Broader access for Tinicum residents to participate in elected local government meetings remains a driving township concern as voiced once again in heated debate at the May 3 board of supervisors meeting.
At the outset, Kathy Greaney jumped ahead in the evening’s agenda, stating she had just been to physical therapy following recent knee surgery. She pushed herself to attend, however, to call out ”our elected supervisors who are expected to care for Tinicum residents. Zoom has become a useful way of life for most of us – and we really need it here.” Greany then left the meeting.
Later in the meeting, Cindi Gasparre provided the board with 50 additional petition signatures adding to the 180 previously presented.
Chairman Richard Rosamilia stated, “As I see it, we have three options: Provide virtual meetings with Zoom interactivity, create a non-interactive streaming/broadcast option or maintain the meetings for those who can attend them live.”
Vice Chair Jim Helms added, “I did some research into the level of third party staff involvement required for technical support, with costs approaching $700 per meeting above and beyond the upfront hardware costs.”
Resident Carol Huffman, who had submitted a detailed letter to the board prior to the meeting, strongly disagreed with Helms’ cost estimate and further railed against ongoing board pushback. “I have used the G2 site (basically the government version of Zoom) and I am quite happy to help lead the effort to obtain Zoom technology for Tinicum.”
Huffman prodded the board, “What if you get sick and cannot attend to run these public meetings in person? It is 2022, and if we cannot provide Tinicum with this type of service, I’m just ashamed.”
Anita Nolan queried, “If any of the people who are now speaking up so vehemently for hybrid access have attended board of supervisors meetings in the past?” There was an immediate “yes” from many attendees.
Dr.Richard Balukas added, “Doylestown has had interactive access since 2013, annually receiving between 20 and 100 remote participants logically depending upon the importance of the issues being discussed.”
Resident Joe Cole said, ”We just have to do something to allow people to see our government at work.” A number of residents felt broadcasting/streaming access, even it was not interactive as Zoom technology allows, would be better than having nothing in place.
Stana Lennox commented: “My husband and I are in our 80s. We don’t hear very well and miss things in the live meetings. We do a lot of Zoom these days and it works wonderfully.”
Member Breslin again stated, “The positives here far outweigh the negatives.”
Dan Ullman stood in the open doorway of the standing room-only meeting. “I have experienced many Zoom meetings and we can work through any potential problems.” Chairman Rosamilia invited him to take a vacated seat, but Ullman said he was concerned about Covid. “It just makes me nervous when I could be at home safely participating.”
Chairman Rosamilia said he himself had attended several virtual meetings and he worried about technical problems and the need to have someone there to continuously troubleshoot. “Most disturbing to me is the amount of time that might be given to virtual comments; people will go on and on and not provide supervisors their time.”
Member Breslin responded, “We all understand the need for time limits. We can and will make rules for Tinicum that work for Tinicum.”
Join our readers whose generous donations are making it possible for you to read our news coverage. Help keep local journalism alive and our community strong. Donate today.