wow. wow. did i say wow?
check out this letter to the editor written by chip layfield that was published in this weeks main line suburban life, regarding 3rd ward commissioner bill spinglers involvement in the john nagle campaign -
http://www.mainlinemedianews.com/articles/2009/10/14/main_line_suburban_life/opinion/doc4ad5edea1bd16261393869.txt
Spingler’s Actions Questioned
To the Editor:
At last week’s Radnor Democratic Committee meeting – unlike the Radnor Republican Committee meetings, the Democratic one is open to the public and often attended by the press – 3rd Ward Commissioner Bill Spingler made several extremely troubling comments.
Commissioner Spingler told the committee that he has been campaigning at the many apartment complexes throughout the 5th Ward for perennial commissioner candidate John Nagle. Obviously if Nagle (whose name has been linked to a couple of well-publicized embarrassments, one of which involves a $250,000 state-grant application) is elected, his vote on the Radnor Board of Commissioners could be enough to make Spingler the board president... something that has long proven elusive.
While there is nothing inherently wrong with Spingler campaigning for Nagle in the 5th Ward, Spingler specifically told the committee that he had been entering 5th Ward apartment complexes that are marked with signs stating, “No Soliciting” to campaign for Nagle. Spingler then told the committee that he intentionally ignored the signs and that police were called. Thereafter Spingler boasted that he revealed to the police that he is a “Radnor Township commissioner” and that as an elected official he was within his “rights.” Apparently, according to Spingler, the police saw it differently and told him that the apartment complexes have a right to limit access and made him vacate the premises.
And that’s not the end of it.
Shockingly, Commissioner Spingler revealed to the committee that he asked “my township solicitor,” whose salary is paid for with taxpayer dollars and who is dependent upon the commissioners’ support for his job, for a legal opinion on the matter.
In short Radnor taxpayers are being asked to foot what could be a significant bill for a legal opinion that covers everything from local ordinances to the First Amendment, just so that Commissioner Spingler can go door-to-door in private apartment complexes telling people to vote for John Nagle.
I am greatly disturbed that Commissioner Spingler is apparently directing Radnor Township staff, and I question his ability to personally order the township solicitor to render a legal opinion in a matter that he and John Nagle should be pursuing with their own private counsel, paid for out of their own pockets. In my opinion, Commissioner Spingler, John Nagle or his campaign should immediately pay the township back for any time the solicitor has spent on this completely outrageous request.
Furthermore, John Nagle should publicly condemn Spingler’s unreasonable intrusion into the lives of 5th Ward residents, who had the reasonable expectation that they would not be hounded by desperate politicians looking for votes.
Chip Layfield, Wayne
i am furious. seriously furious.
bill spingler makes me physically sick. i cant believe spingler and nagle thought this was a winner of a campaign strategy, and braging about it to the radnor democratic committee - or maybe i can. after all, in this sandwichs non-professional opinion, nagle is becoming more pathological with every passing day.
and now spingler is burning up our tax dollars by having the township solicitor act as his (and nagles) personal attorney!?! i cant wait till the next radnor board of commissioners meeting when this gets addressed!
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OH MY GOD!!!!
First of all, SHAME ON BILL SPINGLER for intruding upon the privacy of the apartment dwellers. If the owners of the aprtment complex (or the residents) put up a sign saying 'No Solicitation', politicos need to RESPECT THEIR WISHES. It's PRIVATE PROPERTY.
Second, SHAME ON JOHN NAGLE for allowing (or acquessing to) Spingler's conduct.
Third, THE TOWNSHIP SOLICITOR SHOULD NOT BE USED LIKE A PRIVATE ATTORNEY. Chip Layfield is completely correct - Spingler and Nagle should reimburse the solicitor for any time he has already put into researching this insidious, politically motivated 'request'
I often think to myself 'My opinion of Bill Spingler and/or John Nagle can't get any lower'. Well, guess what - it can. In fact, it just did.
BTW, I like that tag 'Trespassing for Tinfoil'. Right on!!
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permalinkBlog: [Link]
Are you talking about last election? If so, I remember that and it wasn't done with John Nagle's prior consent or knowledge. I think it was Radcliffe House or whatever that is called on Conestoga Road? It was all on Bill Spingler and John made him stop. Of course, that was also the same building where apartment dwellers weren't allowed to put up political lawn signs except for supporting Lisa Paolino, wasn't it?
Now if you are saying it is happening again, as much as you guys don't like John, is it John's fault truly or is it just Spingler showing flagrant disregard for rules again? You know, like he does with trying to pass ordinances without asking for public comment?
