A month after Miller’s sudden ouster, no answers for why
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
EAST FALLOWFIELD — A month after the firing of Township Secretary Denise Miller, residents and former supervisors still say they have many unanswered questions about the sudden move to terminate her at Board of Supervisors meeting last last month.
The board voted to dismiss Miller, 3-2, during the closing minutes of its Feb. 25 meeting, without any explanation, after she had served nearly a decade in that capacity. Supervisors Charles Kilgore, Steve Herzog and Ed Porter voted for the move, while Supervisors chair Joe Pomorski and Mark Toth voted against it.
A month after the fact residents are expressing frustration that no cause was given — and even a recent former supervisor says he is baffled by the move.
“I just finished my six-year term as a East Fallowfield Township Supervisor, during those six years and right up to my final day there was never any serious discussion to fire Denise Miller,” former supervisor Chris Makely said. “Two new supervisors who have never even looked at her personnel file voted to fire her. This is a very sad and corrupt form of government.”
As word continues to grow around the township, residents expressed anger and frustration in emails to The Times, with most asking what led to the move and — the manner in which it was done.
For their part, supervisors have little to say, beyond noting that it was a personnel matter, on which they cannot comment.
Pomorksi, when reached for comment, said he and his colleagues are unable to comment further — either on the causes, or the process that led to the termination. The board did meet at earlier points in executive session to discuss personnel matters, but whether that related to Miller is unclear. While neither the January or February meeting agendas make mention of executive sessions, the March agenda notes executive sessions on March 11, 14 and 20, regarding personnel matters. The township has not published meeting minutes for any meeting in 2014 as yet.
Makely’s sentiments seem to reflect those of a number of township residents who contacted The Times seeking answers. He noted, in an email sent to other residents, his confusion and frustration over the move and how it was handled by the board of supervisors.
“Our most vested employee who has been with us for so very many years was left to sit through one of our long Board of Supervisors meeting only to be terminated in the final minutes,” Makely said. “The residents in attendance were thrown a curve ball. One of our most dedicated and committed employees, who has gone through so many newly elected officials and who has adapted to all of the various parties after every election. This employee has given us blood, sweat, and tears through her 10 years of reign.”
Makely laid the blame at the feet of Herzog and Kilgore — suggesting that the pair had not properly reviewed Miller’s personnel file before making the decision to dismiss her.
The Board of Supervisors next public meeting is a workshop session, April 8 at 6:30 p.m.
