What are they looking for in Limerick, PA?
06/12/2008
Limerick spokesman resigns; supers hire extra lawyer
By: Michael Hays , For the Spring-Ford Reporter
During a rare Friday morning meeting, June 6, the Limerick Board of Supervisors accepted the resignation of Mike Pincus as township spokesman.
Since the election of four new officials in 2005, Pincus had served as the supervisors' spokesman and public relations arm.
His West Chester-based consulting firm - Pincus Mowday Management and Communications - was under contract with Limerick. That agreement was capped at $48,000 annually, or $4,000 per month.
Although the supervisors did not discuss Pincus' departure, Supervisor Renee Chesler said there are no plans to replace their spokesman anytime soon. Township Manager Dan Kerr will assume most of Pincus' former duties, including talking to members of the media and writing press releases.
Pincus, who did not attend the 9 a.m. meeting, declined to comment on the reasons behind his resignation when contacted by phone.
Also on June 6, the five supervisors approved hiring a special counsel attorney Robert Welsh. Township Solicitor Joe McGrory said the extra attorney is needed to handle matters outside his own realm of expertise.
When asked by a resident to elaborate, McGrory said, "I'm not at liberty to address that at this time."
McGrory declined to further explain the addition of Welsh when he was reached by phone Monday.
The board met in closed door executive sessions both before and after the meeting, both times for "personnel" reasons. According to McGrory, these meetings were for police negotiations.
In April, the Internal Revenue Service and FBI subpoenaed records from the Limerick Township building as part of an undisclosed investigation. Filings with the State Ethics Commission appear to be part of the federal government's request, in addition to meeting minutes and personal income tax documents, sources said.
Supervisor David Kane is the only supervisor who has not kept his ethics filings current. The form must be filed each year at the township building.
The current case is sealed under court order, FBI spokeswoman Jerri Williams said. The bureau assisted the IRS criminal investigation division with executing search warrants April 23. She declined to discuss which persons or municipalities were targeted, or the nature of any ongoing inquiry.
During the public comment portion of Friday's meeting, Bill Miller asked the supervisors why they no longer advertise public meeting notices in The Pottstown Mercury, which has widespread readership in the township.
Board Chairwoman Elaine DeWan responded, "Until recently, we didn't feel we were getting a balanced presentation in The Mercury."
Miller replied, "That sounds like a bush reply."
DeWan said the decision was made internally to advertise notices in The Times-Herald of Norristown.
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