.
To better understand the source of this type of chosen method of action, it is helpful to get a sense of the perspective on authority that seems to be permeating the Township offices, aka: management on a daily basis. The following is a candid snapshot, if you will, of the Township's approach to dealings with the taxpaying residents.
Several weeks after having stopped this resident from moving forward with her DEP-approved flood repair [all agency permits and permissions in order], the Township Manager forwarded this letter to the resident:
"RE: Trash Disposal at Public Works Facility's Recycling Area"
Dear Ms. [Resident]:
On November ____, the Public Works Department advised me that personal trash was left at the Recycling Area. Public Works employees are required to sort each bag that is placed there.
Please be advised that the Recycling Area is only for products that are recyclable. We have had problems in the past with other residents dumping their trash there as well. This correspondence is to inform you that trash dumping is not permitted at the Recycling Area. Enclosed you will see checks that were found in the trash bag. With the risks of identify theft, personal documents like this should be shredded or torn up.
At this point, we have no choice but to give a warnign for first time offenders and fines thereafter.
Should you have any questions or comments, or need further information, please do no hesitate to contact this office immediately.
Sincerely yours,
Township Manager
cc: Board of Supervisors (w/encl)"
Upon further review, it was discovered that, in fact, the original checks had not been returned, but that the Township Manager had made photocopies of them instead, and apparently distributed them.
Return letter to Township:
"RE: Trash 'Disposal" at Recycling Area
Dear [Township Manager],
Thank you for your correspondence re: trash bag left at the recycling 'center'.
Please be advised that this was not an intentional 'garbage drop'. I had my nephew drop off recycling and, apparently, he needed to remove the garbage bag from the back of the van to get to the recycling materials. Once disposing of the recycling in the proper bins, he apparently left the bag at the site [at night]; which someone must have moved from the center of the parking area where he said he left it.
What I am more concerned with, and a little perplexed, is the fact that the 'checks' you found while sorting through the garbage bag, and supposedly returned to me with your accompanying letter [and admonitions of identity theft], are not the checks at all - but a xeroxed copy of the checks. I have two questions:
1) Where are the actual checks with my personal information on them; and
2) Why would a xeroxed copy of my personal checks have been made to begin with?
If you would please return these as soon as possible, I would appreciate it - including any additional copies that may have been made. I would also be interested to have the name of the actual township employee that found the bag of trash as well as the one who made the xerox copies of the documents.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Sincerely,
[Resident]
cc: attorneys"
At this point, the resident's attorney contacted the Township Manager to inquire as to her substantiation for photocopying and distributing the financial documents. This was the response:
"Dear [Resident],
I received your [correpondence].. with regard to the trash left at our Recycling Center.
In response to your questions, first the checks were shredded in my office and there were no other copies made other than to you.* It may have been my mistake in xeroxing your checks instead of forwarding to you the originals, of which I do apologize, but the point is we are not here to collect garbage, nor are we keeping any evidence of garbage left at the Recycling Center. We get rid of any garbage as soon as possible. As you stated in your letter, it was a mistake that the bag was left at the Recycling Center.
The letter was sent as a courtesy to you. This is an experience we can both learn from.** [sic]
I thank you for your response. Please contact me should you have any other questions.
Signed,
Township Manager"
*note encl. above
** :scratcheshead: in confusion over moral role (in life 'lessons') of a township manager.
