After reading the news articles, watching the news reports and attending the meetings at the Union Fire Company and Penn Ryn mansion, the residents of Bensalem still do not have a clear understanding of what the issue was/is between the Union Fire Company and Bensalem Township.
Director Harran gave 18 incidents throughout the last 18 months of what he believed were "threats to public safety" against the Union Fire Co. When someone asked who reported these issues and Harran said he could not disclose that information. Are there any incidents reported against the other 5 fire departments? If so, what were they? If not, then it is obvious that the township was targeting Union.
Harran also mentioned that the other 5 Chiefs voted to close down Union. If that was the case, then why were they not at the meetings, so the residents could ask them why they felt this was necessary.
Harran also stated that Union did not follow the "rules". What are these rules and where are they to be found? He also claimed their members did not have background checks. Which members and how many is he referring to? What background check is acceptable? The one you can pay $10 online and receive your background check from the Pennsylvania State Police, or do all background checks for volunteer organizations in Bensalem have to be run by the Police department?
He also, could not answer who specifically would be on the oversight board the township wants to establish to oversee Union. It is very disheartening that Union was forced to acquiesce to the Township demands in order to reopen their station. By doing so they showed that they are truly dedicated to the safety of the residents and businesses in their district. Unfortunately, they are getting a chief shoved down their throats that no member of Union respects or wants. How can this be a good thing for safety when the crew can't trust their chief like they did with Chief Troisi?
The Mayor and Director seem to forget they are public servants. The residents who are taxpayers and voters are paying their salaries and they forget they are working for the residents. Maybe if the residents shut down the government in Bensalem and the Police Department and whoever the residents decide they can work with be brought in to replace the Mayor and Director and add an oversight committee, the Township would be singing a different song.
All they have done is alienate residents and put the Union firefighters in an untenable position.
Just so everyone knows, Harran could not specifically name all 18 laundry list items against Union, because THERE WERE NONE!! I am learning more on this as time goes, but it is clear to me, that Fred Harran cannot be counted on to tell the truth....... FOR ANYTHING
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