If Spingler bugged the solicitor on this, shame on him because if he has done this again, he knows the answer is the same as last time.
And wait are you telling me that Radnor Republican meetings aren't open to the public? Wow.
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L'homme est né libre, et partout il est dans les fers/Man is born free, yet he is everywhere in chains.–Jean Jacques Rosseau. The Social Contract, 1762
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permalinkGood question, Carla. In my opinion, if John Nagle knows that this is ACTIVELY going on, AND it involves his campaign, AND he hasn't put a stop to it or spoken out condemning it, then YES, it is John's fault. Truly.
Chip - was Nagle at the recent Democratic Committee meeting when this was brought up by Spingler? If so, did Nagle speak out about it at the meeting?
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permalinkCarla- The meeting was last week. Nagle sat next to Spingy, they could have held hands if they wanted to.
Nagle gave a general overview of his campaign which was followed up with Spingy regaling the group with his tales of dust ups with the police, most everyone was laughing... Spingy's activities are apparently being coordinated by Nagle's campaign.
Spingy also told us a about a building super who told him to leave, Spingy said he showed him Radnor Township Commissioner ID, he then was able to persuade the super into letting him review and copy his building occupancy list if he would stop bothering the residents.
Spingy said that gambit allowed him to do 3 days work in 30 minutes.
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permalinkBlog: [Link]
ARE YOU KIDDING ME? What is wrong with Spingler? He got in dutch over this the LAST time. Commissioner or not, he can't solicit for campaigns if the building says "no soliciting". Jeez. What's next, carrying a fake badge and pretending to be Radnor PD?
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L'homme est né libre, et partout il est dans les fers/Man is born free, yet he is everywhere in chains.–Jean Jacques Rosseau. The Social Contract, 1762
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permalinkRadnor Commissioners do have cool PD like badges.
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permalinkBlog: [Link]
LOL, they do?
_____________________________________________________________
L'homme est né libre, et partout il est dans les fers/Man is born free, yet he is everywhere in chains.–Jean Jacques Rosseau. The Social Contract, 1762
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permalinkYup, nifty black leather Joe Friday flip wallets for the badges too.
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permalinkBlog: [Link]
So I hear that ol' Billy Boy has done this stuff for years? Not just in this ward? Why is it allowed? Behavior like this isn't helpful to any candidate? Besides why go back repeatedly to apartment buildings that have told him not to do this? Maybe I am dense, but I don't get it. For example, when I have helped with nominating petitions and I get someone who doesn't want to play, all I do is say sorry for disturbing them, and move on. I think if people don't want political solicitations on their doorstep that request should be respected, don't you?
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L'homme est né libre, et partout il est dans les fers/Man is born free, yet he is everywhere in chains.–Jean Jacques Rosseau. The Social Contract, 1762
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permalinki sure do, darling carla!
however, bill spingler (who routinely tries to speak over and bully members of the audience at committee meetings) and john nagle (who, among other things, cursed out dan sherry at a public meeting, and questioned the masculinity of the radnor republican commissions on his blog) have not exactly proven themselves as 'respectful' individuals.
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permalinkThis is beyond outrageous. I am disgusted with John Nagle AND Bill Spingler - but more so with Nagle!
After all - Spingler is just being Spingler. We in Radnor are used to him - and we don't trust him. However, accoridng to Carla, John Nagle has repudiated such campaign tactics in the past. But now, after losing multiple times to Lisa Paolino, Nagle has apparently fully embraced the Spinger philosophy.
Hopefully this gets brought up at the next B.O.C. meeting. Spingler and Nagle should be forced to answer for their indefensible conduct ON CAMERA.
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permalinkokay, this is bordering on insane.
chips - why did the democratic committee put up with this when they heard about it during the meeting? are they all just backing everything john nagle does, for 'the good of the team'?
i guess i shouldnt be surprised, since the radnor democratic committee has people like jan 'warm vomit' armon in it - but still, i would have thought that at least one or two committee members wouldve stood up to spingler and nagle and told them to stop their nefarious activities.
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permalinkHmmm... well, Spingy tells a great tale, most everyone thought his questionable tactics with the police, township staff and the public were hilarious. There were no critical comments.
I'll tell you what was funny was Jan Armon.
For reasons known best to Armon (though I think he was trying to express solidarity with his trash mouth bud John Nagle) he stood up in the middle of the meeting and loudly called himself an a-hole. He then demanded that committee write letters to the editor saying that he called himself an a-hole at the meeting.
