As predicted, Doug Cleland got his contract. Was there any doubt? Everyone knew it was pre-ordained, so much so, why go through the farce of a public meeting?

Get real Lower Merion, Cleland controls his former employee Liz Rogan, who owes her job and political carerr to Joe Manko, and in turn always does what she is told by the LM Democratic party, headed by who else? Quitting Mark Taylor and doesn't Quitting Bruce Reed still have his hand in the political cookie jar as well?

Last night they had out cheerleaders old and new (they needed new because some moved to places like Connecticut). But really, those windbags last night should have saved their breath because everyone knew going into this meeting that this contract was a done deal.

So now apparently, Gov. Tom Corbett, Mayor Michael Nutter, US Supreme Court Justices and maybe even the Pope can go hit Cleland up for a loan. And future generations of Lower Merion residents, commissioners, and even township managers of the future will be paying to clean up this mess.

When eminent domain for private gain failed, Cleland should have gone. When everyone realized how screwed up Ludington Library was he should have gone (after all, he is the one who was supposed to be watching this project and look at the issues and overruns and how do you not measure correctly for an elevator???), but no, in Lower Merion bad behavior is rewarded with more money.

And let us talk about the circus last night. Francie McComb was in rare form defending Cleland's honor. Watch the replay. I still don't understand why she has to tell people she is "not a professional." Is that some sort of disclaimer that translated means "Don't hate me because I don't know what I am talking about but I can wave my pom-poms"?

Lita Cohen also gave a performance of a lifetime. Paul "the coward" apparently called Lita personally. Said Cleland deserves his contract because Lower Merion is a Township of the first class and is first class....and yes, Lower Merion doesn't disenfranchise anyone and Cleland should be paid "ten times what the governor earns."

Lita Cohen also described Cleland's contract as "fiscal responsibility." yeah, o.k. Lita, if that is what you believe in your dreamland.

And let us talk about what she said about Paul the scurrilous coward from Ardmore. Ok, who is Paul? Was Paul a robo call? Did it even happen? No one I know got the call. Lita implied, no said flat out that Paul's calls might be a "legal" issue? So I guess the only robo calls we are allowed are the ones that ask for money for Obama?

Can't you just hear the radio call that went out after Lita made that pronouncement:

Calling all cars. Calling all cars. We have a report of an actor “Paul from Ardmore” is on the loose. Warning, he has a phone and he will try to make truth be known. Be warned that the truth is coming. That is all.

Only supposition on my part of the content, but if it is not a robo call that hits too close to the bone, no one says anything about it, they just hang up on it.

So let's talk about the comments you see posted in the form of photos.(and lest I forget, Francie McComb has decreed I should not be allowed to comment because I moved out of the Magic Kingdom. She said it so it must be so, right? Before I wasn't allowed to comment because I did not have kids, did not have kids in the Lower Merion School District, was a renter, a Republican and probably because I went to Shipley and she went to Agnes Irwin!)

These comments were sent to me off a Facebook page called something like Lower Merion Community Network. I used to be up on it, but took myself off because of the double standard I found with some of the posters. NOT the well intentioned person who began it and controls it, but the people who actually throw their weight around unchecked. Those people are the same crew who are part and parcel of Lower Merion majority cheerleaders. Everything that comes out of the Democratic party under Reed and Taylor is gospel and every overpriced contract is fabulous. But it is not political when they say it --- the board is not supposed to allow discussion of politics, but justice in this case turns a blind eye when the crew/Mean Girls of Bala come calling. That is why I went off the board. I had by choice blocked some of these broads on Facebook. I did not care for them, we would never be "friends" so why not? Who cares, right? Well they did. First they harangued the board moderator that they could not see my comments because I blocked them and then it morphed to I could say "the sky is very blue today" and they would bombard the board moderator with complaints that my statement was "political." Political of course is subjective and whatever they say is fine. But these are the minions of the powers that be who are running around influencing people. The interesting thing about adult women who are still like this - bullies, adult mean girls, choose your term is that they were either exactly that way when they were young, or picked on.

