O.T.

 

"This insane growth has to stop!............."    

H.J.

 

"We must act on this now because in a few months it's too late. I'm praying about this issue and I hope others will also and join in with their opinions and attend these meetings. God has given us a great environment let's continue to enjoy it. THANK GOD YOU TWO ARE LOOKING OUT FOR THIS COMMUNITY"

G.L.

 

"If the YMCA has $4.5 million for the new building, why do they need free land from the township?"

C.E.

                                              

"Is the YMCA is non-profit? They charge more money than most if not all gyms. They make it sound like they are providing their service for free by asking that land be donated to them. Am I missing something here? How are they different than any other business?"

M.S.

 

"A word of support to you, because these little brush fires are a plan to distract you. Keep busy with your good deeds, works of merit." 

S.E.

 

"I am extremely curious as to what is now going on with WB Homes. If I must quote Shakespeare - 'Something is rotten in the State of Denmark'. (You could take out Denmark and insert Richland Township, if you like) I am sorry to hear of all of the problems that have occurred for you and Mike......  I've never seen anything quite like the pettiness that is going on here in this township.... How does anything get accomplished??? If all of the energy that is being thrown in a negative way could be redirected and focused on improving things for the positive, my brain hurts to think how much could be accomplished here in Richland Township. Keep fighting the good fight."

K.J.

                                                       

"I just want you to know that i support you and want to help in any way i can."

N.J.  

       

"I'm really so very sorry to hear of your current problems. Of course, one would need to be very thick-skinned, indeed, not to be affected by the barrage of printed material that casts so much dispersion on you and Mike! Perhaps you can find some comfort in knowing that public service has never been easy and there are many, many of us "out here" who respect and are grateful for the job you are doing..... Try very hard not to let the loudmouths get you down. In the long run, they only embarrass themselves by showing the world how thoughtless and under-educated they are."

B.D.

                                                

"Whether the charges are true or not is not the issue the issue is why the Chair permitted this public forum to be used for this type of matter at all. I think the answer is obvious but unfortunately it has to be spelled out for the public when the papers decide to use it to exploit controversy and sell papers. It is yellow journalism at its best."

K.B.

 

"Both my husband and I hope that when Mike's term is up that he will run again.  He has made a good difference !!!"

D.A.

 

"As I've said many times, I think our community is so much better for you guys moving into the area and taking these challenging responsibilities on your shoulders."

"W.J.

 

"Please, please , please let us know what we can do to stop this development! I am absolutely opposed to any type of a mid-rise going up and not just because of the traffic."

Z.J. 

                             

"I think the general public, and in some cases, even the "experts" are unaware of just how much environmental damage even minor development can cause."

B.D.  

 

"Thank you, Amy for all that you and Mike are doing to protect our area. Not only is the 'age-restricted' plan too dense for my taste, but I've lived in Quakertown and environs long enough to know that age-restricted doesn't really mean age-restricted, for the long haul!" 

B.D.

 

"What a beautifully creative, non-confrontational way to publicly express a "thumbs down"!!!!! Turning your back on someone who has been using the pen with malevolent intention to e destructive. A large number of attenders turning their backs silently (no comments) would be extremely powerful. For me, doing it silently would convey that he does not merit any of my attention. I sincerely believe Jesus of Nazareth, Ghandi and M.L. King would all smile and join in on this because of Waldo demonstrating such vindictiveness and frequent misuse of his public forum of influence.  The Bible documents Christ's non-aggressive resistance to dehumanization and tyranny. (want chapter and verse?)  I wonder what those present from Bethel Baptist would say in this regard."

T.D. 

 

"I think the general public, and in some cases, even the "experts" are unaware of just how much environmental damage even minor development can cause."

B.D.  

 

"...it is very upsetting to read the spin in the local paper. Keep up the work, you are doing a great job!"

N.A.

                                 

"Thank you for fighting the good fight.  You-all are great!!"

D.E.

 

"I grew up believing in the importance of a free press, and seeing the dullness and subservience of the press to special interests is quite discouraging."

W.J.

 

"Mike did a fine job. I cannot add anything. Next life he should be a lawyer."

P.A.

 

"I'd like to see a "real" newspaper writer attend one of Richland's Township Meetings and really report how the other two supervisors act."

R.N.   

                                                 

"I just can't believe how the other so called "supervisors" can sleep at night. I just leave those meetings shaking my head in disbelief. Keep fighting, I'm behind you both 100%."

R.N.

 

"I read about Mike's idea for a golf course in today's Intel.  Good idea! Golf courses are always nice, open vistas and are almost always as gorgeous as any large scenic park."

C.E.   

                   

"I wish your husband the best in "politics."  Having grown up here, I am sadly watching all these homes being built.  I miss the old days.  I am particularly devastated by all the homes because it has a terrible effect on the schools."

Z.F.

 

"You're working for the citizens, which should mean that the system is working."

W.J.

 

"I saw the pictures in the Free Press of the swearing-in ceremonies. Dave Wilsey's picture included his wife. How come the Free Press cut you [Amy Z.] out of Mike's picture? Lanita can't be that lame, can she?"

C.E.

 

 

Photo by Amy Zowniriw