Who's Next??

Remember Martin Niemöller anyone? He is perhaps best remembered for the following quotation:

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out --
Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out --
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out --
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me -- and there was no one left to speak for me.

Well, this past week proved this quotation to be very true, when there was absolutely no fire fighter or fire chief brave or honorable enough, to speak on behalf of Union Fire Company. During this "dog and pony show" of a meeting this past Wednesday, Harran outlined 18 alleged issues of what he believed were "threats to public safety" against the Union Fire Company, none of which could be proven true. Despite this fact, Harran still got his way in the placement of Ray Hackman as the new chief. A great deal of township residents, including myself are wondering how he could have achieved such a thing, considering Union did NOTHING wrong. Township Council Candidate, Mary Jeffrey, and myself confronted Harran, asking for specifics concerning the alleged violations, during the previous days meeting held by Union, but he refused to say anything. We also asked for information on the investigation that had been done by the Bensalem Township Police Department concerning the water incident, with Vince Troisi. He actually had the nerve to say, that the Bensalem Police did not have to give information out on the investigation against Vince Troisi, because we are civilians! Harran still states that Union/Troisi failed to assist/ delayed in assisting, the paid fire company, in a water sharing issue, while Union still maintains it did so with NO delays. Union has stated that this was being done as an act of retaliation for Vince Troisi's testimony in 2009, on behalf of Perry Ferrara, citing numerous instances of Harran and Ponticelli attempting to sabotage their grants for the rescue boats, and other endeavors. While Harran denies this, I learned this to be true after a conversation with a homeland security agent, who is possibly investigating issues concerning the Safer Grant at this moment!

While I applaud the residents of Bensalem, for taking the time to show your support, I want to say something to the firefighters, and the fire chiefs who were either too afraid, or too completely in Harran's back pocket, to have stood up for Union: I am here to let you know, that just like the person who made this quotation, you could be next on Harran's chopping block, and who will be there for you??