But the psychology of them doesn't matter and is scrambled eggs at best. The point is people are dumb enough to be influenced or intimidated by them.

Last night when Ms. McComb was speaking she spoke about comparing Cleland to Radnor's Manager. Truthfully, he's not fit to wipe Bob Zienkowski's shoes. Here again is the truth about Zienkowski and his contract (recounted accurately and truthfully from Commissioner Jenny Brown):

Compare this excessive contract with what just happened in Radnor

Last week, the Manager for our neighboring municipality, Radnor Township, showed the type of leadership that we should be able to expect from a first class township manager. According to a Radnor Township Commissioner, the Radnor Township Manager recently went to his Board of Commissioners and offered to reduce his overall compensation. Among the things he offered (and that have been incorporated into his new contract):

1. Radnor’s Manager has agreed to no increase in salary for as long as he works for the Township (his salary, which is significantly less than Lower Merion’s manager’s salary, will remain at its 2010 level);

2. Radnor’s Manager has agreed to pay for his own life insurance (previously funded by taxpayer dollars);

3. Radnor’s Manager has agreed to personally pay for (the Township will not have to pay for) his attendance costs at any conferences or training;

4. Radnor’s Manager has agreed to pay 10% of his family health insurance premium in 2013, 11% in 2014, and 12% in 2015.

5. Radnor’s Manager will contribute 2% of his gross salary towards OPEB (other post-employment benefits)

In addition, I note that while Radnor’s manager may participate in his township’s deferred compensation plan, it is only with his own money, there are no employer contributions (Lower Merion’s manager gets an 8% taxpayer funded contribution).

Radnor's manager chooses to live among the people he works for in Radnor. I do not know it is a legal requirement like it is say in Philadelphia for the Mayor and City Employees to reside within municipal boundaries. But let's get real, if it was a requirement maybe things would be different in Lower Merion because face it, more and more people are unable to afford to live in Lower Merion - all ages, all walks of life.

Look at these comments, laugh at the discussion of what is political and well everyone shouldn't talk about this but we will. Notice the part pointed out to me, where McComb suggests people TUNE into the meeting last night, not TURN out. I guess she wanted a solo performance? Or was it because she as a cheerleader and possible insider knew the dog and pony show was superfluous and the contract was pre-destined for approval? So what do we think her perks for political loyalty will be? A seat on the school board? A commissioner's seat? Don't misunderstand me, she is a bright woman and passionate about what she believes in, but I don't like people who pat people with concerns on their heads and basically say "don't worry your pretty little heads about it" or "who are you? You have no right to an opinion."

Here is the comment that accompanied the screen shots:

I thought you might like to know that in the past few days on the LM community network there have been several expressions of outrage over the proposed pay package, spontaneous from several people, wanting to attend the meeting. These people got a lot of push back from Francie McComb and some others, who at first tried to get the conversation shut down because it was "political." But eventually Ms McComb encouraged everyone to "tune in" to the meeting on TV rather than show up to it.

But what do I see from tonight's news? Ms McComb herself has shown up to the meeting rather than just "tune in." Apparently it's "too political" for ordinary housewives on facebook, but not for herself.

New contract for Lower Merion Manager Cleland passes
Published: Thursday, July 12, 2012
By Cheryl Allison

The Administrative and Human Resources Committee of the Lower Merion Board of Commissioners has voted 8-5 to recommend approval of a new two-year contract with Township Manager Douglas Cleland....After a five-hour discussion on this topic alone, the board moved into a special meeting at which it can take formal action to OK the new deal. Commissioners have said they want to make additional comments during the special meeting. The discussion continued thtough 11 p.m.

Nearly 20 township residents spoke in a public comment period, most saying the contract is too generous in tough economic times, outpacing compensation and benefits in the private sector and even in other area municipalities...

Lower Merion residents until you replaces a few faces of those who govern you residents will find this township continuing to spend recklessly into oblivion. But it's only money, so don't worry your pretty little heads about it, right?