rachelh@myweeklysentinel.com
CANTON — Borough solicitor David Brann began the meeting to address previous accusations made by councilman Christopher Schrader. Brann filled in for President David Groover, who was absent from the meeting.
Solicitor’s report
He first addressed the previous accusation that Councilman Christopher Schrader contacted a “local government agency” to discuss previous meetings where Attorney Zachary Gates was present on behalf of the Seeleys. Brann said he called local agencies, with all of them responding saying “they had not been contacted by a Canton Borough councilman” nor can they “give legal advice.”
Solicitor Brann also noted the accusation made by Schrader that of Brann and administrator Seeley are “holding meetings without consent of the borough council,”regarding Schrader allegedly resigning from council after the September meeting.
Schrader had allegedly handed President David Groover a letter of resignation after the meeting on Sept. 14.
Per borough ordinance, three council members are able to hold a meeting on that subject. A meeting was to take place on Sept. 22, concerning Schrader’s resignation, but Schrader submitted a form saying he was not in fact resigning, which then cancelled the meeting.
Solicitor Brann also brought up the subject of Schrader motioning to remove Police Chief Seeley at last month’s meeting, stating that an individual employed by the borough must be given a formal hearing with an opportunity to respond to accusations made. These accusations were made via a story in the Daily Review at the beginning of September.
Brann went on to address the motion to abolish administrator Seeley’s position. He said that Amy’s job is a policy issue, not a personnel and must be handled as such.
Brann provided 17 duties that borough administrator Seeley does for the borough council, of which included dealing with “right to know” requests, submitting finance reports, advice council on experts for projects, being the purchasing officer, dealing with complaints, working with ordinances to make sure they are regulated, maintaining contact with outside local and governmental agencies, submitting budgets and attending all meetings including committee meetings, just to name a couple.
To wrap up the solicitor’s report Brann, addressed nine complaints filed to the borough on behalf of both Shaun and Tina Miller, whose complaints stem from Chief Doug Seeley’s performance.
The Millers accuse Chief Seeley of alleged “misconduct” when handling their
daughter in various situations, with accusations stemming from 2018.
Among those accusations include Chief Seeley allegedly putting his arm around their daughter to “coddle her” when he was called out for underage drinking. They also accuse Chief Seeley of not interviewing them (the Millers) “to get an adult perspective on what the situation was.”
Further, the Millers accused Chief Seeley of “not doing more” when it came to the 911 calls they made to the police about their daughter’s behavior and underage drinking and dealing with former police officer Joshua Glecko.
In total, the Millers filed reports from nine separate instances which they said were allegedly not addressed at the time.
“It just got brushed under the rug,” said Shaun Miller.
Chief Seeley responded saying that police do not get involved in Children and Youth Services Cases, referencing that their daughter is now living with her father instead of (Tina) Miller. He also went on to tell them that they “blame every agency” and that the complaint forms were not initially filed when the incidents occurred.
He went on to say that their daughter was also cited for underage drinking.
Schrader went on to apologize to the Millers, stating that given the council sitting there that night, “nothing would be done” about these complaints. Three council members were absent.
He went on to state that the present council is “corrupt,” partially referring to the special meeting scheduled for his “resignation.”
Councilman George Jennings made a statement following this stating that Schrader “makes his own agenda and has done nothing for nine months.”
Code enforcement
John Raub made a statement during his report, regarding the accusations made by Councilman Christopher Schrader.
“I received a complaint regarding a property in the Borough and upon beginning the investigation I determined that the owner is a resident who has recently stated that they have had issues with borough employees. Given the following items, I am not sure how to proceed.
Considering Mr. Schrader’s past history of interjecting himself into Code investigations and attempting to affect their outcome, as well as his propensity to make up falsities out of whole cloth and slander employees on Social media platforms, and given the facts that he has on numerous occasions attempted to stifle employees from exercising their Constitutional rights to have legal counsel speak on their behalf, his numerous attempts to fire Borough employees with nothing more than unsubstantiated allegations stemming from some very unethical reporting by Ms. Ostrander and The Daily Review as well as, in my opinion his own personal agenda, summed up in January’s meeting that ‘he is not happy;’ my reluctance to further this investigation is also bolstered by Mr. Schrader’s documented threatening voicemail to myself as well as his open and documented threats against Mr. Brann because he gave Schrader Legal advice that he didn’t like, not to mention his threats against Zach Gates for merely doing his professional duty and attempting to speak up on his Client’s behalf.
I have no doubt that should furtherance of the investigation into this complaint result in an action needing to be taken that Mr. Schrader will seek to retaliate and punish me. Point of fact, I make this statement tonight fully expecting him to retaliate against me as he has shown that he is of extremely low character and completely willing to threaten and punish people who don’t toe the line of his agenda.
It is my opinion that borough employees are treading a fine line of triggering punitive action by Schrader for any negative action taken against anyone he is associated with.
Given his past actions I don’t see how anyone can look at him as anything but an incompetent councilman and not feel that he will not be above taking punitive actions against anyone who he sees as hindering his personal agenda.
The residents of the borough need to understand just how precarious of a position Schrader has put the taxpayers in by his actions. And it won’t be just Mr. Schrader named in the law suit, it will be anyone who has been complicit with him.
While those individuals will be personally sued, his actions and desire to push his personal agenda of harassing and firing employees with no proof of wrongdoing will unfortunately also cost the taxpayers.
Increased taxes, potentially the loss of the Borough’s liability insurance policy, among many other possibilities will all fall on the citizens who aren’t part of the on-going witch hunt spurred on monthly by Mr. Schrader.
Raub went on to explain that Schrader has “done nothing in the nine months he’s sat on council” and that his “own ignorance and desire to push his own agenda and be a childish bully is a forefront.”
Raub also addressed council, stating that he has been approached by real estate investment companies that are interested in purchasing multiple rentals in the borough, with the intent of improving both the properties and the quality of tenants.
‘These entities would like to sit down with the borough administrative staff to discuss their plans and intents. Ms. Seeley and myself see this as a great opportunity to potentially build relationships that greatly improve the community however due to the necessity of the employees having to waste time formulating defense against the unsubstantiated attacks and Harassment of Chis Schrader we haven’t had time to arrange these meetings,’ he says in his statement.
Other news
• Administrator Seeley reported a sidewalk grant project which should begin in the spring.
• Police Chief Doug Seeley reported 62 incidents during the month of September.
• Andy Krise was promoted to full-time after Chief Seeley asked council. He will be paid $16.55 per hour with benefits and must move within the proximity of the borough within a year.
• Council did not take action on whether or not they would allow live streaming during the meetings.
• Administrator Seeley announced budget meetings that are scheduled, which include fire, recreation and police.
• Council also discussed Halloween and Mayor Rich Porter set trick-or-treating for Halloween night, Oct. 31, after the parade at 7:30 p.m. A separate press release will entail the details of the Halloween parade.
• Councilwoman Lynette Ambruch discussed the success of this year’s pool for the recreation committee. She also went on to address that she would like to see a Christmas event planned and says that “this town needs something to look forward to,” she said, “It needs something good and positive for the community by the community.”
The next Canton Borough Council meeting will be Monday, Nov. 9, at 7 p.m. Location will be determined at a later time.