I pointed out to Armon that in my opinion it's a matter of context. For example, cursing in anger while at church or at a member of the public at a Board of Commissioners meeting, like Nagle, might be considered more offensive than some random profane outburst amongst friends or at a sleepy Dem Committee meeting.
Interestingly, no argued with Armon's self-assessment.
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permalinki think the jury is no longer out on jan armon - beyond a reasonable doubt, he is one wacky dude.
this sandwich has got to ask what is up with the radnor democratic committee? they sound like the biggest bunch of dunces ever assembled. i guess i shouldve realized that when they thought it was a great idea to run elaine paul schaefer, brucie rapoport, and john nagle - but these committee meetings sound like a disorganized, irrational mess.
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permalinkPoor Jan Armon. He really deserves a significant amount of pity - he seems so confused. How else can one explain Armon's desire to curse HIMSELF out in the middle of a committee meeting?
And this brings up an interesting point.
I've heard from multiple sources that Radnor's 5th Ward is HEAVILY Democratic. John Nagle, based on party affiliation and name recognition, should be cleaning Ernie Shapiro's clock. After all, Shapiro is a Republican, and a complete newbie to the political scene.
Despite these huge advantages, Nagle (after being connected to several high profile 'faux pas') conducts a campaign in which he solicits public support from controversial folk like Bill Spingler and Jan Armon. Usually candidates don't resort to such desperate measures, unless they are really worried about losing, and are going 'all in'.
Maybe Nagle can't stomach the idea of losing again (God - that would be his FIFTH loss - thrice by the voters, once by the Board, and once by himself), but doesn't he realize that having controversial public supporters like Armon and Spingler can turn off independent and objective voters? Granted, Nagle's approach is probably not as dumb as Elaine Paul Schaefer, who had a Toll Brothers C.F.O. publicly support her campaign which is based on preserving open space. Still, Nagle's approach seems pretty reckless.
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permalinkI am impressed with the police who told the Commissioner to leave. The police know the law better than the Commissioner and the Township Solicitor. The police are right. Owners have a right to restrict access to solicitors, political or otherwise.
Owners restrict access for many reasons, including security and a wish not to impose on their residents in their own home.
If a resident wants to invite someone in, that is his or her perogative.
If an owner allows one candidate, then, as a practical matter, all candidates have to be admitted and it is a real imposition on residents. The apartment is a home.
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permalinkMy issues with John Nagle and his campaign are fairly well known. That said, I find this latest revelation to be both extremely surprising, and deeply troubling.
I am curious as to how this issue will play out in the public and the press during the next few weeks.
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permalinkSpingler is not running for office in the 5th ward, his benefit comes from a grateful Nagle's dependable vote on the BOC should he be elected.
IMHO: Spingy's intimidation tactics, from squabbling with the police, to bossing the Solicitor, to cowing apartment supers, to hounding 5th ward citizens, all in Nagle's name to get votes, are off the chart.
One thing is clear, John Nagle will do anything this time to get elected. Lie Down With Dogs, Get Up With Fleas.
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permalinkTotally agree! Great synopsis, Chips.
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permalinkagree here as well with chips terrific sum up of the nagle-spingler campaign tactics.
in this sandwichs mind, it takes a pretty desperate politico to associate himself with the likes of bill spingler.
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permalinkThe actions by Spingler were wrong and a Radnor Township Board member should know better. He cares about himself and not the public.
Is it an Ethics violation?
Radnor Charter- Chapter 39 Code of Ethics
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permalinkBlog: [Link]
Hell will freeze over before Radnor uses that ethics board the way they are supposed to....if they didn't convene over another former elected official do you think they will do it for the Rude Geriatric?
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L'homme est né libre, et partout il est dans les fers/Man is born free, yet he is everywhere in chains.–Jean Jacques Rosseau. The Social Contract, 1762
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permalinkreally good point, carla!
however, is spingy less liked on the board than the queen bee? i suspect he is.
while it was impossible to get 4 votes regarding the queens alleged ethical transgressions, perhaps the votes might be there to slap spingy?
i recall a haverford commissioner get into a heap of trouble after flashing his commissioner id around on the highway -
if spingy is doing something similar, he and his enabler john nagle might be in a boiling bowl of broth.
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permalinkWhy do you need 4 votes to have it investigated?
From the Charter: Ethics Board 39-7
Chips can be the identified individual who signs charges and list the twp solicitor and officer as witnesses.
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permalinkvery good point hamncheez.
i dont know if you need 4 votes as a pure statutory requirement to get the investigation started, but i cant remember the last time the ethics board convened.
i would think that, as a practical matter, they would not convene it unless they knew there were 4 commissioners interested in investigating an issue, but youre completely right - it doesnt say in the charter that a majority of board members need to vote in the affirmative before an ethics investigation can be launched.
and if i may add this, i would really, really like to see bill spingler investigated over this issue. if carla is correct, its the second time hes tried to pull this stunt. its high time for a smackdown to spingler - and john nagle should get a good thrashing as well!
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permalinkAny idea who currently is on the Ethics Board, and who chairs it?
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permalinkWhat? For what purpose would I do that?
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permalinkI doubt that anyone would file ethic charges at this time. Rather they would wait, and should Nagle win, bring charges against Spingler in January or February. In that way should the Dems take over the BOC they would find themselves immediately embroiled in a messy ethics controversy involving 2 Dem Commissioners, the Solicitor and the Chief of Police.
Bill Spingler or John Nagle should pay the township back for any time the solicitor has spent on Spingler's unauthorized and improper request ASAP.
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permalinkI totally agree with that approach - good thinking, Chips!
Plus, we should be able to get the documents and research (if any) that Solicitor John Rice performed for Spingler (and Nagle) on this issue via a Right to Know request.
John Nagle is a man mired in problems. Aside from this major issue (involving him, Bill Spingler, apartment complexes, and the solicitor) he's got these 4 C's to worry about:
Cursing
Conservancy
Cottage (Willows)
Commonwealth ($250,000 grant)
If Nagle wins (and numerically, he should - the 5th Ward is REALLY Democratic), I think his honeymoon will be very, very short. He's got a whole lot of explaining to do on a number of very important topics.
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permalinkYikes, Woozaleedoodle!
I am simply pointing out an apparent way the Ethics Board (all appointed by the GOP) could be used by them to trip up the Dems; in no way am I recommending it.
BTW: It is strange considering the clear violations of law described in the Neil Morris report that no commissioners, GOP or Dem, have yet filed ethic charges against Hank for supposedly keeping them in the dark regarding Bashore's sweetheart "contract".
Silence = Consent in my book.
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permalinkWoozaleedoodle--I have heard of the 7 Seas but your 4 C's seem just as dangerous for an angry "Sponge Bob" Nagle.
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permalinkIs Spongebob Nagle doing any door-to-door? I pointed this out on another thread - Nagle has almost no lawn signs, whereas Ernie Shapiro is blanketing the 5th Ward lawns with blue posters. Now, that doesn't mean that Shapiro is going to win (there are way more Dems than Repubs in the 5th Ward), but to me at least, it seems like there is not a positive buzz about the Nagle campaign. Hell, Nagle himself looked positively depressed at last week's debate.
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permalinkI drive through Radnor's 5th Ward twice a day. I have seen virtually no John Nagle signs, except on four lawns located on Bryn Mawr Avenue.
Conversely, there appears to be a significant push by Ernie Shapiro's campaign to have lawn signs displayed in multiple developments and neighborhoods.
It is fairly well known that I am strongly opposed to Mr. Nagle's positions and his candidacy. I have no opinion on Mr. Nagle's Republican opponent, Ernie Shapiro. With that said, there appears to be a palatable enthusiasm for the Ernie Shapiro campaign (both in the public and in the press) that is noticeably absent in Mr. Nagle's fifth push for 5th Ward Commissioner.
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permalinkHmmm... let me be clear on this issue since there seems to be a bit of confusion.
I would not be interested in filing ethics charges with Radnor Township's Ethics Board based solely on Spingler's outrageous bragging at a Dem Committee meeting.
I can, however, be counted on to testify, under oath, as to Commissioner Spingler's comments, should there be an investigation, or ethics hearing, looking into the matter. But, I don't think the Commish would be shy restating them in public himself, he thinks he's within his rights as an elected official.
I have some firsthand experience with Radnor's Ethics Board and it is a joke. That's why it was not suggested as a remedy in my letter to the Editor--it's not.
One thing that is clear is that John Nagle will say or do anything to get elected.
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permalinkThe next Radnor Board of Commissioners meeting should prove to be very interesting on this topic.
I, for one, would like to hear Commissioner Spingler, John Nagle, and Solicitor John Rice explain exactly what transpired.
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permalinkNot sure who is currently on the Ethics board except for the chairperson Robert Main.
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permalinkBlog: [Link]
http://www.radnor.com/department/board.asp?fDD=2-15
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L'homme est né libre, et partout il est dans les fers/Man is born free, yet he is everywhere in chains.–Jean Jacques Rosseau. The Social Contract, 1762
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